tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67440057343216347622024-03-13T12:07:07.349-05:00Nature You Should Know with MojoThis blog accompanies a weekly radio show on KXUA 88.3 FM Fayetteville, student run radio at the University of Arkansas. Tune in at kxua.uark.edu each Wednesday from 6-8pm CST for everything in nature that rocks!Mojohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09305855080499789380noreply@blogger.comBlogger80125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6744005734321634762.post-47596534110952603782012-06-24T10:02:00.002-05:002012-06-24T10:10:06.489-05:00<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3_XfPHR0Anc/T-crxKTdNhI/AAAAAAAAAio/k57N4BNvEGE/s1600/sad-sun-bear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3_XfPHR0Anc/T-crxKTdNhI/AAAAAAAAAio/k57N4BNvEGE/s200/sad-sun-bear.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sun bear is so sad.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Greetings, friends. I learned this spring that the website that hosts KXUA's podcasts decided to drop our account and erase our files. It was a mistake, but the damage was done. Thus, when you click on podcast links in this blog, they will lead to a dead end. <br />
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If any of you have saved podcasts from the show's 2.5 years, I would appreciate it so much if you would dropbox them to <a href="mailto:naturewithmojo@gmail.com">naturewithmojo@gmail.com</a>. I too had a file mishap last winter, in which all my music files were erased. And I had only just begun re-downloading my podcasts to make sure I had my NYSK library when KXUA lost its library.<br />
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Thanks to all. And stay tuned, for there is more NYSK on the horizon later this year.<br />
MojoMojohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09305855080499789380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6744005734321634762.post-36512382679978203122011-12-14T11:30:00.003-06:002012-02-11T08:31:19.086-06:00End of an era<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gJqs-HOBRzE/Tui9_oHyuDI/AAAAAAAAAdE/RSilH_wowvE/s1600/kxua.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gJqs-HOBRzE/Tui9_oHyuDI/AAAAAAAAAdE/RSilH_wowvE/s320/kxua.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Well my friends, I'm finally getting around to posting my last podcast <a href="http://www.mediafire.com/file/tb3299t9agrg2u6/NatureYouShouldKnow_05-18-11.mp3">(download here)</a> for NYSK at KXUA. In August, I moved to Conway, AR, to work as a professor of biology at Hendrix College. It's the end of the semester now so I actually have a moment to make this last post!<br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">Since the show started in January 2009, NYSK has brought you everything in nature that rocks! In this final episode, we revisited some of the topics, people, places, and music that have been featured throughout the last two and half years. Thanks to everyone for supporting the show and providing feedback. I hope this show has satisfied your curiosity about the natural world in some ways, but also stimulated it in others. Also, a big thanks goes to the resources that made it all happen (e.g. the Macaulay Library, TNC’s Nature Stories, Scientific American’s 60-second Science)! Finally, a big FAT thank you goes to <a href="http://kxua.uark.edu/"><b>KXUA</b></a>, for providing this nature nut with an outlet of expression for her love of the natural sciences and music.</div><br />
As for the future, this might not be the end of the road for NYSK. Hendrix College also has station (<a href="http://www.khdx.fm/">KHDX</a>), and I wouldn't be surprised if there are bird calls being broadcast from its studio sometime in the near future. Stay tuned!Mojohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09305855080499789380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6744005734321634762.post-30235268830405953862011-05-18T16:13:00.000-05:002011-05-23T09:23:48.177-05:00All About Animal Communication<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F2dTMKklZl4/Tdpt5FjICzI/AAAAAAAAAaU/rgHP1Clew_8/s1600/yellow_warbler_singing-575.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F2dTMKklZl4/Tdpt5FjICzI/AAAAAAAAAaU/rgHP1Clew_8/s200/yellow_warbler_singing-575.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Singing Yellow Warbler</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"></div>For the May 4th and May 11th shows, we covered topics in animal communication. In the first installment, we covered the definition of animal communication and channels through which animals communicate (e.g. visual, auditory, chemical). (No podcast was able to be posted of this show… sorry!).<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R-8Q1u8v8w0/TdQz_gbEznI/AAAAAAAAAaM/gfQCr9MUq0M/s1600/photuris.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="102" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R-8Q1u8v8w0/TdQz_gbEznI/AAAAAAAAAaM/gfQCr9MUq0M/s200/photuris.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photuris firefly preying on another firefly species</td></tr>
</tbody></table>In the May 11th episode<a href="http://www.mediafire.com/file/mmigmcixac4ar39/NatureYouShouldKnow_05-11-11.mp3"> (download podcast here)</a>, we continued our discussion of animal communication with the evolution of animal signals. Download the podcast to learn about competing theories for the function of communication, how raw materials for communication become ritualized over time, and some factors that shape the evolution of signals. We concluded with dishonesty in signaling, as represented by the female <i>Photuris</i> firefly, which mimics the flashes of females from another firefly species. The poor, unwitting males, thinking they’re coming in for some sweet love, are instead captured and devoured by the deceitful <i>Photuris</i>! <br />
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Some news stories from the two episodes...<br />
<ul><li><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110504/wl_canada_afp/canadaenergyoilspillnativeoffbeat">Beaver dam</a> partially contains oil spill</li>
<li><a href="http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110506164319.htm">Insect "helmet"</a> derived from another pair of wings</li>
<li>Does this <a href="http://newswire.uark.edu/article.aspx?id=16165">gene</a> make me look fat?</li>
<li>Climbers leave <a href="http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110503203822.htm">rare plants'</a> genetics on the rocks</li>
</ul><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nZ-h1zb9-JY/TdQ19LYIa8I/AAAAAAAAAaQ/-s7Job2Y_rA/s1600/American-Alligator.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nZ-h1zb9-JY/TdQ19LYIa8I/AAAAAAAAAaQ/-s7Job2Y_rA/s200/American-Alligator.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American Alligator</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Some of the critters we heard from over the two weeks included the Saddleback Tamarin, Wild Turkey, and American Alligator (pictured right).<br />
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My goodness we heard some rockin' music during these episodes, including tracks from artists such as Cat Power, Audible, Television, The Chemical Brothers, The Big Sleep, Cut Copy, LCD Soundsystem, Thelonius Monk, and more!Mojohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09305855080499789380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6744005734321634762.post-69948457240819549242011-05-06T09:58:00.000-05:002011-05-06T10:03:30.525-05:00Amazing Animal Architects<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CSpXh2L7_fk/TcQGtvkfkGI/AAAAAAAAAaA/EF69Sc2CqoY/s1600/TermiteMound.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CSpXh2L7_fk/TcQGtvkfkGI/AAAAAAAAAaA/EF69Sc2CqoY/s320/TermiteMound.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>In the April 27th episode <a href="http://www.mediafire.com/file/54b6hprctg85rbq/NatureYouShouldKnow_04-27-11.mp3">(download podcast here)</a>, we learned about some crafty critters and their architectural masterpieces, including termite mounds (pictured left), which have “air conditioning” and can be up to 30-ft tall (that's like a mile-high in the termite world)! Other natural "buildings" that made the list included <a href="http://newslite.tv/2010/05/10/giant-beaver-dam-discovered-on.html">huge beaver dams</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sociable_Weaver">socialable weaver condos</a>, <a href="http://www.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ecology/organ-pipe_mud_dauber.htm">mud dauber death chambers</a>, and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haf3X5i7XEI">massive spider webs</a>! Thanks to the folks at <a href="http://www.cracked.com/article_19159_the-7-most-impressive-examples-animal-architecture.html">cracked.com</a> who continue to put together these comic lists of fascinating stories from the natural world. <br />
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In the news...<br />
<ul><li>Don't touch that armadillo! It might <a href="http://news.sciencemag.org/sciencenow/2011/04/armadillos-spread-leprosy.html?ref=hp">carry leprosy</a>.</li>
<li><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20110427/sc_livescience/yourperceptionofgravityisallrelativestudyfinds">Perception of gravity</a> is relative.</li>
<li>A positive outcome for <a href="http://www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/episode.cfm?id=can-rewilding-work-11-04-24">re-wilding</a>!</li>
</ul><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CiWjbcVqf_A/TcQNcGhGjxI/AAAAAAAAAaE/sFFq2zPHJew/s1600/armadillo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CiWjbcVqf_A/TcQNcGhGjxI/AAAAAAAAAaE/sFFq2zPHJew/s200/armadillo.jpg" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nine-banded Armadillo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We listened to some interesting vocalizations including the Nine-banded armadillo, American Beaver, and Prairie Dog.<br />
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As for music, we heard from folks like Modest Mouse, Darwin Deez, Velvet Underground, Electralane, Headlights, Sparklehorse, and more! Good times!Mojohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09305855080499789380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6744005734321634762.post-36284006338080869062011-04-27T23:01:00.000-05:002011-04-27T23:05:05.089-05:00One year later<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T8Qtyy6Ho_k/TbjcIbk4hFI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/m6C0AFFxp9Y/s1600/Gulf_Oil_Spill_One_Year_Later.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="174" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T8Qtyy6Ho_k/TbjcIbk4hFI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/m6C0AFFxp9Y/s320/Gulf_Oil_Spill_One_Year_Later.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>For the April 20th show <a href="http://www.mediafire.com/file/48i5b6geq2gruf4/NatureYouShouldKnow_04-20-11.mp3">(downlaod podcast here)</a>, we took a look at current perspectives on the oil spill in the Gulf that occurred one year ago this day. The theme that floats to the top is that although the spill did not result in the level of catastrophe we feared, we cannot truly understand its economic and ecological impacts after just one year. This story is far from over. Check out <a href="http://www.birds.cornell.edu/page.aspx?pid=1855">this video</a> to hear from John Fitzpatrick, the director of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, to learn more.<br />
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In the news...<br />
<ul><li><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/usoilpollutionenvironmentbphealth">Unknown illnesses</a> affect LA oil spill crews</li>
<li>Oil spill also mean <a href="http://www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/episode.cfm?id=oil-spills-mean-air-pollution-too-11-03-13">air pollution</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/areas/gulfofmexico/gulf-of-mexico-1-year-after-the-oil-spill.xml?s_intc=sp1">The Nature Conservancy</a> works to restore the Delta and Gulf</li>
</ul><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5GazIblUmMk/Tbjk7HOMoLI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/pwSEH-H5bvk/s1600/roseate_spoonbill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="196" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5GazIblUmMk/Tbjk7HOMoLI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/pwSEH-H5bvk/s200/roseate_spoonbill.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roseate Spoonbill</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
We heard from critters affected by the oil spill such as the Brown Pelican. Roseate Spoonbill, Northern Gannet, Gulf Coast Toad, and Bottlenose Dolphin.<br />
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Some great music was featured as well, such as Johnny Cash, The Band, Emmy Lou Harris & Willie Nelson, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Tab Benoit, The Standells, and more!Mojohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09305855080499789380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6744005734321634762.post-73645159442955746552011-04-15T14:28:00.000-05:002011-04-15T14:32:43.563-05:00Move on out!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q6Ng9Xg9Gi4/TaiZvlhOoxI/AAAAAAAAAZw/H6q_mqVx0Ow/s1600/bird_migration.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q6Ng9Xg9Gi4/TaiZvlhOoxI/AAAAAAAAAZw/H6q_mqVx0Ow/s400/bird_migration.jpg" width="252" /></a></div>And we're back! After a month break, NYSK returned with the April 13th show, which featured animal migration <a href="http://www.mediafire.com/file/kkq0s4jw0w35ruw/NatureYouShouldKnow_04-13-11.mp3">(download podcast here)</a>. Migration is more than just traveling to new destination; it also requires a return to the original location. Scientists believe that many animals migrate in order to follow resources and reduce competition, particularly during the breeding season when parents need food and shelter for their offspring. Depending on the species, different animals use various tools to get from A to B. Such tools include magnetic cues, a star compass, and physical landmarks. For more information on animal migration, listen to the podcast!<br />
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<br />
The news in nature had some wild stories:<br />
<ul><li><a href="http://news.sciencemag.org/sciencenow/2011/04/scienceshot-toads-keep-their-brain.html">Germ-free brains</a> in toads</li>
<li>A reserve created for the '<a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20110413/sc_livescience/asianunicornreservecreatedtoprotectmysteriousspecies">Asian Unicorn</a>'</li>
<li><a href="http://www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/episode.cfm?id=munching-microbe-rules-methane-prod-11-04-11"><i>M. barkeri</i></a> eats acid and makes landfills a nicer place to live</li>
</ul><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W6t2Ta1ptd4/TaicPwVxEyI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/FXX014bA0sg/s1600/Blackburnian-Warbler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="141" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W6t2Ta1ptd4/TaicPwVxEyI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/FXX014bA0sg/s200/Blackburnian-Warbler.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>For the sound quiz, we heard from some migratory birds that make their way through Arkansas about this time of year. They included the Veery, Blackburnian Warbler (pictured right), and Tennessee Warbler. <br />
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Some great music was also featured, with tracks from the likes of Robert Johnson, Neko Case, The Breeders, Islands, and more!<br />
<ul></ul>Mojohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09305855080499789380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6744005734321634762.post-51507181085757997102011-03-29T09:07:00.000-05:002011-03-29T09:08:51.169-05:00Spring without NYSK<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K8Ju40b1hO8/TZHnGMgyAHI/AAAAAAAAAZs/XoOUDCWsRDE/s1600/redbud.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K8Ju40b1hO8/TZHnGMgyAHI/AAAAAAAAAZs/XoOUDCWsRDE/s200/redbud.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>The show is taking a break for a short time because Razorback Softball is broadcasting during my regularly scheduled time slot. Never fear, you can enjoy the bursting buds of springtime (like this <i>Cercis canadensis</i>) until we return on April 11th!Mojohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09305855080499789380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6744005734321634762.post-34887176201458877902011-03-09T19:51:00.000-06:002011-03-09T19:58:52.153-06:00Works of Aldo Leopold<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-S5F-Au6_Oec/TXgpaQqp6EI/AAAAAAAAAZk/282W4bcVdx0/s1600/Aldo-Leopold.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-S5F-Au6_Oec/TXgpaQqp6EI/AAAAAAAAAZk/282W4bcVdx0/s1600/Aldo-Leopold.jpg" /></a></div>The March 2nd episode <a href="http://www.mediafire.com/file/e6ai7o97qk9g5dq/NatureYouShouldKnow_03-02-11.mp3">(download podcast here)</a> was inspired by an event held at Hobbs State Park on March 5th that celebrated <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aldo_Leopold">Aldo Leopold</a>, an early 20th century naturalist who is considered by some to be the grandfather of the conservation movement. Leopold's most famous work, <i>A Sand County Almanac</i>, beautifully expresses his ideas about the relationship between man and nature. For some excerpts from his works, <a href="http://gargravarr.cc.utexas.edu/chrisj/leopold-quotes.html">click here</a>.<br />
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The news in nature:<br />
<ul><li><a href="http://news.sciencemag.org/sciencenow/2011/03/scienceshot-worms-are-divided-af.html?ref=hp">Worms are divided</a> after all</li>
<li>The <a href="http://news.sciencemag.org/sciencenow/2011/03/are-we-in-the-middle-of-a-sixth-.html?ref=hp">sixth mass extinction</a></li>
<li><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110302/ap_on_sc/us_eastern_cougar;_ylt=AqxurJsBctesHfg8BI65FHMPLBIF;_ylu=X3oDMTJpZzY1OWE1BGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTEwMzAyL3VzX2Vhc3Rlcm5fY291Z2FyBGNwb3MDMQRwb3MDMQRzZWMDeW5fdG9wX3N0b3J5BHNsawNmZWRlcmFscmVzZWE-">Eastern cougar extinct</a></li>
<li>Rose colored glasses make <a href="http://www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/episode.cfm?id=mate-idealization-makes-for-happy-e-11-03-02">a happy marriage</a></li>
</ul><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-SLdiNEZAHZo/TXguRuKmRiI/AAAAAAAAAZo/wdp0wowLW20/s1600/Veery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-SLdiNEZAHZo/TXguRuKmRiI/AAAAAAAAAZo/wdp0wowLW20/s200/Veery.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Veery</td></tr>
</tbody></table>As for music, we heard from Nick Drake, Almanac Singers, The Whites, Neil Young, and more! We even heard from our friends the thrushes, including the Hermit Thrush and Veery.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div>Mojohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09305855080499789380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6744005734321634762.post-72399108904052444982011-02-28T10:07:00.000-06:002011-02-28T10:07:44.485-06:00Hydrofracturing in Arkansas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ps9ISkXspkY/TWvGtmOu1gI/AAAAAAAAAZg/ExaRssrEByc/s1600/matt_moran.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ps9ISkXspkY/TWvGtmOu1gI/AAAAAAAAAZg/ExaRssrEByc/s320/matt_moran.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>For the February 23rd episode <a href="http://www.mediafire.com/file/9immoz8vp849jww/NatureYouShouldKnow_02-23-11.mp3">(download podcast here)</a>, Dr. Matt Moran of <a href="http://www.hendrix.edu/">Hendrix College</a> visited the studio to discuss the practice of hydrofracturing in Arkansas. Hydrofracturing, or hydraulic fracturing, has become a popular method for extracting natural gas from shale formations around the United States. Dr. Moran spoke to us about the environmental, economic, and personal impacts of this practice. Download the podcast above to hear more about this issue. <br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Monday, February 28th, 2011, Hendrix College will host a screening of the Oscar-nominated film “Gasland”, which documents the stories of people involved with and affected by hydrofracturing. The creator of the film, Josh Fox, and local officials will participate in a panel discussion the following Tuesday on Hendrix campus. For more information, <a href="http://www.hendrix.edu/news/news.aspx?id=51430">click here</a> or contact Dr. Moran at moran@hendrix.edu</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">As for the news in nature...</div><ul><li> Why was the <a href="http://news.sciencemag.org/sciencenow/2011/02/scienceshot-why-was-the-new-zealand.html?ref=hp">earthquake in NZ</a> so devastating?</li>
<li>Schools should teach <a href="http://www.scientificamerican.com/blog/post.cfm?id=schools-should-teach-kids-more-abou-2011-02-22">process of science</a></li>
<li><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20110223/sc_livescience/newideatoreduceglobalwarmingeveryoneeatinsects">Eating insects</a> to slow global warming</li>
</ul><br />
Some artists featured included: The Pixies, Wildbirds and Peacdrums, Ryan Adams, Devendra Banhart, Beck, John Prine, Neil Young, Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, Hayes Carll, and the Grateful Dead.Mojohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09305855080499789380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6744005734321634762.post-11852188890184369162011-02-23T12:06:00.000-06:002011-02-23T12:06:09.453-06:00Dog breed diversity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WLRfL5pdS84/TWVHPB8K6iI/AAAAAAAAAZY/BN3c3TaHjqU/s1600/pekingese.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" j6="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WLRfL5pdS84/TWVHPB8K6iI/AAAAAAAAAZY/BN3c3TaHjqU/s320/pekingese.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>On the February 16th, 2011 episode of NYSK <a href="http://www.mediafire.com/file/enj7aecn2duajbj/NatureYouShouldKnow_02-16-11.mp3">(download podcast here)</a>, we talked about the Westminster Kennel Club's dog show. I enjoy watching this event because it reminds me of the power of selective breeding, also known as artificial selection. For instance, compare the Pekingnese pictured above to the Scottish Deerhound (Best in Show, 2011) below. Can you believe these two dogs are the same species- <em>Canis lupus familiaris</em>? Darwin appreciated artificial selection so much that he used it as an illustration for how the process of natural selection works.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7EPFlc3hJX4/TWVIHw5MEtI/AAAAAAAAAZc/ITmLFMvrmgM/s1600/scottish_deerhound.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" j6="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7EPFlc3hJX4/TWVIHw5MEtI/AAAAAAAAAZc/ITmLFMvrmgM/s320/scottish_deerhound.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The diversity of dog breeds has been (and still is) important to humans for several reasons. For example, we historically used certain breeds for specific tasks, such as rooting out rodents from holes (e.g. terriers) and guarding property (e.g. mastiffs). Dogs today are still worked around the world for things like hunting, herding, and guarding, but more often we find ourselves utilizing them as companions.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Westminster Kennel Club's annual dog show allows us to marvel at the different breeds, but we should not forget our little buddies that reside in temporary shelters, just waiting for a loving person to adopt them. For information on a shelter in your area, visit <a href="http://www.animalshelter.org/shelters/states.asp">animalshelter.org</a> and use your zip code to search for a shelter.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">As always in the show, we listened to fun music, mostly dog-related, such as the Scooby Doo theme, Elvis's "Hound Dog", and Patti Page's "How Much Is That Doggie in the Window".</div>Mojohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09305855080499789380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6744005734321634762.post-83496192450483014332011-02-16T16:29:00.000-06:002011-02-16T16:41:22.484-06:00Worst-case scenario... would you survive?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xxC2yBjHAcI/TVxLPjMwDYI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/hxvnFiP1vu4/s1600/baby_delivery_cab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xxC2yBjHAcI/TVxLPjMwDYI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/hxvnFiP1vu4/s320/baby_delivery_cab.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Oh my goodness... it has been a winter for the ages this 2011! Three weeks in a row, Northwest Arkansas was slammed by storms, each once worse than the next. My show suffered because the storms seemed to happen mid-week, but I found a way to make up one of the shows on February 11th <a href="http://www.mediafire.com/file/ntiojdlzfj5nikn/NatureYouShouldKnow_02-11-11.mp3">(download podcast here)</a>.<br />
<br />
The storms also served as a source for inspiration. This week, I read from a book called <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Worst-Case-Scenario-Survival-Handbook/dp/0811825558">The Worst-case Scenario Survival Handbook</a>, which proposes various dangerous scenarios and how to come out on top. For instance, we learned what to do when encountering downed power lines and how to treat frostbite. We also learned what to do if you get trapped in a cab while giving birth. (That poor, poor cabbie.)<br />
<br />
In the news... <br />
<ul><li><a href="http://news.sciencemag.org/sciencenow/2011/02/surgery-in-utero-helps-ease-effe.html?ref=hp">In utereo surgery</a> helps ease spina bifida</li>
<li><a href="http://news.sciencemag.org/sciencenow/2011/02/surgery-in-utero-helps-ease-effe.html?ref=hp">Eggs </a>make squids feel like sparring</li>
<li>Psychotic <a href="http://www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/episode.cfm?id=cannabis-may-influence-onset-of-psy-11-02-07">weed-smokers</a></li>
</ul><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ohDF8pj-_Jk/TVxPm49OCZI/AAAAAAAAAZU/AbaId_uExbs/s1600/AMGO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ohDF8pj-_Jk/TVxPm49OCZI/AAAAAAAAAZU/AbaId_uExbs/s200/AMGO.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American Goldfinch, basic plumage</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
We also learned about different types of seed to put out to attract different species of birds, such as the American Goldfinch (pictured right), Dark-eyed Junco, and Northern Cardinal. We listened to some of these birds' vocalizations for the sound quiz.<br />
<br />
Artists featured included: Yes, Count Basie, Ryan Adams, Cat Stevens, Julie Andrews, and more!Mojohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09305855080499789380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6744005734321634762.post-88890738858154233782011-02-04T11:09:00.000-06:002011-02-04T11:11:21.532-06:00Gross anatomy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_h1MlxKvu_Ws/TUwvg2gTTDI/AAAAAAAAAZA/Vh5dVq6EJyY/s1600/human_dissection.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_h1MlxKvu_Ws/TUwvg2gTTDI/AAAAAAAAAZA/Vh5dVq6EJyY/s320/human_dissection.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The dissection of human beings has been important in our understanding of how our bodies work; however, it has not always been an approved practice. These days, many universities and medical schools are leaning towards using models and computer simulations to teach students anatomy. Check out the January 26th show <a href="http://www.mediafire.com/file/vh9w6un699uflmx/NatureYouShouldKnow_01-26-11.mp3">(download podcast here)</a> to learn more about human dissection.<br />
<br />
In the news...<br />
<ul><li>Mixed results for <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110126/ap_on_sc/us_sci_oil_spill_dispersant;_ylt=ArAgMRA27HJ1EorfYFg4SwEPLBIF;_ylu=X3oDMTJzYzdiN2dhBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTEwMTI2L3VzX3NjaV9vaWxfc3BpbGxfZGlzcGVyc2FudARjcG9zAzEEcG9zAzMEc2VjA3luX3RvcF9zdG9yeQRzbGsDZnVsbG5ic3BzdG9y">effects of chemical dispersants</a> in the Gulf</li>
<li>Born in the USA - <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110126/sc_afp/usanimalzoorhino_20110126183241">a rare black rhino</a></li>
<li><a href="http://news.sciencemag.org/sciencenow/2011/01/carnivorous-plant-feasts-on-bat-.html?ref=hp">Pass the bat dung</a>, please; I'm a plant, and I'm hungry.</li>
</ul><br />
Music featured included Monty Python, My Morning Jacket, John Coltrane, more!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_h1MlxKvu_Ws/TUwyh0KepkI/AAAAAAAAAZE/hN1QRs1w60U/s1600/Birthday_Chinchilla.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="156" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_h1MlxKvu_Ws/TUwyh0KepkI/AAAAAAAAAZE/hN1QRs1w60U/s200/Birthday_Chinchilla.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Since it was also the 2nd birthday of NYSK, we celebrated by listening to birthday-related tunes by Concrete Blonde, Stevie Wonder, and The Bird and the Bee. Thanks for your support throughout the past two years! The show will sadly come to an end this summer when I graduate and leave KXUA. Let's make sure the next six months are a blast!<br />
<ul></ul>Mojohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09305855080499789380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6744005734321634762.post-42889912897340460232011-01-27T19:33:00.000-06:002011-01-27T19:35:01.975-06:00Baby, it's cold outside<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_h1MlxKvu_Ws/TUIXRrlT2OI/AAAAAAAAAYw/Xp8C5sMgt4s/s1600/arctic_fox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_h1MlxKvu_Ws/TUIXRrlT2OI/AAAAAAAAAYw/Xp8C5sMgt4s/s320/arctic_fox.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Last summer, I did a show in which we talked about how plants and critters adapt to the heat. This week, we threw our thing down, flipped it, and reversed it to talk about how our friends in chilly places deal with frigid temperatures. Responses can be behavioral (e.g. migration) or physiological (e.g. short limbs). Check out the January 19th show <a href="http://www.mediafire.com/file/jiq3z2xtt8zpq94/NatureYou%20ShouldKnow_01-19-11.mp3">(download podcast here)</a> to learn more.<br />
<br />
In the news...<br />
<ul><li><a href="http://www.upi.com/Science_News/2011/01/17/Study-Neanderthals-looks-not-from-cold/UPI-15501295301737/">Neanderthals' looks</a> not from cold</li>
<li> <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20110118/sc_livescience/studygenesinfluencewhoyourfriendsare">Friendly influence</a> of genes</li>
<li><a href="http://www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/episode.cfm?id=researchers-attempt-to-count-drunk-11-01-18">Counting drunk sports fans</a></li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_h1MlxKvu_Ws/TUIb-Y3LvnI/AAAAAAAAAY0/IJOvOtrn6V8/s1600/lemming.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_h1MlxKvu_Ws/TUIb-Y3LvnI/AAAAAAAAAY0/IJOvOtrn6V8/s200/lemming.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
For the sound quiz, we heard from some polar animals like the Greenland collared lemming and Gentoo penguin. <br />
<br />
<br />
Music featured included Leonard Cohen, Broadcast, Birdy Nam Nam, Caribou, Wintersleep, This Heat, and more!Mojohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09305855080499789380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6744005734321634762.post-60417424451801426142011-01-22T10:51:00.000-06:002011-01-22T10:51:58.623-06:00The Year In Science, 2010<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_h1MlxKvu_Ws/TTsIxGQzkqI/AAAAAAAAAYs/SFVF0EPF0e0/s1600/cuttlefish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="155" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_h1MlxKvu_Ws/TTsIxGQzkqI/AAAAAAAAAYs/SFVF0EPF0e0/s200/cuttlefish.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A cuttlefish, standing up to be <br />
counted in a marine "census"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>To kick off 2011, we reflected on some happenings from 2010, including developments in medicine, physics, and the environment. I have to admit, the topics I covered were a bit haphazard, and big things were left out (ahem... can you say oil spill?), but we listened to some sweet tunes by folks like UNKLE, Guided by Voices, Edie Brickell, and more! Check out the two part broadcast by downloading the following podcasts:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mediafire.com/file/uja5mf832am8xet/NatureYou%20ShouldKnow_01-03-11.mp3">January 3rd, 2011 Podcast: The Year in Science (Part 1)</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1401747614"><br />
</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mediafire.com/file/xnfn8650aoo1cy6/NatureYou%20ShouldKnow_01-10-11.mp3">January 10th, 2011 Podcast: The Year in Science (Part 2)</a></div>Mojohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09305855080499789380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6744005734321634762.post-41926538832798810622011-01-03T21:03:00.000-06:002011-01-03T21:14:39.554-06:00Songs for the environment<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_h1MlxKvu_Ws/TSKJVn3rfrI/AAAAAAAAAYk/pX1G1enZICM/s1600/shawn_porter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_h1MlxKvu_Ws/TSKJVn3rfrI/AAAAAAAAAYk/pX1G1enZICM/s200/shawn_porter.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>On the December 20th show <a href="http://www.mediafire.com/file/3cvlrbcd2bw103i/NatureYouShouldKnow_12-20-10.mp3">(click here for podcast)</a>, I featured a pre-recorded interview/performance with local environmental activist and musician, Shawn Porter. Shawn hails from the Buffalo River, a place that makes it into some of his songs. He was kind enough to play his harmonica and guitar and sing some of his tunes for us. <a href="http://www.mediafire.com/file/gzhhc68f7mhd2s8/Shawn_Porter_12-08-10.mp3">Click here</a> for just this part of the show.<br />
<br />
Since it was the holidays, I spent the latter portion of the show playing some Christmas tunes that might be a little off the beaten path. For example, we heard a rendition of "The Friendly Beasts" by Sufjan Stevens and "Christmas at the Zoo" by the Flaming Lips.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_h1MlxKvu_Ws/TSKQDcrxVuI/AAAAAAAAAYo/beHASvTViEk/s1600/xmas_pets.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="172" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_h1MlxKvu_Ws/TSKQDcrxVuI/AAAAAAAAAYo/beHASvTViEk/s400/xmas_pets.jpg.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Christmas pets: Vik and Cutlet</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
I hope everyone had a fantastic 2010. NYSK turns 2 years old next month. Join us in the new year to celebrate!Mojohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09305855080499789380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6744005734321634762.post-76767509219254166202010-12-20T17:06:00.000-06:002010-12-20T17:06:55.364-06:00Grizzlies in Alberta<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_h1MlxKvu_Ws/TQ_d8Wb-k8I/AAAAAAAAAYc/KS_rzNS0mZA/s1600/Grizzly-bear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_h1MlxKvu_Ws/TQ_d8Wb-k8I/AAAAAAAAAYc/KS_rzNS0mZA/s320/Grizzly-bear.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>For the December 6th show <a href="http://www.mediafire.com/file/ow08zu3q5d4ev31/NatureYouShouldKnow_12-06-10.mp3">(click here for podcast)</a>, we listened to a piece from <a href="http://support.nature.org/site/PageServer?pagename=podcast">Nature Stories</a> about Grizzly Bear conservation in Alberta, Canada. We also heard lots of country and folk music from the Smithsonian Folkways compilation <a href="http://www.folkways.si.edu/albumdetails.aspx?itemid=3124">Alberta: Wild Roses, Northern Lights</a>. Some artists included: The Corb Lund Band, k.d. lang, Tim Hus, Kubasonics, and more. We also listened to come bear vocalizations to finish up the evening. <br />
<br />
In the news...<br />
<ul><li><a href="http://news.sciencemag.org/sciencenow/2010/12/scienceshot-mean-spiders-make.html?ref=hp">Mean spiders</a> make good moms</li>
<li><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20101206/sc_livescience/newspeciesofrusteatingbacteriadestroyingthetitanic">Rust-eating bacteria </a>make a meal of the titanic</li>
<li><a href="http://www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/episode.cfm?id=yes-we-cancun-on-climate-change-10-12-05">Climate change conference</a> in Cancun heats up</li>
</ul>Mojohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09305855080499789380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6744005734321634762.post-83355379973678346832010-11-27T13:47:00.000-06:002010-11-27T13:48:34.185-06:00Dr. Hantz talks pets<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_h1MlxKvu_Ws/TPFeXdglEiI/AAAAAAAAAYM/n8_t48CYduA/s1600/hantz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_h1MlxKvu_Ws/TPFeXdglEiI/AAAAAAAAAYM/n8_t48CYduA/s200/hantz.jpg" width="140" /></a></div>On a special episode of NYSK <a href="http://www.mediafire.com/file/85c9admiqipt40l/NatureYouShouldKnow_11-22-10.mp3">(click here for podcast)</a>, Dr. Sarah Hantz visited the studio to talk shop. We learned about some interesting things she's seen, including <a href="http://www.justsaver.com/cow-fistula-hole-allows-people-to-see-into-the-cows-stomach/">fistulas</a> and a dog that had a surgical blade in its abdomen for years. Download the podcast to hear why it's not such a good idea to feed your pets scraps from the table.<br />
<br />
We also listened to some sweet music, including Cowboy Junkies, The Fiery Furnaces, Animal Collective, Why?, Miss Kitten, and Be Your Own Pet.<br />
<br />
NYSK will not air November 29th, but will be back in action December 6th! Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving.Mojohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09305855080499789380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6744005734321634762.post-60401475628264866352010-11-22T16:23:00.000-06:002010-11-22T16:24:05.994-06:00Caging an animal<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_h1MlxKvu_Ws/TOrmase-HMI/AAAAAAAAAYE/OHTqU3A9kPw/s1600/tiger-pet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="161" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_h1MlxKvu_Ws/TOrmase-HMI/AAAAAAAAAYE/OHTqU3A9kPw/s200/tiger-pet.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Would you want a tiger for a pet? If the answer is "yes", then perhaps you should spend some time around a fully grown one. You might learn just how much they eat, how much of a mess they make, and how incredibly dangerous they can be. Sadly, many people adopt big cats, and other exotic animals, without fully understanding the requirements of taking care of these wild animals. In the end, both human and animal suffer, and often the animal is abandoned, or worse, put down after lashing out at its owner. During the November 15th show <a href="http://www.mediafire.com/file/6x7hkirn6donpfv/NatureYouShouldKnow_11-15-10.mp3">(click here for podcast)</a>, we heard a piece from <a href="http://support.nature.org/site/PageServer?pagename=podcast">Nature Stories</a> called "Ferocity You Can Touch", which tells the tale of the Tiger Temple in Thailand where tourists pay to pet tigers. These tigers are said to have a Buddhist-like zen about them, but as the story reveals, they are "trained" in the same way as many other captive tigers throughout the world - with fear and punishment. You might be able to take the animal out of the wild, but never the wild out of the animal.<br />
<br />
In the news...<br />
<ul><li><a href="http://news.sciencemag.org/sciencenow/2010/11/scienceshot-stinkbug-phone-lines.html?ref=hp">Stink bug phone lines</a></li>
<li><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20101115/sc_afp/wildlifeiucnspeciesoceanssquid">New species of squid</a> in the Indian Ocean</li>
<li><a href="http://www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/episode.cfm?id=daydreaming-diminishes-happiness-10-11-11">Daydreaming diminishes happiness</a></li>
</ul><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_h1MlxKvu_Ws/TOrs840NR4I/AAAAAAAAAYI/-hhLvklPGJ8/s1600/turpentine_cessna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_h1MlxKvu_Ws/TOrs840NR4I/AAAAAAAAAYI/-hhLvklPGJ8/s1600/turpentine_cessna.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cessna, a lion at Turpentine Creek</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
We also talked about a nearby rescue operation for abandoned tigers, and other large mammals, called <a href="http://www.turpentinecreek.org/">Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge</a>. I volunteered there when I was in college. For the sound quiz, I played a few of the vocalizations that were most common on the property. It was quite impressive when all the big cats, such as lions, tigers, and cougars, would begin calling in chorus. <br />
<br />
We also heard tracks from Neko Case, Wire, The Swirlies, Le Tigre, Wildwood, and more!Mojohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09305855080499789380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6744005734321634762.post-58453240036981627232010-11-15T17:13:00.000-06:002010-11-15T17:15:47.657-06:00Cryptozoology, Part 2<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_h1MlxKvu_Ws/TOG6FKmhrLI/AAAAAAAAAX8/j4GwPyZzif0/s1600/kraken.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_h1MlxKvu_Ws/TOG6FKmhrLI/AAAAAAAAAX8/j4GwPyZzif0/s1600/kraken.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kraken (or giant squid)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>For the November 8th show <a href="http://www.mediafire.com/file/sllh32o015g2l8k/NatureYouShouldKnow_11-08-10.mp3">(click here for podcast)</a>, we continued our discussion of cryptozoology. We delved into a list of cryptid critters that just may, or may not, exist. Have you ever heard of fish with hair (i.e. <a href="http://www.newanimal.org/mirapin.htm">mirapinna</a>)? Or perhaps you wonder about the origins of the mythical <a href="http://www.newanimal.org/kraken.htm">kraken</a>? Listen to the show for more cryptid craziness!<br />
<br />
<br />
What's up for the news in nature?<br />
<ul><li><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20101107/ts_alt_afp/scienceuscanadablood">Turning skin into blood</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/11/101104083102.htm">GMOs might be more natural</a> than we thought</li>
<li><a href="http://www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/episode.cfm?id=assassin-bug-hunts-spiders-with-pre-10-11-02">Assassin bug uses good vibes</a> to hunt prey</li>
</ul><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_h1MlxKvu_Ws/TOG-PQc4AhI/AAAAAAAAAYA/UdEdwYHRZoE/s1600/ivory-billed-woodpecker.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_h1MlxKvu_Ws/TOG-PQc4AhI/AAAAAAAAAYA/UdEdwYHRZoE/s200/ivory-billed-woodpecker.JPG" width="177" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ivory-billed Woodpeck, male</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
A cryptid that has been of big importance to Arkansas is the Ivory-billed Woodpecker. These birds were thought to have gone extinct, and then rediscovered in the Big Woods of eastern Arkansas in 2004. The video and audio evidence for this rediscovery has not been enough to convince many skeptics, and the search for the bird still continues. We listened to some recordings of these birds from 1935. <br />
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Artists featured were Owusu and Hannibal, Les Savy Fav, Frog Eyes, The Frogs, The Toadies, The Gourds, Tiny Hairs, Oxes, The Ills, and more!Mojohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09305855080499789380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6744005734321634762.post-19766677782718008052010-11-08T22:01:00.000-06:002010-11-15T17:16:20.763-06:00Cryptozoology, Part 1<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_h1MlxKvu_Ws/TNjA9J3OM3I/AAAAAAAAAX4/-PaUZTgM35s/s1600/yeti.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_h1MlxKvu_Ws/TNjA9J3OM3I/AAAAAAAAAX4/-PaUZTgM35s/s320/yeti.jpg" width="232" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yeti</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Is that a yeti I spy amid the barren trees? It just might be... but perhaps we should leave that to the cryptozoologists to determine? For the November 1st episode of NYSK <a href="http://www.mediafire.com/file/922t3sjkrp73955/NatureYouShouldKnow_11-01-10.mp3">(click here for podcast)</a>, we learned about the intersection of cryptozoology and science. You might be asking yourself what the heck I'm talking about... well... cryptozoology is the study of organisms that have not yet been accepted as real. It's a field that covers everything from <a href="http://www.newanimal.org/nessie.htm">Nessie</a> to <a href="http://www.newanimal.org/thylacine.htm">thylacines</a> to <a href="http://www.newanimal.org/air-rods.htm">air rods</a>. For this first episode on cryptozoology, we listened to the majority of a podcast from <a href="http://www.skeptic.com/podcasts/monstertalk/episodes2010.html">Monster Talk</a>, a show that "critically examines the science behind cryptozoological (and legendary) creatures". This episode features an interview with Dr. Darren Naish, a vertebrate palaeozoologist, in which he discusses the relationship between ethnobotany and cryptozoology, the most plausible cryptids, and more.<br />
<br />
In the news...<br />
<ul><li>Miniature <a href="http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/10/101030111057.htm">human livers created</a> in the lab</li>
<li>Can <a href="http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/11/101101093604.htm">rabbit food decrease estrogen</a> levels in waterways?</li>
<li><a href="http://www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/episode.cfm?id=fingers-know-when-you-type-wrong-10-10-28">Fingers know</a> when you type wrong<br />
<br />
</li>
</ul>We also heard from the artists Menomena, Deerhunter, Monsters of Folk, Mystery Jets, and Cat Power.Mojohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09305855080499789380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6744005734321634762.post-34876999191848437972010-10-29T16:04:00.000-05:002010-10-29T16:08:41.380-05:00Braaaaaaaaains<span id="goog_669565149"></span><span id="goog_669565150"></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_h1MlxKvu_Ws/TMszTtMq9qI/AAAAAAAAAXo/uZXv8zewTno/s1600/zombie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_h1MlxKvu_Ws/TMszTtMq9qI/AAAAAAAAAXo/uZXv8zewTno/s320/zombie.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Halloween! What a fantastic time of the year! We get our creative juices flowing and revert to a childlike state while carving pumpkins, stuffing our faces with candy, and dressing up as kooky characters. A popular trend these days is for groups to do a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zombie_walk">"zombie walk"</a>, in which people gather, dressed in gore, to shuffle around public places - mimicking scenes from some of our favorite zombie flicks. Thank goodness it's all a fun Halloween trick... but could it ever be a reality? In the October 25th show <a href="http://www.mediafire.com/file/pepevodztzsd621/NatureYouShouldKnow_10-25-10.mp3">(click here for podcast)</a>, we talk about some documented cases of zombies and potential biological causes of zombie-like behavior (as featured by <a href="http://www.cracked.com/article_15643_5-scientific-reasons-zombie-apocalypse-could-actually-happen.html">cracked.com</a>).<br />
<br />
In the news...<br />
<ul><li>California beaches closed due to <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101024/ap_on_re_us/us_shark_attack">deadly shark attack</a></li>
<li>Vaccines might help <a href="http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20827833.200-vaccines-could-help-elephantiasis-spread.html">elephantiasis spread</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/episode.cfm?id=receptors-for-taste-found-in-lungs-10-10-25">Receptors for taste</a> found in the lungs</li>
</ul><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_h1MlxKvu_Ws/TMs2dMtqUoI/AAAAAAAAAX0/R9DDUX_cruw/s200/great_potoo.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="159" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great Potoo</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
To ramp up the spook-factor, we listened to some creepy vocalizations from otherwise sweet-looking birds! Thanks to Abby for some of the suggestions of the Great Potoo and the Spectacled Owl.<br />
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Music featured included The Misfits, The Zombies, Tune-Yards, Zombie Nation, The Dead Weather, Puerto Muerto, and more.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_h1MlxKvu_Ws/TMs2dMtqUoI/AAAAAAAAAX0/R9DDUX_cruw/s1600/great_potoo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div>Mojohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09305855080499789380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6744005734321634762.post-30632637392626000692010-10-25T14:32:00.000-05:002010-10-25T14:33:15.171-05:00Ya filthy animal<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_h1MlxKvu_Ws/TMXMrc5T2iI/AAAAAAAAAXg/dPySbv1l5R8/s1600/dog_lick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="134" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_h1MlxKvu_Ws/TMXMrc5T2iI/AAAAAAAAAXg/dPySbv1l5R8/s200/dog_lick.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Do you give your dog kisses? Do you sometimes wake up to your kitty's booty in your face? Just how clean are your pets? How do animals in the wild keep themselves clean? There are many approaches. Some animals self-groom; others engage in allogrooming with members of their social group. Some critters even bridge the species barrier by cleaning members of another species (e.g. the oxpecker is a bird that picks parasites off of large mammals in Africa). You'll find these topics and more in the October 18th show <a href="http://www.mediafire.com/file/mweoegpqq6gii7b/NatureYouShouldKnow_10-18-10.mp3">(click here for podcast)</a>. <br />
<br />
In the news...<br />
<ul><li>Avoiding the sun leads to a <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20101018/sc_livescience/catch22peoplewhoavoidthesunlackvitamind">lack of vitamin D</a></li>
<li>A mouse that can <a href="http://www.mnn.com/green-tech/research-innovations/stories/scientists-create-mouse-that-can-smell-light-0">smell light</a>?</li>
<li>Restaurant noise can <a href="http://www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/episode.cfm?id=restaurant-noise-can-alter-food-tas-10-10-18">alter the taste of food</a></li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_h1MlxKvu_Ws/TMXbFnhJLKI/AAAAAAAAAXk/NATvCNdbCB0/s1600/osprey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="137" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_h1MlxKvu_Ws/TMXbFnhJLKI/AAAAAAAAAXk/NATvCNdbCB0/s200/osprey.jpg" style="cursor: move; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="200" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Osprey</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
At the end of the show, we heard part of a 1978 recording called Sounds of Florida's Birds compiled and narrated by Dr. John William Hardy. Listen for songs from birds like the osprey and bobwhite.<br />
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Artists featured included The Clean, LCD Soundsystem, Dr. Dog, The Juan Maclean, Echo and the Bunnymen, and more!Mojohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09305855080499789380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6744005734321634762.post-56193920575510632312010-10-22T12:43:00.000-05:002010-10-22T12:46:22.965-05:00More from the microscopic world!I found this <a href="http://green.yahoo.com/blog/greenpicks/292/rare-images-beyond-the-naked-eye.html">link for rare images beyond the naked eye</a> and thought I would post it as a follow up to the show "The life microscopic" (Sep 27th, 2010). It features some of the best photos from the <a href="http://www.nikonsmallworld.com/gallery/year/2010/1">2010 Small World Photomicrography Competition</a>. Check it out!Mojohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09305855080499789380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6744005734321634762.post-55404121250137265202010-10-18T16:03:00.000-05:002010-10-18T16:07:03.810-05:00Monogamy... a myth?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_h1MlxKvu_Ws/TLyxi0SxFxI/AAAAAAAAAXY/cKWeL6ZAitQ/s320/hornbill.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="249" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great Hornbill pair</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"></div>Seeing as how I just got hitched... I have the idea of life-long commitment in mind. So for the October 11th show <a href="http://www.mediafire.com/file/ykpf7jjcmzmiv9a/NatureYouShouldKnow_10-11-10.mp3">(click here for podcast)</a> we covered the subject of monogamy in the animal world. Back in the day, animal behaviorists assumed that certain animals, particularly birds, were monogamous because they often witness pairs tending the nest. Little did they know that it was common for both males and females to sneak out for a rendezvous with another bird when their mate was not looking. These "cheating" events are termed "extra-pair copulations", or EPCs, and genetic techniques have revealed just how prevalent they can be! Perhaps one exception is the Great Hornbill (<i>Buceros bicornis</i>). The impregnated females of this species enclose themselves into a tree cavity by plugging up the hole with mud and droppings. Her mate then delivers food to her and nestlings as the breeding season unfolds over 4 months! For a video depicting this process, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xQR-8EVuX8">click here</a>. <br />
<br />
As for the news...<br />
<ul><li><a href="http://news.sciencemag.org/sciencenow/2010/10/scienceshot-biggest-genome-ever.html">Biggest genome</a> found in a plant</li>
<li>New Orleans suspends the <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_upshot/20101011/od_yblog_upshot/in-wake-of-animal-abuse-cases-nopd-suspends-use-of-canines">use of police dogs</a></li>
<li>Is <a href="http://www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/episode.cfm?id=0FB7DDD1-A6B1-012D-32AE713D5752AF59">fidelity</a> in our genes?</li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_h1MlxKvu_Ws/TLy1k0nkyWI/AAAAAAAAAXc/7xTlFQ4xFvQ/s1600/Red-Winged+Blackbird.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="119" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_h1MlxKvu_Ws/TLy1k0nkyWI/AAAAAAAAAXc/7xTlFQ4xFvQ/s200/Red-Winged+Blackbird.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
For the sound quiz, we heard from some critters that are known for their strong pair bonds, or lack thereof. They included the Great Hornbill, Golden-mantled Tamarin, Meadow Vole (in lieu of the Prairie Vole), and the Red-winged Blackbird (pictured).<br />
<br />
Music artists featured included The Velvet Underground, Amandine, The Accidental Clearinghouse Story, The High Fidelity, Silver Jews, The Fidelity Wars, and more!Mojohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09305855080499789380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6744005734321634762.post-79288127815987210072010-10-13T19:50:00.000-05:002010-10-13T19:51:35.915-05:00The life microscopic<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_h1MlxKvu_Ws/TLZPXdNBrkI/AAAAAAAAAXU/5-rh6TmEj3A/s1600/micro_art.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_h1MlxKvu_Ws/TLZPXdNBrkI/AAAAAAAAAXU/5-rh6TmEj3A/s200/micro_art.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>What a wonderful world it is under a microscope. For the September 27th show <a href="http://www.mediafire.com/file/qguh2sjkyh19f64/NatureYouShouldKnow_09-27-10.mp3">(click here for podcast)</a> we explored the invention of the light microscope and all the wonderful things we can see underneath it. For a taste of the worlds that it reveals, visit <a href="http://waiting-for-october.blogspot.com/2010/05/microscopic-world.html">this blog</a>. For more information on how it all functions, visit <a href="http://www.howstuffworks.com/light-microscope.htm">How Stuff Works</a>.<br />
<br />
As for the news...<br />
<ul><li>A cure for the <a href="http://news.sciencemag.org/sciencenow/2010/09/scienceshot-a-cure-for-the-distracted.html">distracted driver</a>?</li>
<li>New Zealand rescuers <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100925/ap_on_sc/as_new_zealand_whales_stranded;_ylt=AlwO0w.V9Yw_E6L4eXKDKJkPLBIF;_ylu=X3oDMTJ2YWQzZmwxBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTAwOTI1L2FzX25ld196ZWFsYW5kX3doYWxlc19zdHJhbmRlZARjcG9zAzMEcG9zAzYEc2VjA3luX3RvcF9zdG9yeQRzbGsDbnplYWxhbmRyZXNj">save 14 whales</a> from a stranded pod</li>
<li><a href="http://www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/episode.cfm?id=when-did-you-and-your-ferret-evolut-10-09-21">When did you and your pet evolutionarily diverge?</a> - there's an app for that.</li>
</ul><br />
Musical artists featured were TV on the Radio, Interpol, Yo La Tengo, The Cure, Neutral Milk Hotel, The Microscopic Septet, Architecture in Helsinki, Travis, and more!Mojohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09305855080499789380noreply@blogger.com0