SciFri Radio: Ecosystems

SciFri Radio: The Fabulous Fungi
In this hour of Science Friday, we'll take a look at all things fungal -- from shiitakes to mold, and everything in between.

SciFri Radio: Mass Extinction Event On the Horizon?
Scientists studying many different parts of the planet's ecosystems are warning that Earth may be on the verge of a 6th major mass extinction event.

SciFri Radio: The Scoop on Soil
Soil may be good for growing things in -- but it's also an important player in climate change. We'll talk with a soil scientist about the...

SciFri Radio: A Coral Catastrophe?
A third of the world's reef-building coral species are vulnerable to extinction, a group of researchers says. We'll talk with one of the authors of...

SciFri Radio: Prochlorococcus
Just over twenty years ago, researchers discovered a photosynthetic marine microorganism now known as Prochlorococcus. In this segment, guest host...

SciFri Radio: Climate Change Legislation Fails in Senate
This week, the US Senate took up debate on proposed climate change legislation -- but the bill failed to win the needed number of votes to avoid a...

SciFri Radio: Great Lakes Water Issues
The five Great Lakes, Erie, Huron, Michigan, Ontario, and Superior, are said to hold one-fifth of the world's surface fresh water. In this hour,...

SciFri Radio: The Dry Sahara
What made the Sahara Desert go dry -- and is there any water there left to be found?

SciFri Radio: Tiny Beetle, Big Impact
An increase in the numbers of mountain pine beetles feeding on trees in Canada could turn the carbon-sink forests into greenhouse gas liabilities....

SciFri Radio: Bat Die-Off Mystery
Bat experts are struggling to explain what's causing a massive die-off in hibernating bats across parts of the Northeast.

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Particles of Science

Healing Honey

A new study by researchers at the University of Ottawa suggests that honey helps kill the bacteria that cause chronic sinusitis. Read more about the study.

Free the River

SciFri guest Ivor van Heerden says that perhaps the best thing we can do to protect coastal Louisiana against hurricanes is to let the river run wild. Listen to van Heerden. This allows new wetlands to be created, which can reduce wave energy significantly.

Vaccine Safety

Wary of vaccinations? SciFri guest, Paul Offit, says vaccines are probably more rigorously tested than anything else we consume. Listen to Dr. Offit.

Itsy Bitsy Spacecraft

SciFri guest Aaron Rowe explains the advantages of smaller spacecraft: Listen. Find out about a new development in the micro craft design--a material that can change color depending on whether the craft is in sun or shadow to reflect or absorb light. Listen to Rowe.

SciFri Newsbriefs: Ecosystems

Newsbrief: Anglers Beware: Fish Capable of Logical Reasoning
Fish and kindergarteners can logically infer.

Newsbrief: Snakes Steal From Toads and Eat Them Too
A snake steals toxins from the toads it eats.

Newsbrief: The Mama Mafia
Cowbirds lay their eggs in other birds nests and then retaliate if the foster parent doesn't take good care.

Newsbrief: Can't see the Tundra for the Trees
A study in Canada revealed that the tundra is shrinking in response to global warming.

Newsbrief: Sharks Dwindle; Shellfish Suffer
The sea is running out of sharks and that's bad news for shellfish.

Newsbrief: Good Eating
The amount of methylmercury in freshwater fish may be linked to how fast the water fleas are growing.

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SciFri Videos: Ecosystems

Video: Live from Alaska: Climate Change
On June 8, 2007, Science Friday broadcast from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Ira and guests discussed how Alaska and the Arctic are changing...

Video: Squirrels, Snakes and Heated Tails
When California ground squirrels (Spermophilus beecheyi) are confronted by snakes, they puff up their tails and wave them around, in a display...

Video: Ask Ira: Coral Spawn by Moonlight
One night in November each year, hundreds of species of coral spawn. Scientists have puzzled over how coral living over a thousand miles apart on...

Video: Oysters--Not Just for Eating
Think oysters are good on the half shell? They may be even better whole. Oysters can restore marine habitats by cleaning water, creating homes for...

Video: Your Video: Rattlesnake Rescue
What happens when a giant poisonous snake gets stuck in a fence? Find out. Carol Buie-Jackson documents the rescue of an eastern diamondback...

Video: Meet the Newest Giant Elephant-Shrew
Galen Rathbun, Francesco Rovero and colleagues discovered a new species of elephant shrew--named the grey-faced sengi (Rhynchocyon...

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Featured Video: Camouflage Goes High Tech to Dupe Deer
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Images Courtesy of W.L. Gore & Associates. Produced by Flora Lichtman

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Blogs

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