Thursday, February 2, 2023

envirobites

environmental science research for everyone

Welcome to envirobites

We want to make cutting edge research in the environmental sciences accessible to all by highlighting recent studies and explaining how these advances shape the understanding of our world.

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Animal behavior 

Springtails stick the landing as the world’s tiniest acrobats

Brandi Pessman 0 Comments , , ,

With one powerful flick of their tail, aptly-named springtails propel themselves from water to air. Though a close relative of insects, springtails can soar at heights 16 times the length of their body. No larger than a grain of rice, springtails are leaps and bounds ahead of cats when it comes to landing on their feet. Their controlled take-off, landing, and ability to right themselves in midair is unmatched and have caught the attention of scientists. These ancient acrobats may yield key innovations for robots with controlled landing.

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Español 

¿De cuántas maneras puedes contar lobos?

Andrea Valcarcel 0 Comments , , , , , ,

Aunque el radioseguimiento se utiliza a menudo para controlar las poblaciones de lobos, los científicos se están centrando en métodos que no requieren la captura de animales vivos. ¿Cuáles son algunas de estas opciones y cómo se comparan con el radioseguimiento?

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Animal behavior 

Why are zebras striped? – Biting flies read between the lines

Brandi Pessman 0 Comments , ,

Why are zebras striped? A simple question with a seemingly complex answer. The stark black and white striped pattern has mystified scientists as to why the animal developed such coloration. Researchers have tested ideas from individual recognition to camouflage from predators. Perhaps the stripes help zebras avoid attacks from a much smaller predator. A recent study adds a piece to the puzzle, though this research poses more questions that leave the stripes an enigma.

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Environmental Science 

Striving to Be Everywhere, All the Time: How Citizen Science Can Help Environmental Research

Andrea Valcarcel 0 Comments , , ,

The world is pretty big. Sometimes, even when scientists breakdown and reduce their study area, they don’t have the resources to collect enough samples to be able to reliably interpret the results of their studies. Here is where citizen science comes in. Citizen science is when the general public becomes voluntarily involved in scientific processes, helping researchers collect data and reporting on what they see. But, how efficient and accurate is this new resource we’re only recently applying? And, how can you get involved?

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Español 

Abracadabra, patas de cabra: El tiburón fantasma de las profundidades desarrolló un sexto sentido

Andrea Valcarcel 0 Comments , , ,

Las burbujas que surgen de las profundidades del mar son señal de problemas: un enfrentamiento entre un depredador y su presa. Las profundidades marinas, un hábitat relativamente inexplorado y misterioso, albergan criaturas que se han adaptado a la oscuridad y el silencio del fondo del océano durante cientos de millones de años. Pasar tanto tiempo en estas duras condiciones ha obligado al tiburón fantasma a desarrollar un sexto sentido: la capacidad de detectar cambios en el campo electromagnético. Los científicos están empezando a descubrir esta historia fantasmal, pero gran parte de ella sigue siendo un misterio.

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