Tuesday, 10 January, 2012
This Week: Dr. Darwin teaches robot!
In the News: Tar-sand pipeline at center of Congressional wrangle
Dr. Darwin teaches robot!
You have to be smart to program a robot -- unless you experience the teacher.
A crash course in "sink or swim" teaches computerized robots to adapt to changing circumstances. When taught by "directed evolution," robots that started without legs learned to walk sooner than robots that started with legs! Can you explain? More »
Biology: critters that should not exist!
Too hot, too weird, too enmeshed
Dive deep, and meet the flashlight squid -- with a billion-bacteria light bulb. Meet bacteria that live in boiling water, and the immense variety of weirder-than-weird critters that live between grains of sand. Plus a highly selected bio-freak show… More »
Science Teachers: Hip yourself to a great resource!
Teaching the science standards? Looking for extra-credit projects?
For 15 years, we've presented the science behind the news. The Why Files are accurate, engaging, entertaining and educational. Check our links from national science teaching standards to specific Why Files -- all 750 of them! Whether it's geology or archaeology, weather or human behavior, The Why Files has it covered. More »
Wildfire!
What is the ecological impact of fire in the forest?
As southwestern forests go up in smoke, we look at the long-term picture. Fighting fires has made fire the remaining fires more intense, but controlled burns have their own hazards. Are we already seeing the effect of climate change on forest fires? More »
In The News
Excedrin, other meds pulled from shelf after manufacturer's mixup
What's causing the scarcity of affordable anesthetics, antibiotics and cancer drugs? How do "gray-market" firms operate? Can we make sure hospitals have needed drugs?
More »
Feds restrict farm use of antibiotics; aim to preserve drugs for people
Scientists are desperately scrounging for new ways to fight pathogenic bacteria. But would you believe healing clay, gator blood, honey and crushed leaves? More »
Commitment, pop-star style: 17 days - Sinead O'Connor divorces!
Marriage has many benefits -- for adults and kids. With divorce and shacking so common, this article could change your mind! More »
Tarzan's chimp dies at 80! Watched TV during retirement
We explore the sad saga of pet primates. Are these pets psychologically good for us? For them? Are humans and other primates trading diseases at home, and in the wild?
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Feds to remove wolf in Wis. & Minn. from endangered status
The gray wolf has made a dramatic recovery in the northern Rockies and upper Midwest. Is the wolf still endangered, or has it recovered? Should we start hunting and killing the dog wild relatives?
More »
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