Image: Karen Shaw

Image: Luigi Diamanti

Image: Dino De Luca

Image: prozac1 / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Magnetic Vision
Wonder how birds migrate?  According to researchers, they can ‘see’ the Earth’s magnetic field and use it for navigation.  Read about the discovery here.

The Voyage of the Plastiki
12,500 empty plastic bottles went into the building of the Plastiki, the world’s first catamaran made from plastic waste; it recently completed a successful Pacific crossing.  See photos of the boat and read about the trip here.

Startling Decline in Plankton
Nature recently published a report stating that the world’s population of phytoplankton has declined about 1% every year for the last century.  The tiny marine plants might not seem important, but they are the basis for marine food chains and a vital part of the ecosystem.  Read about the disturbing find at BBC News.

News Around the Web 7/18/10 - 7/24/10

Surprising Ways Climate Change Affects Animals
Although most people know the impact of climate change on polar bears, two recent stories illustrate it in unexpected ways.  Marmots (mountain rodents) are growing larger and more plentiful, as published in Science Daily.  Additionally, the American robin has taken up residence in the Arctic, which is becoming increasingly more hospitable to southern species of birds.  Read both stories to discover why theses are not necessarily beneficial changes.

The Dainty Damselfly Returns
The whimsically named dainty damselfly has reappeared in the UK after disappearing over 50 years ago.  Possibly arriving from continental Europe, the beautiful insect is making a home again after being washed away in floods during the 1950s.  See photos and read the story here.

In Pictures: Clouded Leopard Cubs
Rare Clouded Leopards are notoriously shy and difficult to breed, but a Parisian zoo has successfully bred a small litter.  Photos of the adorable babies are now available at CBBC.

News Around the Web 7/11/10 - 7/17/10

What Makes a Bee Queen?
People have long pondered how bees select a ‘queen’ for their hive.  But the act is anything but arbitrary- new research shows that bees have a complex caste system determined by hormones and diet.  Read the full story here.

Surviving Undersea Dead Zones
A ‘dead zone’ is a deep-sea spot with extremely low oxygen which can stretch up to hundreds of feet deep and several miles wide. So what happens when a sea creature encounters one?  Turns out jumbo squid have a unique way of adapting to the hostile environment.  Read about it at BBC News.

Video: Giant Undersea Volcano
Check out this new National Geographic video of one of the largest undersea volcanoes, which spews sulfur into the sea yet is home to small life forms such as barnacles and shrimp.

News Around the Web 6/27/10-7/3/10

Why Turning Off Lights Really Matters
Switching off lights and other basic energy-saving actions are so simple they may seem ineffective.  However, a new study shows that it has a much bigger impact on reducing carbon dioxide emissions than previously thought; estimates of emissions saved may be up to 60 percent too low.  Read the story and get ideas for saving energy at Science Daily.

Nervous Dogs and Thunder
Just in time for the Fourth of July: A study recently showed that holding or comforting a dog during loud noises such as a thunderstorm does not relieve their anxiety, although the company of other dogs may do the trick.  Read about pet panic here.

Video: Dolphin Parenting
The mortality rate for baby dolphins is 50% in the first year.  As with humans, the best way to avoid this and to raise a healthy dolphin is through watchful parenting.  Watch the video below to see how closely juveniles follow their mother to learn survival and social skills.

News Around the Web 6/13/10 - 6/19/10

Image: Julie A. Wenskoski / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Snake Eyes?
How do you protect yourself when you’re small, harmless, and very edible?  Simple- disguise yourself as something large, toxic and scary.  Read the New York Times’ article about how moths and caterpillars imitate snakes and other creatures as a defense mechanism. 

In Pictures: Sinkholes
Imagine it: a seemingly bottomless pit suddenly opens up in the middle of a city.  It sounds like something out of a movie, but it’s not- recently the giant sinkhole in Guatemala City made headlines with it’s size and unpredictability.  The event is by no means unique- check out other famous pits, including Belize’s underwater ‘Blue Hole’, here.

The Benefits of Whale Poop
Researchers in Australia have determined the the fecal matter from sperm whales helps absorb carbon dioxide, and also deposits iron, which aids the growth of phytoplankton.  Overall it helps slow climate change and aids the growth of marine life.  Get the full story here.

News Around the Web 6/6/10 - 6/12/10

Shark Do Sniff Out Prey- and Here’s How
We already know that sharks have an excellent sense of smell- but how do they know which direction it’s coming from when they’re on the hunt?  Read the surprisingly simple solution here.

Mongooses Have Traditions
Humans aren’t the only mammals that pass on traditions and strategy to the next generation.  A recent report has shown that Ugandan mongooses imitate the behavior of older role models in foraging behavior, as opposed to simply following the group.  Read about it here.  You should also check out the Science Times podcast, which covers interesting and informative science stories such as this one.

Video: How Alpacas- and You- Can Help Clean Up the Oil Spill
An organization called Matter of Trust is collecting fleece and hair to help absorb the massive oil spill in the Gulf.  Watch the video of the reluctant animal volunteers below, and read about how you can help here.