A person’s garbage can be a bird’s food…and fate

In the “Sad News” category, researchers have confirmed that albatrosses are dying because they’re eating from the giant garbage patch floating in the northern Pacific Ocean.

http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2009/10/27/tech-biology-albatross-plastic-garbage.html?ref=rss

Will “Shrimp-Ray” replace Blu-ray?

First, it was Beta video tapes.  Then VHS.  Then DVDs.  Now Blu-ray discs are considered the “end-all, be-all” of movie viewing…for now.  What’s next?  You might wonder how much better it actually can get.

Well, if you were a mantis shrimp, you’d know.  Scientists have discovered that mantis shrimp’s eyes are so far ahead of us, it’s mind-boggling.  These shrimp have 4 times the number of cell types in their eyes that process color.  Because their eyes move independently of each other and have 3 areas that can focus on an object, they can use one eye (instead of two, like we have to use) to determine depth.  They can even detect more types of polarized light than we can.

What’s this all mean?  Scientists are studying these amazing creatures to figure out how we can continue to improve optics and the quality of the images we see on a screen.  Just imagine seeing a great movie in “shrimp vision”.

Read more about it in the Canadian Broadcasting Centre’s News.

There’s a fungus among us

Many frogs are dying all over the world because of a fungus and, until now, scientists were baffled by it.  Recently, some Australian biologists discovered how it’s killing the frogs.

Frogs actually breathe through their skin.  They also absorb water through their skin.  When the fungus infects a frog’s skin, it interferes with the frog’s ability to regulate electrolytes.  Electrolytes, such as sodium, potassium and chloride, are essential for the body to function.  By blocking the electrolytes, the fungus can cause the frog’s heart to stop.

The fungus is spreading, and climate change is helping it.  That’s bad for the frogs and it’s bad for us because frogs play very important roles in our environment.

Read more in USA Today.

Don’t kiss that frog!

Sure, it’s the popular fairy tale and a little girl’s dream: she kisses the frog and he becomes a handsome prince, whisking her away to his castle and a life of “happily ever after” royal bliss.  We hate to burst that wonderful bubble, but it’s more likely that the frog will give her Salmonella than turn into a prince.  We’re really not trying to ruin the fairy tale, we promise…but there’s something you need to know.  Recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published a report about 48 people who became ill from Salmonella infection after they handled frogs.

Amphibians and reptiles can carry Salmonella.  That doesn’t mean you should get rid of your reptile or amphibian pets, though.  What it does mean is that you should take some common sense precautions to protect yourself and your family.

For more information, view the AVMA’s “Amphibians, Reptiles and Salmonella” resources.

Feed a fever, starve a cold…and exercise a flu?

As if we need another reason to exercise, scientists have found that exercise boosts the immune systems of mice and helps them fight off the flu.  Mice that were exercising regularly didn’t get as sick as non-exercising mice when they were all exposed to a flu virus.

In addition, mice that started exercising right before they were exposed to the virus also didn’t get as sick.  In other words, it’s never too late to start exercising.  It’s good for your health all around.

Read more about the research in the ABC News story.

Walking in their shoes

They say you can really understand someone only after you’ve walked in their shoes.  Well, OK, these guys don’t actually wear shoes.  But with Critter Cam from the Museum of Animal Perspectives, you can get a realistic idea of what it’s like to be an armadillo…or alligator…or white-tailed deer…or even a scorpion.

Personally, we’re looking forward to the aardvark and zebra cams.

Listen to NPR’s report on the Museum.

Getting by with a little help from your furry friends

Getting a diagnosis of cancer is devastating, no matter what kind it is.  Being surrounded by loving family and friends is one of the most important things in the world to someone with cancer and can mean the difference between being a cancer victim or being a cancer survivor.  Missy Fish says she couldn’t have done it without her cats, Jack and Phoebe.

Watch her tell her story on St. Louis’ Fox2Now.

Spongebob would be so proud

Barnacle Boy is one of Spongebob’s heroes, and studying barnacle glue might solve some tough problems.  Barnacles can cause a lot of problems when they stick to boats, and they’re very hard to remove.  In addition, some of the things used to remove barnacles can be poisonous to fish and other sea animals.  By studying barnacle glue, scientists are trying to figure out solutions to remove barnacles more easily and with less damage to the environment.

Read the full story in the BBC News.