My Fair Ladybug
Wednesday, June 3rd, 2009I love ladybugs!
Far from being the docile “cows” of the insect world, these polka-dotted wonders are more like leopards! They are voracious predators that benefit the garden by devouring destructive insects called aphids. The picture below captures a ladybug munching on an unfortunate aphid.
Not only are they beneficial, ladybugs are a joy to behold! They come in many designer [...]
Kingdom of the Blue Whale
Friday, March 6th, 2009This week I previewed National Geographic Channel’s “Kingdom of the Blue Whale” which is scheduled to premier on Sunday, March 8 at 8PM ET/PT.
Blue Whales are among the most mysterious creatures on our planet. Our understanding of their migratory and reproductive habits is sketchy at best.
This program takes the viewer on a groundbreaking journey of discovery with a [...]
Rotten Science
Wednesday, March 4th, 2009After living things die, they are acted upon by bacteria, molds, fungi, etc. causing them to rot. This decaying process releases elemental components to be used again & again in the environment to build and sustain new life. It’s recycling at it’s most basic level.
Here is an interesting array of videos featuring this fascinating process at work on some [...]
Is there a Feline Pesematologist in the house?
Monday, February 23rd, 2009This goes to prove that for every occurrence in nature there springs up a science to study it - and probably a government grant to fund it!
Pesematology is defined as the scientific study of falling objects. Feline Pesematology is devoted specifically to the physics of falling cats. And yes, there really is enough data to merit [...]
Happy Birthday Darwin!
Monday, February 2nd, 2009February 12th marks the 200th anniversary of evolutionary biologist Charles Darwin’s birthday.
The National Geographic Channel is not letting the occasion pass without airing what promises to be some fascinating programs featuring intriguing looks at various aspects of evolutionary science. I am hoping to get a sneak peek at some of these prior to their initial air dates and will review [...]
A/C for your brain
Wednesday, January 14th, 2009There is still so much that science does not understand about human physiology and behavior.
Up until a new study was released last month, it was still undetermined what purpose yawning served. Now it seems that based on controlled observations of Australian Parakeets (they have relatively large brains), it has been theorized that the function of yawning seems to [...]
Catch a Wave
Thursday, December 11th, 2008While watching the NatGeo program, Journey to the Edge of the Universe, my 10-year-old asked several questions that I thought were well worth answering here on ScienceJunkies.
The program takes us on a virtual tour of the Universe, beginning in our own solar system and moving ever farther away to the outer edges of the Cosmos. As [...]
My Fellow Americans
Sunday, December 7th, 2008
Politically correct non-humanoid nomenclature…
INSENSITIVE SENSITIVE
Cow Bovine American
Lobster Crustacean American
Crab Crustacean American
Shrimp Invertebrate American
Virus Viral American
Germs Microbial American
Bird Avian American
Dolphin Cetaecean American
Dog Canine American
Mushroom Fungal American
Cat Feline American
Pig Porcine American
Bug Insectile American
In the interest of promoting inter-species relations, we had some of these made into dandy looking Tee-shirts, Mugs, Sweat Shirts and more that you can find [...]
Slugs and Snails
Saturday, December 6th, 2008I love to cook with fresh herbs and decided to winter over my herb plants indoors this year rather than toss them out after the first freeze. My thyme plant sits on a granite ledge above my kitchen sink below some windows. When I went to water it the other night, I noticed something stuck to [...]
Turkey Science
Wednesday, November 26th, 2008Impress friends and relatives at your Thanksgiving table with some fantastic facts about our favorite feastable fowl; Meleagris Gallopavo…
Kidzone provides an excellent page that includes turkey facts, a turkey slide show & even turkey puzzles in honor of the great bird. To go there CLICK HERE
Happy Thanksgiving!
