NSF Science Now Episode 13
NSF Science Now series spotlights NSF science and engineering research and discoveries
Earth & Environment
The "third rock from the Sun"—Earth. With an orbit neither too close nor too far from the Sun, it occupies a unique position in the Solar System. It's the only planet known to man with the right conditions for the origin and evolution of life. During Earth's 4.5 billion-year history, a combination of processes has transformed it into a watery blue, living planet. The Earth's ecosystems involve complex interactions between the biological (living) and physical (non-living) worlds. Scientific research helps us comprehend our effects on the environment and how the environment in turn responds to impacts of our activities.
CreatureCast: The Resurrection Fern
Rebecca Haumann, from Erika Edwards' Plant Diversity course at Brown University, describes how different plants cope with drying out.
Synergy Project: Cumulative Hope
Sophie Chu is a chemical oceanographer who studies ocean acidification. Ocean acidification is changing the conditions in the ocean. Carbon dioxide from pollution combines with seawater to form an acid. Sophie Chu’s research looks at ways to quantify and measure the chemical changes in the ocean caused by ocean acidification.
In The Grass, On The Reef: Can Mud Crabs Hear?
Dr. David Kimbro and Dr. Randall Hughes study fear on the oyster reef. A predator gives off a chemical "scent," and its prey changes its behavior to avoid being detected. Now, Randall and David are asking, "Do mud crabs hear their prey?"
CreatureCast: Ginkgo
Discussing the life and times of ginkgo trees
In The Grass, On The Reef: Testing The Ecology Fear
Florida State University ecologists look at how the fear of being eaten may make healthier coastal ecosystems.
Apalachicola Oyster Reef Survey
A study headed by Dr. David Kimbro is tackling the Apalachicola Oyster Fishery crisis. In the first phase of this research initiative, small sample areas across the bay were sampled to determine the relative health of reefs in different areas within it.
Crown Conch - Friend Or Foe To The Coastal Salt Marsh?
Dr. Randall Hughes and Dr. David Kimbro look at how the conch affect their prey- the marsh grass eating periwinkle snail- through fear. Will the periwinkles be too scared to eat? For that answer, you may want to check your tide chart.
NSF Science Now 12
NSF Science Now series spotlights NSF science and engineering research and discoveries
Changing Planet: Infectious Diseases
Infectious disease could be on the rise alongside with climate change
Supercomputer!
Step inside the new NCAR-Wyoming Supercomputing Center and learn how supercomputers (and the brilliant people who use them) are helping us understand the interconnections between the atmosphere, our oceans, climate, weather, vegetation, urban development and us.
Capturing Carbon
Burning coal, oil, and other fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide, or CO2, into the atmosphere, with potentially serious damaging effects. Ron Surdam, director of the Carbon Management Institute at the University of Wyoming, explains efforts to discover geological sites that could be used to keep some of the CO2 emitted by human activity out of the atmosphere. Mohammad Piri, UW professor of chemical and petroleum engineering, is working on ways to get the CO2 from industrial sources to such underground sites.
Hawaii Ocean Time-Series: The 250th Expedition
In March 2013, the University of Hawaii research vessel Kilo Moana returned from the 250th scientific expedition of the Hawaii Ocean Time-series program after nearly 25 years of approximately monthly research cruises to observe and interpret habitat variability and to track climate impacts on Hawaii’s marine ecosystem.
Science Of Innovation: Biofuels
A new approach to producing biofuels that uses a marine bacterium called Saccharophagus degradans that left otherwise alone, is mostly known for its damaging impact on the environment.
Understanding Our World
The atmosphere is a fluid surrounding all of our planet, so we look at it globally, explains NCAR scientist John Fasullo. Climate scientists study the interaction of the atmosphere, vegetation, ice, oceans, and the Sun using computer models to help answer questions about the complex Earth system—past, present, and future.
The Air We Breathe
NCAR scientist Christine Wiedinmyer describes the ingredients in a smog cocktail: mix the natural chemicals emitted by vegetation with the chemicals we produce from human activities and add a dash of sunlight.
Blue Planet
Water is the lifeblood of the planet, says Scott Miller, a watershed hydrologist at the University of Wyoming. He explains how computer modeling can help us understand changes in the water cycle, and how changes in land management, population, and climate will affect the supply of water. Fred Ogden, a UW water resource and environmental science engineer, is studying ways to assure the accurate measurement of the flow rate in rivers. Predicting the availability of water resources in the West presents many challenges. Ogden is part of studies using field research, lab studies, and computer model development to tackle the challenges.
NCAR's Air Force
NCAR field project specialist Vidal Salazar explains how research aircraft benefit atmospheric research. NCAR manages two aircraft for the National Science Foundation: the C-130 gathers data at very low altitudes and slower speeds, while the Gulfstream V makes measurements at higher altitudes and over longer distances.
Climate, Weather, And Health
hat’s a medical anthropologist doing at an atmospheric research center? NCAR’s Mary Hayden describes efforts to understand the connections between climate, weather, and health.
NEON At A Glance
NEON, the National Ecological Observatory Network, will be a revolutionary way to study long term ecological trends in the United States.