mastodon 4.8.0-nightly.2026-10-06General science correspondent at NPR…I report on a wide range of subjects such as #astronomy #biology #geology #zoology #NASA #planetaryscience etc plus #diversity in #science and science policy. My print stories appear on NPR.org and audio on All Things Considered and Morning Edition, plus the podcast Short Wave. My first book, Transient and Strange, was published by W. W. Norton in January 2024 and is available for ordering now from many retailers.
Here's what happened when seismic events -- both literal and political -- simultaneously hit an icon of conservation and the scientists who care for this rare species, the Devils Hole pupfish
https://www.npr.org/2026/05/07/nx-s1-5803173/devils-hole-pupfish-crisis-federal-science-trump
#nature #wildlife #conservation #animals #biology #genetics
One of the best parts of living in DC is popping in to see the founding documents—no line, just walk up and see the Declaration of Independence or Bill of Rights #history
Don’t forget to check out the Perseid meteor shower tonight!!! If there’s clouds just try tomorrow
#astronomy #meteors #science #nature
https://www.npr.org/2024/08/08/g-s1-15805/perseid-meteor-shower-how-to-watch-perseids-peak
This fearful alley cat would not let me touch her even though I’d been feeding her for like a year. It was only after I gave up on even trying to pet her that she became trusting and cuddly.
If you’re in the U.S. you’ve probably seen the tall invasive reed known as phragmites, the scourge of wetlands. It takes over thousands of acres, creating a vast sea of phragmites instead of the diverse habitat that birds and other critters need. But beating phragmites back, as satisfying as it is, isn’t enough to restore a wetland, as researchers in Utah have learned:
https://www.npr.org/2024/11/11/nx-s1-5186952/killing-phragmites-wetlands-scourge-native-plants
#wetlands #ecology #invasivespecies #science #nature #plants #botany #birds
Birds don't just build nests off of hard-wired instinctual blueprints. Instead, they can learn from other birds and from their own past experiences. Some bird groups even have their own nest-building cultural traditions, a new study shows
#nature #birds #science #wildlife #biology & photo M. C. Tello-Ramos
https://www.npr.org/2024/08/29/nx-s1-5090967/birds-build-nests-tradition-culture-architecture
Today is the most powerful x-ray telescope’s 25 anniversary in space. Astronomers say Chandra is going strong and could last another decade, but NASA officials have proposed slashing its funding so $ could go to science missions and telescopes of the future
A sudden hydrothermal explosion at Yellowstone sent tourists running and damaged the boardwalk—amazing video of the massive black cloud of the debris
https://www.npr.org/2024/07/23/nx-s1-5049944/hydrothermal-explosion-yellowstone-national-park
Towering freak waves can endanger ships at sea...now researchers show that 3 out of 4 rogue waves can be predicted with 5 minutes warning, using buoy data and machine learning
The American Ornithological Society recently announced a plan to change the English common names of 100+ birds: *all* birds named after people. The sweeping move, intended to remove embedded racism and colonialism, provoked strong responses. At the society's annual meeting this week; proponents and opponents will have their say:
https://www.npr.org/2024/10/03/nx-s1-5137123/birders-argue-plan-change-birds-named-people
#birds #birding #ornithology #STEM #science #biology #racism #colonialism #history #zoology #nature
Over 10,000 "rock glaciers" are in the western U. S. states, where this type of glacier outnumbers the regular ol' white kind. These rock-covered ice features have long been mostly ignored, but it turns out that they're much more resilient to warming temperatures, as all that rock acts as insulation. As other kinds of ice disappear, rock glaciers may be an important water source and a refuge for cold-loving species.
#geology #glaciers #climatechange
https://www.npr.org/2024/09/30/nx-s1-5109050/climate-resistant-glaciers-hold-water-cooler-temperatues
photo: M. Morriss
I was looking for something else and I ran across this report I did back in 2006, when NASA was publicly saying it planned to have a rudimentary base camp established on the moon by the far off year of.... 2024.
https://www.npr.org/2006/12/05/6582960/nasa-airs-its-plan-for-a-moon-base-by-2024
STEAMBOAT is a rock star geyser. It's the tallest active geyser in the world, and famously unpredictable. But now, researchers say one major eruption seems to have been triggered by an nearby earthquake. And just this month, another small earthquake was followed by a Steamboat eruption. Is all this an intriguing clue about what controls Steamboat, or is it just coincidence?
https://www.npr.org/2024/10/23/nx-s1-5157788/when-steamboat-goes-whoosh-scientists-look-for-answers
#science #geology #volcano #Yellowstone #nature #earthquake
photo credit: Mara Reed
Frank Sinatra sang that if you can make it in New York you can make it anywhere. That’s why scientists can’t help but worry about a particular ANT. This ant is new to NYC but has rapidly taken over the city, going largely unnoticed under millions of feet. Now, this ant is moving outwards, spreading into the East Coast…
#nyc #science #nature #ants #entomology #ecology #environment
https://www.npr.org/2024/08/14/g-s1-16668/manhattant-ant-introduced-species-new-york-invasive-spread
In a stunning development, NASA says its stranded astronauts won't come home in Boeing's Starliner. Instead, they'll ride in a SpaceX capsule---which means they have to stay in orbit until February.
#nasa #spaceX #starliner #Space
https://www.npr.org/2024/08/24/nx-s1-5087892/nasa-starliner-astronaut-return-iss-spacex
A team blasting off in a SpaceX capsule, as soon as early Tuesday morning, will attempt the first ever private spacewalk, planned for later this week. Spacewalks can be risky; one study found that historically, 22% of all spacewalks experienced significant incidents and/or close calls. The SpaceX capsule has no airlock, all 4 crew members will be exposed to the vacuum of space when the hatch opens. (Photo from SpaceX)
About two dozen former research chimps living on a military base in New Mexico will be moved to a sanctuary in Louisiana. Five years ago, gov’t officials said the chimps were too unhealthy and frail to make the move. But now the situation there has changed the risk/benefit calculation:
#primates #animalwelfare #chimps #NIH #science #medicine #biology
RIP Hvaldimir…