Water Too Hot? Hope for a Hurricane
Posted on July 5th, 2007 by Scientific American - Nature
A hurricane can destroy a coral reef. The fragile superstructure created by millions of marine microorganisms does not fare well when slammed by high winds and powerful waves. But coral reefs worldwide have bigger fish to fry, so to speak, most notably the bleaching brought on by warmer waters. In that case, it appears that hurricanes are actually a boon.
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Dog Bites Dog Story
Posted on June 30th, 2007 by Scientific American - Nature
There are experimental sciences, and then there are historical and observational sciences.


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The Promise of the Blue Revolution (Extended version)
Posted on June 30th, 2007 by Scientific American - Nature
Environmental sustainability is already very difficult to achieve with today’s 6.6 billion people and average economic output of $8,000 per person.


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The Promise of the Blue Revolution
Posted on June 30th, 2007 by Scientific American - Nature
Environmental sustainability is already very difficult to achieve with today’s 6.6 billion people and average economic output of $8,000 per person.


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Turning Plants into Plastic–And Replacing Oil in the Process
Posted on June 30th, 2007 by Scientific American - Nature
Glucose is the main carbohydrate product of photosynthesis and a primary source of energy in most living things. It is a sugar and the human body’s main source of fuel. And, because of its ubiquity, it is a leading candidate to replace oil as an abundant source for fuels, plastics and other petroleum products.


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Lizard Moms “Dress Their Kids for Success”–and Survival
Posted on June 30th, 2007 by Scientific American - Nature
Like all good mothers, lizard moms also want what’s best for their kids. To wit: researchers have found that female side-blotched lizards douse their eggs with extra doses of the hormone estradiol to change newborns’ markings and enhance their chances of survival after birth. Scientists say this “dress for success” strategy helps offspring live longer because the new stripes help them to better blend into their background to elude potential predators.


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Arctic Thaw Springs Forward
Posted on June 30th, 2007 by Scientific American - Nature
Arctic wading birds lay eggs when their food supply–flies and other bugs–is most abundant. And new research shows that insects are now emerging in northeastern Greenland as much as a month earlier than a decade ago.


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Who Might Replace Us?
Posted on June 30th, 2007 by Scientific American - Nature
Nature, it is said, abhors a vacuum.


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The Winners and The Losers
Posted on June 30th, 2007 by Scientific American - Nature
The Winners:Our demise would be good news for many species.


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An Earth Without People
Posted on June 30th, 2007 by Scientific American - Nature
TIMELINE: The Fall of New York City VIDEO: The Earth Without HumansEditors’ IntroductionIt’s a common fantasy to imagine that you’re the last person left alive on earth.


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