A whale long known to inhabit the Gulf of Mexico, believed
since 1965 to be a subspecies of the Bryde’s whale, was identified last year as
a separate species, Rice’s whale (Balaenoptera ricei). It soon may be extinct. Read my piece about it here.
Writing About Science, the Environment, and Nature
Thursday, February 15, 2024
New Whale Species in the Gulf of Mexico
Tuesday, November 21, 2023
The Pros and Cons of Cold Water Immersion
Studies show a freezing dunk can improve your immune system and stave off depression—or cause a heart attack or frostbite. Read more about the possible benefits and the risks of cold water immersion.
Tuesday, October 17, 2023
Playing Matchmaker for Corals
Improving the success of sexual reproduction is another tool for restoring the world’s coral reefs. Read about a project working on this method in Florida and the Caribbean.
Wednesday, August 16, 2023
Tracking whales to prevent ship strikes
Collisions with ships are a leading cause of death for large whales worldwide. Whale Safe, a technology created by the Marine Mammal Center and UCSB’s Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory, can let ship crews know when whales are present so they can slow down, which dramatically reduces the risk of fatal collisions. Read more here.
Tuesday, August 1, 2023
The sources of Earth's water
Earth has a lot of water. Scientists aren't sure where it all came from, but they may be getting close to finding out. Read more here.
Saturday, July 22, 2023
Planting Coral Reefs
The Coral Restoration Foundation in Florida heads up a massive outplanting project to help save coral reefs. This piece for The Revelator explains how volunteers are integral to the effort.
Tuesday, May 2, 2023
Coral Reefs in Crisis
First in a series about efforts to restore coral reefs in Florida and the Caribbean. This one looks at seascape genomics as a restoration tool and a controversial idea: controlled invasion. Read more here.