Tag: Earth and Atmospheric Science

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Curbing the chemistry of climate change

The 2011 Harvard Radcliffe Institute Science Symposium, “Something in the Air: Climate Change, Science, and Policy” [1] brought together internationally renowned researchers to address the state of our current knowledge of climate science and courses of action that might lie ahead in addressing human-induced climate change. Chemistry plays an essential role in every aspect of studying and modeling the climate, as well as developing predictions … Continue reading Curbing the chemistry of climate change

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Coral bleaching in 2010: An early indicator of vulnerable marine ecosystems under human-made stress

–While the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico dominated the news during summer 2010, it was a somewhat unusual summer for the rest of the world as well. Extreme heat and fires in Russia caused millions of dollars worth of damage. Flooding in Pakistan has resulted in millions losing their homes. And droughts in most parts of sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia have led to crop failures. One climate-related event that we haven’t heard much about, however, is the widespread bleaching of coral reefs all across the globe, largely due to this year’s severe heat stress. Continue reading Coral bleaching in 2010: An early indicator of vulnerable marine ecosystems under human-made stress

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My, What Big Teeth You Have!

–Humans are an extremely visual species, with much of our brains devoted to visual processing. Sight is one of the most important ways we experience our external environment; consequently, it may not be surprising that certain images can invoke a visceral “gut reaction” in us. For example, compare the cuddle factor between a giant panda and a star-nosed mole; chances are the mole with twenty-two tentacles on its face would receive far fewer hugs than the panda. But why is this the case, and what does this have to do with human evolution? Continue reading My, What Big Teeth You Have!

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Deepwater Horizon Redux: How the BP oil spill affects the environment

–The Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion is shaping up to be one of the great disasters of our time. The equivalent of nearly 5 million barrels of crude oil has already been released into the Gulf of Mexico, endangering the local marine and coastal ecosystems. However, after months of false starts, it appears that the worst of the spill may finally be over.

To review the earlier stages of the spill, check out Kevin Beier’s June Flash article:

https://sitn.hms.harvard.edu/sitnflash_wp/2010/06/issue71/

Continue reading Deepwater Horizon Redux: How the BP oil spill affects the environment

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The Disappearance of the Western Honey Bee

–The story of the mysterious disappearance of the Western honeybee seems as if it should have sprung from the mind of sci-fi author Douglas Adams, rather than from sunny Florida. The strange nature of this scientific conundrum may explain why it has garnered such bizarre public theories: cell phones, aliens, or genetically modified corn; which is the true killer? Well, as you may not be surprised to discover, the answer is none of the above. In spite of such creative speculation, colony collapse disorder (CCD), as the disappearance of these bees has come to be known, is a serious concern. Continue reading The Disappearance of the Western Honey Bee

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