The only scientifically observed specimen had been killed by local hunters the time researchers found it—and was eaten soon after. But local demand for monkey meat is only one reason the new species is already considered endangered.
Author Archives
Rachel
You Wanna Write A ‘Me Too’ Story? Fine, But Get Your Own Sources
This blog is turning into a place to vent. Today I want to vent about poaching sources. A few times I’ve been contacted by people saying very nice, flattering things about something I’d written lately, followed by “can you tell me who you talked to to write the story because I’m doing one on the … Continue Reading
Fuzzy Critters’ Crystallized Pee Changes Climate Record?
A guinea-pig-like mammal’s prehistoric urine may be one of the best tools for understanding climate change in arid regions, scientists announced Tuesday. Already, analysis of crystallized rock hyrax pee appears to contradict some results of current climate models.
Canadian Rain Forest Edges Oil Pipeline Path
The pipeline would pass through watersheds important to Canada’s commercial fishing industry and brush past Coastal First Nations lands and the Great Bear Rainforest, a protected coastal area filled with red cedars, spruce, and the elusive all-white “spirit bear.”
Two New Horned Dinosaurs Found in Utah
Two newly discovered horned dinosaur species from an ancient “lost continent” are some of the most surprising and ornate yet found, paleontologists say. The new dinosaurs are members of the ceratopsids, the group of dinosaurs that includes Triceratops. The animals were generally four-legged herbivores with horns and bony frills rising from the backs of their … Continue Reading
Testing MacJournal
I’m testing out MacJournal, from Mariner Software. It’s an offline blog editing client that works with WordPress and a few other blog hosts. I’m told that it even works with WordPress.com (i.e., you don’t have to have a self-hosted blog to use the client.) The software is a hefty $40, but there’s a 15-day free … Continue Reading
Coding, coding, and more coding
I’ve finally gotten my website to a state where I’m happy with it..for now, though in a few months I’m sure the renovation bug will hit me again. Some people buy new curtains, I play with style sheets. It does give me satisfaction to use that side of my brain, which isn’t always taxed (or … Continue Reading
Urban Foragers Cropping Up in U.S.
In Sacramento, they pick figs, kumquats, and plums from public trees. In New York, they harvest purslane–an edible flower–from the cracks in the sidewalk. Down south, it’s fiddlehead ferns, and just about everywhere, people are picking black walnuts, wild mushrooms, and dandelion greens.
Urban foraging–gathering fruit, vegetables, and other useful things from parks, lawns, and sidewalks–isn’t a new thing. But as more urbanites become aware of the free bounty surrounding them, new issues are–pardon the pun–cropping up. When a public park’s berry patch is raided, whose responsibility is it to make sure there are some left for everyone to enjoy? What about pesticides?
Your Hair Reveals Whether You’re a Morning Person
Early bird or late riser? The mysteries of your sleep cycle may be unlocked by the hairs on your head, a new study says.
That’s because the genes that regulate our body clocks can be found in hair-follicle cells, researchers have discovered.
Mobile Apps Help Find Sustainable Seafood
Not too long ago, if you wanted to know what type of seafood was best for the environment, your tools didn’t get any more high-tech than a wallet card or a fridge magnet. But the fridge magnet doesn’t help much when you’re at the grocery store, and wallet cards are easy to leave behind (just … Continue Reading