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Whales Go In For The Krill
 Humpback in Wilhemina Bay, Antarctica - Dr. Ari Friedlaender
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In May 2009, scientists studying the relationship between humpback whales and krill, their main source of food, witnessed greater numbers of both than expected. The observations were made in Wilhemina Bay on the Antarctic Peninsula.
Dr. Ari Friedlaender, a Research Scientist in the Division of Marine Science and Conservation at Duke University, and his colleagues, found a 'super aggregation' of more than 500 humpbacks - the largest ever recorded - feeding on a krill swarm measuring about two million tons, the largest seen in more than 20 years. His study suggests that diminishing sea ice, due to climate change, is responsible for the unusually high numbers. At that time of year, sea ice cover would normally protect the krill, and prevent the whales from gaining access to them. But longer periods of open water means the whales are staying longer to feed, instead of migrating to traditional breeding grounds. This could impact the long-term survival of the krill, and the breeding success of the whales. Plus, the competition for krill among penguins and seals, who also rely on the tiny crustacean as a food source, may also increase.
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The Birds & the Bees
A study designed to identify all the predators of bumble bees turned up some very surprising results.
Steph O'Connor, a Research Assistant in the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences at the University of Stirling in Scotland, wasn't too surprised to record on camera a variety of small animals hunting and killing bumble bees at their nests. Bumble bee nests are usually found in holes in the ground made by, then abandoned by, other animals. However, she was very surprised to find birds - Great Tits - waiting patiently by the nest, then capturing the bees and flying off with them, presumably to eat. The Great Tits avoid getting stung by either pecking out the 'stinger' or wiping it away on the ground or branches. It is believed to be the first evidence of birds hunting bumble bees in this way.
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Monkeys Chew It Over
The Proboscis Monkey lives in Malaysia and is known for its large, protruding nose. But
Dr. Marcus Clauss, a wildlife physiologist at the Clinic for Zoo Animals, Exotic Pets and Wildlife at the University of Zurich, has found another distinction for this monkey. He and his colleagues have observed it regurgitating, then re-chewing its food. It is the first time such behaviour has been observed in a primate. The Proboscis Monkey is able to do this because it has a foregut, similar to hippos, sloths, kangaroos and the best known in this group of ruminants, cows. This process allows the proboscis monkey to digest larger particles of its diet of vegetation and fruit faster. This means the monkey can ingest more food over a longer period of time. Because regurgitation was observed in only one group of monkeys, the researchers think it could be learned behaviour, and exclusive to that group.
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How Fire Ants Fare in Water
Ants are not notable for their ability to swim. In fact, they're denser than water and tend to struggle when they go for a solo dip. However, Fire Ants, who hail from frequently-flooded rainforests, have learned a trick for surviving inundation, using their most powerful tool - cooperation. The ants form a circular raft, made of their own bodies, that is strong and unsinkable.
Dr. Craig Tovey, a professor of Industrial and Systems Engineering and his colleagues at the Georgia Institute of Technology have found out how the ants do this. The tiny insects follow a simple set of rules to organize themselves into a raft very quickly. They trap air between their bodies for buoyancy, and the bumpy surface of their interlocked bodies uses surface tension to repel water and help them float. The animals can survive in these floating rafts for weeks at a time.
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Engineering Organs
Organ transplants have saved many lives over the past several decades, but shortages of donor organs and problems with rejection mean that this is not the ultimate solution. A better solution might be finding ways to build new organs outside the body, from the body's own cells.
Dr. Anthony Atala, a Director of the Wake Forest University Institute for Regenerative Medicine, is one of the leaders in the field of tissue engineering. He and his colleagues are developing ways to culture cells, and then build them into complex structures, like organs. This involves solving the puzzle of how first to get cells to grow outside the body, and then how to build structures or scaffolds, so that they are arranged appropriately in the new organ. Dr. Atala and his group have had encouraging success with simple organs, like urethras, bladders and windpipes. They're now examining the greater challenges with more complicated solid organs like kidneys and hearts, using advanced technologies including using computers to "print" organs.
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Theme music bed copyright Raphaël Gluckstein, Creative Commons License by-nc-nd-2.0
Saturdays at noon, Mondays at 11:00 p.m., Wednesdays at 3:00 p.m. (in some markets only)
Great Tit - copyright Barney Livingston
Proboscis Monkey, copyright
The Quirks Question Roadshow is coming to Halifax on Wed June 12 at 7:30pm at the Spatz Theatre in Citadel High School. No tickets or reservations required. Just be there!
Saturdays at noon, Mondays at 11:00 p.m., Wednesdays at 3:00 p.m. and Fridays at 5:00 a.m. (ET)
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