Hang out at the Lagrange Point
Listen to our latest episode now!
Life has been around on earth for a long time, but there have been many extinction events that have wiped out large numbers of species. This week we find out how scientists peel back the layers of rock to uncover what caused these extinction events. Plus we find out about current extinction events and what we can learn from the past to protect species today.
Scientists are trying to solve the puzzles of the numerous past mass extinction events, which can help us protect species in the present. What can the Tohuko 2011 earthquake and a Norwegian Fjord teach us about the extinction of the dinosaurs? There are plenty of extinction events in the past, but knowing their causes can help protect species today. An invasive species is causing a mass extinction of amphibians across Australia and the Americas. Its not a cat or a fox, but rather a fungus. Asteroid impacts, tektites raining from the sky and massive ways, all helped create a one of a kind fossil graveyard. A loss of oxygen in the water from melting ice caps led to mass extinctions 430 million years ago. What can we learn from this to help protect species today? An asteroid impact at Chicxulub led to massive standing waves flooding many parts of the world, and capturing fish, dinosaurs and plants in a fossil graveyard. De oxygenation of water can lead to mass extinctions of species, but how do you measure the oxygen in a 430 million year old ocean? From asteroid impacts, to oxygen loss and even fungual diseases - we find out about extinction events from the past and the present. References:
0 Comments
We recap March Mamma Madness Round 1, and look at some latest science stories that relate. From what happens inside your brain when you smell a repulsive smell, to making the right call on fleeing or standing your ground. Plus we look at using archaeological techniques to help understand the history of animal tool use like with otters.
References:
One of the futuristic technologies always touted is Hydrogen fuel cells. So why are they not everywhere? we look at the challenges in production,storage, and use of hydrogen from cars to factories. Plus we examine if our electricity grid will be able to cope with the drastic weather condition changes from climate change in the year 2100.
References:
One of the futuristic technologies always touted is Hydrogen fuel cells. So why are they not everywhere? #podcast #science Climate change is happening, so how will renewables and the electricity grid cope with changing conditions? Hydrogen fuel cells have always been the technology of the future, but what steps can we take to make them into a current reality? Making on the fly decisions to generate, or convert electricity could be whats needed to make hydrogen fuel cells economically viable. Wind and solar power plants are built based on careful models, but what if the climate itself changes drastically? Do they still work?
We preview 2019 March Mammal Madness, and find out about interesting animals from across the world. We look at ways to augment vision to help see in infra-red, and use singing mice to study human conversation. Plus we find out about balancing predators and prey.
References:
|
Lagrange Point Blog
Find out details on episodes, musings on stories and extra content. Archives
March 2020
Categories |