Science and Technology - Briefs

ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCES Storm alert

Science and Technology - Briefs

HEALTH SCIENCES The villain gets nastier The toxin bisphenol A (BPA) is found in plastics, dental sealants and grocery receipts. It is a known hormone disrupter. But its impact on the hormones produced by the thyroid gland remain unknown. These hormones are essential for cognitive development of children.

Short circuit

STRAIT FORWARD A 150-year-old dream acquires shape

Still life in waves

After the deluge, it's us

Neptune's sorrows

Losing colour From central America to Austrelia, from the 2,000-km Great Barrier Ref to the small, reefs in Pacific islets, bleaching takes the life out of corals the world over

Seaweeds threaten corals

FOR LONG scientists have warned about rapid destruction of corals. Rising ocean temperatures and marine pollution have been identified as the possible causes. Now scientists at Georgia Institute of Technology in the US have found another culprit—seaweeds.

Dilemma of the Caribbean

ELKHORN coral looks just like elk antlers. With its complex, large branches, this important reef-building coral in the Caribbean is haven to numerous reef species. But, not any more. The Caribbean has lost 90 per cent of the coral in 15 years. Apart from human activity and warming of seas, a disease called white pox is blamed for making elkhorn coral an endangered species.

The noisier, the healthier

CORAL reefs that offer exotic ocean views can be surprisingly noisy places, with tiny fish and invertebrates like lobsters, sea urchins, squids and corals producing a relentless cacophony of squeaks and grunts. UK scientists recently listened to these noises and found the noisier the reef the better is its health; meaning, the reef has more living corals, offering shelter to large numbers of fish and other marine animals.

An ocean of wealth

FISHERS’ folklores are full of them but the creatures of the deep sea are still a mystery.

Science and Technology - Briefs

ENVIRONMENT Super socks to check pollution runoff