SCIENCE IN THE NEWS WEEKLY
Selective Predation May Account for Deformed Frogs
It has been one of the most controversial environmental issues of the past decade. Around the world, frogs were found with missing or misshapen limbs. A new study suggests that dragonfly nymphs, rather than chemical pollution, may be to blame.
Meanwhile, researchers speculated that the increased carbon dioxide being absorbed by the oceans might reduce the size of fish ears, known as otoliths, since C02 makes the seas more acidic, which can dissolve and weaken shells. To their surprise, they found just the opposite.
Most of the 50 glaciers in the Patagonian Andes are shrinking, with the exception of the Perito Moreno glacier in Argentina and Pio XI glacier. Scientists are puzzled as to why those two glaciers are actually growing.
In other news, experts debated the roots of opposition to genetically engineered crops, which have been banned in several European countries. At the heart of issue may be a mistrust of big agribusiness, rather than a fear of the technology.
A new study found that great white sharks hunt like serial killers, lurking out of sight and stalking their victims. Researchers used geographic profiling to gain new insights into the sharks' behavior.
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