| Title |
Excerpt |
Author |
Date |
| Insecticides Lead Aquatic Insects to Starvation |
Neonicotinoids are a class of insecticides that are chemically related to nicotine. These insecticides affect the nerve synapses of insects, and neonicotinoids are popular for their solubility in water. Plants absorb the chemical, which is often applied to the soil to reduce its chances of drifting through the air. However,… |
Robert J. Korpella |
05/17/13 |
| Pan’er Mountain |
I got to spend some time with an old friend not long ago. Many years had sailed between visits, brought on by a lack of time, other priorities, whatever the reason. The beginning of our conversation was tenuous. Some of the old familiarity had been erased with the passing of… |
Robert J. Korpella |
05/03/13 |
| Exposure to Fine Traffic Pollution Particles Increases Heart Disease Risk |
Over the years, a number of studies described various associations between road traffic and heart disease. Last year, one such study even demonstrated a link between traffic noise and the probability of suffering a heart attack. The latest study shows that long-term exposure to the type of fine particulate matter… |
Robert J. Korpella |
04/18/13 |
| Spring Peepers |
I look forward to those harbingers of spring each year. Spring peepers occupy a little hollow near my house, and they start calling in mid, sometimes early March each year. My friend and fellow Master Naturalist, Bob Kipfer, captured some excellent footage of a peeper peeping. If you’re anxious to… |
Robert J. Korpella |
03/22/13 |
| Hog Farm Threatens the Buffalo |
In the 1960s and early 1970s, Dr. Neil Compton and a host of others fought the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers about that organization’s plan to dam the Buffalo River. Dr. Compton and his team won that fight. But a new threat looms for the Buffalo River. C&H;Hog Farms won… |
Robert J. Korpella |
03/14/13 |
| The Child in Nature |
Miranda Anderson grew up with a respect for nature. Her parents led her in that direction. She had her own kayak by the time she was five, and she floated it in the ocean—a lot. Miranda hopes to become a marine biologist one day but for now, she’s in demand… |
Robert J. Korpella |
03/08/13 |
| Kids Have a Lot to Teach Parents About the Environment |
Sometimes without even realizing it, a child can directly impact the attitude and behavior of her parents with respect to the environment. Researchers have now quantified how environmental education is passed from a young generation to an older one, and how that new knowledge influences behavior. While the study took… |
Robert J. Korpella |
02/22/13 |
| Floating the Bird Count |
The Great Backyard Bird Count was last weekend. It rolls around the middle of February each year, and it’s a great excuse to grab an extra cup of coffee and a recliner, then sit back and enjoy the comings and goings of birds in your backyard or neighborhood. Count the… |
Robert J. Korpella |
02/22/13 |
| Mood Enhancing Drugs Impact Fish, Too |
Water treatment plants only filter out so much material. Mineral levels, for example, are typically much higher downstream of treatment plants than they are elsewhere. That fact is driven by salt expelled by the body, but not captured during treatment. A larger issue is the accumulation of pharmaceuticals passed through… |
Robert J. Korpella |
02/15/13 |
| New Fish Species Named for Roosevelt, Carter, Clinton, Gore and Obama |
Biologists identified five new fish species recently, and named them after former presidents and a vice-president: Teddy Roosevelt, Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, Al Gore and Barack Obama. Two species are found in the waters of Arkansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. Scientists chose these political leaders for their environmental records. All the… |
Robert J. Korpella |
11/29/12 |
| Poor Air Quality Means Poor Test Scores for Senior Citizens |
No wonder so many seniors settle in the Ozarks after retirement. Or in the desert southwest, or even in parts of Florida for that matter. New research demonstrates that areas of high air pollution, something we do not experience much here in the Ozarks, often leads to cognitive dysfunction in… |
Robert J. Korpella |
11/21/12 |
| Alien Invaders |
Red fire ants, thousand cankers disease, kudzu, zebra mussels and emerald ash borers are just a few of the invasive species that cost the U.S. up to $130 billion annually in both damage and preventative measures. Add to that a recent study discovering that 47 percent of firewood bundles purchased… |
Robert J. Korpella |
10/24/12 |
| Tick Bites Causing Unusual Allergic Reactions |
Beside that nasty, itching wound left behind, we most feared Lyme disease or Rocky Mountain spotted fever spread by ticks. Now scientists have linked another problem with tick bites: severe allergic reactions to eating red meat. The lone star tick, named for the single white dot on its back, is… |
Robert J. Korpella |
08/31/12 |
| The Scoop on Dirt |
We’ve become a society addicted to cleanliness. Grocery cart corrals have sanitizing wipes available, and hand sanitizers are at nearly every desk and in many purses. Not that cleanliness is all bad, but the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) says a little dirt is actually a good thing for children. Building… |
Robert J. Korpella |
08/24/12 |
| Keeping the Watershed Clean |
A butterfly flaps its wings in China, creating a thunderstorm in Chicago. That’s the essence of the “butterfly effect,” where small changes in one location can make a big impact somewhere else. While that example might stretch our thinking, one that’s closer to home is how actions upstream in our… |
Robert J. Korpella |
08/17/12 |
| Brown Recluse Spiders Make Appearance |
Two venomous spiders inhabit the Ozarks. One of them has sought shelter this summer by heading indoors. A number of people throughout the region reported seeing brown recluse spiders in greater numbers this year. Experts say that may be a result of a prolonged heat wave and drought that hit… |
Robert J. Korpella |
08/17/12 |
| The Cicada Killer Wasp |
A brightly colored wasp about two inches long with a menacing stinger is enough to make many people head back indoors. But cicada killer wasps are paired with mild manners to go along with their threatening appearance. At least they are docile where humans are concerned. It’s a different story… |
Robert J. Korpella |
08/10/12 |
| Perseids About to Heat Up |
If you’ve wished upon a falling star this summer, you’ve probably caught one of the Perseid meteors. This summer spectacular is already underway, but the peak will occur this weekend. The International Meteor Organization predicts 50 to 60 meteors per hour during the mornings of August 11, 12 and 13.… |
Robert J. Korpella |
08/08/12 |
| When It Comes to Navigation, a Trout’s Nose Knows |
Wild rainbow trout can swim upriver and downstream, investigate feeder creeks and return to their place of birth with nearly flawless navigation. A keen sense of smell and great eyesight account for some of their directional prowess, but scientists have recently isolated what could be the biggest catch of all—magnetic… |
Robert J. Korpella |
07/20/12 |
| The Great Backyard Bee Count |
Thanks to the efforts of nearly 100,000 citizen scientist volunteers, Gretchen LeBuhn and her team of researchers assembled what is now the largest single body of information on bee activity in North America. Now LeBuhn wants to add to the data. LeBuhn, a biologist at San Francisco State University, launched… |
Robert J. Korpella |
07/13/12 |
| Controversial Eagle-Take Permits Proposal |
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is considering lengthening federal permits for the unintentional killing of eagles from 5 years to 30 years. The proposed action is in response to opening public land for wind farms and other types of renewable energy development. Rotating wind turbine blades inevitably kill birds,… |
Robert J. Korpella |
07/13/12 |
| Copperhead Bite in Carter County |
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that a man who died after being bitten by a copperhead last weekend actually expired from a heart attack, but the snake bite was likely a contributing factor. Snake bite fatalities in Missouri are rare, and the last one from a copperhead bite occurred in… |
Robert J. Korpella |
07/06/12 |
| Probing Preserved Frogs for Clues |
If history can light our path to the present, a Yale grad student has come up with a novel means of searching the past for answers to a pathogen outbreak that is decimating amphibian populations worldwide. Katy Richards-Hrdlicka is a doctoral candidate at the Yale School of Forestry & Environmental… |
Robert J. Korpella |
06/22/12 |
| Songbirds and Outdoor Cats - A Deadly Combination |
Non-native species almost always exact a toll on the natives. Large crayfish overpower smaller varieties, Japanese beetles decimate tree leaves, kudzu engulfs about anything that isn’t moving too fast, and both feral and house cats significantly diminish songbird populations. The Audubon Society says that over 100 million songbird deaths are… |
Robert J. Korpella |
06/08/12 |
| Humidity a Clue to Where the Nectar Is |
Plants and pollinators have co-evolved over millions of years. During that time, plants developed myriad means of attracting bees, flies and other animals to spread pollen and keep the plant species thriving. In similar fashion, pollinators developed specialized methods of collecting plant nectar, as well as a little pollen while… |
Robert J. Korpella |
05/31/12 |
| Pesticide Makes Bees Finicky Eaters |
Links between pesticides and honeybee health continue. Researchers at the University of California San Diego discovered that even small doses of a common crop pesticide turned bees into finicky eaters, and inhibited their ability to communicate food sources to the rest of the hive. Bee colonies throughout the world have… |
Robert J. Korpella |
05/25/12 |
| Never a Dull Day Fishing |
I hadn’t wet a line in a while, so my plan was to ply the waters of Capps Creek for a couple of hours in search of a few rainbow or brown trout. Capps is a location where I’ve either had great success catching fish, or left without as much… |
Robert J. Korpella |
05/18/12 |
| Do Genes Rule Behavior? |
Age determines stereotypical roles worker honeybees assume. When they are only a few days old, they take on the tasks of feeding the brood and producing beeswax to seal cells in the hive where larvae develop. After a week, she moves on to other tasks, such as grooming other bees… |
Robert J. Korpella |
04/26/12 |
| Talking with the Animals |
When Dr. Doolittle longed to converse with animals, I’m not sure he had worms in mind. But a team of California Institute of Technology scientists got down in the dirt to discover a communication technique used by nematodes, one of the most abundant animals on Earth. Scientists already discovered that… |
Robert J. Korpella |
04/19/12 |
| Wild Edibles of Missouri |
Ever wonder which plants are edible and which to avoid? The Missouri Department of Conservation has captured a now out of print book, Wild Edibles of Missouri by Jan Phillips, as a set of PDF files free for downloading. To access the files, just click on the book title above… |
Robert J. Korpella |
04/13/12 |
| Honey Bees Have Ability to Self-Medicate |
Researchers at North Carolina State University recently discovered that worker honey bees became healers when the bees’ hives were attacked by a harmful fungus. The fungal infection triggers bees to increase levels of antifungal plant resins. “The colony is willing to expend the energy and effort of its worker bees… |
Robert J. Korpella |
03/30/12 |
| Nest Cams |
Cornell’s Lab of Ornithology has set up a couple of web cams on bird nests. One features red-tailed hawks that built a nest on top of an 80-foot tall stadium light, while the other one keeps watch on blue herons that constructed a nest on a dead white oak tree… |
Robert J. Korpella |
03/29/12 |
| A Spring Snake Find |
I don’t have a fear of snakes. But I won’t be the first one in line to hold one either. In fact, I may not get in line at all. If I see one in the wild, I am curious enough to get within a safe distance to study it.… |
Robert J. Korpella |
03/23/12 |
| March Planets in View |
If you’ve scanned the heavens at night this month, you probably couldn’t help notice a very bright “star” in the western sky. That’s actually sunlight reflecting off the clouds that surround our planetary neighbor, Venus. It’s proximity to Earth makes Venus glow brilliantly in the night sky. The other bright… |
Robert J. Korpella |
03/16/12 |
| Open Pipes Threaten Birds |
After discovering the remains of hundreds of birds in an uncapped pipe, Audubon California advocates sealing off exposed pipes. That advice is worth following here in the Ozarks as well. In spring, birds often locate small openings they can use to build a nest. Some species, such as bluebirds, depend… |
Robert J. Korpella |
03/09/12 |
| Ovenbird Decline Linked to Invasive Species |
In the upper Midwest, ground-nesting ovenbirds are in decline as a result of an unlikely invasive species: earthworms. Ovenbirds, which are part of the warbler family, visit the Ozarks throughout the summer months. They are difficult to spot in forested areas, but their loud song which resembles “teacher, teacher, teacher”… |
Robert J. Korpella |
03/02/12 |
| Rare Fungus Kills Endangered Rattlesnakes |
Eastern massasauga rattlesnakes are not native to the Ozarks. Their closest proximity to our region is a small section of northeastern Missouri, and parts of southern Illinois. But they are significant because a fungus not normally seen in the wild presents an unexpected threat that has killed several snakes already.… |
Robert J. Korpella |
02/24/12 |
| Crystal Bridges Art Museum |
Featuring a story about an art museum may seem unusual for an outdoors website, but Crystal Bridges is anything but typical for an art museum. Designed to blend into the 120 acres of wooded grounds on which it is built, the museum is surrounded by creek-fed ponds, woods and wetlands.… |
Robert J. Korpella |
02/07/12 |
| My Christmas Bird Count |
Despite a rudimentary knowledge of bird species, I looked forward to participating in a Christmas Bird Count. Here was an opportunity to do something outdoors during a festive season when many people are putting away Christmas decorations, and trying to find room for all the presents they acquired. We met… |
Robert J. Korpella |
01/06/12 |
| Deer Antlers Inspire a New Theory on Osteoporosis |
A new theory from scientists in Spain could push osteoporosis research in a different direction. A group at the University of Castilla - La Mancha studied deer antlers to gain insights into mineral losses from bone structures. They believe that loss of the mineral manganese could result in a failure… |
Robert J. Korpella |
01/04/12 |
| NPS May Allow Parks To Ban Disposable Plastic Bottles |
Hikers and campers take note. National park superintendents may stop you from bringing disposable plastic bottles onto park property. Last week, NPS Director Jonathan Jarvis issued a directive that empowers superintendents to ban those bottles on a case by case basis. But issuing a proclamation is not a simple matter.… |
Robert J. Korpella |
12/21/11 |
| Craving Chocolate? Take a Hike |
Getting a taste for chocolate, but trying not to overindulge in the delectable dessert? Try stepping outside for a 15-minute walk just before unwrapping that candy bar. According to research at the University of Exeter, a short jaunt cuts down on chocolate snacking. In the study, 78 chocolate eaters were… |
Robert J. Korpella |
12/08/11 |
| Be Careful Eliminating Invasives |
Everywhere, including the Ozarks, battles rage to eliminate non-native species of animals and plants. In an odd twist, Princeton University researchers found that some invasive species can become essential members of the very same ecosystems threatened by their arrival. Scientists David Wilcove and David Pattemore uncovered evidence that destructive, non-native… |
Robert J. Korpella |
11/23/11 |
| Parasite Modifies Plant to Attract Insects |
Pathogens can alter their hosts’ behavior, and can also alter the physical characteristics of their hosts. In order to increase its odds of survival into subsequent generations, a viral gene manipulates the behavior of gypsy moth caterpillars to climb trees rather than hide in bark when infected. Malaria parasites have… |
Robert J. Korpella |
11/10/11 |
| October Camping Trip |
Camping in the Ozarks this time of year means being prepared for rapidly changing weather conditions. That’s written from experience. Last time around, the trip included ancient sleeping bags that were probably rated for mild 50 degree temperatures, not the upper-30s we actually encountered. This time, armed with down-filled bags… |
Robert J. Korpella |
11/10/11 |
| October Blooms |
I’m not sure we could ask for any better weather this early fall in the Ozarks. Warm days, cool nights and soft winds have carried us through most days. Except for a few showers, it’s almost spring-like outside. Even my lilac bushes think so. A few buds have popped with… |
Robert J. Korpella |
10/07/11 |
| Hiking Trip to Kings River Falls |
Kings River Falls is one of those places where you either know exactly where you’re going, or you discover it by accident while completely lost. About 9 miles of dirt road leads to the spot. And, if driving in from the north, some of those roads become narrow and fraught… |
Robert J. Korpella |
09/30/11 |
| Practice Makes Perfect in Nest Building |
Recent research from the University of Edinburgh suggests that nest building birds may not be constructing their dwellings by instinct, but may instead be learning the task through experience. That challenges a commonly held assumption that nest building is innate in bird species. Scientists filmed birds at work making multiple… |
Robert J. Korpella |
09/28/11 |
| Missouri’s Fall Colors |
The Missouri Department of Conservation website provides updates to fall colors as autumn creeps across the state. Little color is evident right now across the Ozarks region, but a few areas further north are beginning to display autumn brilliance. According to the site, sycamores and bald cypress are getting a… |
Robert J. Korpella |
09/28/11 |
| Nanoparticles Cause Brain Injury in Fish |
Nanoparticles are ultrafine; present almost at the molecular level. While often considered a modern science, the use of nanoparticles can be traced back to the 9th century when artisans used the optical properties of these particles to produce a lustrous sheen on pottery pieces. Today, nanoparticles are used to create… |
Robert J. Korpella |
09/21/11 |