HOST Damond Benningfield
DISCUSSION
Pufferfish in Japan are known for one thing. They’re a delicacy that can be deadly. Their organs contain a highly toxic compound that can kill in minutes. But one species […]
Radio Program
Our regular Science and the Sea™ radio program presents marine science topics in an engaging two-minute story format. Our script writers gather ideas for the radio program from the University of Texas Marine Science Institute’s researchers and from our very popular college class, Introduction to Oceanography, which we teach to hundreds of non-science majors at The University of Texas at Austin every year. Our radio programs are distributed to commercial and public radio stations across the country.
HOST Damond Benningfield
DISCUSSION
As Earth gets warmer, scientists expect to see some changes in hurricanes. There might not be more of them, but the strongest ones might be much more intense. To better […]
HOST Damond Benningfield
DISCUSSION
Until 2011, no one knew that a couple of groups of dolphins found along the coast of southeastern Australia were a separate species from all other dolphins. Burrunan dolphins are […]
HOST Damond Benningfield
DISCUSSION
“Million Mounds” may be overstating the case a bit, but there’s no doubt it’s one of the most extensive deep-water coral reefs on the planet. Or make that part of […]
HOST Damond Benningfield
DISCUSSION
For a tiny marine worm found in the Bay of Naples and elsewhere, life ends in a frenzy. The worms lose a lot of their internal organs, their eyes get […]
HOST Damond Benningfield
DISCUSSION
Conditions in the Arctic Ocean may be about to switch gears. That could mean that Arctic waters would become more like those in the North Atlantic—a process known as “atlantification.” […]
HOST Damond Benningfield
DISCUSSION
Some tiny sea snails may look like angels, but they act more like little devils. They rip their favorite prey from their shells. And the prey just happens to be […]
HOST Damond Benningfield
DISCUSSION
Now playing in the southwestern Pacific Ocean: Sharkcano—an underwater volcano filled with sharks. Officially, the volcano is Kavachi. It’s named for a fire god of a nearby culture. Its base […]
HOST Damond Benningfield
DISCUSSION
Chinstrap penguins may be contenders for the title of “world’s greatest power nappers.” A recent study found that penguins that are watching over their eggs or chicks nod off more […]
HOST Damond Benningfield
DISCUSSION
It snows in the oceans. Bacteria, the skin cells of fish, fish poop, and bits of sand and dirt all clump together. These “snowflakes” can be up to an inch […]