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 […]
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
“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 […]
HOST Damond Benningfield
DISCUSSION
Killer whales near the Atlantic coast of Spain and Portugal have been living up to their name. From May 2020 through the end of 2023, they “killed” four boats and […]
HOST Damond Benningfield
DISCUSSION
According to an old saying, a rising tide floats all boats. And in the decades ahead, rising waters will threaten all coastal cities. As our planet gets warmer as the […]