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Publications

These publications showcase the significant science conducted in our Science Centers.

Filter Total Items: 16670

Mineral resource of the Month: Clay

Clays were one of the first mineral commodities used by people. Clay pottery has been found in archeological sites that are 12,000 years old, and clay figurines have been found in sites that are even older.
Authors
Robert L. Virta

Mid-Piacenzian sea surface temperature record from ODP Site 1115 in the western equatorial Pacific

Planktic foraminifer assemblages and alkenone unsaturation ratios have been analyzed for the mid-Piacen-zian (3.3 to 2.9 Ma) section of Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Site 1115B, located in the western equatorial Pacific off the coast of New Guinea. Cold and warm season sea surface temperature (SST) estimates were determined using a modern analog technique. ODP Site 1115 is located just south of the
Authors
Danielle Stoll

Modern climate challenges and the geological record

Today's changing climate poses challenges about the influence of human activity, such as greenhouse gas emissions and land use changes, the natural variability of Earth's climate, and complex feedback processes. Ice core and instrumental records show that over the last century, atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations have risen to 390 parts per million volume (ppmv), about 40% above pre-In
Authors
Thomas M. Cronin

Mid-Piacensian mean annual sea surface temperature: an analysis for data-model comparisons

Numerical models of the global climate system are the primary tools used to understand and project climate disruptions in the form of future global warming. The Pliocene has been identified as the closest, albeit imperfect, analog to climate conditions expected for the end of this century, making an independent data set of Pliocene conditions necessary for ground truthing model results. Because mo
Authors
Harry J. Dowsett, Marci M. Robinson, Kevin M. Foley, Danielle K. Stoll

Wildlife underpasses on U.S. 64 in North Carolina: integrating management and science objectives

This chapter on wildlife underpasses on U.S. Highway 64 in North Carolina is from a book on highways, wildlife, and habitat connectivity. U.S. 64 is an important route in North Carolina connecting major population centers and highways that underwent a major upgrade from a two-lane rural road to a major highway. New routes were proposed for a large portion of the project (28 miles) to improve drive
Authors
Mark D. Jones, Frank T. van Manen, Travis W. Wilson, David R. Cox

Mortality of centrarchid fishes in the Potomac drainage: Survey results and overview of potential contributing factors

Skin lesions and spring mortality events of smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieu and selected other species were first noted in the South Branch of the Potomac River in 2002. Since that year morbidity and mortality have also been observed in the Shenandoah and Monocacy rivers. Despite much research, no single pathogen, parasite, or chemical cause for the lesions and mortality has been identified.
Authors
Vicki Blazer, Luke R. Iwanowicz, Clifford E. Starliper, Steven D. Zaugg, Mark R. Burkhardt, P. Barbash, J.D. Hedrick, S.J. Reeser, J.E. Mullican, J. Kelble

A review of the genus Agapetus Curtis (Trichoptera: Glossosomatidae) in eastern and central North America, with description of 12 new species

Twenty-nine species of caddisflies in the genus Agapetus Curtis in eastern and central North America are reviewed. Twelve are described as new species: Agapetus aphallus (known only from females); Agapetus baueri, Agapetus flinti, Agapetus harrisi, Agapetus hesperus, Agapetus ibis, Agapetus kirchneri, Agapetus meridionalis, Agapetus pegram, Agapetus ruiteri, Agapetus stylifer, and Agapetus tricorn
Authors
David A. Etnier, Charles R. Parker, John T. Baxter, Todd M. Long

Protocol for statistical analysis of vegetation changes at Catoctin Mountain Park

Vegetation data collected at Catoctin Mountain Park, Maryland, in a split-panel rotation design during 2004-2009 were analyzed for differences among three regions within the park and among years. Six plots were paired with plots fenced to exclude white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), and differences between open and exclosed plots were also investigated. Repeated measures analysis of varia
Authors
Jeff S. Hatfield, Cairn Krafft

The use of early summer mosquito surveillance to predict late summer West Nile virus activity

Utility of early-season mosquito surveillance to predict West Nile virus activity in late summer was assessed in Suffolk County, NY. Dry ice-baited CDC miniature light traps paired with gravid traps were set weekly. Maximum-likelihood estimates of WNV positivity, minimum infection rates, and % positive pools were generally well correlated. However, positivity in gravid traps was not correlated wit
Authors
Howard S. Ginsberg, Ilia Rochlin, Scott R. Campbell

The use of Emeraid Exotic Carnivore Diet improves postsurgical recovery and survival of long-tailed ducks

Gavage feeding is a commonly used technique in wildlife rehabilitation. While implanting satellite transmitters in long-tailed ducks (Clangula hyemalis), a need for extra postsurgical nutritional support was identified. A new product, Emeraid Exotic Carnivore Diet, has proven effective in maintaining and even increasing the birds' body weights while in captivity. This has resulted in a 54-g increa
Authors
Glenn H. Olsen, Scott Ford, Matthew C. Perry, Alicia M. Wells-Berlin

The toll of toxics: investigating environmental contaminants

On Earth Day of this year, the British Petroleum-operated Deepwater Horizon oil drilling rig exploded in the Gulf of Mexico, 41 miles off the Louisiana coast. The blast killed 11 workers, injured 17, launched a massive oil spill, and triggered an environmental catastrophe—the full impact of which may not be realized for years.
Authors
Donald W. Sparling, Barnett A. Rattner, John S. Barclay
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