Research Highlight: Peeking into the Underwater World of Leopard Seals
Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Published: 19 November 2015
Using Crittercams and drones, researchers uncovered leopard seals’ surprising behaviors, including bottom-fish hunting, food stealing, and scavenging, offering new insight into their role in Antarctic ecosystems amid rapid climate change.
Keywords: leopard seals, Crittercam, Antarctic, foraging behavior, kleptoparasitism, scavenging, apex predator
New Study Reveals What's Behind a Tarantula's Blue Hue
Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Published: 30 November 2015
Researchers found tarantulas evolved vivid blue hairs through nanostructures, not pigments. This convergent evolution could inspire durable, glare-free screens and other biomimicry technologies in electronics.
Keywords: tarantula, nanostructures, blue color, biomimicry, convergent evolution, glare reduction, Scripps Oceanography
Research Highlight: Birds of a Feather
Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Published: 11 January 2016
Scripps scientists found emperor penguins stay warm with dense down-like plumules, which increase during winter fasting to offset fat loss, helping them survive -40°C Antarctic winters and deep dives.
Keywords: emperor penguins, feather density, plumules, Antarctic survival, Scripps research, insulation, conservation
