Secrets From Isotopes

April 28, 2009

I know, the word "isotopes" is enough to make most folks click away from a page as fast as possible. But that'd be a mistake because there is some really great stuff being learned from these atoms. Here's my quick review, and all the links are below.

Secret Isotopes
Uploaded by larryohanlon

• Slide Show: Isotope Tattlers  
  What secrets are revealed by isotopes in the remains of condors, burrowing owls, tree bats, saber-tooth cats and even the hair on your head? Way too many! Find out!
• IM Interview: Animal Secret Sleuth  
  Larry O'Hanlon chats with Kena Fox-Dobbs, who is at the forefront of a new realm of research that's shedding light on everything from how condors survived the end of the ice age to where your neighborhood bats hang out in the off- season.
• HowStuffWorks: How Isotopes Are Measured  
  Get the lowdown on isotopes and what makes them so darned handy for solving all sorts of mysteries. A HowStuffWorks.com exclusive.
• News: Elephant Secrets Revealed by Isotopes  
  Using GPS and isotopes in Kenyan elephnat hairs, scientists have uncovered secret and dangerous new stresses facing the giant beasts. Michael Reilly reports.
• Video: Top 5 Science Animal Videos  
  Animals look great on video - James Williams shows you five reasons why.
• Video: Rare Javan Rhino Filmed  
  Several Javan rhinos, one of the world's rarest large mammals, were filmed recently by remote-sensing cameras in Indonesia. The footage gives new insights about the elusive beast. Jorge Ribas reports.