DreamingNagual Posted May 7, 2009 (edited) Tonight 8PM on ABC1. http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/2556839.htm Catalyst Space Storms: predicting the next big one - Insects on drugs: why locusts swarm - Bunnies bounce back: controlling the rise in rabbit numbers. Space Storms In 1859 a massive explosion on the sun launched a barrage of charged particles at earth, temporarily shutting down telegraph networks in Europe and the United States. If the same thing happened today computer and power networks as well as satellite communications around the globe could be devastated. Space storms occur when the Sun erupts, sending out a ball of plasma. Graham Phillips heads to the University of California Berkeley and Big Bear Solar Observatory to meet the extra terrestrial weathermen who show us how a space superstorm could occur and what effect it would have on our communication and energy networks. Party Locusts Plagues of swarming locusts are estimated to affect the livelihood of one in ten people on the planet. Swarms are a constant blight in northern Africa and can cause millions of dollars worth of damage in Australia. Until today nobody has known what causes the locusts to swarm. But now, a team of entomologists from Britain and Australia have found the key to the locusts marauding activity. First, increased food brings the locusts together, then as they rub up against each other, the locusts’ neural system releases serotonin, a compound known to induce happiness in humans. (The party drug ecstasy actually increases the level of serotonin in the brain giving a feeling of euphoria.) However, for these insects the effect of increased serotonin turns the normally shy locust into a party animal. But, once the party gets going and the locusts are on the march, it soon turns nasty. Scientists hope that this knowledge will help in controlling the locust pest. Jonica Newby discovers the truth about locusts and the grim demise for those of them that don’t really get into the swing of it. Rabbit Immunity Rabbits are one of Australia’s worst feral pests, wreaking havoc with agricultural land and destroying natural habitats for native animals. By the 1920’s there were estimated to be 10 billion rabbits munching away in Australia. The introduction of Myxomatosis in 1950 reduced the population by over 80%, but genetic resistance saw the rabbit fight back. When another virus, Calicivirus was accidentally released on to the Australian mainland in 1995 it seemed to be the answer, subsequently causing dramatic reductions in the rabbit population. Later, when scientists deliberately introduced the virus, they noticed that in some areas, especially the colder, wetter parts of Australia, rabbit numbers were not falling as fast as in the drier regions. Dr Maryanne Demasi discovers how rabbits are gaining immunity to Calicivirus from a kind of natural vaccination process and once more they’re on the increase. Looks like its a good episode to catch! Edited May 7, 2009 by DreamingNagual Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
