Smithsonian scientists reduce uncertainty in forest carbon storage calculations
Helene Muller-Landau, staff scientist, was invited to write an authoritative review about carbon storage in forests. Her team combed through existing studies and came up with some novel conclusions of their own.
Advances in scientific research and conservation of the jaguar in Panama
The seminar series via Zoom titled How did I get here? Scientific Stories is carried out thanks to the support of the Inter- American Development Bank (IDB). For the 6th seminar on January 2021, Smithsonian invited Ricardo Moreno, Director of the Yaguará Panama Foundation, STRI Associate Researcher and National Geographic Emerging Explorer with the talk entitled, Advances in scientific...
Male bats with high testosterone levels have large forearm crusts when females are fertile
Male Fringe-Lipped bats smear a sticky, odorous substance on their forearms. When this was discovered, researchers guessed that it might play a role in mating. Post-doctoral fellow Mariana Muñoz-Romo has confirmed that the presence and size of the forearm "crust" is, indeed correlated with other reproductive traits.
Science and Education: Creating a bridge between research and action
Through virtual encounters like these, Smithsonian provides a digital space for local experts from different fields of science to share their stories, experiences, training and professional trajectory, the challenging and rewarding moments of their careers, the type of research that they do and the importance to the world, and their passion about science. The objective is to guide and...
Sea urchins are stuck belly up in low-oxygen hot water
As oceans warm and become more acidic and oxygen-poor, Smithsonian researchers asked how marine life on a Caribbean coral reef copes with changing conditions.
Smithsonian scientist clears up Panamanian urban legend
How did canal grass arrive in Panama? STRI staff scientist Kristin Saltonstall compared the DNA of sugar cane relatives from around the world to find out.
In the footsteps of crocs
Crocodiles fulfill important functions in the ecosystems where they live, and they play a prominent role in the myths and legends of cultures around the world. Miryam Venegas-Anaya will share stories about years of field work in Panama with these fascinating reptiles to increase our understanding and appreciation of their diversity and behavior.
First Sightings of Lek and courtship behavior in wrinkle-faced bats
Male Wrinkle-faced bats lower a flap of skin resembling a face mask when they are ready to mate according to a rare sighting of a lek of bats in Costa Rica.
Diving into the deep past
Coming from a humble family, Félix Rodríguez decided from a young age that he would focus on his education in order to secure a better future for himself and his family. At different points in his life he said yes to the opportunities that were presented to him, with a curious heart. This led him to learn from world-class experts, get training abroad and become a paleontologist at the...
Modern computational tools may open a new era for fossil pollen research
By integrating machine-learning technology with high-resolution imaging, scientists are improving the taxonomic resolution of fossil pollen identifications and greatly enhancing the use of pollen data in ecological and evolutionary research.
