Author Archives: Sharon Pochron

By a whisker

By Sharon Pochron / September 2, 2012
Ten times more nerve endings surround a seal whisker than a rat whisker. Scientists believe whiskers help seals make smart choices when hunting in the wild. Credit: Fastily/Wikimedia Commons

Hardly a fad: Some facial hair serves important functions, scientists find

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Can’t touch this: Unusual venomous creatures

By Sharon Pochron / March 11, 2012
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Scientists study a cast of creatures to learn how to use toxins to treat pain and disease

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What’s on your genes?

By Sharon Pochron / September 21, 2011
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Tiny genetic switches create big differences

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Three strikes wiped out woolly mammoths

By Sharon Pochron / October 14, 2009

Giant mammals went extinct thanks to climate, comet and people

Posted in Dinosaurs & Fossils

Pondering the puzzling platypus

By Sharon Pochron / March 17, 2009

Scientists are studying the mixed-up looking mammal for clues to animal ancestry

Posted in Animals