The Question: For years I have noticed an oily substance on a stretch of Lake Huron shoreline that leads into a wetland/marsh area. The oily substance has the rainbow pattern that you see when there is a film of oil on water. Is it possible that this is a natural occurrence of some oil deposits, [...]
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What are these tiny oily beads in Lake Huron?
The Question: In Michigan in early July, thousands of tiny, clear, oily, bead-like things were scattered all over the beach along the water line. We were wondering if they were a natural occurrence or some kind of pollution. Submitted by: Sara, MI (The picture to the left was taken with a cell phone.) The Short [...]
Caddisfly Home Decorating
I was snorkeling in shallow water in a small lake in central Massachusetts today, and saw an interesting creature. What caught my eye was that a small section of the sandy gravel on the lake bottom was moving. It scooted forward about an inch (2.5 cm) and stopped. Then it did it again. I picked [...]
Are Sharks Immune to Disease and Cancer?
[Are Sharks Immune to
Disease and Cancer?] The
Question: I recently read
that sharks are immune to
all disease. Is this true?
Submitted by: Marion F.,
Somerville, MA The Short
Answer: No, it’s not
true. Sharks get bacterial
infections, viral infections,
and they suffer from
parasites, in short, the
entire suite of infectious
diseases from which all
animals and plants must
protect themselves. Sharks
also get cancer, contrary
to another widely
disseminated myth. More
Info: The claim that sharks
don’t get disease or
suffer from cancer is
mostly spread by
advertisements for dietary
supplements made from
sharks, such as shark
cartilage. These
Ladybird, ladybird, fly away home
The Question: Some years we have many ladybugs, other years just a few. This spring they have been inside the house. When just a few, I sort of like them. When an infestation, they can be a nuisance. Can you tell me more about the life cycle of lady bugs? Submitted by: Prue, MA [...]