The Question: I enjoyed your article on the Indian Pipe (at CuriousNature.net). I live in SE Wisconsin and I was thrilled to find some of these wonderful plants in my wooded yard. How rare is this plant? I have lived in this area all most all of my 50 years and have not seen one [...]
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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 [...]
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