Science

I Don't Know But I Been Told

Those Special Forces trainees must be very bold

By M. Farbman

February 19, 2009

011205-A-5406-001_Paratroopers pull security as they cross a linear danger area on their way to assault an objective during 3-325 AIR's CALFX Dec. 1 US Army photo by Spc. Mike Pryor, 82nd Airborne Division Public Affairs Spc. Mike Pryor

Hell on earth in America can be found in North Carolina, where soldiers go through a process called "stress inoculation," and one researcher found what makes the Special Forces so special.

Also in today's links: bugs in love, and more.

From the thoughtful tarantula to the perceptive giant silk moth, some little critters sound like sweet mates. (Plus, one species is into bondage, if you like that sort of thing.)
I've included links to stories about dumping of electronic waste on developing nations before, but I like that this investigation inserted a tracking device in a television and followed its path from England to Nigeria.
What I haven't linked to as often is stories from Latin America. They're relatively few and far between in the mainstream press, it seems. But a study on climate change identifies the major threats to the region, from disappearing glaciers to destruction of coral reefs.
Convergent evolution? Lots of commuting? At least 235 species -- including gorgeous little swimming snails -- inhabit both the north and south poles, according to a new survey.