California Condor, Worm Castings, Chicken Contact Lenses, and Other News Bits

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PHOTO: FOTOLIA/KOJIHIRANO
Efforts to save the California Condor from extinction suffered a setback when a condor chick died during an examination by researchers.

FLYING FEATHERS: A $500,000 project to save the California condor
— only 30 of the birds are known to be alive today — came to a halt as a
result of the death of a baby condor being examined under the program.
The nestling died from shock and acute heart failure while being scrutinized by two researchers.

WORKER WORMS: The National Science Foundation has awarded a $25,000 grant to a Michigan research team investigating the use of earthworms to convert biodegradable household garbage into a usable form. In tests that should sound familiar to most composters, the worms — contained in a wooden box filled with bedding material — turn organic waste into nutrient-rich worm castings suitable for potting soil.

  • Published on Mar 1, 1981
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