Spotlight on Smithsonian Science, 17 March 2006

• Main Author: Evans, David L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Smithsonian Institution. Office of the Under Secretary for Science 17.03.2006
• Subjects: Biodegradation; Diabetes in animals; Eukaryotic cells; Ferritin; Ficus (Plants); Iron > Metabolism; Microbiology; Piciformes; Protists; Rain forests plants; Rivers; Stars > Clusters; Stars > Formation; Toucans

Introduction from Dr. David Evans, Smithsonian Under Secretary for Science -- Primoridial Stellar Structures -- A Newtonian View of Tropical Forest Diversity: The Fig as a Model of Diversification -- Diabetic Toucan Treated at National Zoo -- Giving Protists their Props: Eukaryotic Microbes and the Decomposition of Leaf Litter in Streams. In this issue of the Spotlight on Science, we'll look at nests of stellar gas that give birth to sibling stars. Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory researchers will explain how evidence gathered from distant clouds of dust, may explain why our own sun seems to have no brothers or sisters in the nearby galactic neighborhood. Then we'll explore the ingredients that may have led to the diversity and coexistence of rainforest plants. A Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute scientist explains how the success of a variety of fig trees may reveal key attributes shared by members of diverse communities of plants. While in the tropical forest, we'll answer the cry of the Toco toucan, and find out why they are susceptible to diabetes, and more importantly, how it is being treated by National Zoological Park veterinarians. And finally we'll face death and rebirth, as Smithsonian Environmental Research Center scientists reveal the role of the smallest of microbes in speeding along the cycle of decomposition and nutrient release in freshwater streams.