the buzz log

A salamander that looks like E.T., a micosized frog smaller than a fingernail, and a spiny-crested grasshopper. Who says the age of exploration is dead?

It's definitely not for Conservation International (CI). Their scientists have come back with some startlingly vivid images of endangered and never-before-seen critters from a whirlwind trip to the Nangaritza Protected Forest in Ecuador, near the Peruvian border. CI researchers came across at least 15 species of creatures and plants "unknown to science."

One of the most remarkable creatures is the Hyalinobatrachium pellucidum, also called a glass or crystal frog because you can see through its transparent flesh (right down to its guts). This guy's not new, but he's definitely endangered, so the find is heartening for environmentalists.

The purpose of the three-week biodiversity study was to identify species and make conservation recommendations for ecotourism possibilities, which the Ecuadorian locals are entertaining. It also turns out that frogs and insects yield medicinal properties, and a proper population survey is needed to see what else is out there in the forest.

According to Bloomberg, out of 14 million plants and animals in the world, human beings have been acquainted with only about 1.8 million. Below are more images of new friends; you can find other photos and expedition details at CI's site.

New-to-Us Species, Ecuador
Nicknamed the "ugly salamander," Genus Bolitoglossa (photo by Jessica Deichmann)
Itty-bitty frog, genus Pristimantis (photo by Luis A. Coloma)
Spiny-crested katydid, genus Diacanthodis (photo by Holger Braun)
Poison-arrow frog, genus Dendrobates (photo by Jessica Deichmann)

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Filed under: Animals, Science, Environment

In some ways, the earth is like a well-meaning mom, providing healthy and important stuff like air, water, and living things. And in return—well, we are often not as grateful as we could be. But Earth Day is our chance to show our appreciation for the planet.

Roots of Earth Day
The very first Earth Day, back in 1970, marked the beginning of the modern environmental movement. Before then, there was public concern about pollution, but no way to show it. According to Kathleen Rogers, head of the Earth Day Network, "It wasn't uncommon in some cities during rush hour to be standing on a street corner and not be able to see across the street." Sen. Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin asked Congress to officially declare April 22 Earth Day. That first year, 20 million people participated. Since then, it's gone global, with a billion people in over 180 countries doing something in honor of the earth.

The children really are our future
Maybe not surprisingly, those who stand to lose the most are fueling the most searches around the day. A sizeable quarter of all queries are being conducted by kids 17 and younger. Small friends of the earth are heading online before heading out, to look up all kinds of ways to celebrate the day. Eco-searches are surging on "earth day activities," "earth day crafts," "earth day coloring pages,"and "earth day projects."

Green is good
Those who want Earth Day to last all year long are conscientiously querying "energy saving tips," "reusable bags," and "how to build a compost bin." U.S. News & World Report gives five tips for going green, such as switching to compact fluorescent light bulbs and moving to low-flow shower heads. Yahoo! Green has the scoop on Earth Day deals, so you can save some of your own green. Just don't forget to thank your mother (earth).

Filed under: Environment

Lots of other pressing news piled up this week in the Buzz. Take a moment to cross out some must-reads and catch up on the afterlife, an A-list donation to save gay marriage, and how a 12-year-old took one small step toward saving the world.

Figure Out the Afterlife: Check.
Time magazine ventures to ask how researchers at the aptly named Human Consciousness Project will study "out-of-body" experiences. The study, even more aptly named project AWARE (AWAreness during REscuscitation), will have scientists interviewing approximately 1,500 heart-attack survivors about their experiences during the time they were dead.

Donated $100K to Gay Marriage: Check
Brad Pitt—LEGO figure, blogger, and humanitarian. After he and Angelina Jolie gave $2 million to an Ethiopian health center, the actor kicked over $100,000 to the campaign against Proposition 8, which seeks to overturn same-sex marriages in California. The cash chunk prompted the New York Observer to recall Pitt's conditions for his own wedded bliss.

Solve Energy Crisis Before Puberty: Check.
Buzz readers felt a little bit proud and inadequate at the same time after finding out how 12-year-old William Yuan refined a superduper solar cell. The Oregonian boy genius received a Davidson Fellow Award worth 25 grand for his research, entitled "A Highly-efficient, 3-Dimensional Nanotube Solar Cell for Visible and UV Light." (In case anyone's worried he might be bullied for his brains, Yuan has a youth black belt in tae kwon do.) Feel inspired, or green with envy? Either might motivate you to to try Treehugger's DIY tips on homemade solar panels from eBay damaged goods.

Also buzzing this week ...
 • By sending junior out of the kitchen, could you be encouraging fussy eating habits? The New York Times points out six parental food mistakes.
 • Shades of Hoovervilles: The Associated Press reports the rise of homeless encampments, or "tent cities," across the U.S.
 • "Babar the Elephant" ... imperialist propaganda? A New Yorker report on a Babar books exhibit gives a sweet family history of Babar's creators, and addresses pesky leftists who see the stories of the four-legged mammal as an "allegory of French colonization."

Filed under: Literature, Celebrities, Food, Recaps, Books, Death, Brad Pitt, Environment, Energy, Wrap Up