In 1996, a controlled flood was executed in the Grand Canyon to rejuvenate its natural river dynamics. Leveraging the Glen Canyon Dam, scientists released substantial volumes of water to transport sediment downstream, with the goal of restoring sandbars that had diminished due to the dam's existence. This initiative highlighted the potential of dam operations to contribute positively to ecological restoration, paving the way for future river management experiments.

In 1967, the US detonated a 29-kiloton nuclear device 4,227 feet underground in New Mexico to boost natural gas production. Five tests produced 213 million cubic feet of gas, but it contained measurable radioactivity. The experiment was later ended, the site cleaned up, and radioactive contamination remains underground in the blast zone.

Researchers have confirmed a summer nursery for young great white sharks off New York. Juvenile whites repeatedly use the region's coastal waters for food and protection. Tagged sharks have traveled far and returned to the Long Island area annually. Warming waters are also bringing more species typically associated with warmer seas. Understanding these sharks replaces fear with a better appreciation of their ecosystem role.

A team of researchers has discovered specific acoustic characteristics that enhance the enjoyment of birdsong for humans. Among the various bird songs analyzed, blackbirds topped the charts for pleasantness, while barn owls trailed behind. It was found that songs with narrower bandwidth and increased complexity were rated as more enjoyable. Additionally, higher frequencies paired with lower amplitudes significantly influenced pleasantness.

A 2002 study examined 12 artificial reefs built off Miami Beach using limestone boulders, concrete-gravel aggregate and concrete mixed with waste tyre chips. Divers surveyed the reefs every two months from October 1998 to February 2001, recording fish species, numbers and sizes, along with spiny lobsters. They counted 97,826 fish from 146 species. The researchers found no significant difference in fish abundance, biomass or species richness between the three reef materials. However, comparisons before and after deployment showed that the artificial reefs increased local fish abundance and species richness.

New England's creative solution to invasive green crabs involves incorporating them into the local diet and economy. Fishermen now target these soft-shelled crabs, which are gaining popularity and higher prices. Emerging markets for green crab products, including pet snacks and whiskey infusions, aim to counteract the harmful effects of this invasive species while boosting the economy.

A fungus launches infectious spores using pressurized liquid bursts from dead flies. These spores are propelled with significant force, reaching speeds up to ten meters per second. Spore size is crucial, balancing momentum for dispersal and air current transport. Dead female flies attract males, aiding spore spread through contact and movement. This remarkable fungal artillery ensures continued infection and life cycle progression.

Nasa researchers observed freshwater snails reproducing in space during a Shuttle mission. Their gravity-sensing organs, called statoconia, grew substantially larger in microgravity. Swordtail fish larvae also developed enlarged otoliths, which are similar gravity-sensing stones. This indicated a critical developmental period where altered gravity impacts stone size. The findings suggest these organs regulate to achieve a functional weight.

Five geckos flew on a 16-day space mission without food or water. This experiment tested reptiles as models for microgravity research. Laboratory analysis revealed changes in bone density and liver cell activity. Researchers attributed these changes to housing and lack of provisions. Geckos' specialized toe pads helped them adhere in weightlessness.

Nasa launched rhesus monkey Miss Sam in January 1960 to test Project Mercury's escape system. The flight confirmed the escape tower's ability to pull the capsule clear of its booster. Miss Sam reached 1,800 mph and an altitude of nine miles before recovery. Her mission data helped assess the safety of the Mercury spacecraft for human flights. Behavioral and physiological monitoring pioneered on her flight influenced later primate missions.