In Australia, authorities strongly advise against eating mushrooms that have not been expertly identified or purchased from a supermarket or grocer, as some fungi can be toxic or deadly if consumed. In each State and Territory, rules and regulations vary, and mushroom foraging is not allowed in some areas.
If you're afraid of sharks, stop reading now, because we're about to get in deep with six types of sharks. Learn more about these fascinating fish big and small, solid and patterned, sluggish and speedy.
Marika Martini was one of only a handful of women working in the wool industry on a remote station in Western Australia. She now trains others to work in the field.
Coral larvae are more likely to settle on damaged reefs if they hear noise. Researchers set up underwater speakers to mimic the sounds of the reef. The further the speakers were from the reef, the fewer corals they found. Coral reefs are home to almost a quarter of all marine animals and can slow down storm waves. They are threatened by rising water temperatures, ocean acidification and pollution. The researchers are trying to stop coral deaths or reactivate reefs that have already been damaged. The results are promising, but it is still unclear whether all coral species react to noise.
Every year, billions of animals across the globe embark on journeys. They fly, crawl, walk or slither – often across thousands of miles of land or water – to find better food, more agreeable weather or a place to breed. Think monarch butterflies, penguins, wild Pacific salmon. These species are crucial to the world as we know it. But until this week, there has never been an official assessment of the world's migratory animals. So today on the show, correspondent Nate Rott shares the first-ever report on state of the world's migratory animals – the threats facing them and what can be done to help. Are you afraid of needles or shots? Send us a voice memo with your story at shortwave@npr.org. We'd love to hear about it for an upcoming episode.