Male frogs of many species rely on mating calls to attract mates. However, even after the female has fallen for the male with the sexiest ribbit, true love faces an obstacle: how to find the velvet-voiced charmer in amongst the noise. Some species have arrived at a truly remarkable solution – lungs that cancel out unwanted sounds so the amphibious Juliet can find her way to her froggy Romeo.
As anyone who has wandered past a suitable pond can testify, things can get pretty loud when the time is right for breeding. These sounds can come from many different species, creating an epic “cocktail party problem”. So how does a female tune out all the other noise and hop her way to her handsome hero?
Central College once again has received a $50,000 gift from the Noel Cover Foundation of Cozad, Nebraska.
Central is one of four colleges to receive regular gifts from the foundation and the only Iowa institution represented. Since the foundation was established in 1972, Central has been awarded $1.286 million from the Noel Cover Foundation, leading to 287 scholarships for 127 students.
The foundation provides scholarships to needy, deserving and promising young men from Iowa, Colorado, Wyoming or Nebraska who attend one of the following four colleges: Central College (Iowa), University of Denver (Colorado), St. Olaf College (Minnesota) and Hastings College (Nebraska). Recipients must study in fields related to science, scientific research, mechanical engineering and craftsmanship, medicine, medical research or social science.