Water flows downhill and with it comes pollution that affects life in and along the rivers and the ocean. Scientists analyze mountain fish and coastal blue crabs to learn what's flowing downstream in North Carolina's waterways.

The Appalachian Mountains, with dense forest cover, make western North Carolina a unique laboratory from which to monitor air quality and atmospheric conditions and their impact on ecosystems.

Tidal creeks are the link from stormwater runoff to the estuaries and the ocean. Researchers are studying the dynamics of tidal creeks and what lives in them, so communities can better protect this unique, fragile and vital habitat for coastal life.

North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences researchers discovered fossils of an unknown dinosaur while working in Utah.

Duke Lemur Center preserves and protects lemurs, unique primates that are the ancient relatives of monkeys, apes and humans. Lemurs evolved in isolation on Madagascar, but are threatened as the island's human population grows.