UNC-Chapel Hill scientists are streaming live video of coral reefs and marine life as part of their work this week at the world's only undersea research lab.

Between now and Wednesday, you can see the video at http://www.ustream.tv/aquariusreefbase or below this text.

Chris Martens, William B. Aycock Distinguished Professor of marine sciences, and Niels Lindquist, professor of marine sciences based at the Institute of Marine Sciences, are studying the emerging problem of acidification of the ocean and its effect on coral reefs. Their team includes a postdoctoral researcher, a graduate student and three undergraduates from UNC.

The scientists are at working at Aquarius, a laboratory 63 feet underwater near the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, where scientists can stay for up to 10 days.

The aquanauts blog during missions and post pictures on the Aquarius homepage. Follow them on Twitter, @reefbase.

Live broadcast by Ustream

An interesting newish book crossed my desk this morning called "Farm
City: The Education of an Urban Farmer."  The book is a memoir by
Novella Carpenter, a young woman who moved to a house in inner-city
Oakland and decided to start farming on an abandoned lot next door.  I
am immensely inspired by the forward thinkers among us who work to
utilize our unused urban spaces and get closer to the self-reliance
that was once common among our ancestors.

Also, check out Carpenter's musings on her blog.