Archive for July, 2007
Amy's update: The twins arrived safely on 7/27
Editor's Note: Producer Amy Miller, who was reporting the story on camera in our 7/24 episode on premature births titled "Born Too Soon: Preterm Births on the Rise", was placed on bed rest for preterm labor 2 weeks after filming. She has some good news to report below. Amy Miller and twin boys: Felix Alexander [...]
Post on Jul 31, 2007 by Amy Miller
The Great Switch-Out
Compared to traditional incandescent light bulbs, new compact fluorescent bulbs use at least two-thirds less energy and last up to 10 times longer. Many say that widespread use would produce major energy savings and reduce global warming emissions. But some people say their lighting is too harsh. QUEST sheds some light on the bulb debate. [...]
Post on Jul 31, 2007 by Sheraz Sadiq
The Planet Hunters
Do other planets like Earth exist? To find out, a team of astronomers from the University of California is building a new telescope in the hills east of San Jose. QUEST finds out what the chances are that there are others like ours somewhere in the cosmos. You may view the "The Planet Hunters" online, [...]
Post on Jul 31, 2007 by Chris Bauer
Napa Wineries Face Global Warming
The Napa and Sonoma microclimates produce world famous wines, but what happens if the climate changes? Scientists are predicting that global warming could increase the number of super-hot days in the California wine region, interfering with the way grapes ripen. Local scientists and wineries are beginning to look at how to prepare. You may view [...]
Post on Jul 31, 2007 by Gabriela Quirós
Out of the Office
2:00 AM on the Kuuvik River in the Nunavik region of northern Quebec. Photo courtesy of my friend, Drew MacDonald. Being the token astrophysicist in my social circles, I get a lot of questions from friends and family about what’s going on in the Universe these days. I try to use these questions as an [...]
Post on Jul 30, 2007 by Kyle S. Dawson
True Confessions
Forgive me reader for I have sinned. It's been two weeks since my last blog. Since then I have received a bill from the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD). We have used an excessive amount of water in the first two weeks living in our new home. By excessive, I mean about 1,600 gallons [...]
Post on Jul 27, 2007 by Jim Gunshinan
What's in Your Shampoo?
How safe is your makeup, perfume or lotion? Surprisingly, no one really knows. Two years ago, California passed groundbreaking legislation requiring cosmetic companies to report if their products contained toxic or carcinogenic ingredients. This year, the Safe Cosmetics Act of 2005 goes into effect and other states are closely watching California as they consider similar [...]
Post on Jul 26, 2007 by Andrea Kissack
gH2Ost story
Link to Tulare Lake Map for larger imageOnce upon a time, the San Francisco Bay watershed contained the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi. The lake is no more, but sometimes, in wet years, its spirit still haunts the cotton fields that have taken its place. Up until the last century, Tulare Lake was [...]
Post on Jul 26, 2007 by Ann Dickinson
Not 'The Big One' Yet
Geologists say it's likely that a major earthquake will hit the Bay Area sometime in the next 25 years. I woke up to what sounded like mumbling coming from my radio. I thought maybe the alarm had gone off, but it was only 4:40 a.m. and I get up at 6. I lay listening to [...]
Post on Jul 25, 2007 by Donovan Rittenbach
Amy's update: Dispatch from CPMC
Editor's Note: Producer Amy Miller, who was reporting the story on camera in tonight's 7/24 episode on premature births titled "Born Too Soon: Preterm Births on the Rise", was placed on bed rest for preterm labor 2 weeks after filming. She is at day 27 of mandatory bed rest at the hospital. In this post [...]
Post on Jul 24, 2007 by Amy Miller
Born Too Soon: Preterm Births on the Rise
The United States has the highest rate of premature births of any developed nation in the world. But why? QUEST meets Bay Area researchers working to answer that question, and discovers some of the technology and cutting-edge medical procedures used to care for the most vulnerable newborns. You may view the "Born Too Soon" TV [...]
Post on Jul 24, 2007 by Amy Miller
Illuminating the Northern Lights
Northern California residents may not be able to see the northern lights like people in Alaska can, but Bay Area scientists are playing a key role in understanding them. Find out more about the spectacular light shows up north and what scientists at UC Berkeley are discovering about the earth's magnetic field. You may view [...]
Post on Jul 24, 2007 by Josh Rosen
Recreational DNA Sequencing
Last blog I talked about the current revolution in DNA sequencing. Within the next five years you'll probably be able to get all 6 billion letters of your DNA on a CD to look over at your leisure. Someone who read the blog asked me if I would have my DNA sequenced for 1000 dollars. [...]
Post on Jul 23, 2007 by Dr. Barry Starr
Outward Bound: New Horizons
NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft is currently on its way to becoming the first spacecraft ever to reach Pluto–the object that, whatever you choose to call it, skitters along the frontier between the Outer Solar System and the more distant reaches of the Kuiper Belt. It may seem to be a bit early to start talking [...]
Post on Jul 20, 2007 by Ben Burress
Graywater Guerrillas
Reycling graywater from sinks, showers, and washing machines to irrigate your garden is the latest in green living — in many cases, it's also against the law. QUEST reports from the frontlines of D.I.Y eco-plumbing. You may listen to the "Graywater Guerrillas" Radio report online, as well as find additional links and resources. Amy Standen [...]
Post on Jul 19, 2007 by Amy Standen
Do You Sweat Like A Pig?
If you do, then you don't sweat at all — you thermo-regulate by getting wet or muddy. "Sweating like a pig" is myth #1. I spent an hour with a Pot Bellied Pig zookeeper who dispelled this and other myths. Elizabeth Abram Mark is a zookeeper at The Oakland Zoo and cares for the Vietnamese [...]
Post on Jul 18, 2007 by Amy Gotliffe
Story Time with Young Science Authors
What do kids age 5-8 think about science? Young authors from the KQED Reading Rainbow Young Writers and Illustrators Contest read their science-themed contest entries. You may view the "Story Time with Young Science Authors" TV Story online, as well as find additional links and resources. Amy Miller is a Coordinating Producer for television on [...]
Post on Jul 17, 2007 by Amy Miller
Landslide Detectives
With its rolling hills and winter storms, the Bay Area has been a landslide hotspot, putting houses and lives at risk. Meet the geologists working to understand and predict these natural disasters. You may view the "Landslide Detectives" TV Story online, as well as find additional links and resources. You may also view additional images [...]
Post on Jul 17, 2007 by Chris Bauer
Better Bees: Super Bee and Wild Bee
California farmers depend on bees to pollinate the state's multi-million dollar fruit and nut crops, but last season thousands of bee colonies disappeared around the country. Meet two Northern California researchers looking for ways to make sure we always have bees to pollinate our crops. You may view the "Better Bees: Super Bee and Wild [...]
Post on Jul 17, 2007 by Gabriela Quirós
Big Plans for Big Oil
When it comes to clean, green policy, California leads the nation. Over the last year, the state has moved forward with plans for cleaner cars, greener industries, and alternative fuels. So why are four of the Bay Area's five oil refineries embarking on multi-million dollar expansion plans? QUEST reports from Richmond, home to one of [...]
Post on Jul 16, 2007 by Amy Standen
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