Archive for April, 2009
Swine Flu – A Virus or a Bacteria?
Swine Flu has been blanketing the news as of late. On April 29th, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported the first US fatality occurring in Texas. The CDC has determined that this swine influenza A(H1N1) virus is contagious and spreading from human to human. Yet at this time, they do not know how easily the virus spreads between people. At our museum, we have taken this very seriously and staff has been asked to stay home if symptoms arise.
Post on Apr 30, 2009 by Cat
Apply now for the QUEST Science Education Institute
Applications are due May 15 for the 2009-2010 QUEST Science Education Institute.
Post on Apr 30, 2009 by Jessica Neely
Superconductivity: an Arsenic-Laced Future?
In February of last year scientists discovered a new champion in their quest for a better superconductor, a material based on iron and, curiously enough, arsenic.
Post on Apr 28, 2009 by Christopher Smallwood
Tracking Genetics in Popular Culture
In the last couple of weeks, on another blog of mine there has been a surge in our answers about genetic chimeras. Usually this means that somewhere in the world, a certain episode of CSI is being shown.
Post on Apr 27, 2009 by Dr. Barry Starr
Reporter's Notes: Let's Weatherize!
Since people seem to nod off a bit when I say I'm working on a story about energy efficiency, I've had to re-tool my pitch. "It's a story about how installing solar panels or a wind turbine is the last thing you should do to green your house," I say, perhaps a little over-dramatically.
Post on Apr 24, 2009 by Amy Standen
Springtime on Mars
It's spring again, that time of year when my thoughts return to… blasts of carbon dioxide gas jetting up from beneath the frigid layer of dry ice below
Post on Apr 24, 2009 by Ben Burress
Have the Energy Munchies? Curb your "Snackwell Effect"
Stanley Jevons first described this conundrum in 1865, when he observed that new efficient steam engines decreased coal consumption, which led to a drop in coal prices. But the lower prices meant that more people could afford to use coal, and so coal consumption increased.
Post on Apr 21, 2009 by Jim Gunshinan
Reporter's Notes: Goodbye to the Bevatron
Much as I tried to get Stewart Loken to wax poetic about the demise of the Bevatron, the truth is that he – and, I'll bet, a lot of scientists – just don't think that way.
Post on Apr 17, 2009 by Amy Standen
UC Berkeley Gets Its Science On: Cal Day 2009, April 18
On Saturday April 18th, the University opens up to the public…lectures, interactive events, tours, all of the campus museums (most of which aren't usually open to the public)… and it's all free.
Post on Apr 17, 2009 by Kishore Hari
When a Cosmo's More Than a Cocktail: Yuri's Night at Cal Academy
208 parties in 46 countries on eight continents celebrated Yuri Alexyevich Gagarin between April 6 and 12th of this year. Who is Yuri and why does he deserve such accolades?
Post on Apr 15, 2009 by Cat
Reporter's Notes: California at the Tipping Point
The conventional wisdom is that a warming planet means more wildfires–and in many cases the conventional wisdom is right. But globally it's a more complex question.
Post on Apr 14, 2009 by Craig Miller
Reporter's Notes: Smart Grid at Home
I've never paid much attention to my electric meter. For most of us, it's just that box on the side of the house with a small white disk spinning inside, keeping track of our energy use. But over the next three years, all the meters for PG&E customers will be getting a major upgrade to a new, digital SmartMeter.
Post on Apr 10, 2009 by Lauren Sommer
Is the Sun Pulling a Rip Van Winkle?
The Sun seems to be unusually quiet these last few years–and solar scientists are excited by this long, deep slumber….
Post on Apr 10, 2009 by Ben Burress
Science Event Picks: NIF-ty Laser Talks Coming to Local Science Cafés
In celebration of the operational launch of the world's most powerful laser at the National Ignition Facility in Livermore, CA, engineers & scientists from the facility are presenting a series of talks and discussions geared for the general public.
Post on Apr 08, 2009 by Kishore Hari
Underwater Update
We heard about the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute's new underwater laboratory in a radio story last fall. When that story aired, the lab (known as the Monterey Accelerated Research System, or MARS) was just getting going, with lots of neat experiments planned. Now, few of those have become a reality.
Post on Apr 08, 2009 by Rachel Zurer
Predators in Peril in Uganda
Last October, I gazed out at the expanse of Queen Elizabeth Park, in Uganda, close to the comfy Mweya Safari Lodge where we were staying. The landscape was beautiful, peaceful…and kind of empty. Though we had seen a large and lovely herd of elephants the evening before, on this fine, clear morning, the habitat was clearly missing one of the most important parts of the eco-system: predators. All we could find were tracks.
Post on Apr 08, 2009 by Amy Gotliffe
Producer's Notes: LCROSS Rocket to the Moon
The goal is to see if water exists on the moon and if it does, buried deep beneath the lunar soil, accumulating over millions of years of impacts with comets, it would accelerate our efforts to establish a permanent lunar base.
Post on Apr 07, 2009 by Sheraz Sadiq
Reporter's Notes: Sewage Spills Increasing
The biggest problem can be the smallest thing, and that's the case in the sewer world. More than 20 million gallons of raw sewage spilled into California waterways last year, according to the state Department of Water Resources Control Board. That's not counting the partially treated sewage that makes its way into our water from overflows and sewer system malfunctions.
Post on Apr 03, 2009 by David Gorn
An Optimistic Look Forward at Energy Policy
Home Energy Magazine looks back at the past several decades of energy policy in America, and looks ahead to what may come. Here's a sneak preview of some of what we're thinking.
Post on Apr 03, 2009 by Jim Gunshinan
Using the Online Photo Community Flickr for Science Education
With its powerful, yet easy-to-use features Flickr offers science educators a number of ways to bring abstract concepts to life and add depth and color to theoretical understanding.
Post on Apr 03, 2009 by Jessica Neely
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