QUEST Community Science Blog
The Future of Water
Freshwater expert Sandra Postel reveals how water is destined to become our most precious resource— and the impact of your personal water footprint.
Post on May 21, 2013 by Andy Soth from QUEST Wisconsin
Saved From Living Death: How Genetically Modifying Chestnuts Could Bring Them Back
The American chestnut was the king of the trees in forests in the eastern U.S. until a fungus from Asia brought them down. We are getting very close to making a resistant American chestnut. Now the question is whether or not we should plant it out in the wild.
Post on May 20, 2013 by Dr. Barry Starr from KQED Science
Thinking Like a Pirate – or a Scientist
New understandings about how scientists think inspire changes in school science standards.
Post on May 16, 2013 by Clancy J. Wolf from QUEST Northwest
Are Doughnuts Destroying Forests?
A conversation with a forestry expert reveals doughnuts as unlikely contributors to global deforestation.
Post on May 14, 2013 by David Huppert from QUEST North Carolina
Scientist Superheroes: The US Government's Crisis Science Team
If your town were suddenly struck by an earthquake or hurricane, you could count on the arrival of police, firefighters, and medical technicians to aid in the emergency response. As of this past January, the US government has added a new team of responders to this list—scientists.
Post on May 13, 2013 by Peter Lollo from KQED Science
Exploring Caves in California: An Otherworldly Experience
While most people are out enjoying the warmer weather spring offers, there are some who cannot wait to make their way underground. With the rainy season behind us, California Caverns are opening up for those who aren't afraid of the dark.
Post on May 07, 2013 by Rachael Rufino from KQED Science
Scrounging for Research Dollars
If you’re a scientist these days, getting the money to do your research is a lot like getting into Stanford or Yale. Assuming you aren’t rich or connected, being incredibly skilled, hardworking and accomplished isn’t enough. You need to get lucky too.
Post on May 06, 2013 by Dr. Barry Starr from KQED Science
Post on May 03, 2013 by Sean Greene from KQED Science
Solar plane takes off on historic cross-country trip
Lighter than an SUV and covered with more than 12,000 solar cells, Solar Impulse, the world's first solar plane that can fly day and night without recharging, launched from Moffet Field this morning in a cross country voyage.
Post on May 03, 2013 by Lindsey Hoshaw from QUEST Northern California
The State of the Universe: Matter and Age Up, Dark Energy Down
The European Space Agency's Planck mission has generated a map of the infant universe that refines our understanding of what it's all made of and has upped its age by 100 million years.
Post on May 03, 2013 by Ben Burress from KQED Science
Geological Side Trips from Interstate 80: Through Folsom to Loomis
An hour of crowded freeway or a jaunt through granite, greenery and history? The choice is yours.
Post on May 02, 2013 by Andrew Alden from KQED Science
Top Cats: How Pumas and Other Apex Predators' Populations Affect The Big Biodiversity Picture
Apex predators exert far-reaching effects on ecosystems that surface just decades after their disappearance. Santa Cruz researchers hope to understand how human activities and development affect how pumas use the landscape to help mitigate conflicts and plan for the species' long-term survival.
Post on May 01, 2013 by Liza Gross from KQED Science
Air Pollution Lurks Inside Your Home
Californians spend over 45 billion dollars each year on health impacts due to indoor air pollution. Scientists at Berkeley Lab have identified the indoor air pollutants with the greatest health consequences, and they are now looking for ways to improve indoor air quality.
Post on Apr 29, 2013 by Jennifer Huber from QUEST Northern California
Grappling with Rising Tides
Climate change and rising tides are predicted to take a toll on our shoreline areas in the Bay Area. Find out more about last winter's King Tides and what actions are underway to help plan for future sea level rise.
Post on Apr 26, 2013 by Sharol Nelson-Embry from QUEST Northern California
Landslide at the Calaveras Reservoir
The long-running dam replacement project must pause to deal with a sleeping monster.
Post on Apr 25, 2013 by Andrew Alden from QUEST Northern California
Do Now #74: Earth Day
Calling all students on this Earth Day: Do you make it a regular practice to care for the environment? If so, what do you do? If not, why?
Post on Apr 22, 2013 by Andrea Swensrud from QUEST Northern California
Fund Basic Research, It’s For Your Own Good
The budget proposal by the Obama administration is a mixed bag in terms of funding for science.
Post on Apr 22, 2013 by Dr. Barry Starr from QUEST Northern California
Two Local Kids Are Semi-Finalists in a National Wildlife Art Contest
A pair of local young artists have won a big environmental prize.
Post on Apr 22, 2013 by Amy Standen from QUEST Northern California
Antiques Roadshow of the Solar System
As a space-faring culture, we have now left our marks across the solar system, on planets, moons, asteroids, and in the empty space between them. Some of these “marks” are yet-functioning robotic spacecraft. Some are litter, scattered about the place like so many discarded soda cans, plastic grocery bags, depleted batteries, and defunct electronic devices. Are we trashing our solar system?
Post on Apr 19, 2013 by Ben Burress from KQED Science
Gallegos Winery and the Hayward Fault
The new BART extension will bring riders to one of the best exposures of the Hayward fault.
Post on Apr 18, 2013 by Andrew Alden from KQED Science
