QUEST Community Science Blog
Frankenstein vs. Godzilla: What’s in Your Cereal Bowl?
In all of the recent discussion about genetically modified (GM) foods here in California, we’ve overlooked regular foods and how new traits are found (or created) in them. There isn’t usually a monk lovingly breeding peas in the Austrian countryside somewhere. Instead, more often than not, there is someone blasting a seed with radiation and/or harmful chemicals.
Post on Oct 31, 2012 by Dr. Barry Starr from QUEST Northern California
Playing Whack-a-Mole with Flame Retardants
Countless consumer products sold in California contain a flame retardant flagged as a possible carcinogen nearly 35 years ago. As of this week, finally, they must carry a warning that the chemical causes cancer. But is it enough when manufacturers simply replace one toxic chemical with another?
Post on Oct 31, 2012 by Liza Gross from QUEST Northern California
Creepy Yet Compelling: Blood Vessels Blown in Glass
Halloween means time for gore! Blood, bones, brains and more! Severed fingers, severed toes, eyeballs and organs galore! But how accurate are all these loose bits of human anatomy in our front yards, costumes and punch bowls? Can we use that skeleton in the corner to bone up for a biology exam–or are we missing out on a tremendous opportunity to learn medical science?
Post on Oct 30, 2012 by Danna Staaf from QUEST Northern California
Science Behind Vampire Myths
Why have people around the world always been fascinated by vampires? Did vampire tales begin as a way to explain frightening phenomena actually witnessed? Although there is no scientific evidence for vampires, there is some scientific basis for vampire folklore.
Post on Oct 29, 2012 by Jennifer Huber from QUEST Northern California
Owls Around Us
Many species of owls share our neighborhoods and parks. Learn more about them on a virtual walk through Redwood Regional Park.
Post on Oct 26, 2012 by Sharol Nelson-Embry from QUEST Northern California
More Clues About Singing Sand
New research shows that sand can sing by itself, but if so, then why are singing sand dunes so rare?
Post on Oct 25, 2012 by Andrew Alden from QUEST Northern California
Women in Science: Meet a Mathematician, a Physicist and a Geologist Through Art
There's nothing like role models for inspiring the scientific spirits of women, today and tomorrow! And Marie Curie isn't the only one out there–history is rife with lesser-known but no less fabulous female scientists, engineers, and mathematicians.
Post on Oct 23, 2012 by Danna Staaf from QUEST Northern California
Be HEARD: A Rare Disease Science Challenge To Find Cures
Curing or even finding treatments for rare diseases is hard. Not necessarily because these diseases are any more complex than more common ones. It has more to do with the fact that there is very little profit to be made in helping people with these diseases.
Post on Oct 22, 2012 by Dr. Barry Starr from QUEST Northern California
Found In Space: Exoplanet Alpha Centauri Bb
If you've been keeping up on the now very frequent reports of new extrasolar planet discoveries, here's a news flash: an Earth-sized exoplanet has been found orbiting the nearest star!ei
Post on Oct 19, 2012 by Ben Burress from QUEST Northern California
A New Radiocarbon Yardstick from Japan
A long core of sediment from a Japanese lake is a Rosetta Stone for ice-age climate research.
Post on Oct 18, 2012 by Andrew Alden from QUEST Northern California
Vaccine Waivers, Informed Consent and Public Health
Starting in 2014, California will require parents to see a health practitioner to learn the risks and benefits of vaccination before opting out of the state's immunization requirements. Public health officials hope that when parents learn the difference between science-based evidence and the uninformed myths so prevalent online and in the mainstream media, they'll decide to protect their children from the real risks of infectious disease, rather than worry about unfounded theoretical risks.
Post on Oct 17, 2012 by Liza Gross from QUEST Northern California
Information Is Beautiful Competition: San Francisco Design Company Takes Top Prize
The Bay Area is a magnet for both artistic spirits and data freaks. So, although the inaugural Information is Beautiful award competition drew entries from around the world, perhaps it isn't too surprising that the ultimate prize was snagged by San Francisco design company Stamen.
Post on Oct 16, 2012 by Danna Staaf from QUEST Northern California
Return of the Shorebirds
Shorebirds have returned to San Francisco Bay for the winter. Find out about their journeys and studies underway to track their migration and population.
Post on Oct 12, 2012 by Sharol Nelson-Embry
Fracking in Urban Oilfields: A New Study Sparks More Debate
A rigorous study shows that fracking is unharmful when the stakes are high. Not much should be made of it.
Post on Oct 11, 2012 by Andrew Alden from QUEST Northern California
Saving Bighorn Sheep, One Mural At a Time
Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep are animals worth seeing. With their bright white rumps and the rams' remarkable headgear, they bound and leap over seemingly impassable alpine terrain. But you may have a tricky time spotting one–there are only about four hundred in existence.
Post on Oct 09, 2012 by Danna Staaf from QUEST Northern California
Ford's C-MAX Takes On The Toyota Prius
Ford issues a hybrid throw down to Toyota. The company is trying to best the Prius with a faster, cheaper, more fuel efficient model.
Post on Oct 08, 2012 by Andrea Kissack from KQED Science
SF Scientist Wins Nobel for Stem Cell Breakthrough
Shinya Yamanaka, a stem cell researcher at the Gladstone Institutes and professor at the University of California, San Francisco, has won this year's Nobel Prize in medicine.
Post on Oct 08, 2012 by Gabriela Quirós from QUEST Northern California
Who is Qualified to Decide Scientific Matters?
In November, California voters need to decide whether or not GM foods should be labeled as such. They are making this decision even though a recent study shows that 49% of the people surveyed think that GM foods have genes whereas regular foods do not. Is this any way to run a democracy?
Post on Oct 08, 2012 by Dr. Barry Starr from QUEST Northern California
KQED Science News Coverage Expands
KQED Science coverage expands to include award winning Climate Watch team, Craig Miller and Molly Samuel.
Post on Oct 05, 2012 by Andrea Kissack from KQED Science
News From Mars: A River Ran Through It
NASA's Curiosity rover, now exploring the alluvium at the base of Mount Sharp in Gale Crater for over two months, has struck pay dirt: the gravel and river stone conglomerate laid down by an ancient Martian stream!
Post on Oct 05, 2012 by Ben Burress from QUEST Northern California
