Biology
SF Scientist Discovers Earliest Tool Use by Human Ancestors
A Bay Area researcher found evidence that an ancient human ancestor was using stone tools nearly a million years earlier than previously documented.
Post on Aug 11, 2010 by Sheraz Sadiq
What Happened to the Humboldt Squid?
Large numbers of Humboldt squid, deep purple-red and up to six feet long, have propelled themselves into Monterey Bay each June since 2002. But this year, the squid have yet to arrive.
Post on Aug 09, 2010 by Jennifer Skene
Science Event Pick – Elizabeth Blackburn: A Life in Science
On October 5, 2009, UCSF molecular biologist Blackburn learned that she had received the 2009 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, for her co-discovery of an enzyme that plays a key role in aging and cancer. Blackburn discusses a life in science. We encourage both scientists and non-scientists to come hear her reflections on an unfettered childhood, skirting the 'safe' scientific projects, the benefits of not listening to naysayers, and the difference between good and bad stress.
Post on Aug 04, 2010 by Kishore Hari
Here Comes the FDA
Over the last few years, a bunch of companies have sprouted up that offer genetic testing over the Internet. The most controversial of these are the ones that offer consumers the chance to predict their future health risks.
Post on Aug 02, 2010 by Dr. Barry Starr
Oil Spills and the Environment
The volume of oil recently spilled in the Gulf of Mexico is several thousand times what was spilled in San Francisco Bay in 2007, but the ecological studies conducted in the wake of the SF spill give us an idea of what we can expect in the Gulf.
Post on Aug 02, 2010 by Jennifer Skene
Science Event Pick – Open Science Summit
The Open Science Summit is the first and only event to consider what happens throughout the entire innovation chain as reform in one area influences the prospects in others. The three day conference will cover many aspects of the Open Science spectrum and is open to anyone.
Post on Jul 28, 2010 by Kishore Hari
Web Extra: Restoration of the San Joaquin River Slideshow
QUEST traveled along the San Joaquin River to produce our story on the restoration of more than 150 miles of the San Joaquin River, California's second-largest river. See behind-the-scenes photos in our narrated slideshow of the journey we took to document the historic comeback of the mighty San Joaquin.
Video on Jul 20, 2010 by Jon Fromer from QUEST Northern California
Restoration of the San Joaquin River
Flowing 330 miles from the Sierras to the delta, the San Joaquin River is California's second longest river. But since the construction of Friant Dam near Fresno in the 1940s, most of the San Joaquin's water has been siphoned off to farmland in the Central Valley. Now, after years of lawsuits, a new effort to restore the river is offering hope that fish and farmers can co-exist.
Video on Jul 20, 2010 by Jon Fromer from QUEST Northern California
Clean Living, Brighter Children
Vaccines, clean water and freely available medicines may be good for more than your child’s health. They might actually make her smarter.
Post on Jul 19, 2010 by Dr. Barry Starr
Using DNA to Stop Dogfighting
Researchers at UC Davis are collecting DNA from dogs seized in police raids on dogfighting operations. The goal is to create a database to help identify and prosecute the extensive underground breeding programs that sell puppies for as much as $50,000 to dogfighting rings. But the database is controversial among some animal rights activists, who believe it would allow shelters to euthanize dogs whose DNA match fighting lineages.
Audio Report on Jul 19, 2010 by KQED QUEST staff from QUEST Northern California
Reporter's Notes: How the Michael Vick Case Was Good PR for Fighting Dogs
Dogfighting rings, as we report in this story, rely on a sophisticated, interstate network of breeders, just like you'd find for any other breed.
Post on Jul 16, 2010 by Amy Standen
Having a Cuppa
The only two fail-safe ways I found to treat my symptoms of ADD and focus clearly have been exercise and drinking Yerba Mate tea.
Post on Jul 15, 2010 by Cat
Ants: The Invisible Majority
Most of us think ants are just pests. But not Brian Fisher. Known as "The Ant Guy," he's on a mission to show the world just how important and amazing these little creatures are and in the process, catalog all of the world's 30,000 ant species before they become casualties of habitat loss. But he can't do it without our help.
Video on Jul 13, 2010 by Amy Miller from QUEST Northern California
Producer's Notes: Ants: The Invisible Majority
Peruse all the amazing ant materials that QUEST has created and compiled in the last few months and explore for yourself the wonderful world of ants.
Post on Jul 13, 2010 by Amy Miller
Trust Building
Whooping cough has reached epidemic proportions in the state of California. And it is hard to know who to be the maddest at.
Post on Jul 05, 2010 by Dr. Barry Starr
Bay Area Ant Invasion
If you've ever had small, black ants in your kitchen, chances are they're Argentine Ants. These invasive insects have spread across California, forming what some scientists say is one of the largest colonies on Earth. They're also harming native ants. Now, scientists are developing ways to stop the invasion, by learning the language ants use to communicate. Lauren Sommer reports.
Audio Report on Jul 05, 2010 by Lauren Sommer from QUEST Northern California
Diversity in the Animal Kingdom
I have often heard that homosexuality is not natural. Yet is has been observed, researched, and documented in many species – so has sex changes, several sexes in one species, hermaphrodites, harems, polygamy and sexual cannibalism.
Post on Jul 01, 2010 by Cat
Interactive Map: Ants of the Bay Area
Ants aren't just foragers. They're ranchers, farmers and even blood-suckers. Meet some of the amazing ants found in the Bay Area and find out why they're the favorites of local ant scientists.
Slideshow on Jun 24, 2010 by Lauren Sommer from QUEST Northern California
A Catch-23
If the FDA wants to regulate consumer genetic testing companies, there is no way that they will be able to make a profit.
Post on Jun 21, 2010 by Dr. Barry Starr
Web Extra: Exploring the Bay Lab
Join the Bay Lab field trip as fifth graders study the San Francisco Bay's mudflats and eelgrass beds with the help of seine nets, hip wader boots, microscopes, and mud core samplers.
Video on Jun 04, 2010 by Lauren Sommer from QUEST Northern California
