Biology
San Francisco Bay Invaders
Scoop a handful of critters out of the San Francisco Bay and you'll find tourists from far away shores. Invasive kinds of mussels, fish and more are choking out native species, challenging experts around the state to change the human behavior that brings them here.
Video on May 29, 2007 by Amy Miller from QUEST Northern California
Stem Cell Gold Rush
California's landmark stem cell research program made headlines nationally, but what's the latest story behind the science? QUEST investigates the potential for medical breakthroughs in the next decade and how the Bay Area is leading the way. Leave your comment or question below for Series Producer Josh Rosen on this story. San Francisco Bay Invaders [...]
Post on May 29, 2007 by Josh Rosen
San Francisco Bay Invaders
Scoop a handful of critters out of the San Francisco Bay and you’ll find tourists from far away shores. Invasive kinds of mussels, fish and more are choking out native species, challenging experts around the state to change the human behavior that brings them here. You may view the the "San Francisco Bay Invaders" TV [...]
Post on May 29, 2007 by Amy Miller
Whalesong and underwater noise pollution
Humpback in Sacramento River. Image source: U.S. Coast GuardFor the past 12 days, residents of the Bay Area have been following the day-to-day saga of two humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) swimming far up to Sacramento River delta. Of course, we don't expect fully ocean-going, marine mammals to wander this far up a freshwater river system, [...]
Post on May 25, 2007 by Nick Pyenson
Exploring Natural Bridges State Beach
Between the ocean and the edge of Santa Cruz lies one of the largest monarch butterfly overwintering sites in the western United States. The park also hosts large coastal scrub meadows that in spring are filled with native wildflowers.
Science Hike on May 23, 2007 by Craig Rosa from QUEST Northern California
Here kitty kitty…
Katie had me. With one paw on firmly on my shoulder and the other on my head, her teeth gently explored my hair. I knew if I pushed away, she would tighten her grip, so I sat still and breathed. She stepped back and examined me with her large, green eyes. I stroked the fur [...]
Post on May 23, 2007 by Amy Gotliffe
Legacy of Salt
About four years ago California paid 100 million dollars to Cargill for 16,500 acres of land it owned fringing the SF Bay. For nearly a century, much of the Bay’s southern shoreline had been diked off from the tides and fenced off from the public. Where fertile wetlands once supported diverse wildlife, private companies created [...]
Post on May 17, 2007 by Andrea Kissack
How to make ethical embryonic stem cells
One cell can be safely removed to make an embryonic stem cell line.One kind of stem cell is controversial– embryonic stem (ES) cells. The controversy comes from the fact that scientists have to destroy an embryo to get its stem cells. To people who view the 8-cell embryo as a life, this is not acceptable. [...]
Post on May 14, 2007 by Dr. Barry Starr
Gamma Rays and Monsters
Most of us are killed after receiving a large dose of gamma rays. For a select few, the exposure can unleash our inner demons. Image courtesy of http://www.hulkmovie.com/navigation/multimedia.htm. Continuing on the theme of Supernovae from my last posting, I’ll take this opportunity to address an earlier question that was asked by one of my loyal [...]
Post on May 07, 2007 by Kyle S. Dawson
Falcon Fascination (radio)
Two pairs of Peregrine falcons are carrying out their mating season under the gaze of thousands of observers, online and in two Bay Area cities. QUEST Radio reports.
Audio Report on May 04, 2007 by KQED QUEST staff from QUEST Northern California
Falcon Fascination
Photo Credit: Glenn Nevill PhotographyOne of the season's most suspenseful wildlife dramas is now taking place via web cam. Peregrine falcons were almost extinct two generations ago. Now much more prolific, two pairs of Peregrine falcons are carrying out their mating season under the gaze of thousands of observers, both online, thanks to cameras placed [...]
Post on May 03, 2007 by Amy Standen
Curing diabetes with stem cells
Quite a title huh? But some new research in JAMA suggests that it is true. At least these 14 patients haven't had to inject insulin for 1-35 months (so far). These folks were all on their way to having Type 1 diabetes. As you probably know, Type 1 diabetes happens when a patient’s immune system [...]
Post on May 02, 2007 by Dr. Barry Starr
Of Arctic sea cows and Russian fur-traders
Drawing of a Steller's Sea Cow circa mid 18th centuryWhen we think about kelp forests, we envision froclicking sea otters, kelp fronds, sea urchins and a suite of other nearshore marine organisms. And, until a few hundred years ago, a 30 foot-long dugong. This isn't a joke: Steller's sea cow (Hydrodamalis gigas) was a North [...]
Post on Apr 27, 2007 by Nick Pyenson
Can I keep him?
American Robin fledglingFor five years, I was the ZooCamp (www.oaklandzoo.org) director at the Oakland Zoo, a fantastic camp serving preschool to high school and offering campers a week of nature activities, animal observations, hands-on learning and fun. Along with our strategically planned activities always came those unplanned teaching moments that only nature can offer. Like [...]
Post on Apr 25, 2007 by Amy Gotliffe
Plant Plague: Sudden Oak Death
Devastating over 1 million oak trees across Northern California in the past 10 years, Sudden Oak Death is a killer with no cure. But biologists now are looking to the trees' genetics for a solution.
Video on Apr 24, 2007 by Amy Miller from QUEST Northern California
Plant Plague: Sudden Oak Death
Devastating over 1 million oak trees across Northern California in the past 10 years, Sudden Oak Death is a killer with no cure. But biologists now are looking to the trees' genetics for a solution. You may also watch this story online in its entirety, and see additional photos in our flickr photo set. Sudden [...]
Post on Apr 24, 2007 by Amy Miller
Seeing red
Did you know most mammals are red-green colorblind? Part of what makes primates special is that most of us can tell the difference between red and green. In humans this difference is due to a single gene, the long wave cone photopigment gene. But is this gene enough? Or are there other changes in our [...]
Post on Apr 16, 2007 by Dr. Barry Starr
Bay Area herpetology: salamanders, part 2
Last post, I introduced one of the classic examples of a ring species: the distribution of Ensatina species in California. Basically, Ensatina species are distributed in a great ring all around the Central Valley, with some species extending along the coastal ranges both north and south, and with other species distributed in the Sierra Nevadas. [...]
Post on Apr 12, 2007 by Nick Pyenson
Drive by Extinction
A sure sign of spring in San Mateo County was once the emergence of the Bay Checkerspot Butterfly until one Spring it wasn't there. Now after a six-year absence, it has returned– with assistance– to Edgewood Park and Natural Preserve.
Audio Report on Apr 06, 2007 by KQED QUEST staff from QUEST Northern California
Discuss the "Drive by Extinction" Radio report
The Checkerspot Butterfly was once a vibrant part of spring in San Mateo County, but today's it's hard to spot a single one. Exhaust fumes from Highway 280 have contributed to the decline of this tiny butterfly, making it a victim of what is called "drive-by extinction." QUEST follows a biologist in Edgewood Park and [...]
Post on Apr 05, 2007 by Andrea Kissack
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