Health
When Brains Hit The Gym
Can brain performance be improved? The $300 million-a-year "brain-fitness" industry is betting that the answer to that question is yes. Some companies say that an 80-year old brain can perform just as well as a 25-year old brain after some specialized video game training. What about crossword puzzles and regular old exercise? QUEST takes a look at the growing brain fitness industry and the science behind it.
Audio Report on Oct 18, 2010 by KQED QUEST staff from QUEST Northern California
When Brains Hit the Gym
The general idea is that by doing a series of basic and repetitive tasks, which get harder over time, you’re actually changing your brain structure. Over time, the manufacturers claim, you can train an old brain to behave like a new one. But many scientists who study aging are skeptical.
Post on Oct 15, 2010 by Amy Standen
Alice Waters' School Lunch Initiative Effective At Instilling Healthy Habits In Children
A recent report issued by scientists from the Atkins Center for Weight and Health at UC Berkeley examined the impact of the School Lunch Initiative (SLI) on the eating behaviors of children transitioning from elementary school to middle school.
Post on Oct 15, 2010 by Darya Pino
Health Officials to Consider Tightening Vaccine Exemptions
Concerned by the increase in the number of children who are starting kindergarten without all their vaccines, public health officials in the Bay Area will look into the possibility of tightening the system that allows parents to opt out from mandatory immunizations.
Post on Oct 13, 2010 by Gabriela Quirós
Reporter's Notes: Greening Your Drive
In my search for a greener car, I have considered biodiesel, hydrogen, and even clean diesel. What looks most promising to me, however, are low and zero operating emission plug-in vehicles.
Post on Sep 24, 2010 by Andrea Kissack
San Francisco Among Top Cities For HIV Testing
New CDC survey shows that San Francisco has been successful in getting HIV-positive men tested.
Post on Sep 24, 2010 by Gabriela Quirós
Scientists Work on New Artificial Kidney
A UCSF scientists is leading a team of nearly forty scientists across the nation to develop the world’s first artificial implantable kidney.
Post on Sep 21, 2010 by Sheraz Sadiq
Writer Irwin Silber Dies; Was Featured in QUEST TV Story
Oakland writer Irwin Silber died last week. He and his wife, singer Barbara Dane, were featured on a QUEST TV story about Alzheimer's disease.
Post on Sep 16, 2010 by Gabriela Quirós
California Takes the Lead on Stem Cell Research
A judge's ruling last month that blocks the federal government from funding embryonic stem cell research puts California back in the lead in the field.
Audio Report on Sep 13, 2010 by KQED QUEST staff from QUEST Northern California
Reporter's Notes: California Takes the Lead on Stem Cell Research
Deepak Srivastava – profiled in this week's radio story – is no stranger to QUEST. Just last month, Srivastava made headlines when he announced that his lab had successfully created beating heart cells from adult cells.
Post on Sep 10, 2010 by Amy Standen
All Charged Up Over EMFs
The wireless age has introduced countless devices that many of us can't live without, like cell phones, laptop computers and wifi routers. Like all electronics they communicate using electromagnetic frequencies – or EMFs. Some people worry that EMFs are making them sick – and say that technology should slow down, as Amy Standen reports.
Audio Report on Aug 23, 2010 by KQED QUEST staff from QUEST Northern California
Reporter's Notes: All Charged Up Over EMFs
The wireless age has introduced countless devices that many of us can’t live without, like cell phones, laptop computers and wifi routers. Like all electronics they communicate using electromagnetic frequencies – or EMFs. Some people worry that EMFs are making them sick – and say that technology should slow down, as Amy Standen reports.
Post on Aug 20, 2010 by Amy Standen
EPA Enters Debate Over Toxic Strawberry Fumigant
The Environmental Protection Agency is reviewing scientific assessments of a controversial strawberry fumigant scheduled for use in California, as well as opening up a public comment period on the toxic pesticide, according to U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein and the environmental law group Earthjustice.
Post on Aug 09, 2010 by Amy Standen
Major Breakthrough in Reviving Heart Cells
Scientists reported today that they have succeeded for the first time in creating beating heart cells from other types of adult cells.
Post on Aug 05, 2010 by Gabriela Quirós
Poi Origins
This Monday I started a refresher course in Poi dancing. Poi is a performance art using two balls suspended on ropes a person holds in their hands and swings in a variety of circular patterns.
Post on Aug 04, 2010 by Cat
Whooping Cough Epidemic Exposes Holes in California's Immunization System
The whooping cough epidemic that has killed six babies and made an estimated 1,500 people sick in California this year is exposing holes in the state’s immunization system, which leaders in the public health community are now racing to patch.
Post on Jul 28, 2010 by Gabriela Quirós
Legalize Marijuana–Save Our Houses?
Are high energy use and a rotting housing stock in the North more reasons to legalize, regulate, and tax marijuana for anyone?
Post on Jul 23, 2010 by Jim Gunshinan
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
Finding a Home for Big Solar – Part Two
A plan that requires California's utilities to generate one third of their electricity from solar, wind and other types of clean energy by 2020 has been held up by a glacially slow permitting process. The Panoche Valley, south of Hollister, is finding itself in the center of one of those debates.
Audio Report on Jun 28, 2010 by Andrea Kissack from QUEST Northern California
Strawberries and Worker Safety – Part Two
The Schwarzenegger Administration plans to approve a new chemical called methyl iodide, which is used by strawberry farmers. Although methyl iodide can cause cancer and miscarriages, regulators say that protective measures like respirators and buffer zones will keep farm workers safe. Scientists consulting for the state say these measures often fail, and methyl iodide is too toxic to take chances. Amy Standen reports.
Audio Report on Jun 14, 2010 by KQED QUEST staff from QUEST Northern California
