KQED serves the people of Northern California with a public-supported alternative to commercial media. Home to the most listened-to public radio station in the nation, one of the highest-rated public television services and an award-winning education program, and as a leader and innovator in interactive technology, KQED takes people of all ages on journeys of exploration — exposing them to new people, places and ideas.
Contributions from this Station
Side Trips from Interstate 5: Kettleman Hills
This side trip takes you into the quiet range of hills that runs along the freeway south of Coalinga.
Post on Feb 28, 2013 by Andrew Alden
Genetic Sleuthing, Or How To Catch The Right Identical Twin Criminal
There are unique DNA differences between identical twins that scientists can use to tell them apart. Why isn't law enforcement using these differences to catch their criminal? Because the cost is too high.
Post on Feb 25, 2013 by Dr. Barry Starr
The Mars Rover Curiosity Digs a Little Deeper
On February 8th, the rover Curiosity used its drill to bore a hole into a slab of flat bedrock, marking the first time we have probed deeply into the interior of a Martian rock in search of the secrets of Mars' past it may hold.
Post on Feb 22, 2013 by Ben Burress
Infrasound Takes a Bow
Last week's events pushed the obscure subject of infrasound into the news. That was music to my science-obsessed ears.
Post on Feb 21, 2013 by Andrew Alden
Book Review: Animal Wise – The Thoughts and Emotions of Our Fellow Creatures
An appreciation of the rich inner lives of nonhuman animals dates back at least to Aristotle and gained support from Charles Darwin, who saw any differences between humans and other animals as a matter of degree, not kind. Still, the notion that humans stand above and apart from our fellow creatures dies hard. In her new book, "Animal Wise," science journalist Virginia Morell takes us on a tour of labs and field sites around the world to show us that many of the traits once thought uniquely human appear in even our most distant evolutionary relatives.
Post on Feb 20, 2013 by Liza Gross
Are Sleeping Aids Effective or Just A Placebo Effect?
Insomnia has become a major health concern worldwide. In the US, 60 million prescriptions for sleeping pills are issued each year and non-benzodiazepines are the most commonly prescribed type. However, recent scientific journal articles have raised concerns about using these sleep aids.
Post on Feb 18, 2013 by Jennifer Huber
Asteroid 2012 DA14: In Line For a Rim Shot
Duck! Here comes asteroid 2012 DA14, grazing close to where you live on February 15th!
Post on Feb 15, 2013 by Ben Burress
Bay Area Bird Challenge: The Great Backyard Bird Count Is This Weekend!
Help the Bay Area be better represented in this year's Great Backyard Bird Count!
Post on Feb 15, 2013 by Sharol Nelson-Embry
Romantic Spots for Bay Area Geologists (and Those Who Love Them)
Don't be surprised, be delighted if your current or future romantic partner treats you to a day straight up on the rocks.
Post on Feb 14, 2013 by Andrew Alden
Lighten Up, California: Why GloFish Can't Glow in the Golden State
One of the more popular exhibits at The Tech Museum of Innovation in San Jose is the wetlab. The exhibit is getting a little long in the tooth so I was looking for ways to give it a bit of a refresh.
Post on Feb 11, 2013 by Dr. Barry Starr
Geological Sounds
Geology can be heard as well as seen: here's a tour of some sounds that Earth makes.
Post on Feb 07, 2013 by Andrew Alden
Coyote Killings: A Complex Debate of Conservation and Cruelty
Coyotes, reviled for preying on sheep and goats, are the most targeted predator in the U.S. This week, hunters in the tiny Modoc County town of Adin will compete in a contest to kill the most coyotes to protect their livestock–even though research shows that killing coyotes results in higher reproductive rates.
Post on Feb 06, 2013 by Liza Gross
Science on the SPOT: Preserving the Forest of the Sea
UC Berkeley's University Herbarium boasts one of the largest and oldest collections of seaweed in the United States. Herbarium curator Kathy Ann Miller is leading a massive project to preserve digitally nearly 80,000 specimens of west coast seaweed.
Video on Feb 05, 2013 by Sheraz Sadiq
Winter Waterfall Hiking in Marin
Winter may not bring snow to the San Francisco Bay Area, but it definitely brings waterfalls. If you find time before spring, head to Cataract Creek Trail in Marin County.
Post on Feb 04, 2013 by Rachael Rufino
Groundhogs and Ground Squirrels: Winter Prognosticators
Ground squirrels in our local parks and grasslands are related to groundhogs. Find out more about their role in weather predictions and grassland ecology.
Post on Feb 01, 2013 by Sharol Nelson-Embry
What Makes California's Quake Warning System So Timely?
In the age-old war between Northern and Southern California, a change in the science has changed the politics.
Post on Jan 31, 2013 by Andrew Alden
Comments Do Matter (So Get Talking!)
Back in December I wrote a blog post asking scientists to comment online more often.
Post on Jan 28, 2013 by Dr. Barry Starr
Mars Mountain Climbing Mashup!
The comparison between Earth-side mountain exploration and the planned expedition by the Mars rover Curiosity came to my mind as I read a book my family got me over the holidays: Last Climb, the story of the legendary Mount Everest expeditions of George Leigh Mallory.
Post on Jan 25, 2013 by Ben Burress
Geological Outings Around the Bay: San Bruno Mountain
There is no Bay Area peak more central than San Bruno Mountain, and it's remarkably unspoiled.
Post on Jan 24, 2013 by Andrew Alden
Fear and Loathing in Wolf Country
After federal wildlife officials removed endangered species protections on wolves in the Rocky Mountains, hunters quickly killed them by the hundreds. If California's lone wolf leaves the state, he could meet a similar fate.
Post on Jan 23, 2013 by Liza Gross
