KQED Science News
79 episodes - English - Latest episode: almost 3 years ago - ★★★★ - 36 ratingsKQED’s award-winning team of science reporters explores climate change, water, energy, toxics, biomedicine, digital health, astronomy and other topics that shape our lives in the San Francisco Bay Area. As a trusted news source, KQED Science tackles tough questions facing humanity in our time with thoughtful and engaging storytelling.
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Episodes
If You’re Offered the Johnson & Johnson Vaccine, Take It, Experts Say. Here’s Why
April 29, 2021 17:48 - 3 minutes - 5.09 MBThe risk of a blood clot developing after a J&J vaccine is tiny, but it's also scary and confusing. We break down ways to evaluate vaccine options.
‘Worst. Editorial. Guidance. Ever.’ KQED Science Reporters Reflect on the Pandemic’s Early Days
April 01, 2021 01:57 - 7 minutes - 6.59 MBRemember when no one knew what this new thing called the ' novel coronavirus' was? Three KQED Science reporters remember some struggles, decisions and startling moments that shaped our coverage.
Kelp, Sea Otters and Urchins. Who’s Eating Who in Monterey Bay
March 15, 2021 23:20 - 4 minutes - 4.3 MBCalifornia's underwater kelp forests are suffering massive declines. But a new study shows that sea otters are helping to preserve kelp off the Central Coast.
California Has a Rule to Protect Workers Against Pandemics. Here’s How It’s (Not) Working
February 05, 2021 22:26 - 6 minutes - 6.22 MBTwelve years ago, Cal/OSHA passed a rule aimed at preparing hundreds of thousands of Californians from airborne disease. Why didn't it protect more people?
Only 2,000 Monarch Butterflies Remain in California. But They Still Don’t Have Protection
December 18, 2020 00:13 - 1 minute - 1.62 MBFederal wildlife officials say that monarch butterflies qualify to be protected as an endangered species but won't be receiving that protection for now.
Analysis: Trump Administration Incompetence Helped Save Environmental Regulations
December 01, 2020 19:25 - 4 minutes - 4.25 MBDonald Trump had one of the most antienvironmental agendas in U.S. history, says Rolling Stone's Hannah Murphy. However, his administration 'was really quite bad' at carrying out its plans. KQED talks to Murphy about this and what Joe Biden can do to put the environment front and center.
What Is the True Cost of California Wildfires? No One Really Knows
October 29, 2020 12:00 - 2 minutes - 2.23 MB'There are many things under the state's control that we can do to make this problem better,' said Michael Wara, who led the team assessing wildfire costs.
From Condoms to Coronavirus Masks, ‘Harm Reduction’ Has Worked to Protect Public Health
October 13, 2020 20:30 - 7 minutes - 6.67 MBFrom a public health perspective, pasting a proverbial big X over something is frequently a losing bet. The solution: harm reduction, or allowing risky behavior provided that rules are imposed to lessen the chances of injury or illness.
Millions of Older Californians Live Where Wildfire Threatens. Mostly, They’re on Their Own
August 14, 2020 14:01 - 7 minutes - 6.42 MBThe most promising solution is neighbors helping neighbors, so older adults living independently can evacuate in a disaster
California AG Wants More Companies to Be Able to Make COVID-19 Drug
August 05, 2020 23:29 - 1 minute - 1.68 MBThe drug maker balks as 34 state attorneys general call on Washington to step in and authorize more manufacturers.
Meet the Plants! SF Botanical Garden Looks Like Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory for Flora
July 20, 2020 13:00 - 4 minutes - 4.32 MBFrom rare magnolias to towering palm trees, the San Francisco Botanical Garden is a haven for plants threatened by climate change and deforestation around the globe.
Ten Simple Rules for Building an Anti-Racist Research Lab
July 13, 2020 07:01 - 4 minutes - 4.19 MBThere's nothing simple about solving racial inequity in science, but here is one place to start.
When Picky Eating Becomes a Dangerous Disorder
June 24, 2020 07:13 - 4 minutes - 4.3 MBPeople who have avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder are not just finicky about their food. Their phobias can lead to serious nutritional deficiencies.
And Now … Fire Season. This Year, It’s Especially Important to Prepare. Here’s How
June 08, 2020 07:01 - 4 minutes - 4.2 MBWith dry conditions and drought, this fire season could start early. Protect yourself, your family and your neighborhood by preparing now for a bad wildfire.
Yosemite National Park Plans to Reopen, But It’s Not Going to Be the Same. Here’s What We Know
May 25, 2020 07:01 - 4 minutes - 4.25 MBYosemite National Park officials have drafted a plan to reopen as early as June. If approved by the Interior Department, however, things aren't going to be like they were pre-pandemic, at least not as first.
Big Push: Probing Virus Genomes for Clues to Contain COVID-19 Outbreaks
May 12, 2020 13:00 - 2 minutes - 1.99 MBBay Area researchers are joining forces with scientists around the world to trace the evolution of the COVID-19 virus, parsing its genome to contain its spread.
Warning: That Coronavirus News You’re Reading Could Be All Wrong
May 04, 2020 07:01 - 3 minutes - 3.53 MBFrom the start of this pandemic, science news has unfolded at a dizzying pace and crushing volume. Scientific research, which usually creeps along in the background until publication day and then pops up to say something worthy, is suddenly making breathtaking international news every few days. The speed of science research has gone into overdrive and the media horde is hungry for answers. Science is meant to be a slow process of asking questions, then submitting the answers to the kind of v...
How Can California Fight Wildfires in the Middle of a Pandemic? In a Few Months, We’ll Likely Find Out
April 20, 2020 07:01 - 4 minutes - 4.02 MBFire agencies and emergency managers are now planning how they'll fight wildfires, issue evacuation orders, set up shelters and handle power shutoffs in the face of the massive challenge of coping with a highly infectious disease.
Coronavirus: California Resumes Essential Medical Procedures. These Women Waited for Brain Surgery
April 16, 2020 16:08 - 4 minutes - 3.71 MBElective procedures, including brain surgery, were on hold to preserve hospital beds and conserve masks. Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Wednesday those operations deemed essential would resume.
Thousands of Bay Area Patients Wait for Surgery as Hospitals Hold Beds for Coronavirus Surge
April 16, 2020 16:08 - 4 minutes - 3.71 MBElective procedures, including brain surgery, are on hold to preserve hospital beds and conserve masks.
Coronavirus: When Will We Know if California Is Flattening the Curve?
March 30, 2020 07:01 - 4 minutes - 4.16 MBExperts are telling us that staying home is the one way to 'flatten the curve' of the number of cases of COVID-19. But when will we know if this massive change to our daily lives is having enough of an impact?
Here’s Something You CAN Do Outside: Stargazing. Our Easy Guide to the Night Sky
March 27, 2020 15:50 - 4 minutes - 3.79 MBLooking for something new to do as you shelter in place? Now's a great time to take up stargazing.
Coronavirus: If You’re Infected, All Your Close Contacts Have to Be Tracked Down. Here’s How That Works
March 09, 2020 07:01 - 4 minutes - 4.24 MBThe circles of potential exposures to the coronavirus can expand rapidly. In Solano County, the health department has had to follow up with over 400 people based on a single infection, says the county's health officer.
Pluto’s Got a Heart! Sure, It’s an Icy Plain of Nitrogen, But Still …
February 14, 2020 15:23 - 2 minutes - 2.42 MBOne of the most stunning discoveries of the 2015 New Horizons flyby mission to Pluto was a big, heart-shaped region full of canyons, plains and mountain chains.
Psychedelic Therapy Available to More People During Clinical Trials
February 10, 2020 17:02 - 2 minutes - 5.04 MBThe FDA has granted researchers “expanded access” to help people with treatment-resistent PTSD.
Psychedelic Therapy Available to More People Before Clinical Trials End
February 10, 2020 17:02 - 2 minutes - 5.04 MBThe FDA has granted researchers “expanded access” to help people with treatment-resistent PTSD.
Time’s Up on Groundwater Plans: One of the Most Important New California Water Laws in 50 Years Explained
January 20, 2020 08:01 - 4 minutes - 8.69 MBThe landmark Sustainable Groundwater Management Act aims to keep aquifers healthy by requiring plans from newly formed local agencies. The policy represents a major shift, mandated by arguably the most important new California water law in 50 years.
The Never-ending Battle Over Martins Beach Explained
January 13, 2020 08:02 - 4 minutes - 8.73 MBThe conflict between the state of California and a Silicon Valley billionaire over a beach on the San Mateo County coast is at an important juncture.
You’re Cooler Than You Think: 98.6 Temperature No Longer the Norm
January 09, 2020 21:16 - 1 minute - 3.53 MBStanford researchers suggest modern life has changed our internal thermostat.
How Ridiculous Ideas Gain Traction. We’re Looking at You, Flat Earth
December 09, 2019 08:01 - 4 minutes - 8.91 MBA science communication researcher who is studying why some people think the Earth's surface is literally flat clues us in on who is buying this extremely wrong concept and how it has spread.
For Those With Eating Disorders, Holiday Meals Can Trigger Panic
December 05, 2019 18:31 - 3 minutes - 6.24 MBFamily dynamics coupled with pumpkin pie can be extremely painful for people with eating issues.
What You Need to Know About the Food Dye in Holiday Treats
December 02, 2019 15:48 - 5 minutes - 9.49 MBBoth California and federal health officials are probing the link between chemical food dyes and kids' behavior.
‘Increasingly Unavailable and Unaffordable’: Home Insurance Threatened Amid Wildfire Crisis
June 11, 2019 10:00 - 7 minutes - 13.1 MBDespite an increase in insurance companies dropping coverage in fire-prone areas, nobody's ready to blow up the entire system yet. But some reforms may be on the way.
California Has Farmers Growing Weeds. Why? To Capture Carbon
April 22, 2019 07:01 - 4 minutes - 8.44 MBCalifornia farmers are receiving millions of dollars to pull carbon out of the atmosphere, making the state home to some of the first official 'carbon farmers' in the country.
Shasta Dam Project Sets Up Another Trump-California Showdown
January 28, 2019 08:01 - 6 minutes - 12.8 MBThe Trump administration is laying the groundwork to enlarge California’s biggest reservoir. But the project runs afoul of both state law and the Winnemem Wintu tribe, which says the expansion would end up submerging its sacred sites.
So, It’s New Year’s Eve … Can You Prevent That Hangover?
December 31, 2018 08:01 - 4 minutes - 9.1 MBAll about that oh-so-special feeling you get after a night of heavy drinking, from the author of "Proof: The Science of Booze."
Spring Forward, Fall Back, or Neither: Why Changing Our Clocks Might Fade Into History
October 22, 2018 13:01 - 7 minutes - 13.9 MBOn November 6, Californians will weigh in on whether they want to continue changing their clocks twice a year. Proposition 7 on the statewide ballot would lay the groundwork for year-round Daylight Saving Time in the state. Lots of people hate switching between Standard and Daylight time, especially in March when we "spring forward" and lose an hour of sleep. Studies show this chronological hiccup is linked to increased rates of heart attacks, strokes and traffic accidents. This is due to th...
Investigation Finds Home Can Be the Most Dangerous Place in a Heat Wave
October 22, 2018 07:05 - 7 minutes - 13.6 MBIt doesn't have to be that way. Every heat death is preventable. It's just going to take time, money, and a strong standard for warning people of danger.
Even in San Francisco, Heat Is Turning Deadly. That’s Not Something Colleen Loughman Expected
October 15, 2018 07:02 - 7 minutes - 13.3 MBIn the summer of 2017, heat waves killed 14 Bay Area residents. Officials called this climate-driven crisis a public health emergency. KQED examines who is vulnerable and why.
Should Californians Be Rebuilding Homes in a Fire Zone?
October 08, 2018 12:00 - 7 minutes - 13.5 MBOne year after devastating fires, the North Bay is grappling with how and where to rebuild.
Outlook Grim But Not Hopeless as Climate Summit Convenes in San Francisco
September 10, 2018 07:01 - 7 minutes - 13.8 MBBut scientists still insist that it's not too late to save ourselves from the most menacing impacts of global warming. What can another "summit" contribute?
A Glimpse Into the Future of Northern California Plant Life
August 17, 2018 07:01 - 7 minutes - 13.4 MBA new, long-term art and science project at the University of California Santa Cruz tests possible scenarios for what gardens might look like 50 years from now as regional temperatures continue to rise.
Breathing Fire: California’s Central Valley Bears the Brunt of Harmful Wildfire Smoke
August 15, 2018 17:00 - 4 minutes - 8.9 MBWorsening wildfires linked to climate change and forest management policies are causing unprecedented smoke pollution across the West and beyond, creating public health risks and undermining decades of air quality gains.
Smoke-Chasers Help Predict Wildfire Behavior
August 01, 2018 07:01 - 5 minutes - 9.23 MBEvery big fire has a meteorologist whose job is to help figure out what the fire might do next. So it helps if that meteorologist has a smoke-chaser.
The Great Era of California Dam Building May Be Over. Here’s What’s Next
July 23, 2018 07:01 - 7 minutes - 14 MBStoring water doesn't necessarily mean pouring a lot of concrete anymore -- and that's affecting which projects get funded.
Why California’s Best Strategy Against Wildfire Is Hardly Ever Used
July 16, 2018 07:01 - 7 minutes - 13.8 MBExperts say it’s possible to avoid catastrophic harm to human and forest health by setting planned burns before human error, lightning or arson choose when fires start. But it's easier said than done.
Something Else Adding Fuel to California’s Fire Season: Warmer Nights
July 09, 2018 07:01 - 7 minutes - 13.5 MBIt's a little-known oddity about the changing climate: overnight low temperatures are rising faster than daytime highs. That's not good news for the fire season.
Oakland Zoo Makes Room for Big Predators. But Is it Enough?
July 02, 2018 13:30 - 4 minutes - 9.09 MBThe zoo says its new California Trail is designed to re-acquaint visitors with native species, including some long gone.
Let’s Talk Thor’s Hammer and Wakanda … Sciencewise
June 11, 2018 14:30 - 5 minutes - 9.42 MBIn Hollywood, it’s not all about getting the science right; it’s really about how science can inspire the twists and turns in a great story. We talk with the man who helps ignite that inspiration.
Proposition 68: Money for Parks, Beaches and Water Projects
May 25, 2018 00:05 - 3 minutes - 6.15 MBCalifornia voters have not passed a statewide ballot measure to provide funding for parks, beaches, wildlife and forests since 2006. This measure provides 4.1 billion dollars for parks, beaches and water projects, with a focus on parks in low-income neighborhoods.