Recent Articles
News Fix
USGS Seeking New Homes for Earthquake Sensors in East Bay Hills
Map of area for new seismic monitors (USGS). The U.S. Geological Survey is seeking homes for around 30 new seismic sensors in the East Bay. The sensors help scientists better understand how earthquakes behave, and also contribute to the ongoing … Continue reading
News Fix
News Pix: Bay Bridge Gets a White Coat, Ocean Beach Makeover and 50 Years of Maurice Sendak
Workers are painting the new east span of the Bay Bridge white, wrapping its cables in plastic to protect painters from the wind, as the project nears completion. Despite the setback caused by snapped rods meant to stabilize the bridge … Continue reading
News Fix
Brown's Budget Move Has Green Groups Seeing Red
Governor Jerry Brown has spent a lot of energy focusing on the dangers of climate change lately. Speaking to a group of scientists Thursday, he warned, “it's over" in five years, unless the world steps up efforts to reduce the … Continue reading
State of Health
Young Adults Key to Obamacare in California
Most of us know someone who doesn’t have health insurance. In my case, it’s my little brother, David Kim. David is 29-years-old and recently earned an advanced degree in international relations. He hasn’t been able to land a full-time job with health benefits. The two jobs he has now are temporary, and with such a precarious work situation, he just doesn’t think he can afford health insurance. Continue reading → »
KQED Science
The Biggest Battery You Haven’t Seen
This week, PG&E unveiled California’s largest battery project, now storing electrons in San Jose. The project is a pilot for energy storage technology, as electric utilities look for ways to balance increasing amounts of solar and wind energy on the grid.
KQED Science
L-carnitine: Heart Disease’s Chemical Culprit?
Eating a lot of red meat is known to contribute to heart disease, presumably due to the large amount of saturated fats and cholesterol in the meat. Or that’s what we used to think. New research indicates the real culprit may be a chemical in the red meat called L-carnitine.
State of Health
California’s Health Insurance Exchange Sets Plans, Premiums; No Apparent ‘Rate Shock’
The state's health insurance exchange, Covered California, announced Thursday morning the plans and premiums that will be available to people statewide to millions of Californians. And what everyone wants to know is: how much will it cost. Experts had warned of "rate shock," that premiums might skyrocket for all kinds of reasons. That does not appear to be the case. Covered California says that individuals will pay an average premium of $321 per month for a "silver" plan. Continue reading → »
KQED Science
California Scientists Sign Consensus: ‘Don’t Ignore Climate Change’
More than 500 scientists from around world signed a joint statement drafted by California scientists in the hope of sending a unified message about the changing climate.
KQED Science
Breast-Feeding Neanderthals Would Get Top Marks From Today’s Pediatricians
Like all mammals, the Neanderthals breast fed their babies. Scientists wanted to know: For how long? A team of researchers say they’ve answered that question by looking at the fossilized tooth of an eight-year old Neanderthal child discovered in a Belgian cave.
State of Health
More Single Boomers Share Homes — and Health Support
Today more than 1 in every 3 baby boomers — that huge glut of people born between 1948 and 1964 — is unmarried. And those unmarried boomers are disproportionately women. As this vast generation rushes into retirement, there's a growing concern among experts on aging: Who will take care of all these people when they're too old to care for themselves? It's a question many of the experts take personally. "That is what scares me," says Sara Rix, who works for the AARP Public Policy Institute, studying the economic prospects of women in the workforce. "Because I am one of those »
The California Report
How Long Can Underfunded State Parks Keep It Up?
Two years ago this month, the California Department of Parks and Recreation announced a list of 70 parks it planned to close. Park lovers rallied, giving their time and money to pick up the parks the state was willing to drop off. There is no closure list now, and the state parks are under new management, but the financial crisis has not passed. Those park lovers are now wondering how long they're going to carry the extra load. »
The California Report
Riverside County Cuts Solar Fees; Others May Follow
Solar panels have sprouted up all over the sunny spots of California, but for industrial scale projects, there's no beating desert country -- if the price is right. Developers are cheering a decision by Riverside County officials on Tuesday to slash fees on new projects. Riverside could set a new standard for how local communities do business with big solar. »
News Fix
Locals Still Picking Up the Slack for California's Needy State Parks--But For How Long?
Two years ago this month, the California Department of Parks & Recreation announced a list of 70 parks it planned to close. Park lovers rallied, giving their time and money to pick up the parks the state was willing to … Continue reading
The California Report
Report: Where You Live Changes How You're Treated by Doctors
A growing body of evidence indicates where you live can make a big difference in how you're treated for certain ailments. A report released Tuesday by the California Healthcare Foundation looks at treatments for breast cancer, prostate cancer and certain back conditions.
QUEST
The Future of Water
Freshwater expert Sandra Postel reveals how water is destined to become our most precious resource— and the impact of your personal water footprint. »
KQED News
Santa Clara County May Mandate EV Chargers
A proposal before county supervisors would require new and remodeled buildings to be wired for plug-in chargers. »
KQED Science
Animal Advocates Sue Caltrans Over Highway 101 Bird Deaths
A construction project on Highway 101 in Marin and Sonoma Counties is taking a toll on nesting cliff swallows. Environmental groups are suing Caltrans to remove a net that's trapping and killing the birds.
State of Health
Easy to Do, Inexpensive; Music Calms Some ICU Patients
The adage stems from the 18th century: music has charms to sooth the savage beast. It's probably safe to say that someone in an intensive care unit, who needs a machine to help them breathe, is in need of soothing. Usually, doctors and nurses administer drugs, powerful sedatives to help calm patients. Now, a study shows that a different kind of intervention might help: music. The study, published Monday in the Journal of the American Medical Association, adds to a growing body of research on how listening to music has a host of health benefits. Continue reading → »
Forum
Jon Mooallem on the Weird World of People and Animals
Journalist Jon Mooallem noticed that his young daughter was always surrounded by wild animals: butterflies on her pajamas, a stuffed toy owl, and beavers in her bedtime stories. But these romantic portrayals, he says, hid a harsh reality. Scientists estimate half of all species could be gone by the turn of the century. So he embarked on his own journey to track down three endangered animals, and discovered the extreme -- even futile -- lengths humans go to save them. Jon Mooallem discusses his book, "Wild Ones," and the complex intersections of man and nature. »
Forum
Revised Manual of Mental Disorders Stirs Controversy
A new edition of the most widely used psychiatric guide to mental disorders -- "The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders" -- was released this past weekend in San Francisco at a meeting of the American Psychiatric Association. The manual has a big impact on public health, including what insurance companies will cover, the drugs that regulators will approve, and even which children will receive special education services. But critics say that the manual is outdated and question the validity of several new diagnoses. »
