Chances are the olives in your kitchen come from California. Watch how researchers are finding new ways to harvest this tasty crop. “The United States is the world’s largest table olive and olive oil market. Traditionally olives have been harvested by pickers wearing gloves and they stripped down the branch into a twenty-pound bucket they … Read more
Summer in the city can be especially hot and sticky, because urban heat islands exacerbate the warm weather. Researchers at Berkeley Lab are testing materials that battle that effect, making pavements cooler and safer. Causes The properties of urban roofs and pavements, as well as human activity, contribute to the formation of summer urban heat … Read more
A recent survey done by Oceana says that fish found at the market are not always correctly labeled. So, scientists are working on a genetic sequence technique called fish barcoding that can positively identify fish species. Marine biologist Ron Burton of UCSD’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography says it’s important for the public to make sure … Read more
Lassen Peak erupted on May 22nd, 1915. Its stark volcanic landscape is noticeable to this day. Here’s a glimpse of what it was like for researchers at the park during that time period. Full sized images can be viewed here.
In response to global climate change, Jill Bible at the UC Davis Bodega Marine Lab shows us how her research with the Olympia Oyster is aimed at restoring this species along the west coast. “My research will help us determine what populations of oysters are particularly vulnerable or particularly robust to future changes and will … Read more
UC Santa Barbara researchers have launched the California Phenology Project. Scientists, docents, staff, teachers and citizen researchers will track the life stages of selected plant species at eight UC natural reserves. Nowadays, observing nature’s seasonal events is a serious science. Called phenology, the study of recurring biological changes and their responses to the environment can answer a … Read more