KQED Science
@kqedscience.bsky.social
KQED Science brings you award-winning science and environment coverage from the Bay Area and beyond.
📌Find our stories here: kqed.org/science
📧Newsletter: kqed.org/newsletters/nature-unseen
📷Instagram: www.instagram.com/kqedscience
📌Find our stories here: kqed.org/science
📧Newsletter: kqed.org/newsletters/nature-unseen
📷Instagram: www.instagram.com/kqedscience
California clinics' doors are flying open, patients are lining up and ketamine is being prescribed off-label for everything from depression to chronic pain. What’s missing are clear rules to guide its use.
A Maze of Clinics: Navigating Ketamine’s Rapid Rise | KQED
California clinics' doors are flying open, patients are lining up and ketamine is being prescribed off-label for everything from depression to chronic pain. What’s missing are clear rules to guide its...
ww2.kqed.org
December 11, 2025 at 8:18 PM
California clinics' doors are flying open, patients are lining up and ketamine is being prescribed off-label for everything from depression to chronic pain. What’s missing are clear rules to guide its use.
Researchers identified two immune signals that may help explain why a small percentage of young males develop chest pain or shortness of breath after mRNA COVID shots.
Stanford Study Offers Clue to Rare Myocarditis After COVID Vaccination | KQED
Researchers identified two immune signals that may help explain why a small percentage of young males develop chest pain or shortness of breath after mRNA COVID-19 shots.
ww2.kqed.org
December 11, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Researchers identified two immune signals that may help explain why a small percentage of young males develop chest pain or shortness of breath after mRNA COVID shots.
A union battle between mental health workers and Kaiser exposes the current reality and future potential of AI’s role in therapy sessions.
Will AI Replace Your Therapist? Kaiser Won’t Say No | KQED
A union battle between mental health workers and Kaiser exposes the current reality and future potential of AI’s role in therapy sessions.
ww2.kqed.org
December 11, 2025 at 8:17 PM
A union battle between mental health workers and Kaiser exposes the current reality and future potential of AI’s role in therapy sessions.
A Stanford lab shows that when people use virtual reality to explore an unfamiliar place, it deepens their emotional connection to, and concern about, climate change impacts far from home.
Can Virtual Reality Bring Climate Change Closer to Home? Bay Area Researchers Think So | KQED
A Stanford lab shows that when people use virtual reality to explore an unfamiliar place, it deepens their emotional connection to, and concern about, climate change impacts far from home.
ww2.kqed.org
December 11, 2025 at 8:16 PM
A Stanford lab shows that when people use virtual reality to explore an unfamiliar place, it deepens their emotional connection to, and concern about, climate change impacts far from home.
Meet the two high schoolers turning their love of wildlife photography into a Bay Area coyote research project.
Where Do Coyotes Live in Silicon Valley? These Teens Are Mapping Their Movements | KQED
Meet the two high schoolers turning their love of wildlife photography into a Bay Area coyote research project.
www.kqed.org
December 5, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Meet the two high schoolers turning their love of wildlife photography into a Bay Area coyote research project.
A new study from San José State University shows that last winter’s massive battery plant fire in Moss Landing spread a layer of toxic metals across the region.
Scientists Trace Heavy Metals Spread by January’s Huge Battery Fire Near Monterey | KQED
A new study from San José State University shows that last winter’s massive battery plant fire in Moss Landing spread a layer of toxic metals across the region.
www.kqed.org
December 4, 2025 at 11:04 PM
A new study from San José State University shows that last winter’s massive battery plant fire in Moss Landing spread a layer of toxic metals across the region.
The errant earthquake warning that lit up phones across Northern California with a notice of a quake in Nevada on Thursday morning was not a result of a problem with the early warning delivery system or MyShake phone application, officials said.
False Earthquake Alert Likely Triggered by ‘Something Out in the Field,’ USGS Says | KQED
The USGS, which said at least four seismic stations detected ground motion that signaled a quake, quickly canceled the warning that startled the Bay Area.
www.kqed.org
December 4, 2025 at 9:13 PM
The errant earthquake warning that lit up phones across Northern California with a notice of a quake in Nevada on Thursday morning was not a result of a problem with the early warning delivery system or MyShake phone application, officials said.
The ghost-white alligator Claude died this week at the age of 30. An initial necropsy found that the alligator had liver cancer. The outpouring of public memories online was immediate and deeply personal:
Bay Area Claude Fans Share Their Fondest Memories of the Rare Albino Alligator | KQED
What were yours? Share them with KQED here.
www.kqed.org
December 4, 2025 at 5:21 PM
The ghost-white alligator Claude died this week at the age of 30. An initial necropsy found that the alligator had liver cancer. The outpouring of public memories online was immediate and deeply personal:
Reposted by KQED Science
🌊King Tides to Flood Bay Area Shorelines This Week. Here's Where and When to Safely See Them
Beachgoers are in for some of the highest tides of the year. Tidepoolers can expect some of the lowest tides of the year.
@kqedscience.bsky.social @kqednews.kqed.org
www.kqed.org/science/1999...
Beachgoers are in for some of the highest tides of the year. Tidepoolers can expect some of the lowest tides of the year.
@kqedscience.bsky.social @kqednews.kqed.org
www.kqed.org/science/1999...
King Tides to Flood Bay Area Shorelines This Week. Here's Where and When to Safely See Them | KQED
This week’s extra high tide could flood shorelines across the Bay Area, offering a preview of how rising seas could reshape the region.
www.kqed.org
December 3, 2025 at 5:17 PM
🌊King Tides to Flood Bay Area Shorelines This Week. Here's Where and When to Safely See Them
Beachgoers are in for some of the highest tides of the year. Tidepoolers can expect some of the lowest tides of the year.
@kqedscience.bsky.social @kqednews.kqed.org
www.kqed.org/science/1999...
Beachgoers are in for some of the highest tides of the year. Tidepoolers can expect some of the lowest tides of the year.
@kqedscience.bsky.social @kqednews.kqed.org
www.kqed.org/science/1999...
This week’s extra high tide could flood shorelines across the Bay Area, offering a preview of how rising seas could reshape the region. Here's what to know about king tides and where to safely see them in the Bay Area:
King Tides to Flood Bay Area Shorelines This Week. Here's Where and When to Safely See Them | KQED
This week’s extra high tide could flood shorelines across the Bay Area, offering a preview of how rising seas could reshape the region.
www.kqed.org
December 3, 2025 at 5:51 PM
This week’s extra high tide could flood shorelines across the Bay Area, offering a preview of how rising seas could reshape the region. Here's what to know about king tides and where to safely see them in the Bay Area:
Reposted by KQED Science
🏳️🌈🌲A Queer Climate Movement Takes Root Along the Russian River
“Our mission is to make the sustainability movement feel irresistible ... something you really want to do because it’s fun, sexy & interesting."
@kqedarts.bsky.social @kqedscience.bsky.social
www.kqed.org/arts/1398417...
“Our mission is to make the sustainability movement feel irresistible ... something you really want to do because it’s fun, sexy & interesting."
@kqedarts.bsky.social @kqedscience.bsky.social
www.kqed.org/arts/1398417...
A Queer Climate Movement Takes Root Along the Russian River | KQED
In Sonoma County, two collectives care for the land while cultivating joy, belonging and even magic.
www.kqed.org
December 1, 2025 at 6:37 PM
🏳️🌈🌲A Queer Climate Movement Takes Root Along the Russian River
“Our mission is to make the sustainability movement feel irresistible ... something you really want to do because it’s fun, sexy & interesting."
@kqedarts.bsky.social @kqedscience.bsky.social
www.kqed.org/arts/1398417...
“Our mission is to make the sustainability movement feel irresistible ... something you really want to do because it’s fun, sexy & interesting."
@kqedarts.bsky.social @kqedscience.bsky.social
www.kqed.org/arts/1398417...
California’s electricity rates are the second-highest in the country after Hawaii, and a majority of Californians say the expense is a top concern. The burden is even higher for low-income families.
Bay Area Electricity Bills Are Some of the Highest. Where Does Your Money Go? | KQED
A fraction of your bill goes to actually generating electricity, while costs to pay for past wildfires and prevent future ones have skyrocketed.
www.kqed.org
December 2, 2025 at 5:40 PM
California’s electricity rates are the second-highest in the country after Hawaii, and a majority of Californians say the expense is a top concern. The burden is even higher for low-income families.
California adopted new rules to better detect and curb methane leaks from landfills, aiming to reduce the state’s second-largest source of climate-warming pollution.
California Adopts Tougher Methane Rule for Landfills to Curb Planetary Warming | KQED
California adopted new rules to better detect and curb methane leaks from landfills, aiming to reduce the state’s second-largest source of climate-warming pollution.
www.kqed.org
November 21, 2025 at 5:19 PM
California adopted new rules to better detect and curb methane leaks from landfills, aiming to reduce the state’s second-largest source of climate-warming pollution.
The Trump administration on Thursday released its plan to open up federal waters off the coast of California to oil drilling, taking a momentous step that state leaders and environmentalists had long expected.
California Leaders Blast Trump’s ‘Idiotic’ Plan to Kickstart Offshore Oil Drilling | KQED
The Interior Department released its plan to open up federal waters off California’s coast to oil drilling, setting up a direct confrontation with Sacramento on energy and climate change.
www.kqed.org
November 20, 2025 at 11:55 PM
The Trump administration on Thursday released its plan to open up federal waters off the coast of California to oil drilling, taking a momentous step that state leaders and environmentalists had long expected.
A new study warns that rising seas could flood nearly 250 Bay Area Hazardous sites, putting already vulnerable communities at greater risk of toxic exposure.
Hundreds of California and Bay Area Hazardous Sites Could Face Future Flooding | KQED
A new study warns that rising seas could flood nearly 250 Bay Area Hazardous sites, putting already vulnerable communities at greater risk of toxic exposure.
www.kqed.org
November 20, 2025 at 10:36 PM
A new study warns that rising seas could flood nearly 250 Bay Area Hazardous sites, putting already vulnerable communities at greater risk of toxic exposure.
Reposted by KQED Science
Hundreds of CA & Bay Area Hazardous Sites Could Face Future Flooding
Power plants. Sewage plants. Fossil fuel ports. Radioactively contaminated sites. These are a few of the 249 sites across the Bay Area that could flood.
@kqednews.kqed.org @kqedscience.bsky.social
www.kqed.org/science/1999...
Power plants. Sewage plants. Fossil fuel ports. Radioactively contaminated sites. These are a few of the 249 sites across the Bay Area that could flood.
@kqednews.kqed.org @kqedscience.bsky.social
www.kqed.org/science/1999...
Hundreds of California and Bay Area Hazardous Sites Could Face Future Flooding | KQED
A new study warns that rising seas could flood nearly 250 Bay Area Hazardous sites, putting already vulnerable communities at greater risk of toxic exposure.
www.kqed.org
November 20, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Hundreds of CA & Bay Area Hazardous Sites Could Face Future Flooding
Power plants. Sewage plants. Fossil fuel ports. Radioactively contaminated sites. These are a few of the 249 sites across the Bay Area that could flood.
@kqednews.kqed.org @kqedscience.bsky.social
www.kqed.org/science/1999...
Power plants. Sewage plants. Fossil fuel ports. Radioactively contaminated sites. These are a few of the 249 sites across the Bay Area that could flood.
@kqednews.kqed.org @kqedscience.bsky.social
www.kqed.org/science/1999...
Soaring health insurance costs are forcing some Californians to make tough choices — from dropping coverage to leaving the state or even the country — as federal subsidies expire and premiums surge.
‘We Can’t Afford to Stay’: Californians Weigh Drastic Moves as Health Premiums Rise | KQED
Soaring health insurance costs are forcing some Californians to make tough choices — from dropping coverage to leaving the state or even the country — as federal subsidies expire and premiums surge.
www.kqed.org
November 19, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Soaring health insurance costs are forcing some Californians to make tough choices — from dropping coverage to leaving the state or even the country — as federal subsidies expire and premiums surge.
California stoneworkers are becoming severely ill from silica dust exposure from cutting engineered stone, prompting urgent warnings from doctors and workplace safety experts as Australia’s 2024 ban underscores the urgency.
California Doctors Urge Ban on Engineered Stone as Silicosis Cases Surge | KQED
California stoneworkers are becoming severely ill from silica dust exposure from cutting engineered stone, prompting urgent warnings from doctors and workplace safety experts as Australia’s 2024 ban u...
www.kqed.org
November 19, 2025 at 8:46 PM
California stoneworkers are becoming severely ill from silica dust exposure from cutting engineered stone, prompting urgent warnings from doctors and workplace safety experts as Australia’s 2024 ban underscores the urgency.
The Trump administration is not attending this year’s international climate conference, and said the president won’t pursue “vague climate goals.” That leaves the country’s states and cities in the limelight, and California is leading the pack.
California Moves to Fill the Void Left by the Federal Government on the World Stage | KQED
The Trump administration is not attending this year’s international climate conference, and said the president won’t pursue “vague climate goals.” That leaves the country’s states and cities in the li...
www.kqed.org
November 14, 2025 at 10:43 PM
The Trump administration is not attending this year’s international climate conference, and said the president won’t pursue “vague climate goals.” That leaves the country’s states and cities in the limelight, and California is leading the pack.
A UC Berkeley bioethics professor warns that kids may be susceptible to self-harm or suicide when Character.AI bans youth under 18 from using its chatbots this month.
AI Safety Expert Warns Parents to Watch Kids in Wake of Chatbot Ban | KQED
A UC Berkeley bioethics professor warns that kids may be susceptible to self-harm or suicide when Character.AI bans youth under 18 from using its chatbots this month.
www.kqed.org
November 14, 2025 at 10:43 PM
A UC Berkeley bioethics professor warns that kids may be susceptible to self-harm or suicide when Character.AI bans youth under 18 from using its chatbots this month.
Federal tax credits for various home electrification upgrades will be expiring on Dec. 31. If you’re among the heat-pump or EV-car-charger curious, read on for how to take advantage of the savings that are disappearing.
Want to Electrify Your Home? Buy a Heat Pump? It’s Go Time | KQED
A suite of federal incentives to help pay for new electric appliances will sunset Dec. 31. Here’s how to take advantage of them while you can.
www.kqed.org
November 14, 2025 at 12:43 AM
Federal tax credits for various home electrification upgrades will be expiring on Dec. 31. If you’re among the heat-pump or EV-car-charger curious, read on for how to take advantage of the savings that are disappearing.
If you live in California, you’ve likely heard the term “atmospheric river” thrown around recently. The West Coast is slammed by an onslaught of these massive, fast-moving storm systems every winter.
Rivers in the Sky: What You Need to Know About Atmospheric River Storms | KQED
If you live in California, you've likely heard the term "atmospheric river" thrown around recently. These fast-moving storms produce up to 50% of the Golden State’s precipitation annually — and an atm...
www.kqed.org
November 14, 2025 at 12:43 AM
If you live in California, you’ve likely heard the term “atmospheric river” thrown around recently. The West Coast is slammed by an onslaught of these massive, fast-moving storm systems every winter.
California’s state veterinarian banned all chicken shows this year to limit the spread of bird flu, leaving county fairs across the state devoid of chickens.
Chickenless Chicken Shows? Bird Flu Reshapes County Fairs and 4-H Kids Make Do | KQED
California’s state veterinarian banned all chicken shows this year to limit the spread of bird flu, leaving county fairs across the state devoid of chickens.
www.kqed.org
November 14, 2025 at 12:42 AM
California’s state veterinarian banned all chicken shows this year to limit the spread of bird flu, leaving county fairs across the state devoid of chickens.
Wind. Downpours. Thunderstorms. Potential power outages.
National Weather Service forecasters expect this week’s atmospheric river to bring heavy rain and fierce winds across the Bay Area late Wednesday evening into Thursday.
National Weather Service forecasters expect this week’s atmospheric river to bring heavy rain and fierce winds across the Bay Area late Wednesday evening into Thursday.
Bay Area Braces for Heavy Rain, Fierce Winds During Thursday Morning Commute | KQED
Meteorologists expect the heaviest rain to hit right around Thursday morning’s rush hour, with wind gusts up to 60 mph.
www.kqed.org
November 12, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Wind. Downpours. Thunderstorms. Potential power outages.
National Weather Service forecasters expect this week’s atmospheric river to bring heavy rain and fierce winds across the Bay Area late Wednesday evening into Thursday.
National Weather Service forecasters expect this week’s atmospheric river to bring heavy rain and fierce winds across the Bay Area late Wednesday evening into Thursday.
Reposted by KQED Science
What can #birds tell us about the health of the #SanFranciscoBay? A lot, it turns out! We’re proud to see Point Blue’s SF Bay Program Leader, Julian Wood, featured in @kqedscience.bsky.social for his insights on the newly launched #SFBayStateOfTheBirds website! 🌎🧪Learn more: shorturl.at/DVYXZ
November 5, 2025 at 10:00 PM
What can #birds tell us about the health of the #SanFranciscoBay? A lot, it turns out! We’re proud to see Point Blue’s SF Bay Program Leader, Julian Wood, featured in @kqedscience.bsky.social for his insights on the newly launched #SFBayStateOfTheBirds website! 🌎🧪Learn more: shorturl.at/DVYXZ