Remember 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

Mar 15th, 2021 4m 41s

California'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

Feb 5th, 2021 6m 47s

Twelve 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

Dec 18th, 2020 1m 45s

Federal 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

Dec 1st, 2020 4m 38s

Donald 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

What Is the True Cost of California Wildfires? No One Really Knows

Oct 29th, 2020 2m 25s

'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

Oct 13th, 2020 7m 17s

From 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

Aug 14th, 2020 7m

The 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

Aug 5th, 2020 1m 49s

The 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

Jul 20th, 2020 4m 42s

From 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

Jul 13th, 2020 4m 34s

There's nothing simple about solving racial inequity in science, but here is one place to start.

When Picky Eating Becomes a Dangerous Disorder

Jun 24th, 2020 4m 41s

People 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

Jun 8th, 2020 4m 35s

With 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 25th, 2020 4m 38s

Yosemite National Park officials have drafted a plan to reopen as early as June. The famous Sierra Nevada landmark, which drew 4.4 million visitors last year, has been closed since March 20 due to the coronavirus pandemic.The plan to reopen ha

Big Push: Probing Virus Genomes for Clues to Contain COVID-19 Outbreaks

May 12th, 2020 2m 10s

Bay 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 4th, 2020 3m 50s

From 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 mak

How Can California Fight Wildfires in the Middle of a Pandemic? In a Few Months, We'll Likely Find Out

Apr 20th, 2020 4m 23s

Fire 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.

Thousands of Bay Area Patients Wait for Surgery as Hospitals Hold Beds for Coronavirus Surge

Apr 16th, 2020 4m 3s

Elective 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?

Mar 30th, 2020 4m 32s

Experts 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

Mar 27th, 2020 4m 8s

Looking 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

Mar 9th, 2020 4m 37s

The 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 …

Feb 14th, 2020 2m 38s

One 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

Feb 10th, 2020 2m 45s

The 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

Jan 20th, 2020 4m 45s

The 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 y