Science and Technology

Northwest Scientists Discovering New Ways To Trace Chemical Weapons

Anna King — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 02:31:17 +0000

President Barack Obama has been publicly warning Syria’s leaders not to use chemical weapons against their own people. The news is unexpectedly relevant in southeast Washington. Researchers at at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory are developing new scientific techniques to trace chemical agents back to their sources.

High Altitude Ballooning Business Builds Station In Tillamook

Kristian Foden-Vencil — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 01:12:59 +0000

An Oregon company is building a new high-altitude ballooning station in Tillamook. The Near Space Corporation is spending $6.9 million to build a factory and ballooning station at the Port of Tillamook Airport Business Park.

Turns Out Kennewick Man Not From Kennewick

Anna King — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 00:16:50 +0000

Kennewick Man spent most of his life on the coast, not in the region on the Columbia River where he was found. So says the federal scientist who fought for nearly 10 years to study the 9,500 year old bones. The scientist released some of his findings at a conference this week with Northwest tribes

Kennewick Man’s bones give an indication of what he ate, and how he lived. The research shows he wasn’t fond of oysters or clams but instead his menu included big sea creatures like seals.

'Silent Earthquakes' Ripple Under Cascadia

Tom Banse — Sat, 06 Oct 2012 00:12:11 +0000

Parts of Washington and Oregon are in the midst of silent earthquakes this week. You can't feel this so-called "slow slip" quake and it doesn't cause damage. Still, scientists want to learn more about the recently discovered phenomenon.

Newly Detected Parasite Turns Northwest Honey Bees Into 'Zombees'

Tom Banse — Tue, 25 Sep 2012 00:14:41 +0000

There's more trouble for your hard-working backyard honey bee. Researchers have confirmed the first cases of "zombee" bees in Washington state and in the Portland area. Infection by a parasite prompts the bees to embark on what's being called a "flight of the living dead."

Study: Coastal Oregon Waters Slightly Caffeinated

Tom Banse — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 23:37:54 +0000

The Northwest is known for its love of coffee. Now evidence of that is showing up in the Pacific Ocean. Researchers have found low levels of caffeine at half a dozen locations on the Oregon Coast.

South-Central Oregon Caves Yield Early Human DNA

Tom Banse — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 23:47:25 +0000

An archeological dig at a group of remote caves in south-central Oregon may force some rethinking about how the first humans colonized North America. Scientists found the critical evidence in a form you might not expect.

Report: Idaho National Lab Mishandled Dangerous Explosives

Anna King — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 23:14:49 +0000

Idaho National Laboratory in Idaho Falls has been failing to properly handle and store explosives, putting some workers in jeopardy. That’s the upshot of a new report by the U.S. Department of Energy.

WSU Researchers Patent Longer Battery Life Technology

Colin Fogarty — Thu, 24 May 2012 00:39:18 +0000

Researchers at Washington State University say they've found a way to keep lithium batteries charged three times longer. These are the batteries used in laptops, cell phones and electric vehicles. The key ingredient in the new battery design is tin, as a replacement for carbon, which is more common.

The research is lead by engineering professor Grant Norton. He says the improvements could keep many electronic devices running much longer.

Northwest Universities Garner Nuclear Energy Grants

Anna King — Wed, 09 May 2012 00:34:12 +0000

The nuclear industry faces a generation gap. A lot of the people who run nuclear power plants are nearing retirement. Now the Obama Administration has awarded $6.3 million to Northwest universities to help train the next generation of nuclear leaders.

Donald Wall directs Washington State University’s Nuclear Radiation Center in Pullman. The reactor is surrounded by the university’s golf course.