Weather

Sunscreen: Armor for the Skin

Apr 23, 2020

By Yogitha Chareddy Spring is in full bloom and the warming weather is encouraging North Carolinians to leave their cozy homes in search of fun outdoor activities. As we shed our winter jackets, sweaters, and fuzzy socks, we must remember to add a new layer of protection: sunscreen. Everyone knows what sunscreen is. It’s the […]

In Spring, Timing is Everything

Apr 16, 2020

By Lane Scher If you’ve been spending time outside lately, you’ve probably noticed a lot more green over the last few weeks. Maybe you’ve also noticed more birds singing, and if you’re really paying attention, you’ll see different types of birds every couple of days. These are changes that happen every year in the Spring, […]

Tis the season for…Pollen

Apr 07, 2020

By Alan Curtis Ah, Spring- a season of renewal, growth and beautiful colors! Flowering plants and trees use pollen to reproduce. Pollen is produced by male parts of the flower and spread through the air and peaks in the spring months.  For some North Carolinians, pollen makes spring a time of intense allergies. Puffy eyes, […]

Nature’s Methods for Surviving Winter

Nov 15, 2018 https://pixabay.com/en/fall-foliage-moss-tree-autumn-1913485/

By Allyson Roberts Fall is finally upon us, bringing colder temperatures and the holiday season. Fall also brings beautiful scenery—the rainbow of colors seen as leaves begin to transform and fall from their branches. Not surprisingly, this phenomenon—and the reasoning behind why only some leaves change color—is easily described by cool, natural science! You may […]

Why Can’t Humans Hibernate?

Feb 15, 2018 http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/view-image.php?image=187990&picture=black-bear-portrait

By Matt Niederhuber North Carolina has had a miserable winter this year, with a heavy dose of snow and bitter cold –  so much that you might wish you could climb under a warm blanket and hibernate till May. Unfortunately, humans can’t hibernate like many of our mammalian relatives, and we’re forced to suffer through […]

Wet Hair, Colds, and the Truth About Viruses

Dec 21, 2017 https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/52/Phage.jpg

By Michelle Engle As kids, we are often told, “don’t go outside with wet hair, you will catch a cold!” Is there any truth to this old saying, or is it just a persistent myth? Knowing the difference between myths and scientific facts is important for making educated decisions. But what’s even more important is […]

The Science of Snowflakes

Dec 14, 2017 https://www.flickr.com/photos/chaoticmind75/35142394270/in/album-72157626146319517/

By Chad Lloyd Flash back to 4th grade art class. “Today we are going to decorate for winter and will be making snowflakes,” your favorite art teacher says. As excitement fills the air, you and your friends rush to get paper and scissors to begin your masterpieces. After making your final cuts to the paper, […]

Storm Surge: The Science of Hurricanes

Nov 09, 2017 https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Matthew_2016-10-04.jpg

By Christina Marvin Anyone who has lived through a hurricane can tell you these storms are no joke. Before accurate tracking, hurricanes had the potential to wipe out entire cities, such as the Labor Day hurricane in Key West in 1935. With better equipment, lives and property can be saved, although widespread destruction and lasting […]