Science & Technology

(03/08/12) The days of waiters and waitresses scribbling down orders on a small note pad may be coming to an end. Yes, there's now a smart phone app for that. As the Innovation Trail's Daniel Robison reports, it's the work of two former waiters turned digital entrepreneurs. more

(03/06/12) Alerts went out this week about solar activity that could be a predictor of northern lights. In the studio this morning, St. Lawrence University astronomer, and physics professor, Aileen O'Donoghue explains the Sun's electromagnetic storms, and tells Martha Foley it's hard to predict the aurora for sure.

(02/21/12) Planets are "zooming" across the night sky, according to St. Lawrence University astronomer and physic professor Aileen O'Donoghue. She sketched out how to follow the waxing crescent moon to find what's moving in the west, Venus and Jupiter, over the next week--and lots more--in a conversation with Martha Foley.

(02/13/12) The U.S. government supports renewable energy with money for research and tax breaks. But as the Innovation Trail's Matt Richmond reports, that backing has come under political fire, and the industry is already feeling the effects. more

(02/06/12) River and stream rehabilitation is under way in communities hit hard by Tropical Storm Irene last year. But officials say a lot of work still remains to be done to put things right.

Lawmakers, local politicians and state officials joined state Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Joe Martens in Keene Valley last week to inspect stream restoration work on Johns Brook.

Local works crews did emergency repairs immediately following Irene, but environmental specialists said additional work was needed to restore fish and wildlife habitats and protect against future flooding. Chris Morris went along for the inspection. more

(02/02/12) Symbiotes are species that must collaborate with another to survive. But some partners are more equal than others. Martha Foley and Curt Stager talk about how organisms can monitor cheaters in symbiotic relationships. It's the first of two conversations about the biological marketplace.

(01/26/12) With our bodies replacing most cells over a period of a few years, it raises the question "Is any part of us original equipment?" According to Curt Stager and Martha Foley, the answer is yes--parts of the eyes and teeth, as well as many nerve and (bad news for dieters) fat cells.

(01/10/12) In Watertown, wildlife biologists will be out "crow hazing" tonight. They're trying to scare away the city's huge winter population of the birds. It's estimated there are as many as 30,000 crows roosting in Watertown right now. Nora Flaherty has more. more

(01/10/12) St. Lawence University physics professor Aileen O'Donoghue talks astronomy with Martha Foley. She's got a lot to say about this year of Fridays the 13th; the first one is this Friday. Also, Venus is up in the evening sky, and Jupiter is moving its way.

(12/29/11) As the secrets of the natural world give way to science, it's nice to know some mystery remains. Dr. Curt Stager and Martha Foley explore one of the last great conundrums: How do cats purr? Science has theories, but no definitive answer.