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Drought: How NASA tracks underground water levels from space

NASA is meeting with state officials in Sacramento this week to figure out ways the space agency can use its satellites to help California deal with drought.

Scientists test kelp for traces of Fukushima radiation

Scientists plan to see how much radiation from the Fukushima nuclear disaster has reached the West Coast by collecting kelp.

Zit bacteria found in grapes named for Frank Zappa

Researchers were inspired by the counter-culture crooner who once sang of 'sand-blasted zits'

The scientific mystery of your Valentines' Day flowers

Scientists have long puzzled over why flowers suddenly became so widespread on Earth around 100 million years ago. New research may have some answers

Good news and bad news about California's drought


Wilshire Grand builders attempt record setting concrete pour

This Saturday construction workers for the planned 73 story Wilshire Grand tower will attempt to set a record for the largest single concrete foundation pour ever.

Studying mysterious 'atmospheric rivers' from the sky

This weekend scientists will fly above a weather phenomenon known as an atmospheric river to learn more about these important sources of water.

'Mega-drought': Could California's drought last years? A century?

The state's dry spell is bad, but the state had prolonged ones centuries ago. Scientists worry these "mega-droughts" could happen again.

California drought: High pressure ridge to blame, not likely to change soon

A high pressure zone has hovered over the West for so long some meteorologists are calling it the "ridiculously resilient ridge." It shows little sign of leaving.

Mars rover at 10: Opportunity still makes discoveries


Northridge: Digital dependence leaves us vulnerable

Some experts worry a digital blackout of longer than a few days could harm the local economy for decades.

Northridge: Despite retrofits, are homes any safer now?

Cities have encouraged homeowners to voluntarily retrofit their dwellings. But some engineers estimate that as many as half of all retrofits are not adequate.

Northridge: Calif. quake warning system runs on shoe-string budget

The massive quake that hit Southern California in 1994 came without warning. How close is California to an earthquake warning system?

More earthquake mapping needed, LA-area state senator says

State budget cuts have slowed efforts to map active faults in California to a crawl.

Rose Parade's gay wedding draws cheers, but also complaints
