Citrus Roots Reach Back to the Himalayas

Citrus originated at the foot of the Himalayas. Artist’s conception by Manuel Talon, Instituto Valenciano de Investigaciones Agrarias (IVIA), Spain.

They say when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. But what if life hands you sour oranges and citrons?

Simple: You make lemons.

So says a new genetic analysis by an international team of scientists that seeks to clear up citrus’ tangled backstory.

Read/listen to my full story at KJZZ’s Arizona Science Desk:
Study Traces Citrus Family Tree To Foot Of The Himalayas

Zombie Satellite to Amateur Astronomer: “I’m Not Dead Yet”

Earth’s plasmasphere, as seen by IMAGE’s Extreme Ultraviolet Imager on May 24, 2000. Image by B. R. Sandel and the IMAGE/EUV team.

An amateur astronomer has picked up signals from a satellite NASA gave up for dead more than decade ago.

Scott Tilley was scanning the skies for secret military satellites when he picked up a transmission from the Imager for Magnetopause-to-Aurora Global Exploration (IMAGE) satellite.

Read/listen to my full story at KJZZ’s Arizona Science Desk:
IMAGE Search: Amateur Astronomer Reconnects NASA To Zombie Satellite

In Lawsuit, Scientists Push Back Against EPA Advisory Board Policy

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) this week filed to sue the Environmental Protection Agency in federal court.

The lawsuit is over an EPA policy that changes who can serve on its advisory boards.

Read/listen to my full story at KJZZ’s Arizona Science Desk:
Scientists Sue EPA Over Who Can Serve On Advisory Boards

Microbes Spread Antibiotic Resistance One Bee at a Time

Photo courtesy Christopher Bang.

The World Health Organization has called antibiotic resistance “a global crisis we can’t ignore,” one that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate kills 23,000 people annually in the U.S. alone.

Now, honeybee research could offer clues as to how it spreads.

Read/listen to my full story at KJZZ’s Arizona Science Desk:
Honeybee Research Hints At How Microbes Spread Antibiotic Resistance

Experts: Non-Opioid Options for Chronic Pain

Opioid abuse and addiction dominate the headlines these days. But these concerns obscure a larger story about the treatment of chronic pain in America.

In this feature, I explore the shortcomings of opioids with respect to treating chronic pain — and offer some legitimate pain management alternatives.

Read/listen to my full story at KJZZ’s Arizona Science Desk:
Experts Offer Non-Opioid Options For Managing Chronic Pain

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