From the debut of the world’s largest solar plant to Comet ISON, zombified bees to the physics of sailing — it’s been another year of diverse storytelling from the KQED Science team. Here’s a round-up of our top 10 stories (based on page views) that you’ve enjoyed in 2013. Please let us know what other stories you’ve enjoyed in the comments section below and if there’s anything you’d like to see in the coming season!
After controversy over a threatened species delayed several large solar projects, state officials are trying to broker an agreement between conservation groups and solar companies on a path forward for renewable energy. Read more.
ZomBees: Flight of the Living Dead
Something strange and unsettling is happening to Bay Area honeybees. Entomologists at San Francisco State University have identified the culprit: a tiny parasitic fly is causing the bees to exhibit bizarre nocturnal behaviors before suffering a gruesome demise. Read more.
Silicon Valley Goes to Space
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Commercial space ventures are taking off and opening up space like never before. With its culture of risk and game-changing startups, Silicon Valley is playing a starring role in many of these new space companies. But risks and costs emerge with the increasing privatization of space. Read more.
Could Rooftop Solar Kill Utilities? California Grapples with Solar’s Success
As increasing numbers of Californians generate their own electricity, they rely less on electric utilities. That’s raising major questions about the future of California’s utilities. Read more.
How Do These Boats Sail Faster Than the Wind?
It isn’t magic; it’s just physics. And it’s an idea as simple as rocket science, which in this case really breaks down to what you learned from riding a bike. Read more.
Comet ISON: Comet of the Century or Fanciful Fluff?
A comet named ISON has been hailed as a possible “comet of the century.” But scientists aren’t sure yet if it will survive a hairpin turn around the sun. Read more.
Garcinia Cambogia: The Fastest Fat-Buster or Another Fad Diet?
Garcinia cambogia has been called the ”newest, fastest fat-buster” and a “magic ingredient that lets you lose weight without diet or exercise,” but scientific research questions its effectiveness. Read more.
Birders Flock to See Blue-Footed Boobies
Blue-footed boobies are most commonly seen down in the Gulf of California or the Galapagos, but this week they’ve been flooding the Southern California coast, and making their way up north, where very few have come before. Read more.
California’s Tarantulas Are on the Move During Mating Season
Male California tarantulas are now roaming through the Bay Area looking for love. Find out more about where you can see them, what they’re doing and what dangers they face from naturalist Sharol Nelson-Embry. Read more.
It’s Official: Toxic Flame Retardants No Longer Required in Furniture
California overturns a nearly 40-year-old law that made your sofa potentially menacing. Read more.