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How The Nose Knows: Book Explores The Science Behind Our Sense Of Smell

December 1, 2020 - 5:30am

Smells aren't inherently good or bad, says Harold McGee, whose recent book "Nose Dive: A Field Guide to the World's Smells" is all about the nose. Rather, our perceptions of what we smell relate to our experiences tied to those smells.

Tool Shows Wisconsin Gatherings Mean High Risk Of COVID-19 Exposure

November 16, 2020 - 5:40am

A new tool allows users to estimate the risk of COVID-19 exposure in every U.S. county at events of varying sizes. Throughout Wisconsin, even small gatherings run a high risk of including someone infected with coronavirus.

Why Do We Cry? It's A Way People Bond, Says Psychologist

November 11, 2020 - 5:25am

Assistant professor of psychiatry and psychology at the University of Pittsburgh Lauren Bylsma explains that crying in humans evolved from vocalizations in animals that they used to help keep parents nearby.

New Packers Robots Help Keep Team Connected

November 2, 2020 - 5:20am

Ohmni Labs, which specializes in telepresence robots, said 14 professional sports teams have invested in the machines, including the Green Bay Packers. The company has also seen demand spike from health care, education and even virtual tourism clients amid the coronavirus pandemic.

How Phineas Gage's Freak Accident Changed Brain Science

October 17, 2020 - 10:15am

In 1848, Phineas Gage suffered a gruesome accident. BIasting through rock to build a new railroad in Vermont, an explosion sent a 3-foot, 13-pound iron rod straight through his skull. Remarkably, Gage lived, but brain science changed forever.

Marshfield Study Will Track COVID-19 In Rural Communities

October 16, 2020 - 5:45am

A large-scale study in central Wisconsin will track the spread of COVID-19 in rural populations. The Marshfield Clinic Research Institute received a $4 million grant from the CDC to conduct the study.

Dig For Dinosaur Fossils With Emily Graslie

October 14, 2020 - 11:05am

On this edition of The Explorer’s Club, we tag along with Emily Graslie, host of the PBS show "Prehistoric Road Trip." We learn about the ancient history of places like South Dakota, Montana and Wyoming by discovering fossils, clams, dinosaur bones and more!

Why Do Songbirds Sing? Because It Feels Good, Researchers Say

October 9, 2020 - 3:20pm

Have you ever wondered why songbirds sing so much? It’s long been known that the song is meant to attract a mate and defend territory, but new research suggests there’s more to the songbird’s instinct to sing — because the chemical rush to their brains it inspires feels good.

WisContext: Wisconsin's Urgent, Imperfect, Transparent, Confusing, Essential COVID-19 Data

October 1, 2020 - 5:30pm

Wisconsin's public health agencies each day release a deluge of data about where and how quickly COVID-19 is spreading. The river of information helps communities gauge everything from where to expect new outbreaks to which hospitals are likely to see a flood of patients.

Wisconsin Earns C Grade On Infrastructure Report Card

September 28, 2020 - 5:50am

Wisconsin earned a mediocre score of C on the 2020 Report Card for Wisconsin Infrastructure, scoring highest in energy and waste. Poor scores in transit and roads pulled down its grade-point average, according to the report card written by more than 50 civil engineer volunteers across the state who awarded grades...

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Science and Technology

How The Nose Knows: Book Explores The Science Behind Our Sense Of Smell

Tool Shows Wisconsin Gatherings Mean High Risk Of COVID-19 Exposure

Why Do We Cry? It's A Way People Bond, Says Psychologist

New Packers Robots Help Keep Team Connected

How Phineas Gage's Freak Accident Changed Brain Science

Marshfield Study Will Track COVID-19 In Rural Communities

Dig For Dinosaur Fossils With Emily Graslie

Why Do Songbirds Sing? Because It Feels Good, Researchers Say

WisContext: Wisconsin's Urgent, Imperfect, Transparent, Confusing, Essential COVID-19 Data

Wisconsin Earns C Grade On Infrastructure Report Card

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