Science

Tapping into the science of maple syrup
What makes sap start running in late winter? And how do you tap a tree without harming it? MPR News host Angela Davis talks about the science behind maple syrup.
Help scientists document Midwest light pollution by looking at Orion
More people participating in the citizen science project Globe At Night could help fill gaps in what astronomers know about the extent of skyglow.
 The shortest day of the year is descending on the Northern Hemisphere. Here's what to know
Sunday marks the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, signaling the start of astronomical winter. In the Southern Hemisphere, it's the longest day, marking the beginning of summer.
Night sky fallings: Spotters document space debris over northern Minnesota
This past Saturday people around Lake Superior saw a long flash of sparkling white and green light trail across the night sky. Was it a meteor? Santa’s sleigh? Turns out, it was a piece of “space junk.”
Does one drink make you dizzy? Why alcohol hits us harder as we age
For many people, the holidays mean more parties and more occasions to drink. But if you’ve noticed that one cocktail hits you harder than it used to, there’s a scientific reason to explain it.
U of M scientists find fungi can fight emerald ash borers
University of Minnesota researchers say they’ve discovered several naturally occurring parasitic fungi that could be weaponized against the invasive beetles responsible for killing millions of ash trees across Minnesota and the eastern United States.
Telescope in Chile captures stunning new picture of a cosmic butterfly
Snapped last month by the Gemini South telescope, the aptly named Butterfly Nebula is 2,500 to 3,800 light-years away. At the heart of this bipolar nebula is a white dwarf star that cast aside its outer layers of gas long ago.