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Growing a Homerun Peanut

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a roaring river rushes by a road. half of the road has been washed away by the river

Oct 8, 2024

How Can You Tell Whether a Road is Safe After a Flood?

How do you test the safety of roads, dams and bridges? And what do engineers have to consider when rebuilding roadways? These experts have answers. 
a multi-lane highway is blocked with mud and debris

Oct 7, 2024

How Has Flooding from Helene Affected Transportation in Western NC?

We had questions about how Hurricane Helene has affected roadways and traffic in western North Carolina. So we talked to an expert. 
Traffic light sign under water

Oct 3, 2024

How Do You Restore Power After a Flood?

A brief overview of what needs to be done to safely restore power after a flood. 
smartphone is held in front of the eiffel tower. the smartphone screen shows the olympics logo

Aug 9, 2024

How Brands are ‘Winning’ Olympic Gold

How much are companies pouring into the Olympic Games? And what do they get for their money? 
Four Olympic medals in a display case

Jul 31, 2024

The Tax Implications of Olympic Prizes

Do you have to claim gold medals on your taxes? 
A photo of the Eiffel Tower in Paris with the Olympic rings added.

Jul 31, 2024

Is Hosting the Olympic Games Worth It?

For Paris and other cities, hosting the Olympic Games is a multibillion-dollar investment. Is it worth it? 

Jul 27, 2024

What Colors Do Bees See? And How Do We Know?

I was reading a children’s book about insects to my daughter, and it said that bees see colors differently than humans do. My daughter immediately asked, in short succession: “What colors do they see? Why? How do we know?” I did some homework to find out, and discovered that bees see flowers much differently than… 

Jul 23, 2024

Can Bees Recognize Faces?

Yep, bees can recognize faces. But do they use this ability? David Tarpy explains. 
wet spots show up as dark stains on the concrete next to a swimming pool

Jul 5, 2024

Why Do Things Look Darker When They’re Wet?

From rain-soaked sidewalks to sweat-stained dress shirts, you’ve probably noticed that most things look darker when they’re wet. Why? 
side view of a steak on a grill above hot coals

Jul 1, 2024

The Science of Steak on the Grill

Did you know that grilling a steak involves science? 
peaches

Jul 1, 2024

It’s Peach Season in North Carolina

Bite into these fresh facts about North Carolina-grown peaches. 
a time-lapse photograph shows fireflies as blurs of light in a meadow surrounded by trees at dusk.

Jun 21, 2024

Why Do Fireflies Light Up? And How Can I Bring More Fireflies to My Yard?

Fireflies start out as dragon-like predators before becoming a beautiful feature of summer evenings. 
a ladybug sits on a leaf

Jun 14, 2024

Do Bugs Burp?

It all depends on what we mean when we say “burp.” 

Jun 6, 2024

5 Things You Should Know About Grilling Burgers (To Avoid Getting Sick)

To help you avoid barfing this grilling season, a food safety expert gave us these five things to remember when it comes to making a delicious (and safe) burger. 
peanuts

May 6, 2024

Growing a Homerun Peanut

Nearly all of the peanuts we munch on at baseball games come from the peanut breeding program at NC State University.