Is subsidized child care coming to the North Country?

(Mar 18, 2021) You can get the sugar out of a lot of trees, but there's something special about the sugar maple. Its trunk is highly efficient at storing and moving sap. That's in part because the sap is stored throughout the trunk, rather then down in the roots, as with most trees in winter. Martha Foley and Curt Stager look at that other "sweet science," the one behind our favorite breakfast condiment.

The science behind maple syrup

How the new 2021 'child tax credit' works, and what it means for North Country families

(Mar 4, 2021) Martha Foley and Dr. Curt Stager discuss cosmic rays. While many people may think cosmic rays only affect astronauts or satellites - objects in space - computers and other electronic equipment on Earth can be affected, too.

Glitches? Could be gremlins, could be cosmic rays

(Feb 11, 2021) In general, plants make food from sunlight, and animals fuel themselves by "burning" oxygen. But some animals think outside the box.Curt Stager and Martha Foley look at a photosynthetic slug that hijacks the genetic machinery of the algae in its diet, and at a jellyfish that needs no oxygen, burning the alternative fuels of hydrogen and sulfur.

(Feb 11, 2021) In general, plants make food from sunlight, and animals fuel themselves by "burning" oxygen. But some animals think outside the box. Curt Stager and Martha Foley look at a photosynthetic slug that hijacks the genetic machinery of the algae in its diet, and at a jellyfish that needs no oxygen, burning the alternative fuels of hydrogen and sulfur.

Animals that make their living outside the box

(Feb 2, 2021) On February 21, 1912, disaster struck in the form of a train collision on the New York Central Railroad line between Utica and Ogdensburg. The story goes like this: the winter of 1912 - especially February - was a pretty rough month weather-wise for the Northeast. Record-setting low temperatures and frequent snowstorms were disrupting the railroad, and supplies were running low in small communities that relied on it.

(Feb 2, 2021) On February 21, 1912, disaster struck in the form of a train collision on the New York Central Railroad line between Utica and Ogdensburg. The story goes like this: the winter of 1912 - especially February - was a pretty rough month weather-wise for the Northeast. Record-setting low temperatures and frequent snowstorms were disrupting the railroad, and supplies were running low in small communities that relied on it.

North Country at Work: digging out trains during the great snowstorm of 1912 

(Feb 1, 2021) The COVID-19 vaccine continues to be distributed to the 7 million New Yorkers in groups 1A and 1B. They include healthcare workers, teachers, and people over the age of 65. Getting the vaccine is a fairly simple procedure; signing up for it is proving to be a lot harder, especially for those uncomfortable with modern technology, like computers and smartphones. That’s where New York State’s Offices for the Aging are stepping in.

(Feb 1, 2021) The COVID-19 vaccine continues to be distributed to the 7 million New Yorkers in groups 1A and 1B. They include healthcare workers, teachers, and people over the age of 65. Getting the vaccine is a fairly simple procedure; signing up for it is proving to be a lot harder, especially for those uncomfortable with modern technology, like computers and smartphones. That’s where New York State’s Offices for the Aging are stepping in.

NYS Offices for the Aging setting up vaccine appointments for the elderly 

(Jan 28, 2021) It's the reason opposites attract and doorknobs shock, why lightning strikes, and the way bumblebees find the sweet spot in flowers. Whenever an object has more or fewer electrons than its neighbor, there is the potential for static discharge.Martha Foley and Dr. Curt Stager talk about the mysterious and hair-raising ways of static electricity.

(Jan 28, 2021) It's the reason opposites attract and doorknobs shock, why lightning strikes, and the way bumblebees find the sweet spot in flowers. Whenever an object has more or fewer electrons than its neighbor, there is the potential for static discharge. Martha Foley and Dr. Curt Stager talk about the mysterious and hair-raising ways of static electricity.

How you and me and flowers and bees get charged up (with static electricity)

(Jan 26, 2021) The way we socialize and see friends during the COVID-19 pandemic has changed drastically. To prevent the spread of the coronavirus, keeping our social distance, wearing masks, and hanging out outdoors have become norms.Of course, balmy summer temperatures are a lot easier than January snowstorms.

(Jan 26, 2021) The way we socialize and see friends during the COVID-19 pandemic has changed drastically. To prevent the spread of the coronavirus, keeping our social distance, wearing masks, and hanging out outdoors have become norms. Of course, balmy summer temperatures are a lot easier than January snowstorms.

Bonfires and social skis: Hanging with friends during the COVID-19 winter

(Jan 21, 2021) What is a flame? Why is it shaped like that? How does it keep going? Martha Foley and Dr. Curt Stager answer some burning questions about rapid oxidation.

What is a flame?

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(Jan 14, 2021) Dr. Curt Stager tries once again to answer the classic child's question. It is a poser that was worthy of Einstein's time, who eventually came up with the best answer. But it's complicated. And when the sky isn't blue, why not? What's up with that? Martha Foley wants to know.

Why is the sky blue?, take 2

(Jan 13, 2021) The spike in COVID-19 cases here in the North Country continues, with daily new cases of COVID-19 dwarfing peak days in the spring. David Clauss, Chief Medical Officer of the Elizabethtown Community Hospital, spoke during a video briefing on Friday, Jan. 8, which included county health directors and medical staff from regional hospitals.   Clauss said we can’t treat our way out of the pandemic, and “we also are not going to be able to vaccinate our way out of this quickly enough to avoid significant tragedy. We have to prevent our way out of this pandemic with simple measures that we know.”

(Jan 13, 2021) The spike in COVID-19 cases here in the North Country continues, with daily new cases of COVID-19 dwarfing peak days in the spring. David Clauss, Chief Medical Officer of the Elizabethtown Community Hospital, spoke during a video briefing on Friday, Jan. 8, which included county health directors and medical staff from regional hospitals. Clauss said we can’t treat our way out of the pandemic, and “we also are not going to be able to vaccinate our way out of this quickly enough to avoid significant tragedy. We have to prevent our way out of this pandemic with simple measures that we know.”

'We can't treat or vaccinate our way out of this': Health officials urge public to prevent spread 

(Jan 7, 2021) The differing qualities of snow can determine the safety of structures, the back strain of shovelers and the danger of avalanche. Scientists look at how fast it falls, how it forms in the air, and whether or not it clumps into fat flakes to determine what impact it will have on those of us below. Every snowflake is unique, and so is every snowfall.

The science of snow

(Dec 31, 2020) Since our bodies replace most cells over a period of a few years, it raises the question "Is any part of us original equipment?" According to Curt Stager and Martha Foley, the answer is "Yes." Parts of the eyes and teeth, as well as many nerve and (bad news for dieters) fat cells last a lifetime.

Is any part of the body original equipment?

(Dec 24, 2020) Rarely seen during the day, flying squirrels don't actually fly, but use flaps of skin that connect their fore and hind legs that enable them to glide up to a hundred feet, between trees and from tree to ground.

Flying squirrels glide through winter nights, hunting lichen

(Dec 17, 2020) Every family with kids has had to deal with the education question this fall - would they send their kid back to school? Keep them remote learning? And a third option: would they do it themselves? Fueled by COVID-19, homeschooling is on the rise in the North Country and across the nation.

(Dec 17, 2020) Every family with kids has had to deal with the education question this fall - would they send their kid back to school? Keep them remote learning? And a third option: would they do it themselves? Fueled by COVID-19, homeschooling is on the rise in the North Country and across the nation.

Homeschooling on the rise in the North Country and the US

(Dec 10, 2020) Snowy owls are normally a rare sight in North Country. Their usual range is in the Arctic north. But a few years ago, a large number were seen all across the region. Martha Foley asked Dr. Curt Stager why that has happened.

Why so many snowy owls all of a sudden? 

(Dec 9, 2020) Saranac Lake native and Adirondack legend Natalie Leduc passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020. She was 90 years old.  Leduc was a fixture of community life in her hometown. She’s fondly remembered as many folks’ first ski instructor, and was deeply involved with Historic Saranac Lake. In 2018, she was recognized by the Norwegian government for the 37 years she spent tending the graves of Norwegian sailors in the Pine Ridge Cemetery. In 2016 Amy Feiereisel and Ellen Rocco interviewed Leduc for our North Country at Work series. We're republishing her work story in remembrance of Leduc.

(Dec 9, 2020) Saranac Lake native and Adirondack legend Natalie Leduc passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020. She was 90 years old. Leduc was a fixture of community life in her hometown. She’s fondly remembered as many folks’ first ski instructor, and was deeply involved with Historic Saranac Lake. In 2018, she was recognized by the Norwegian government for the 37 years she spent tending the graves of Norwegian sailors in the Pine Ridge Cemetery. In 2016 Amy Feiereisel and Ellen Rocco interviewed Leduc for our North Country at Work series. We're republishing her work story in remembrance of Leduc.

North Country at Work: Remembering Saranac Lake native Natalie Leduc

(Dec 9, 2020) When Tanya Roy first heard of the international charity called #happyperiod, it really clicked for her. The charity’s mission is to ensure that, quote ‘every girl has menstrual dignity’, by collecting and making available free period products.So in January, she and two other local women started a branch serving Jefferson and Lewis counties. They call it #happyperiodnorthcountry. As the 2020 holidays approach, they've started collecting in earnest.

(Dec 9, 2020) When Tanya Roy first heard of the international charity called #happyperiod, it really clicked for her. The charity’s mission is to ensure that, quote ‘every girl has menstrual dignity’, by collecting and making available free period products. So in January, she and two other local women started a branch serving Jefferson and Lewis counties. They call it #happyperiodnorthcountry. As the 2020 holidays approach, they've started collecting in earnest.

Ending 'period poverty' in the North Country 

(Dec 3, 2020) Unlike frogs, turtles don't hibernate through the winter. In fact, sometimes you can see snappers and other species moving around under the ice. While their metabolism runs at very low ebb in the cold, they remain alert to changes in light and temperature that signal the coming spring.How do they survive without oxygen? As Paul Smith's College biologist Curt Stager tells Martha Foley, they get energy from their body tissues, and their shells neutralize the resulting lactic acid build-up.

(Dec 3, 2020) Unlike frogs, turtles don't hibernate through the winter. In fact, sometimes you can see snappers and other species moving around under the ice. While their metabolism runs at very low ebb in the cold, they remain alert to changes in light and temperature that signal the coming spring. How do they survive without oxygen? As Paul Smith's College biologist Curt Stager tells Martha Foley, they get energy from their body tissues, and their shells neutralize the resulting lactic acid build-up.

Natural Selections: How do turtles survive a winter underwater?

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