Science & Technology

On Monday, Mercury will pass between the earth and the sun. We talk with Shannon Schmoll and John French of MSU's Abrams Planetarium about the rare event.

Michigan State University's “Tomorrow” campaign seeks to explain complex scientific research in more accessible terms.

What do courage and perseverance have to do with science? Lots, according to renowned theoretical physicist and author Brian Greene. He’ll explain in an address that opens the MSU Science Festival.

Stem cells are the raw materials the body uses to build any specific type of cell. Researchers at Michigan State University say they’ve found a new type of stem cell that may be used to regenerate healthy cells. Current State talks with Dr. Amy Ralston and graduate student Anthony Parenti.

Two decades ago, man met machine on the chessboard. An IBM computer called Deep Blue defeated Russian grandmaster Garry Kasparov in the opening match of six. Since then, a new algorithm has triumphed in an even more complicated game. Current State’s Kevin Lavery talks with MSU biologist and computer scientist Arend Hintze about the future of artificial intelligence.

Where’s the snow? This time last year, we had snow on the ground in Michigan. What does this mean for our winter forecast? We check in with MLive’s chief meteorologist Mark Torregrossa to find out.

NASA announced this week that it’s found liquid water on Mars. The news has scientists across the world buzzing with excitement. We check in with Abrams Planetarium Director Shannon Schmoll about what this means for the future of space exploration and the possibility of life on other planets.

Construction is moving ahead of schedule at the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams at Michigan State University. Sen. Gary Peters toured the project yesterday to see its development firsthand. Current State’s Kevin Lavery spoke with Senator Peters about his observations.

There’s been a lot of discussion lately about how to get girls interested in the STEM fields. One solution? Hearing the stories of women already doing great things in the tech world. Current State talks with the Michigan women who founded the new podcast "Diva Tech Talk", which aims to do just that.

This weekend at the Michigan Science Center, Michigan State University senior Steve Price and 15 teammates will attempt to break the record for the world’s largest Rube Goldberg machine. Current State talks to Price about his passion for building and what he's got planned for his biggest project yet. 

A partnership between a Michigan State University start-up company and a Michigan-based medical sector investment firm is bringing a new treatment for infant jaundice closer to market.

With summer upon us, more of us will be spending more time outdoors…some of it in Michigan’s deep woods. Smart campers, hikers and bushwackers know that a “tick-check” might be in order after some time in the wild. Ticks are known carriers of Lyme Disease – an affliction that’s widespread throughout the Eastern U.S.

Picture this: you’re walking along the shores of Lake Michigan on a warm spring day. The lake breeze is blowing and the waves are lapping at your feet when all of the sudden you see something strange out on the water. Like, say, the Chicago skyline.

From the New York Times to "CBS Sunday Morning" to PBS’s "Nova," David Pogue is one of media’s best known presenters and reviewers of tech topics. Among his many notable accomplishments, Pogue is also recently known as technology columnist for Yahoo Tech. Pogue’s acclaimed public TV series "Making Stuff" aired last year on WKAR-TV. His show combines his unique blend of humor and analysis of the latest consumer and scientific innovations.

Social media and the internet have helped solve a Michigan-based disappearance dating back more than 30-years. 17-year old Carol Ann Cole of Kalamazoo vanished in 1980 shortly after leaving Michigan for Texas. For about as long, Louisiana authorities had been trying to identify the body of a young woman found in woods near Shreveport. Posts on Facebook and Craigslist, described as “happenstance”, helped bring together authorities and members of Cole’s family in February. It was six days after the Facebook page was launched.