WGLT-FM: Assorted stories from WGLT-FM : NPR

The word "cold" can reference temperature or it's the word for a minor, but miserable little illness you can catch. But one meaning of the word doesn't have much to do with the other. Jay and Janet explain what causes the common cold, why it's probably called a "cold" and what you can do to avoid catching a cold.

In this episode of GLT's science show Uncommon Knowledge, listen as Jay and Janet use selecting the right bike light to explain two different measurements of light: lux and lumens.

Babies dream. And while we don't know for sure what they're dreaming, the dreams are different than adult dreams. In this episode of Uncommon Knowledge, Jay and Janet, with the help an Illinois State University Associate Professor of Psychology explain what's going on in those little heads during all those hours of sleep.

Dry ice behaves on earth a little like it does in space. Learn more about sublimation from an Illinois State University Chemistry Professor and hosts Jay and Janet in this episode of our science show, Uncommon Knowledge.

Dry ice can be loads of fun. It bubbles when dropped into liquid. It produces fog. It's used for special effects. But what is it and why does it produce all of that cool fog. With help from an Illinois State University Chemistry Professor, Jay and Janet explain dry ice.

A U.S. company might be responsible for and ultimately selling your smart phone, but it takes a global effort to make it possible. Find out what goes into your iPhone and how many countries it takes to get it in your hands in the 3rd part of a series on the Geography Awareness Week (11/11-17) theme "Declare Your Interdependence."

The piece of paper you recycle probably won't end back up in the printer as another piece of paper. Chances are the plastic in the water bottle won't hold drinking water again either. Find out what happens to recycled materials and the journey they sometimes take in the second part of month long series on the Geography Awareness Week (11/11-17) theme "Declare Your Interdependence."

You've heard the phrase...if China sneezes, the U.S. catches a cold. It speaks to the interdependence of the two countries, including trade. Jay and Janet have the first in a month long series on the Geography Awareness Week (11/11-17) theme "Declare Your Interdependence."

There's chaos and then there's chaos in the math and science realms. It's a deterministic system, but outcomes can be drastically altered by initial conditions. Jay and Janet help help explain chaos in this episode of Uncommon Knowledge.

De-clutter your house of hazardous materials AND protect groundwater? It sounds too good to be true, but it is! The Ecology Action Center's Household Hazardous Waste Collection is Saturday, September 29th might be the most wonderful time of the year. Find out what happens to everything that's collected in this episode of Uncommon Knowledge.

There's the cost of a product and there's the TRUE cost of a product that includes disposing of it safely. During our weekly science show Uncommon Knowledge, Jay and Janet explain what it costs to rid your home of household hazardous waste.

This elusive particle has been expected and even worked with in physics for years. But it's not until this summer that evidence it actually existed was discovered. During this episode of GLT's science show, Jay and Janet explain the so called "god particle" and why you should care.

Central Illinois municipalities are urging residents to conserve water during current drought conditions. New low flow fixtures can help save water and dollars spent on water bills. During this episode of Uncommon Knowledge, find out just how much less water will go down the drain.

It takes rain to have drainage. But when the drought affecting much of the country and central Illinois breaks you'll see drainage divides: small peaks or ridges that cause water to flow in opposite directions. The most famous is the the Continental Divide in the Rockies. There's another major one in Illinois. Jay and Janet with the help of Jim Carter explain drainage divides.

In some states, just because rain falls on your property doesn't mean the water belongs to you. And if the drought persists in central Illinois, arid state water issues could start becoming issues in Illinois. Listen as Jay and Janet skim the surface of...water rights.