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Read this article at: or watch at: https://youtu.be/WQRs-r1iqRc
Summary: Researchers wanted to find out if living in a multilingual country can help people stay mentally and physically active as they grow older.
Abstract: Have you heard about brain training? That might bring to mind crossword puzzles, Sudoku, or brain teasers. Learning new languages is another powerful way to stimulate the brain. Activities that challenge the brain can help us stay healthy and sharp for longer. So, we wanted to see whether living in multilingual countries is associated with slower aging. We interviewed a large number of people about their cognition, health, and lifestyle. We estimated their age from their answers. Next, we compared their real age to this estimated age. With statistics, we found some interesting things. People who live in countries that speak more than one language tend to be more mentally and physically fit. For people living in monolingual countries, it’s the opposite. They are more likely to age faster. Also, living in a country with more spoken languages offers greater protection against age-related decline over time.
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Read this article at: or watch at: https://youtu.be/SilL7szcPeo
Summary: Researchers showed how the Eurasian jay uses metacognition to solve tricky puzzles and seek out their favorite food.
Abstract: What do you do when you’re asked a tricky question in class? Do you take a guess or wait for an easier question? The capacity to answer this question is called metacognition. It describes the ability to assess what you know and make good decisions from that information. Lots of mammals show metacognition. We wanted to know if birds do, too. We tested Eurasian jays with a food puzzle. We hid their favorite food under one of two cups. Then we moved the cups around once (easy) or three to four times (hard). The jays could take a guess at where the food was. Or they could opt out and choose their second favorite food under a third cup. Some of our jays were very successful in assessing their choices. They only chose the hard task when they knew where the food was. This means that these individuals showed metacognition! In the wild, this is important as it can help them find and store food for the winter.
You are one of half a million educators in the U.S. who use our articles and videos in class. All our content is FREE, no paywalls, no need to subscribe.
But recent federal cuts have made it hard for us to win grants to fund our mission. We are a small non-profit, and without support, we may not make it.
If you enjoy our content, please consider donating - https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/support-us.html
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com
Read this article at: or watch at: https://youtu.be/WmpUt1i546U
Summary: A team of scientists went on an expedition to a river in Alaska to find out why the river suddenly turned bright orange.
Abstract: The Salmon River in Alaska’s Kobuk Valley National Park is wild and scenic. Recently, scientists were surprised to find many of the streams in the park turning a bright, rusty shade of orange. What could cause such a change? One possibility is thawing permafrost. Permafrost is ground that normally stays frozen all year long. When it thaws, water can reach rocks that were inaccessible in the frozen ground for thousands of years. The water reacts with minerals in the rocks, making acid. The acidic groundwater carries certain metals, like iron, to streams. We traveled to the headwaters of the Salmon River and rafted down the river. We took measurements along the way. Our data showed that the water quality has become worse since the streams turned orange. We found toxic levels of iron, aluminum, and cadmium in the water. This may be to blame for the lower numbers of salmon returning to the area in recent years.
You are one of half a million educators in the U.S. who use our articles and videos in class. All our content is FREE, no paywalls, no need to subscribe.
But recent federal cuts have made it hard for us to win grants to fund our mission. We are a small non-profit, and without support, we may not make it.
If you enjoy our content, please consider donating - https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/support-us.html
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com
Read this article at: or watch at: https://youtu.be/K4wcSGpX9dM
Summary: Scientists created a new device copying the remora fish's natural ability to hitchhike on other animals.
Abstract: Have you ever wondered how small animals survive in a giant ocean full of danger? Remora fish attach to sharks, whales, turtles, boats, and even divers to survive. We studied remoras to figure out how they attach themselves using a disc on the top of their head. We wanted to find out if we could copy the disc to make suction devices that can work in other wet environments. Using our findings, we created a device that can attach to a variety of surfaces. It also worked under a variety of conditions. For example, it stayed attached inside the stomach of live animals for almost 3 weeks! This device could help us track conditions and deliver medicine inside the human body. It could also help us track the environment around us.
You are one of half a million educators in the U.S. who use our articles and videos in class. All our content is FREE, no paywalls, no need to subscribe.
But recent federal cuts have made it hard for us to win grants to fund our mission. We are a small non-profit, and without support, we may not make it.
If you enjoy our content, please consider donating - https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/support-us.html
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com
Read this article at: or watch at: https://youtu.be/YUJcgeSNXbo
Summary: Scientists engineered cyanobacteria to remove microplastics and extra nutrients from wastewater.
Abstract: Microplastics are tiny pieces of plastic that end up in rivers and oceans. They are hard to remove because they are so small. We wanted a better way to clean them up. We used genetic engineering to change cyanobacteria, a type of algae-like microorganism. We made the cells produce limonene, a natural oily chemical. Limonene made the outside of the cells more water-repellent. Many plastics also repel water. When we put our cyanobacteria in water with microplastics, the plastic stuck to the cells. The cells and plastic formed heavy clumps. The clumps sank to the bottom. We found that our cyanobacteria removed over 91% of the plastic in one hour. We also found a way to turn the leftover cells and plastic into new, useful materials.
You are one of half a million educators in the U.S. who use our articles and videos in class. All our content is FREE, no paywalls, no need to subscribe.
But recent federal cuts have made it hard for us to win grants to fund our mission. We are a small non-profit, and without support, we may not make it.
If you enjoy our content, please consider donating - https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/support-us.html
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com
Read this article at: or watch at: https://youtu.be/lH8tXnDGYQ4
Summary: Researchers observe spectral bats with a wildlife camera to learn about their parenting and social behaviors.
Abstract: Working with others often makes a task easier. Whether at home, at school, or at work, humans collaborate to achieve shared goals. Studies show that other species also collaborate. Many animals work together to defend their territory or care for their babies. We wanted to know how bats work together to raise their young. We collected videos of a family of spectral bats living in a hollow tree in Costa Rica. We watched the videos of the bats. Then we categorized the behaviors we observed as social, feeding, or play. We learned that both parents take care of the pups. We also observed the adult bats bring the pups food. Providing food to the pups helps them transition from drinking milk to eating meat. These observations help us better understand the bats’ cooperative behavior.
You are one of half a million educators in the U.S. who use our articles and videos in class. All our content is FREE, no paywalls, no need to subscribe.
But recent federal cuts have made it hard for us to win grants to fund our mission. We are a small non-profit, and without support, we may not make it.
If you enjoy our content, please consider donating - https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/support-us.html
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com
Read this article at: or watch at: https://youtu.be/EZ07V85q6FE
Summary: Scientists retraced the steps of an expedition from 30 years ago to see how mountain birds are adapting to climate change.
Abstract: What do you do when it’s too hot? Do you sweat and stay where you are? Or do you go looking for somewhere more comfortable, like the shade under a tree? Climate change is making many places on Earth hotter. We wanted to know how birds in mountain forests are adapting to climate change. Are birds staying in the same parts of the forest? Or are they looking for cooler temperatures by moving higher up the mountain? We observed birds in old-growth forests in British Columbia, Canada. Then, we compared our findings to observations from 30 years ago. Most bird species today still live at the same range of elevations as they did before. On average, though, the elevation where birds are most common is getting higher.
You are one of half a million educators in the U.S. who use our articles and videos in class. All our content is FREE, no paywalls, no need to subscribe.
But recent federal cuts have made it hard for us to win grants to fund our mission. We are a small non-profit, and without support, we may not make it.
If you enjoy our content, please consider donating - https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/support-us.html
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com
Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-can-we-monitor-the-wildlife-trade/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/R7oWnWKMEZE
Summary: Researchers used databases to figure out the extent of wildlife trade and how to make it more sustainable.
Abstract: The wildlife trade is a threat to global biodiversity. But we don’t know how much of a threat. That’s because some countries don’t have strict regulations or collect data. And the databases from countries that do collect data about wildlife trading are hard to compare. We wanted to look at the databases to figure out how the data could be better. Could we improve them to help make sure the wildlife trade is sustainable? The United States keeps one of the most comprehensive databases. So we looked there. We also looked at a database that is smaller, but comes from a global authority. We found 29,445 species were traded between 2000 and 2022, with substantial numbers coming from the wild. We think this is an underestimate of the global wildlife trade and its threat to organisms in the wild.
You are one of half a million educators in the U.S. who use our articles and videos in class. All our content is FREE, no paywalls, no need to subscribe.
But recent federal cuts have made it hard for us to win grants to fund our mission. We are a small non-profit, and without support, we may not make it.
If you enjoy our content, please consider donating - https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/support-us.html
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com
Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/where-do-whale-sharks-have-their-babies/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/JJHuWMotBgw
Summary: Scientists studied where baby whale sharks are found and discovered that they often appear near low-oxygen ocean zones.
Abstract: Where do the world’s biggest fish have their babies? This question remains one of the ocean’s greatest mysteries. Adult whale sharks are easy to find. But newborns are not! We looked back over 50 years of sightings to connect the dots of this puzzle. Our team mapped the locations of 33 baby sharks that were discovered by chance. We also looked at the water temperature, food levels, and oxygen in those areas. We found that baby whale sharks do not appear in random areas of the ocean. In fact, most babies appeared near places called oxygen minimum zones. These areas have very little oxygen (which sharks and other fish need to breathe) deep in the water. They can also lead to more food bunched near the surface. These zones may play an important role in where baby whale sharks are found. Learning more about these hidden nurseries could help protect this endangered ocean giant.
You are one of half a million educators in the U.S. who use our articles and videos in class. All our content is FREE, no paywalls, no need to subscribe.
But recent federal cuts have made it hard for us to win grants to fund our mission. We are a small non-profit, and without support, we may not make it.
If you enjoy our content, please consider donating - https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/support-us.html
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com
Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-can-viruses-wake-up-sleeping-cancer-cells/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/ksEuNI3AhXQ
Summary: Researchers discovered that viruses that infect the lungs can reactivate sleeping breast cancer cells
Abstract: Have you ever had a virus like the flu or coronavirus? These viruses affect the lungs. They also activate the immune system to try and help you feel better. During the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, death rates from cancer rose. No one knew exactly why. We wondered if viral infections could “wake up” cancer cells that had been asleep for years. To find out, we studied mice with dormant breast cancer cells in their lungs. We infected the mice with influenza or a version of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. We also analyzed data from people in cancer remission who got COVID-19. We found that both viruses can reactivate sleeping breast cancer cells in mice. We also discovered that despite the virus-induced immune response, the growing cancer altered immune cells to prevent them from fighting the cancer. This suggests that viruses may pose extra risks for people who have had cancer.
You are one of half a million educators in the U.S. who use our articles and videos in class. All our content is FREE, no paywalls, no need to subscribe.
But recent federal cuts have made it hard for us to win grants to fund our mission. We are a small non-profit, and without support, we may not make it.
If you enjoy our content, please consider donating - https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/support-us.html
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com
Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-can-we-make-better-food-for-honeybees/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/IRyT-dMDe6c
Summary: Researchers improve honeybee health by modifying yeast to produce the substances in pollen.
Abstract: Honeybees visit flowers to collect food for themselves and their colonies. When bees visit flowers, they also pollinate. Pollination is an important step that causes plants to make fruits. Many fruits that we eat, like apples and blueberries, need bees for pollination. Without bees, our food supplies would be in danger of not producing enough fruit. But human activities have reduced the abundance of flowering plants. That means bee colonies are more likely to starve every year. Beekeepers feed honeybees human-made food. But this food is missing essential nutrients called sterols. Yeasts are genetically engineered by scientists to make all kinds of important compounds, like insulin. We engineered a common yeast using genes from plants to produce the correct sterols that bees need. When we added this modified yeast to the bees’ diet, we found that colonies could continue to produce young bees. If the sterols were not in the diet, the colonies stopped being able to do so. We hope that this innovative solution will be used by beekeepers worldwide to improve bee health.
You are one of half a million educators in the U.S. who use our articles and videos in class. All our content is FREE, no paywalls, no need to subscribe.
But recent federal cuts have made it hard for us to win grants to fund our mission. We are a small non-profit, and without support, we may not make it.
If you enjoy our content, please consider donating - https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/support-us.html
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com
Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/why-do-treehoppers-have-such-strange-body-shapes/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/zAqBSz7Mnwg
Summary: Scientists discovered that treehoppers can sense electric fields in the air and that their strange body shapes help make these invisible cues easier to detect.
Abstract: Some animals can sense tiny electric fields around them. We call this electroreception. Sharks use it underwater. Using it in the air is harder, but some insects can do it. Treehoppers have strange body shapes with a part that can look like a helmet or crazy hat on their backs. We wanted to find out if this helps them use electroreception. We measured how much static electricity is on treehoppers, bees, and wasps. We then watched how treehoppers reacted to small electric fields – like the ones we measured on the insects. We also used computer models to test if their body shape made electric cues stronger around them. We found out that treehoppers, bees and wasps all produce electric fields. Wasps usually produce stronger electric fields than bees. Moreover, treehoppers can sense other insects’ electric fields. These fields can provide information about what is nearby. Strong electric fields – like the ones wasps produce – might warn them about danger. Tiny hairs on their backs help them sense those fields. We also found out that their helmet shape made the fields stronger. So, this rare sense and their unique body shape work together to help them stay safe from danger.
You are one of half a million educators in the U.S. who use our articles and videos in class. All our content is FREE, no paywalls, no need to subscribe.
But recent federal cuts have made it hard for us to win grants to fund our mission. We are a small non-profit, and without support, we may not make it.
If you enjoy our content, please consider donating - https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/support-us.html
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com
Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-do-bacteria-protect-each-other-from-antibiotics/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/YEX5ycutefY
Summary: Researchers show how bacteria living close together form patterns, share protection, and respond to antibiotics in surprising ways.
Abstract: Bacteria do not live alone. They crowd together and form tiny “neighborhoods.” In these neighborhoods, some bacteria can resist antibiotics. They break down the medicine and create “safe zones.” They then protect their sensitive neighbors. We mixed resistant and sensitive bacteria. Then we watched how they grew on plates with different amounts of antibiotics. The two types of bacteria formed many different patterns. Sometimes the resistant ones took over. Other times, the sensitive ones used the safe zones to survive. We also grew the same bacteria in liquid. We found that the same kind of safe zones do not exist in liquid. Instead, the cultures either grew rapidly or died. Our study shows that bacterial survival does not depend on one cell alone. It depends on the whole neighborhood around it.
You are one of half a million educators in the U.S. who use our articles and videos in class. All our content is FREE, no paywalls, no need to subscribe.
But recent federal cuts have made it hard for us to win grants to fund our mission. We are a small non-profit, and without support, we may not make it.
If you enjoy our content, please consider donating - https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/support-us.html
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com
Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/what-toxic-chemicals-are-released-in-lithium-ion-battery-fires/ or watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAK3t8_MeN0
Summary: Scientists determined how particles released by lithium-ion batteries can affect lung health.
Abstract: Portable electronic devices are an essential part of life. Cell phones, laptops, and tablets are just a few that we use on the go. What makes these devices portable? They use lithium-ion batteries! Lithium-ion batteries are rechargeable and last a long time. But when a lithium-ion battery overheats (known as thermal runaway), it can result in fire or even an explosion. This releases small particles that people in the area can inhale. We wanted to know how these inhaled particles affect lung cells. We caused several batteries to experience thermal runaway and examined the particles emitted. We collected these particles on special filters. Then we exposed lung cells to these collected particles. We found that lithium-ion batteries release mixtures of toxic gases and particles that may contain heavy metals. We learned that these mixtures cause cell stress and DNA damage if people are exposed to and inhale them. These exposures and associated effects can potentially cause lung injury.
You are one of half a million educators in the U.S. who use our articles and videos in class. All our content is FREE, no paywalls, no need to subscribe.
But recent federal cuts have made it hard for us to win grants to fund our mission. We are a small non-profit, and without support, we may not make it.
If you enjoy our content, please consider donating -https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/support-us.html
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com
Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-has-weathering-affected-earth/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/_Gh4H-8lm24
Summary: Researchers analyzed marine sediments to determine the weathering patterns over the last two billion years.
Abstract: Have you ever wondered why the Grand Canyon is so deep? Weathering of rocks creates features like this. Physical and chemical weathering affect the shape and composition of the continents. They also impact the movement of elements between the continents and the ocean. We wanted to better understand these weathering processes. We analyzed samples containing marine sediments up to 2,000 million years old. Marine sediments collect particles weathered from the continents. We looked at the amounts of four elements related to weathering. We saw a shift in weathering about 650 million years ago. Erosion and particle transport dominated weathering processes before that. Afterwards, the chemical weathering of rocks became more important, but not always. The shifting importance of chemical and physical processes related to regular movements of the Earth’s crust and mantle. This information helps us understand more about the impact of weathering on geological history.
You are one of half a million educators in the U.S. who use our articles and videos in class. All our content is FREE, no paywalls, no need to subscribe.
But recent federal cuts have made it hard for us to win grants to fund our mission. We are a small non-profit, and without support, we may not make it.
If you enjoy our content, please consider donating - https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/support-us.html
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com
Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/what-makes-some-medicines-too-thick/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/zcofWUPH4nw
Summary: Researchers used computer simulation models to investigate why medicines become viscous at high concentrations.
Abstract: A lot of thought goes into the creation of a medicine. One important consideration is how the medicine is given. Some medicines can be given in pills or sprays. Others need to be injected using a syringe. Some even require procedures in a medical center. The physical properties of the medicine will determine how it can be given. So, what if we could change those physical properties on demand? We wanted to investigate the physical properties of medicines containing monoclonal antibodies. They are used to treat cancer and autoimmune diseases. They often have to be given intravenously at a medical center because these medicines can get very viscous (thick). We wanted to know why. So we developed several models and ran computer simulations to see what was happening. We found that interactions between the antibodies and charged particles in the solution created temporary clusters. We can use this information to modify medicines and make them more accessible.
You are one of half a million educators in the U.S. who use our articles and videos in class. All our content is FREE, no paywalls, no need to subscribe.
But recent federal cuts have made it hard for us to win grants to fund our mission. We are a small non-profit, and without support, we may not make it.
If you enjoy our content, please consider donating - https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/support-us.html
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com
Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-does-your-gut-talk-to-your-brain/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/TyzqiA5L0o4
Summary: Scientists found a new gut “sixth sense” that detects bacterial flagellin and tells the brain to stop eating.
Abstract: You have heard about the 5 senses, right? We use sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell to understand the world. But did you know your gut has its own sense? It doesn’t notice light or sound, but it can pick up signals from bacteria. We looked at one of these signals, a chemical called flagellin. Almost all bacteria make flagellin to build their tiny tails. Special cells in the gut can sense flagellin. When they do, they release a fast signal that uses the vagus nerve to tell the brain, “You’re full.” In our mouse studies, animals without this sensor ate bigger meals and gained more weight. This shows that the gut can directly sense bacteria to control eating. We call this new pathway the neurobiotic sense.
You are one of half a million educators in the U.S. who use our articles and videos in class. All our content is FREE, no paywalls, no need to subscribe.
But recent federal cuts have made it hard for us to win grants to fund our mission. We are a small non-profit, and without support, we may not make it.
If you enjoy our content, please consider donating - https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/support-us.html
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com
Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/freeze-or-run-how-does-a-mouses-brain-react/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/Ab-0692xpL4
Summary: Scientists studied why similar species of mice either run or freeze when faced with the same predator.
Abstract: What would your first reaction be if you saw a lion in the wild? You might not even think about it before you start to back away. Your response to a lion might be very different from encountering a chimpanzee. So, what controls these different responses? To find out, we used two related species of mice that live in different habitats. We showed the mice a fake predator threat and then watched their behavior. We looked at the activity in a part of the brain called the escape center. Then, we turned the escape center on and off. We saw that one species of mouse froze, but the other ran away when threatened. Our findings traced the origin of these behaviors to a single part of the brain. This area had a different role in causing the behaviors between the two species. These differences may have been the result of natural selection.
You are one of half a million educators in the U.S. who use our articles and videos in class. All our content is FREE, no paywalls, no need to subscribe.
But recent federal cuts have made it hard for us to win grants to fund our mission. We are a small non-profit, and without support, we may not make it.
If you enjoy our content, please consider donating - https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/support-us.html
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com
Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/can-we-make-milk-from-insects/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/6E6xobn21DQ
Summary: Scientists use insect larvae to make a healthy, sustainable milk alternative and a useful material.
Abstract: Did you know that what you eat affects the environment? Meat and dairy products typically come from animals. Raising animals requires a large amount of land, water, and energy. It also contributes to environmental damage. That is why scientists are developing meat and dairy substitutes. Many plant-based substitutes are already available. We explored another option. Insects! We produced milk using lesser mealworm larvae. We also produced a special material from the leftover skeletons. Industries can transform this material into bioplastics and medication. We found that insect-based milk contains as much protein and fat as many plant-based milks. We also found that the material made from the skeletons is like the one made from crustaceans. That means that insects have the potential to be a source for a healthy and sustainable future.
You are one of half a million educators in the U.S. who use our articles and videos in class. All our content is FREE, no paywalls, no need to subscribe.
But recent federal cuts have made it hard for us to win grants to fund our mission. We are a small non-profit, and without support, we may not make it.
If you enjoy our content, please consider donating - https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/support-us.html
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com
Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/what-can-we-learn-from-environmental-accidents/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/pqKT4I_AYW0
Summary: Researchers summarize findings about the human health effects of a chemical after it was accidentally included in livestock feed.
Abstract: Accidents happen, and when they do, it is important to learn from them. Environmental accidents are no different. They teach society about the dangers of a chemical or process. In 1973, a chemical company in Michigan made chemicals called polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs)and a food supplement for farm animals. The company made a mistake and sent the PBBs to mix into animal feed instead of the food supplement. The contaminated feed was sent to farms all over the state. The contamination was discovered a year later, after a farmer spent months investigating why his cows were getting sick. By that time, millions of people in Michigan had eaten food (like meat, dairy, and eggs) contaminated with PBBs.
Scientists conducted many studies to figure out the health effects of PBBs. We reviewed these studies and summarized the results. We found that PBBs had some short-term effects on people’s health. They also had many long-term health effects. People exposed in their youth experienced different health effects than the exposed adults. PBBs also negatively affected the children and grandchildren of people who ate food products with PBBs.
You are one of half a million educators in the U.S. who use our articles and videos in class. All our content is FREE, no paywalls, no need to subscribe.
But recent federal cuts have made it hard for us to win grants to fund our mission. We are a small non-profit, and without support, we may not make it.
If you enjoy our content, please consider donating - https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/support-us.html
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com
Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/are-there-toxic-chemicals-in-peoples-bodies/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/OA-h9LpBu30
Summary: Researchers analyzed blood samples of Glynn County residents to determine their level of exposure to dangerous chemicals from nearby Superfund sites.
Abstract: Did you know that some parts of the United States are contaminated with high levels of toxic chemicals? These sites are so dangerous that the government must clean them up. Glynn County, Georgia has many of these sites. We wanted to know if Glynn County residents had toxic chemicals in their bodies. Working with community members, we collected blood samples from one hundred people. We analyzed the samples for chemicals. Then we compared these levels to those found in the general population. We found that people in Glynn County had higher levels of some chemicals in their bodies. Older residents, Black people, and people who fish were more likely to have higher levels of these chemicals. So were people who worked at one of the sites or lived with someone who did.
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Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-does-your-brain-know-which-food-made-you-sick/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/y0ySCVZrZgM
Summary: Scientists studied how the brain links new flavors with delayed sickness by replaying flavor memories in the amygdala.
Abstract: Sometimes food makes you feel sick long after you eat it. But how does your brain know which food caused the problem? We wanted to find out. We studied this question in mice. First, we gave them a sweet drink with a flavor that was either new or familiar. Then, after a short delay, we caused mild sickness and looked at their brains. The amygdala, a brain area for memory, “replayed” the flavor signal when the stomach sent the sickness signal. This replay made the memory stronger. Mice then avoided the new flavor that made them sick, but not the familiar flavor that hadn’t made them sick in the past. This shows how the brain bridges the gap between eating and later feeling sick.
You are one of half a million educators in the U.S. who use our articles and videos in class. All our content is FREE, no paywalls, no need to subscribe.
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Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/whats-on-natures-secret-plant-list/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/MeXwRVLbOpM
Summary: Scientists studied thousands of sites worldwide to discover that natural areas are missing many plant species that could live there, a hidden loss they call dark diversity.
Abstract: Picture a meadow or forest full of plants. Did you know that even when it looks wild and healthy, there are many plants missing? Scientists call these “missing species” dark diversity. Our team studied more than 5,000 sites in 119 regions across the globe. Each site was about the size of a classroom. We counted the plants that actually grew there. Then we compared them with the plants that could live there. On average, only about one-quarter of the possible plants were present. The rest were gone, even in places that still look natural. Why? Human activities – like building roads, cities, and farms – make it hard for plants to survive or return. We found that the more people shape the land, the fewer plants remain from the full list of potential species. This hidden loss shows that Nature is emptier around us than it appears. That matters for protecting biodiversity.
You are one of half a million educators in the U.S. who use our articles and videos in class. All our content is FREE, no paywalls, no need to subscribe.
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Read this article at: or watch at: https://youtu.be/XIl20eaK31U
Summary: Researchers wanted to know how fast COVID-19 science research reached decision-makers.
Abstract: Do you remember the lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic? Leaders had to make fast choices. But how did they know what to do? We looked at the work of a team of scientists from Imperial College London. They helped by sharing reports, news stories, and science papers – fast. We looked at 620 reports they put out between 2020 and 2022. We were curious. What types of reports did they produce? How fast did they share their work? Who used it? What did they study?News stories reached leaders the fastest. About two months faster than normal science papers. That matters when people are getting sick! Reports and preprints were also created by the team. Governments from 41 different countries cited work from the team as they developed policy. The team also changed what they studied as the virus changed. This made their reports more useful for governments. Our study shows something important: sharing science quickly can help develop policy that keeps people safe.
You are one of half a million educators in the U.S. who use our articles and videos in class. All our content is FREE, no paywalls, no need to subscribe.
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Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/who-lives-in-the-rainforest-canopy/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/EkO0cYJbMOU
Summary: Researchers developed a new eDNA collection system to look at biodiversity in tropical rainforests.
Abstract: Can you list all the animals that live at the top of rainforest trees? You might have seen pictures of birds or monkeys living in the rainforest canopy. The tropical rainforest is very biodiverse. But researchers still don’t know about everything that lives there.We wanted to test a new way of finding out what lives in the rainforest canopy. We set up collectors that catch rainwater as it falls down from the trees. We studied environmental DNA from the water to look at biodiversity.
We found that hundreds of different organisms live in the rainforest canopy. There is also more biodiversity in areas that are not disturbed by humans. So, the environmental DNA gathered in rainwash is very important. This method can help people learn more about the rainforest ecosystem and conserve its biodiversity.
You are one of half a million educators in the U.S. who use our articles and videos in class. All our content is FREE, no paywalls, no need to subscribe.
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Read this article at: or watch at: https://youtu.be/GBkNur1E_Bw
Summary: Researchers identified four different camouflage hunting displays in wild broadclub cuttlefish.
Abstract: Predators and prey are in conflict with each other. Predators try to catch prey, while prey try to avoid predators. Predators can blend into their surroundings and wait for prey to get close. Or predators can chase their prey. Some predators will even sneak up on their prey before chasing it. Camouflage can help these predators be more successful.
One predator that uses camouflage is the cuttlefish. But we don’t know much about how they hunt in the wild. So, we observed broadclub cuttlefish on coral reefs in the Indo-Pacific. We saw four different hunting displays. We also saw individual cuttlefish using multiple displays in different moments. This information can help us better understand predator behavior on coral reefs.
You are one of half a million educators in the U.S. who use our articles and videos in class. All our content is FREE, no paywalls, no need to subscribe.
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Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-can-growing-seaweed-help-fight-climate-change/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/Av0AflIv6bY
Summary: Researchers compared seaweed farming scenarios to see if seaweed farming could help reduce carbon emissions.
Abstract: Why is seaweed important? If you ask a fish, they might say that seaweed helps them hide from predators. A sea lion might say that seaweed forests are great places to find fish to eat! And people all around the world like to eat seaweed.Recently, people have started to talk about seaweed farming as a way to help with the climate crisis. Why? Because farming seaweed doesn’t use very many resources. Growing it may even improve ocean health by providing habitat and food to sea creatures. Seaweed also absorbs carbon dioxide (CO2) as it grows, so it could even help with climate change by reducing the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere. But just because it could help doesn’t mean it will!We studied five different seaweed farming scenarios using a computer simulation. We found that growing and harvesting seaweed can help with climate change. The biggest impact would come from using seaweed products to replace common things that right now take a lot of carbon-intensive energy to make.
You are one of half a million educators in the U.S. who use our articles and videos in class. All our content is FREE, no paywalls, no need to subscribe.
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Read this article at: or watch at: https://youtu.be/JKoJhxkvFYQ
Summary: Scientists wanted to find out how sea snails were adapting to new habitats in colder waters.
Abstract: If you lived in sunny California, would you want to move north? Well, some sea snails are doing exactly that! We were curious about Kellet’s whelks, a type of sea snail. They usually live in the warm waters of Southern California and Mexico. Now, we’re finding them further north in colder water!
We collected Kellet’s whelks from the California coast – some from the south and some from the north. We kept them in separate tanks with identical conditions. Then we compared the DNA of their babies.
The northern snails had 2,770 genes that were working differently. These differences were so clear that we could tell if a baby snail’s parents came from the south or north just by looking at its DNA. We also found that the northern snails’ genes show some changes that help them survive in the colder water up north! Our findings are helping scientists understand how ocean animals are adapting to a changing climate.
You are one of half a million educators in the U.S. who use our articles and videos in class. All our content is FREE, no paywalls, no need to subscribe.
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Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/what-are-good-ways-to-track-melting-glaciers/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/BUo2SaeYdKo
Summary: Researchers combined datasets to more accurately measure changes in glacier melt around the world.
Abstract: Have you ever watched an ice cube melt on a hot day? Well, that’s happening to glaciers all over the world. Glaciers have important impacts on water resources, runoff, and sea level rise. Keeping track of how glaciers change is important to predict and plan for these downstream impacts.
We wanted to create a more recent record of how glaciers have changed from 2000 to 2023. So we compared and combined data about glaciers collected using different methods. We found that glaciers worldwide lost about 5% of their mass in this period. In different regions glaciers lost between 2% and 39% of their mass. We saw slight differences between data collection methods that could add up over time. We expect glacier loss to continue, which will lead to some regions losing their glaciers by 2100. It’s important to use the most accurate and up-to-date information to make predictions about glacier loss in the future.
You are one of half a million educators in the U.S. who use our articles and videos in class. All our content is FREE, no paywalls, no need to subscribe.
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Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/why-is-bird-flu-making-cows-sick/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/Hf7bk_O6LIA
Summary: Scientists tracked how the bird flu virus spread from birds to dairy cows and other animals.
Abstract: Did you know bird flu can affect animals other than birds? Bird flu usually affects wild birds like geese and farm birds like chickens. But sometimes it can “jump” to other animals. This includes cats, cows, and even humans. We wanted to understand this process better.
When cows started getting sick from bird flu and stopped producing milk, we examined how this happened. We looked at the amount of virus and where it was present in the cows. We sampled their milk and several other tissues. We found that the virus mainly infected the mammary glands, which produce milk. We studied the genetic changes in the virus’ genetic code. This helped us better understand how it spreads. We discovered that the bird flu virus moved between cows and from cows to other animals in the farms easily. We also learned that the virus moved between farms. It is important to track outbreaks and reduce activities that could spread the bird flu virus. This can help us prevent more animals and humans from getting sick.
You are one of half a million educators in the U.S. who use our articles and videos in class. All our content is FREE, no paywalls, no need to subscribe.
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Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-does-climate-change-affect-mental-health/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/Pr2AJ_6sm2I
Summary: Researchers develop a way to determine the level of climate change anxiety a person experiences.
Abstract: Did you know that climate change affects people’s mental health? Some people experience climate change anxiety. They have extreme worries and fears about the future because of climate change. We wanted to describe the levels of climate change anxiety that people experience more clearly. We used a survey called the Climate Change Anxiety Scale. We also used a survey about stress, anxiety, and depression. We used the results to determine cut-off scores. We found that a total score of 21 means a person has mild to moderate climate change anxiety symptoms. A total score of 23 means a person has severe climate change anxiety symptoms. We also found that many young people have climate change anxiety. Measuring climate change anxiety can help health care professionals provide support. It can also help governments make policies to reduce climate change. These policies should improve people’s mental health.
You are one of half a million educators in the U.S. who use our articles and videos in class. All our content is FREE, no paywalls, no need to subscribe. But recent federal cuts have made it hard for us to win grants to fund our mission. We are a small non-profit, and without support, we may not make it.
If you enjoy our content, please consider donating - https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/support-us.html
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Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-do-lizards-find-food-to-eat/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/WzUBIZ_qGjE
Summary: Scientists watched lizards navigate a maze to learn more about how lizards use their senses to find food.
Abstract: What is your hide-and-seek strategy? Maybe you search one area at a time, look for signs of movement, or even listen to see if you can hear your friends. Wild animals use lots of different strategies when they search for food. Guatemalan beaded lizards come from a desert valley surrounded by rugged mountains. They like to eat bird and lizard eggs, as well as insects, baby birds and small mammals. These can be hard to find! We wanted to know what strategies these lizards use when they are hunting for their next meal. We designed a maze experiment to help us figure it out. We placed food in a maze and watched how the lizards navigated the maze. We found that they were good at remembering where they’d already looked. They did best when there was a scent trail for them to follow. They did not do as well when they had to detect airborne scent from a distance. These experiments help us know more about the strategies these lizards use in the wild!
You are one of half a million educators in the U.S. who use our articles and videos in class. All our content is FREE, no paywalls, no need to subscribe.
But recent federal cuts have made it hard for us to win grants to fund our mission. We are a small non-profit, and without support, we may not make it.
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Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/what-do-egyptian-mummies-smell-like/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/whGBDdaNJS8
Summary: Researchers smelled ancient Egyptian mummified bodies to learn more about mummification materials, decomposition, and preservation practices.
Abstract: There are lots of things to see in museums. Some museums even have things you can touch or hear. But not many museums have things you can smell. Smells from museum artifacts can provide a lot of information. They can tell us what artifacts are made of, how they are preserved, and what condition they are in. We wanted to know what ancient Egyptian mummified bodies smelled like. We analyzed air samples from nine ancient Egyptian mummified bodies. We used trained volunteers and chemical analyses to identify smells. We found that mummified bodies smell “woody”, “spicy”, and “sweet”. Smells were more intense for mummified bodies in display cases. We also saw similarities between mummified bodies from the Late Period (664–332 BCE). We can use this technique to help us conserve and preserve museum artifacts in the future.
You are one of half a million educators in the U.S. who use our articles and videos in class. All our content is FREE, no paywalls, no need to subscribe.
But recent federal cuts have made it hard for us to win grants to fund our mission. We are a small non-profit, and without support, we may not make it.
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Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-can-rats-help-fight-tuberculosis/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/aQSq5wYeH_4
Summary: Researchers compared the ability of African giant pouched rats to identify tuberculosis in adults and children to standard microscope smear tests.
Abstract: Can you imagine a rat sniffing out a disease? The African giant pouched rat can! Scientists trained these rats to identify if a person has tuberculosis (TB). TB is a bacterial disease that most commonly affects the lungs. It spreads easily and can be dangerous if untreated. When rats smell samples of mucus a person coughs up, they can smell if it has TB bacteria. We wanted to know if rats are better at identifying cases of TB compared to a standard microscope test. We also wanted to know if rats can better identify TB in children than in adults. We found that rats can identify TB in samples that the microscope test said were negative. We also learned that the rats are more likely to identify TB in children – even when they have low levels of bacteria. Using rats can help more people receive treatment for TB and reduce the spread.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com
Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/do-some-dog-breeds-have-a-better-sense-of-smell/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/ydH_4wytXJY
Summary: Researchers compared the smelling abilities of dogs across different breeds to see which types of dogs might make the best searchers.
Abstract: Have you ever seen a search dog? What breed of dog was it? Search dogs are specially trained to detect explosives, drugs, or diseases. To be good at this job, search dogs must have a sharp sense of smell and the ability to cooperate with humans. Common breeds of search dogs include German and Belgian shepherds, Labradors, and border collies. But are these dogs better at smelling than other breeds? Or is it their training and cooperation that make them good at the job?
We wanted to find out whether some dogs are naturally better at smelling than others. So we used a test called the Natural Detection Task to compare how well dogs can find food using their nose without any previous training. We tested all the dogs with the same setup. We then compared specific breed groups and different breeds. We found that some breeds were better at smelling than others. But dog breeds that humans have selectively bred for their ability to smell were not always the better performers.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com
Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-does-climate-change-impact-satellites/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/lh3fpn3sIQ8
Summary: Researchers used climate scenarios to estimate the future number of satellites that could safely fit in low Earth orbit.
Abstract: There are a lot of satellites in low Earth orbit. We use them for things like communication and weather forecasting. Climate change is actually cooling this region of our atmosphere. This changes the density of air there. Changes in climate could impact these satellites. We wanted to know how much.
We used a model to estimate air density changes in low Earth orbit in the future. Then we calculated how many satellites the region could safely hold. We did this for three climate change scenarios. We found that by 2100, climate change could reduce the number of satellites low Earth orbit can hold by 50–66%. This means we need to develop strategies to make low Earth orbit a more sustainable resource for the future.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com
Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/why-is-a-sense-of-community-so-important-for-our-well-being/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/isK_krpNqkc
Summary: Researchers wanted to explore how your way of thinking about time might explain the link between feeling like you belong to a group and your mental health.
Abstract: Anxiety, depression, and stress are becoming more common. Psychologists want to understand why. We were curious to find out how feeling like you belong to a group improves mental health. We wondered if how you think about time (past, present, and future) affects this. We asked 352 people to complete surveys. We asked about their stress, anxiety, and depression. We also asked about belonging and how they thought about time. People who felt connected to a group had lower depression, stress, and anxiety. We also found that this relationship was affected by a person's thoughts about time. This supports good mental health!
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Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-do-octopuses-coordinate-their-arms/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/TaEPrsglDko
Summary: Researchers explored the nervous system of octopuses to understand how they coordinate eight arms and hundreds of suckers.
Abstract: Have you ever tried patting your head and rubbing your stomach simultaneously? Coordinating two arms at the same time can be difficult. So imagine if you had eight arms, like an octopus! The nervous system helps animals coordinate their movements. It also helps them sense and respond to their environment. Each type of animal has a nervous system that is organized differently.
We wanted to know how the octopus's nervous system is organized. To find out, we looked at the nerves inside octopuses’ arms. We found that the main nerve cord in each octopus arm has segments. These segments can communicate with each other. They are also linked to individual suckers. This helps octopuses make large, smooth movements, like swimming. It also helps octopuses make tiny targeted movements, like moving a single sucker. So, the layout of the nerves in the arms tells us how octopuses make such complex movements!
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com
Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-can-there-be-oxygen-in-the-deep-sea-without-light/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/T1KXbjH6TY8
Summary: Researchers explored how oxygen could be produced in the deep sea.
Abstract: Have you ever wondered what goes on at the bottom of the ocean? We do! During experiments near the seafloor, we detected oxygen production. It did not make sense. Photosynthesis produces oxygen. But there is no light in the deep sea for photosynthesis! We wanted to know where the oxygen was coming from.
So, we went back to do more experiments. We tested multiple hypotheses. We thought that we might have accidentally added oxygen to our experiments. Or that there were organisms in our samples producing the oxygen. We only found one hypothesis with good support. Metallic rocks on the seafloor seem to have produced the oxygen. We need to know a lot more about this process before we can understand how it happens and its impact on the deep ocean community.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com
Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/what-can-you-do-with-a-microscopic-robot/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/Vl9UUr90ch0
Summary: Scientists built a microscopic robot that can interact with light in useful ways.
Abstract: Can you imagine a robot so small that you can’t even see it without a microscope? No, it’s not science fiction! Microscopic robots, or microbots, are tiny machines that are about the same size as a red blood cell. That’s only a few millionths of a meter across, about a tenth of a hair's diameter. Making a robot this small is hard. Controlling a microbot is especially challenging!
We developed a new type of microbot that can be controlled remotely using an electromagnet. The basic shape of the robot is simple. They have two sides and bend in the middle like an inchworm. They are covered in special, super tiny magnets. By adjusting a magnetic field, we can make microbots walk, swim, and fold themselves up like origami! Their tiny size even lets them change how light bounces off a surface. We think these microbots have a lot of potential!
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com
Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-many-legs-does-it-take-to-escape-a-predator/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/5orR9Vr5BBM
Summary: Researchers wanted to learn whether using two legs instead of four helps jumping rodents escape their predators
Abstract: Why do animals have such different shapes and sizes? Many animals are hunted by predators. Prey animals have features that help them escape these predators. For example, some animals like frogs have two powerful back legs to jump away from predators. Other animals, like deer, have four legs that help them run away to safety. Some rodents use two legs, while many other rodents use four legs. But which ones are better at avoiding predators? We compared the bipedal kangaroo rat with the pocket mouse, woodrat, and ground squirrel. We created fake predator attacks and measured how each rodent responded. We found that pocket mice and kangaroo rats jumped away the fastest. This might be because both are small and have strong back legs. Woodrats and ground squirrels jumped lower and slower. So, rodents jumping with two legs were better at reacting to attacks. This means using two legs may be an advantage for rodents when avoiding predators.
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Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-can-we-predict-extreme-winter-weather/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/aX88S-pYOnc
Summary: Scientists analyzed data to determine what factors affect the formation of a weak polar vortex.
Abstract: Some winter days are so cold and snowy that you feel like you are living at the North Pole. But what causes the weather to be so cold? Freezing temperatures and heavy snow at lower latitudes often follow a weak polar vortex. A polar vortex is a band of strong winds that traps a large mass of cold air above the North and South Poles. When the polar vortex weakens, extreme cold air moves away from the poles. We wanted to work out what factors cause a weak Arctic polar vortex event. We found that warmer ocean temperatures cause air pressure changes. This change in air pressure causes a shift in the polar vortex in the upper atmosphere. Our results can help predict weak polar vortex events in winter. Predicting these events will improve the ability to forecast extreme cold and snow.
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Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-can-rivers-flow-through-the-air/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/_za5Bb3Q9s8
Summary: Researchers wanted to know how dense atmospheric river clusters form and how climate change might increase their frequency and intensity.
Abstract: In 2022 and 2023, California experienced a series of atmospheric rivers that caused major damage. Atmospheric rivers are huge storms that carry a lot of water through the air. When they hit land, they can cause heavy rain or snow. Atmospheric rivers become extreme events when they are very strong and intense. They can then lead to flooding and landslides. Some happen one after another, forming what's called an atmospheric river cluster. These clusters can be very dangerous because they bring even more rain in a short amount of time. We wanted to look at how these clusters form. We also explored how climate variability could make clusters happen more often. We found that dense clusters (storms that happen close together) bring the most rain. They also cause the most flooding. Changes in temperature and weather patterns might make these intense clusters more frequent. But why do we need to understand more about atmospheric river clusters? So we can better prepare for flooding and extreme weather in the future.
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Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-do-groups-of-ants-make-shared-decisions/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/kvr4f2NfooE
Summary: Researchers wanted to discover which group decision-making strategy weaver ants used when transporting their prey back to the nest.
Abstract: Have you ever noticed that animals living in groups tend to work together? For example, African elephants typically walk in a line for safety and follow the age and experience of the oldest and largest female. This is called “follow the leader” strategy. But what about the humble ant? Ants often work together to transport large food items back to their nest. Since ants can’t talk to each other to make decisions, they must rely on other senses to work as a team. We wanted to find out how weaver ants cooperate to move large items. So, we observed ants in the lab trying to move objects. We discovered that no single ant takes the lead. Instead they pool their opinions to decide on which direction to go. This is known as the “wisdom of the crowd” strategy!
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Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-does-limiting-sugar-early-in-life-affect-adult-health/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/pL6MsH4OHmc
Summary: Researchers exploit the end of World War II sugar rationing to examine the link between limited sugar exposure up to age two and health problems as adults.
Abstract: What do soda, ice cream, and candy have in common? They all contain lots of added sugar! While sugar makes foods taste great, too much added sugar can negatively impact a person’s health. For instance, studies link high added sugar levels to type 2 diabetes and hypertension. These diseases often occur later in life.
Because of World War II, the United Kingdom rationed several foods, including sugar, from 1940 to 1953. In September 1953, sugar rationing ended. This event likely caused diets to be lower in sugar before and higher after that date. We looked at the data and noticed that there was indeed an increase in the amount of sugar people ate right after the sugar rationing ended.
We wanted to understand how being in a place with either very little or a lot of sugar early in life affected a person's health as an adult. So, we studied adults born in the UK around the end of sugar rationing who were later diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and hypertension. For this group, we found that restricting sugar until age two decreased the chances of developing type 2 diabetes and hypertension. It also delayed when these diseases started.
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Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-did-mammals-evolve-to-live-in-the-sea/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/a5DHR61VJOM
Summary: Researchers compared neuropeptides in cetacean and land mammal DNA to explore how mammals evolved to live underwater.
Abstract: Marine mammals are well adapted to living in the sea. For example, whales and dolphins are excellent divers, hold their breath for long periods, and can sleep underwater. However, this was not always the case. In fact, whales and dolphins (collectively known as cetaceans) evolved from mammals that once lived on land! How did cetaceans develop these abilities to live underwater? A group of chemicals called neuropeptides may hold the answer. These chemicals play important roles in numerous bodily processes including sleep, feeding and the maintenance of blood pressure.
We compared the neuropeptides found in cetaceans with those found in land mammals. We wanted to see how they are different. We found that marine mammals have lost the ability to make many of the neuropeptides that land mammals still have. So, differences in neuropeptides may explain how cetaceans adapted to live in a marine environment.
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Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/which-chemical-makes-ants-walk-like-zombies/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/-u5sFXvMWYY
Summary: Researchers wanted to see how Ophiocordyceps infects ants, causing them to turn into "zombies", through the release of chemicals like aflatrem, which impacts their movement and alters their genes.
Abstract: Have you ever seen an ant acting strange? Sometimes, ants are infected with a fungus called Ophiocordyceps that can change their behavior. The fungus causes them to walk like a zombie, climb up nearby plants, and bite to hang on tightly. It does this so that the wind will help spread its infectious spores. But how does this happen?
Our previous research discovered that Ophiocordyceps fungi can make a chemical similar to one called aflatrem. Since these types of chemicals are known to cause trouble with walking in other animals, we wondered if it might be causing the zombie walk in ants, too. To test our hypothesis, we injected ants with aflatrem and found that it makes them move more slowly. It also causes them to stagger like they are dizzy! We also discovered that aflatrem can change how much some genes are turned up or down in the ants. By making it harder for ants to walk, we think the fungus uses aflatrem-like chemicals to keep the ants from leaving once they are in the perfect spot for the biting behavior. This helps the fungus to spread its spores better.
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Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/what-can-fossils-tell-us-about-growing-up/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/CCO7RT8lOnU
Summary: A new fossil find shows that the ancestors of mammals grew up more slowly in the Jurassic Era than they do now.
Abstract: Did you know that some animals like crocodiles and sharks keep growing larger as they get older? Mammals are not like that. We only grow during the first part of our lives. We were curious about how this trait evolved, so we used X-rays and 3D imaging to look at two small mammal-like fossils from the Jurassic. The fossils were from a juvenile and an adult. We found they grew more slowly than mammals do today. This helps us better understand the evolution of mammals.
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Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-do-storms-impact-coastal-ecosystems/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/5dfmaWT2T5E
Summary: Researchers investigated the impact of tropical cyclones on five coastal ecosystems.
Abstract: Climate change is making tropical cyclones stronger. It is also making them more common. We know tropical cyclones can cause a lot of damage to houses and buildings. But what about coastal ecosystems? We depend on coastal ecosystems for protection and food. It's important to understand how increasing storms could impact them.
We collected data from the literature on 97 storm landfalls. We looked at things like death and diversity. Then we calculated the impact on five different coastal ecosystems. We also looked at what caused the impact; for example, wind or waves. We found that tropical cyclones harmed all five ecosystems. But they harmed mangrove forests the most. Mangrove forests were most often harmed by wind. We need to know more about what storm traits can cause impacts. Only then can we manage and preserve these ecosystems better.
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Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-green-is-liquefied-natural-gas/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/L36aSPTkVKc
Summary: Researchers wanted to measure the total carbon footprint of LNG production.
Abstract: Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is an important energy source for some countries. Sometimes it’s claimed to be cleaner than coal since it produces less CO₂ when burned. Yet LNG comes mostly from shale gas, which is made up almost entirely from methane gas. And the process of extracting, cooling it to liquid form, and moving it releases some of this methane to the atmosphere. So is LNG really a cleaner alternative to coal? To find out, we calculated the carbon footprint of LNG and its production. It turned out LNG has a larger footprint than coal! This is because of methane emissions during different stages of gas and LNG production. Methane is over 20 times more powerful than CO2 as a greenhouse gas.
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Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/what-sustainable-options-are-there-for-jet-fuel/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/1mlvKIQFwGs
Summary: Researchers reviewed information about the availability and use of alternative fuels for airplanes.
Abstract: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be? Is it a tropical paradise or the snow-capped mountains? Wherever it is, you might need to take an airplane to get there. Airplanes use kerosene jet fuel to take you to your travel destination. Kerosene jet fuel comes from fossil fuels. When burned, fossil fuels produce carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming.
To reduce global warming, carbon emissions from airplanes must decrease. That means airplanes will need new fuel sources. We wanted to identify possible sustainable aviation fuels. We also wanted to know if they are already in use or if they are in the research and development stage. So, we did a research review of alternative jet fuels. We found that there are three main alternative fuel types. These include biofuels, hydrogen (and hydrogen-derived) fuels, and electricity. One of the biofuels is already used in airplanes. The other alternatives are still in the research and development phase.
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Read this article at: or watch at: https://youtu.be/LuBmWexq168
Summary: Researchers identify the social impacts of making and using biofuels for aviation to investigate their sustainability.
Abstract: Plant-based jet fuel is the focus of many studies. Why? Many people think that these fuels are a good alternative to fossil fuel jet fuels. They think they are a sustainable option for air travel. To be sustainable, plant-based jet fuels need to meet society's needs. These needs are economic, environmental, and social. Almost all the studies about plant-based jet fuel focus on environmental impacts. They also discuss the economics of plant-based jet fuel.
We wanted to figure out how switching to plant-based jet fuels can meet important social needs. So, we identified the important social indicators to consider. Based on several scientific studies, we found that plant-based jet fuels can serve as a sustainable alternative for air transportation. People need to design this new industry to address each social indicator, not only environmental and economic ones. They must also find ways to balance competing needs, known as trade-offs. We recommend research to figure out how to manage the different trade-offs effectively.
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Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-do-parasites-limit-a-childs-growth/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/4CgQSlibgs8
Summary:Researchers wanted to explore different pathways by which parasites can lead to stunting.
Abstract: Stunting affects millions of kids around the world. This means they are not growing as tall as they should. Unfortunately, stunted children are more likely to have health problems later in life. One of the major reasons for stunting is not eating enough healthy food. Research also indicates that parasites can cause stunting. These parasites are common in poorer or tropical areas. So, how could parasites affect child growth? To find out, we examined evidence on stunting from different countries and organizations. We found several different ways in which parasites can lead to stunting. For example, they can interfere with nutrition, damage the gut and put stress on the immune system. So, it's important to tackle both malnutrition and parasitic infections to prevent stunting.
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Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/what-happens-to-astronauts-dna-in-space/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/DLGr3RHtwa4
Summary: Researchers examined changes in telomere length during a short civilian space mission.
Abstract: Space is a really cool place. It is even becoming popular as a tourist destination! But space is also a dangerous place. Floating around sounds fun, right? But weightlessness can have negative impacts on human health. Think muscle and bone loss or vision problems. And exposure to cosmic radiation can actually damage our DNA. So, it is important to better understand how the human body responds to being in space.
We studied DNA from the 2021 SpaceX Inspiration4 mission crew. We looked at it before, during, and after their 3-day trip to space. We were particularly interested in telomeres – the “end-parts” of chromosomes that protect the DNA. Telomere length relates to aging and the risk of other diseases. We found that telomeres got longer while the crew was in space. When the astronauts returned to Earth, telomeres quickly shortened. Exposure to cosmic radiation might have triggered this dynamic response. Keeping people safe from cosmic radiation is essential for any long-duration spaceflight. In the future we can use this information to help keep people healthy as we explore the cosmos.
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Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/what-if-earth-had-a-ring-like-saturns/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/v9w0XqSlK8A
Summary: Scientists investigated whether Earth used to have a ring around it and how this would have affected our planet millions of years ago.
Abstract: We know that some planets can have rings. Saturn’s rings are especially famous! But could Earth have had a ring around it, too? We wanted to find out! We had two big questions to answer: how could a ring have formed around Earth? And what would happen if there was a ring around our planet? We came up with an idea (a hypothesis) that an asteroid was ripped apart as it passed by our planet millions of years ago. Then, all the dust and debris could have formed a ring around Earth! We hypothesized that meteorites rained down from this ring onto the Earth to form a chain of impact craters. We found lots of evidence to support our hypothesis. Also, there was a very big global cooling event shortly after these impacts. Scientists have not been able to prove why this happened. If the Earth did actually have a ring around it back then, it could explain this global cooling mystery from 446 millions of years ago.
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Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-does-thiamine-fortified-salt-taste/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/ncKe3VNBk6c
Summary: Researchers conducted taste tests to see whether a new thiamine-fortified salt could help address vitamin deficiencies in Cambodia.
Abstract: Everyone needs vitamins and minerals to stay healthy. But it’s not always easy to get all you need. Health organizations can help people by fortifying common foods with vitamins or minerals. Adding them to food means you can get the micronutrients you need without taking a vitamin pill. In rural Cambodia, many people struggle to eat enough thiamine. Thiamine – aka vitamin B1 – is important. It helps brain development in infants and is needed by the muscles and heart. Infants often get the vitamins they need from their mother’s milk. If the mother doesn’t have enough thiamine in her diet, then the baby won’t either.
We wanted to know whether fortified salt would be a good way to help people get enough thiamine. We recruited hundreds of Cambodian families to taste-test thiamine-fortified salt. Most people liked the new salt, especially when they cooked with it. Thiamine-fortified salt could help lots of people!
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Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-can-we-detect-rare-animals/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/0Uo06Yw5vkc
Summary: Scientists use environmental DNA to determine which golden mole species live in the western part of southern Africa, including one species previously believed extinct.
Abstract: Did you know that scientists can use DNA to figure out which organisms have been in an area? Organisms leave DNA behind in the environment. We call this DNA environmental DNA (eDNA). Using eDNA is a new technique that scientists have used in water environments. We wanted to figure out if this same technique could work to find species on land.
We collected soil samples containing eDNA from golden moles in the western part of southern Africa. These mammals are hard to observe because they live underground and some species are rare. People believed that one species, De Winton's golden mole, might be extinct. We extracted eDNA from soil samples. Then we compared the eDNA to DNA samples we collected from golden moles and from databases. We found that all four golden mole species live in this region of Africa. That means that we can use eDNA to find rare animals in land environments. It also means that De Winton’s golden mole is not extinct!
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Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-helpful-is-the-r21-malaria-vaccine/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/Fzti2_4uFos
Summary: Researchers wanted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the R21 malaria vaccine.
Abstract: Have you ever heard of malaria? It's a serious disease spread by mosquito bites and affects millions of people each year. Scientists have developed vaccines to help stop malaria. The new R21 vaccine looks very promising. We tested it on 5,139 kids in Africa to see if it works and if it's safe.
We found that the vaccine worked really well. It prevented 73% of malaria cases overall. It worked best for younger kids, stopping 78% of cases. Moreover, most side effects were mild, like a sore arm or a fever, and serious problems were rare.
This vaccine could help save many lives if used more widely in places where malaria is common.
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Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/what-are-the-benefits-of-marine-protected-areas/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/mTdP4plixKw
Summary: Researchers wanted to assess the economic benefits of marine protected areas.
Abstract: You have probably heard that the ocean is in trouble. One reason is that we are catching too many fish, which is bad for the fish and the environment. But there is a cool solution to that problem called Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). These are special zones in the ocean where fishing is limited. This gives fish a chance to grow and thrive! But some people argue that they are not helpful and make it hard for fisheries. So are there any benefits of MPAs? To find out, we reviewed 81 articles from 37 countries. It turned out that MPAs not only help fish but also fisheries. Near most MPAs, fishermen catch more and find bigger fish. Moreover, MPAs make a lot of money through tourism!
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Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/what-can-fingerprints-tell-us-about-artists/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/7lnGo38XJQ8
Summary: Researchers used a CT scan to analyze fingerprints left on a sculpture to determine information about the artist.
Abstract: Have you ever noticed that each of your fingertips has a complex pattern of lines? These lines are unique to each person. When you touch different surfaces, you leave impressions of those lines behind. Artists from a long time ago also left such impressions. Previous scientists used photographs of fingerprints to learn more about the artists. They figured out if the artists were male or female. They also figured out the age of the artist. Unfortunately, photos are sometimes of poor quality.
We wanted to develop a new method of fingermark analysis using a 3D-micro CT scan. This technology produced detailed 3D images of the fingerprints left on a sculpture. Then we analyzed these fingerprints for more information about the artist. Our analysis identified the artist as an adult male. This technology will help better analyze the works of artists in the future.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com
Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-much-do-viruses-change-over-time/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/qsMt1xldK64
Summary:Scientists compared ancient bacteriophages in human poop samples dating back 5,300 years to modern ones.
Abstract: Bacteriophages, or just phages, are tiny viruses that infect bacteria. Some phages help us by killing harmful bacteria and keeping our gut healthy. Although phages have existed for millions of years, we don’t know much about the ones from ancient times. To find out, we analyzed super old human poop samples. Using a new technique called de novo assembly, we pieced together the DNA of ancient viruses from these samples.
We discovered nearly 300 types of bacteriophages that we had never seen before. But there was also one 1,300-year-old phage that was almost exactly the same as a modern day species. This was extremely surprising! Our research provides a useful method to rebuild ancient phage DNA sequences and learn more about the history of viruses.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com
Read this article at: or watch at: https://youtu.be/5bR2GVvQvYw
Summary: Researchers found that bonobos and chimpanzees have a long-term social memory very similar to humans.
Abstract: There are cute stories of zoo-living apes that seem to recognize their former caregivers. They also seem to recognize familiar apes and tell them apart from strangers. But we don’t know how detailed their memory is. We also don’t know how long their memory lasts. Humans have good social memories, and other great apes are our closest living relatives. We wanted to know if long-lasting social memory is a trait we share with other great apes.
We tested the ability of apes to recognize familiar individuals after spending years apart. We used an eye-tracker to see how long apes looked at two side-by-side images of other apes. We found that apes looked longer at previous groupmates than at strangers. They also looked longer at groupmates with whom they had positive interactions. This helps us understand the evolutionary history of social memory in great apes.
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Summary: Researchers reviewed studies to summarize the effects of e-cigarette vaping on the body’s cells.
Abstract: Did you know that most people who vape are teens? E-cigarette (e-cig) companies market vaping as a safe alternative to traditional smoking. Well, vaping is safer than traditional smoking, but it is still dangerous to human health. We wanted to summarize the effects that vaping has on the body’s cells. We reviewed scientific studies about vaping and the human body. We found that vaping causes inflammation of the mouth and lungs. It also damages DNA. Long-term inflammation and high levels of DNA damage can cause cancer. Some e-cig users have reported mouth cancer, but not many yet. That is because cancer formation takes a long time. We will need more studies to know the long-term effects of vaping. But current studies show that using e-cigarettes is not safe.
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Summary: Researchers investigated the impact of the accuracy of COVID-19 beliefs and metacognition on public health compliance and vaccine willingness.
Abstract: During the COVID-19 pandemic, public health experts asked people to take steps to help stop the spread of the virus. These included wearing face masks, limiting contact with other people, and getting vaccinated. We wondered why some people followed recommendations while others did not. We thought what people believed about COVID-19 mattered. We also thought the way they think about their beliefs may be important.
We asked people about their COVID-19 beliefs. Some beliefs were true, and some were not. Then we asked these people how confident they were that their beliefs were correct.
We found that people who evaluated their beliefs more correctly were more likely to follow public health advice. Our results show that it’s important to be right, but it’s also important to know you might be wrong.
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Summary: Scientists tested how blind and sighted people used sound in tracking motion to learn more about how the brain works.
Abstract: You hear footsteps behind you. They’re getting louder! You turn around quickly. Your friend was trying to sneak up on you. How did you know they were there? Your brain was hard at work! It took clues from your senses and turned those clues into information. But not everybody’s senses work the same way. When someone is blind or deaf, their brains learn to use the other senses differently. We were interested in knowing how blind people use sounds to learn about moving objects. We found that people who became blind during early childhood were better at following sounds than sighted people. Both blind and sighted people tracked moving sounds in a similar way. But blind people were much better at ignoring background noise.
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Summary: Researchers compare nine different possible scenarios to determine how the aviation industry could reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Abstract: When you think about the causes of climate change, what comes to mind? Do you think of gasoline-powered cars? Or do you think about coal and natural gas power plants? It turns out that a big source of greenhouse gas emissions is flying. To prevent Earth from becoming too warm, many countries have set net-zero emission goals. So, the aviation industry needs to make changes. We analyzed the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced in nine different scenarios in the years up to 2050. Each scenario included a change in the demand for flying, a change in the efficiency of the airplanes, and a change in the type of fuel used. We found making changes to these factors can reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, the aviation industry will also need to invest in carbon dioxide removal from the atmosphere. With these changes, it is possible for the aviation industry to reach net-zero emissions by 2050!
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Summary: Researchers explore what causes online political discussions to get so mean.
Abstract: Online discussions about politics can be very nasty. But why is that? Researchers have proposed two theories. One talks about the disagreement over ideas. And the second theory is that people see others as rivals. But there is a third theory called the "troll hypothesis". It suggests that mean people are mean, regardless of the topic. To see if this is right, we analyzed comments on Reddit. We found that people who often argue and are rude in political discussions are also mean when they talk about other things. Plus, those who make comments on communities of both political sides turn out to be the meanest! So, online discussions get mean largely because of these people rather than the topic.
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Summary: Researchers wanted to discover how the genomes of the humpback whale have evolved to help them avoid developing cancer.
Abstract: Every day, the cells in your body are super busy growing and dividing. When something goes wrong, mutations appear. Our immune system usually detects cells with mistakes and kills them before they become a problem. But sometimes they go undetected and the rogue cell multiplies, turning into cancer. So, if an animal has more cells and a longer life, it should get more cancer. Whales have up to 1,000 times more cells than humans and some live for over 200 years. But their cancer rates are no higher than ours! To figure out why this is, we compared the humpback whale and other whale genomes to other mammal genomes. Our DNA analysis showed that in whales there was duplication of cancer-suppressing genes. We also found that whales have the slowest rate of genetic changes. Our findings help us understand the role of DNA in preventing cancer. It could also help us fight cancer in humans!
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Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-can-ai-make-online-chats-kinder/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/kgt424nIx6k
Summary: Researchers wanted to see if AI assistants can improve online political discussions.
Abstract: Imagine a world where everyone can talk and share their ideas. Even if they don't agree, they listen to each other. This is what should happen in a democracy. But sometimes, when people chat online, things can get a bit mean. We wanted to see if artificial intelligence (AI) could make online talks kinder.
So, we did an online experiment with pairs of people discussing a tricky topic: laws about who can own guns. One participant in each pair had an AI assistant that made suggestions. The participants could accept or ignore the suggestions. Most participants took the AI's advice, which made people more positive and polite. Even if they disagreed, they understood and respected each other. The good thing is that the AI didn't change the topic, it just helped people to talk to each other more kindly.
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Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-can-doctors-treat-endometriosis/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/LWDUiEuk-GY
Summary: Researchers studied how different types and amounts of macrophages affect endometriosis in mice.
Abstract: Normally, the tissue that makes up each of your body’s organs only grows in the place it should. But that’s not the case for people with endometriosis. With this disease, tissue that lines the uterus grows outside the uterus as lesions. These cause pain and infertility. Endometriosis affects about 10% of women worldwide as well as some trans people. On very rare occasions it has been detected in men.
Scientists know that people with endometriosis have high levels of a type of white blood cell called macrophages. We wanted to find out how macrophages affected the growth of lesions as well as pain in people with endometriosis. So, we studied mice with endometriosis in a laboratory. We changed the number and type of macrophages present in the mice to learn how these cells affect the development of lesions. We discovered that certain types of macrophages may help to treat endometriosis. Others encourage the development of lesions. Our findings could lead to new treatments for endometriosis patients!
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Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-do-bumble-bees-play/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/gT0LECbcxHk
Summary: Researchers wanted to find out whether bumble bees take part in object play.
Abstract: Have you watched cute cat videos or funny dog compilations? Or primates “monkeying around”? Then you know that mammals love to play. Even the dancing cockatiel has gone viral! But have you ever considered whether insects play “for fun”?
We did an experiment to test whether bumble bees take part in object play. We wanted to see whether they would interact and play with wooden balls. We found that the bumble bees did play with a ball-rolling action. Their behavior fulfilled our expectations of play in animals. What's more, they also found it rewarding! We ruled out the possibility that the ball rolling was an attempt to look for food or to mate. This suggests that bumble bees may be more capable of feeling than we had thought!
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Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-can-we-tell-whether-we-are-talking-to-a-computer-or-a-person/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/ST2dC1eQT64
Summary: Researchers studied the rules of thumb people use to tell computer-generated and human-made text apart, and found that people often used rules of thumb that were wrong.
Abstract: How can you tell if you are talking to a computer? New computer programs called language models have gotten very good at mimicking people. It can be really hard to tell if you’re talking to a person or a computer. We wanted to know how people try to recognize computer-generated text and if they could do it accurately. We learned that people unconsciously use rules of thumb to figure out whether they are talking to a computer. These are often wrong, which means that people are vulnerable to scams.
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Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-have-the-life-choices-of-women-in-india-changed-over-time/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/4ZI4Ye9tDQ8
Summary: Researchers analyze data to determine if the life trajectories of young women in India have changed over time.
Abstract: What do you think you will be doing 10 years from now? Do you have a job? Are you married? Do you have children? Throughout your life, there will be decisions to make that determine your path through life. This life trajectory is often affected by different factors. These factors are different from one country to another. They can include social status, religion, and government policies. Life trajectories can affect the success of a country. That is because they can determine how many people are part of the workforce. They also determine if the country’s population grows.
We analyzed survey data to determine how the life trajectories of women in India changed over time. We learned that more women are graduating from high school, so they are getting married later. We also found out that social status and religion affect their decisions about having children and getting a job.
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Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-do-animals-behave-during-a-solar-eclipse/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/KsAYuSCgE9U
Summary: Researchers examined the behavior of zoo animals during a total solar eclipse.
Abstract: When was the last time you were at the zoo? You probably saw lots of animals doing lots of different things there. We wanted to know what zoo animals do when a solar eclipse happens. People have observed animals during solar eclipses before. But these were mostly just casual observations.
We designed a study to observe 17 different types of animals at the zoo. First, we observed their normal behaviors. Then we recorded what happened during a solar eclipse. We saw that a lot of animals did something that wasn’t normal. Most of them started behaving like it was nighttime – in the middle of the day! Some of them even seemed anxious – like the eclipse stressed them out. This helps us understand how complex animal behavior can be.
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Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-do-dolphin-mothers-speak-with-their-babies/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/PDoq8jMBb4g
Summary: Researchers investigated how bottlenose dolphin female whistles change when they are with their calves.
Abstract: Have you ever noticed that people speak differently to babies and toddlers? Caregivers, particularly mothers, change their speech when talking to young children. How? Their speech includes higher pitches. They also use a wider pitch range and shorter sentences. Scientists call these changes in speech patterns child-directed communication, but you can think of it as baby talk. We wanted to find out if bottlenose dolphins also use child-directed communication. We analyzed the sounds made by female dolphins and found that they used higher frequency whistles when they were with their calves. We also found that the frequency range of their whistles increased. Like humans, bottlenose dolphins speak differently to youngsters than to adults.
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Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/what-do-parenting-and-brain-size-have-to-do-with-each-other/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/dNyShbldjGU
Summary: Bird species that spend more energy on their young have larger brains than those with less parental care.
Abstract: Big brains are useful, but they need time and energy to grow. So why do some animals have big brains and others don’t? We looked at 1,176 bird species to see how different things affect brain size. We found that parental provision had the largest impact on brain size. This includes egg size and caring for and feeding babies. We think parental care allowed larger brains to evolve. And not just among birds! This could also explain why human brains are so big!
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Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-does-fear-speech-spread-on-social-media/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/Fe2RIr9I7Yo
Summary: Researchers examined the rise of fear speech on social media.
Abstract: Are you on social media? There are lots of fun things on social media, but there are also some bad things. Social media platforms try to manage hurtful content like hate speech. But there are other types of hurtful content that are harder to manage. One of these is fear speech. This is when people use words to create fear about a group.
We wanted to know how common fear speech is on social media. So we created a model to identify fear speech and hate speech from 21 million social media posts. Then we examined things like how connected users were, how they interacted with people who didn’t post hurtful things, and the characteristics of their posts. We found that users who post a lot of fear speech are more connected to others. Fear speech posts also have a lot more activity than hate speech posts. This could contribute to the spread of fear speech on social media.
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Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-does-the-way-we-think-affect-our-choices-about-vaccines/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/UNkZcX-tYTM
Summary: Researchers want to explore whether the way people think is connected to vaccine hesitancy.
Abstract: Vaccines save millions of lives each year. Yet there are more and more people who are unsure about getting them. Why is that? So far, studies have looked at issues related directly to vaccines. But we think it might be something else. Could it have to do with how people's minds work? To find out, we asked 356 people different questions about what and how they think, and what they believe.
What did we discover? People who like to trust their feelings and believe in supernatural things are more likely to be against vaccines. But those who think carefully and have some scientific knowledge generally trust vaccines. It seems the way our minds work can affect what we think about vaccines. This is important to remember when we talk about the importance of vaccines.
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Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/why-are-women-hunters-important/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/bXcOQ94P63Q
Summary: Researchers investigated the role of women hunting in foraging societies.
Abstract: Have you heard that women should make dinner for their family? Or that only men should work outside the home? Unfortunately, many people believe in these ideas about gender roles. It makes it hard to look at new situations without bias.
For a long time, scientists have thought that in foraging societies, men are hunters and women are gatherers. We questioned these ideas. We investigated how often women take part in hunting, what they hunt, and how they hunt. We found that women do hunt intentionally in a lot of foraging societies. They sometimes hunt with different tools than men. We also found women are more flexible in whom they hunt with. They often take dogs and children with them. We can use this information to rethink our historical biases about the role of women in hunting.
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Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-can-humans-and-ai-work-together-to-detect-deepfakes/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/jcYwojytZbk
Summary: Researchers wanted to test whether humans or AI programs were better at detecting deepfake videos.
Abstract: Fake news is not new on the internet, and people often change images and videos for a joke. However, deepfakes aren’t only meant to make you laugh. Instead, they can spread misinformation or discredit a person or a group. As more deepfakes find their way onto the internet, we need to find the best way to detect these harmful videos. We tested whether the leading AI model or humans were better at detecting deepfakes online. We found that humans and the AI model were each good at identifying certain types of deepfakes. Maybe we could merge the abilities of both AI and humans to create the best deepfake detection model!
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Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-does-dark-energy-affect-galaxies/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/OpMe1Gyqey4
Summary: Researchers found a way to quantify the effect dark energy is having on our universe.
Abstract: Scientists have known for a while that the universe is expanding, and it’s doing so faster and faster. This strange phenomenon is caused by something we call dark energy. To understand this better, we need to think about a special number called the Cosmological Constant. It helps us describe how things move in space.
In our research, we aimed to uncover how dark energy causes objects like stars and galaxies to interact. As an example, we’ve been studying our neighbor galaxy – Andromeda. By looking at how it moves and at its mass, we can see how dark energy affects it.
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Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/what-are-the-benefits-of-growing-multiple-crop-species-together/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/dGIoWE18w8U
Summary: Researchers tried to determine if intercropping is a good technique for growing food by comparing it to sole cropping.
Abstract: Did you know there are different ways to grow food? One way is sole cropping, which occurs when a field only has one species of crop. Another method is intercropping, which is when many species are grown together in the same field. We wanted to compare sole cropping and intercropping. We found that intercropping produces less of each type of crop on a field than sole cropping. But intercropping produces more diverse food choices. It also can save land space and reduce the amount of nitrogen fertilizer needed to grow food. That is why intercropping is an important agricultural technique to consider for the future.
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Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-does-your-address-affect-your-chances-of-being-evicted/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/Y3GuYt-hcV0
Summary: Researchers found that renters with longer travel times to court are more likely to receive judgments in favor of their landlord, often leading to eviction.
Abstract: he idea of losing your home is scary. If a renter struggles to pay their landlord, the landlord may start the legal process of eviction. The renter has the opportunity to present their case in court, but they typically must show up in person and on time. And if they don’t? In some places, the landlord will receive a default judgment. This allows them to move forward with the eviction.
We wondered about renters traveling to the courthouse using public transportation. Does their travel time affect their probability of receiving a default judgment? We studied 200,000 eviction cases across fifteen years in Philadelphia, PA. We found that renters with longer travel times to the courthouse are more likely to receive a default judgment in favor of their landlord. But this effect was not present during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is because renters could attend their court hearing virtually, via video call. Our findings show that the location and accessibility of a courthouse can affect the outcomes of individual cases.
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Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-can-nanoparticles-help-coral-reefs/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/sVOTF1mBi-0
Summary: Scientists made tiny nanoparticles to help prevent bleaching and keep coral reefs healthy.
Abstract: Did you know that coral reefs are like incredible underwater cities built by corals? They protect coastlines and provide homes for many marine species, including tiny algae that live inside the coral. These algae have a special deal with the coral – they share nutrients and give the coral its colorful beauty. But there's trouble! Rising ocean temperatures from climate change stress the corals. This makes coral lose their colorful algae partners in a process called coral bleaching. It's bad news for both the corals and the reefs.
We made a drug for the algae to help fight the harmful effects of stress. The algae are small, so we made ceria nanoparticles that the algae can easily absorb. This protected the algae from harm, even when seawater temperatures were warm!
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Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-can-super-recognizers-help-police-investigations/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/W_aMwbbMWpQ
Summary: Researchers used real police materials to test the abilities of super-recognizers to identify criminals.
Abstract: Did you know that some people are really good at remembering and matching faces? They are called super-recognizers. Police want to use super-recognizers to help with their cases. They could sort through camera recordings of crimes and identify criminals. But their abilities have never been tested using real police material.
First we used tests to identify super-recognizers. Then we used real police material to see if super-recognizers could identify criminals. We found that the tests could indeed identify super-recognizers. Super-recognizers did a good job at finding criminals. Much better than regular people! We can use this information to help solve crimes and keep people safe.
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Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-do-some-fungi-turn-insects-into-zombies/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/lL24Va5Py1o
Summary: Scientists wanted to explore the mechanisms behind host behavior manipulation by zombie-making fungi.
Abstract: Did you know that certain fungi can turn insects into zombies, just like in the movies? These "zombie-making" fungi control the insects’ behavior and make their hosts do strange things like walking a long way, climbing tall plants, and hanging onto high surfaces. This is so the fungi can make their infectious spores spread further. There are many types of zombie-making fungi, and most have evolved independently. Yet they change the insects’ behavior in a similar way. How do they do this and why is it so common?
We reviewed previous studies on zombie-making fungi to search for an answer. These fungi use both mechanical and chemical processes to control their hosts. And while the changed behavior is very similar, the ways they achieve it vary greatly among the different species of zombie-making fungi. Each one has its own unique way of manipulating insects to change the same behaviors! We believe these same behaviors are changed by all these different fungal species because these manipulations are the best way to infect as many other hosts as possible.
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Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-well-can-a-computer-think/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/Y96gVN_1vX0
Summary: Researchers treated a computer program called GPT-3 like a participant in a psychology experiment to learn about how it “thinks”.
Abstract: What do chatbots, voice assistants, and predictive text have in common? They all use computer programs called language models. Large language models are new kinds of models that can only be built using supercomputers. They work so well that it can be hard to tell if something was written by a person or by a computer!
We wanted to understand how a large language model called GPT-3 worked. But we wanted to know more than whether GPT-3 could answer questions correctly. We wanted to know how and why. We treated GPT-3 like a participant in a psychology experiment. Our results showed that GPT-3 gets a lot of questions right. But we also learned that GPT-3 gets confused very easily. And it doesn’t search for new information as well as people do. Knowing how and why large language models come up with wrong answers helps us figure out how to make even better versions in the future.
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Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/what-made-woolly-mammoths-ice-age-icons/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/foonz9c2Ep0
Summary: Scientists compared the genomes of extinct woolly mammoths to modern-day elephants to find out what made mammoths unique.
Abstract: What does it take to survive an ice age? Woolly mammoths are extinct today, but they thrived during the Late Pleistocene era. But what genetic adaptations separate woolly mammoths from their modern-day elephant relatives? To discover this, we analyzed the genomes of 23 woolly mammoths. This included one of the oldest woolly mammoth specimens ever discovered – 700,000 years old! We compared these to the genomes of living Asian and African elephants and looked for unique mutations in woolly mammoth genes. We found that woolly mammoths had changes in genes linked to hair growth and fat storage. These may have helped the woolly mammoth survive in its cold environment. The earliest woolly mammoths already had thick fur coats and large fat deposits. But these and other traits, like small ears, continued to evolve over time.
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Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-do-viruses-trick-their-hosts-into-feeding-them/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/NP9ugojMj8M
Summary: Researchers have discovered a new viral strategy that tricks their host organism into delivering glucose energy directly to the virus.
Abstract: Scientists estimate that mammals can be infected with more than 300 thousand virus species! All organisms need energy, but simple microorganisms like viruses cannot produce their own energy. Instead, viruses survive by redirecting energy from a host organism to their own benefit. Normally, viruses survive by infecting cells and forcing them to produce more viruses. However, we have discovered a new class of viruses that redirect energy in a unique and fascinating way! These viruses are able to trick their host organism by producing their own version of insulin, called “viral insulin”. This viral insulin is like a wolf in sheep’s clothing because the host organism cannot tell the difference between its own insulin and the viral insulin.
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Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/when-and-where-did-humans-domesticate-wolves/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/uPLeMmMEBeE
Summary: Researchers analyzed the DNA of ancient wolves to uncover the ancestry of dogs and determine when and where wolf domestication occurred.
Abstract: Scientists recently discovered an 18,000-year-old preserved canine puppy. Could this incredible discovery be the earliest dog ever uncovered? And could he help us understand more about the origins of dogs and wolves?
We studied 70 ancient wolf specimens and found some possible answers. Dogs appear to have come from two separate ancient wolf populations. We believe that there are two possibilities for how this could have happened. By analyzing the DNA of ancient wolves, we can better understand wolves and dogs who live today!
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Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/what-does-hummingbird-coloration-tell-us-about-competition/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/CfnDYnMacnI
Summary: Researchers examined mimicry of socially dominant males by female hummingbirds.
Abstract: Have you ever wondered why animals of the same species look different from each other? Think of the impressive tail and call of a rooster compared to the duller hens. Well, usually there’s a reason those differences have evolved.
We examined white-necked jacobins to learn more about their coloration. Some of the females of this hummingbird species have a fancy coloration pattern like the males do. The males of this species are aggressive and socially dominant. Other birds think the fancy females are males and leave them alone to feed. We wanted to know if the fancy females just look fancy or if they are actually better competitors.
We found that fancy females are mimicking male coloration patterns. Otherwise they are more like other female jacobins. This is the first time we’ve seen females mimicking males to get the advantages of a socially dominant form.
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Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/why-are-flights-getting-bumpier/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/PyKzTYndrYY
Summary: Researchers wanted to find out how turbulence affecting planes has changed over the last 40 years.
Abstract: Have you ever ridden on an airplane? If so, was there a moment when it suddenly started to shake? That unpleasant and sometimes scary shaking is called turbulence. If there is no storm, or even clouds, it can seem to come out of nowhere!
We wanted to find out whether clear-air turbulence has increased over the past 40 years. We analyzed data from 1979 to 2020 and found a big increase over the midlatitudes. The skies that most planes fly through are bumpier now than four decades ago. In fact, over the North Atlantic, severe turbulence increased by 55%. Our findings are important because they show that we are already seeing the impacts of climate change in unexpected ways.
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Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-is-heart-disease-different-for-women-and-men/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/y1KdGp670Bw
Summary: Scientists looked at over 87,000 patients to find out if male and female bodies respond differently to heart disease.
Abstract: Did you know that your sex can change the way your body responds to disease? We wanted to know how the female body responds to serious heart problems. To do this, we looked through previous studies on heart disease. We tracked how many people died in the 30 days after we knew their heart wasn’t working well. Did female patients die more than male patients? Unfortunately, we found that they did. We think this could be because a higher percentage of female patients had the most serious condition, heart failure, after a heart attack. Heart failure means your heart isn’t pumping enough blood. However, we don’t understand exactly why there’s a difference between the sexes. If we can work this out, then doctors may be able to provide better treatment for their patients.
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Summary: Researchers compared DNA from living and extinct species to explore the limits of de-extinction projects.
Abstract: De-extinction is the science of bringing back extinct species. But it’s very challenging. Scientists are testing out lots of different ideas. One promising idea is to use genetic engineering to piece together the DNA of an extinct species. We analyzed old, fragmented DNA of the Christmas Island rat, which went extinct about 100 years ago. For an extinct species, the only option is to use the genome of a similar, living species as a reference. By comparing DNA fragments to the reference, you can put the pieces in the right order. We used brown rats as a reference. Unfortunately, we found that some of the genes of the extinct species can’t be recovered. This means that an animal brought back by genetic engineering wouldn’t be an exact copy of the extinct species.
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Summary: Scientists found clues about Neanderthal eating habits hidden in a tooth found in a mountain cave.
Abstract: Have you ever wondered what people in the Stone Age had for dinner? Food back then was very different from today! People gathered wild foods and hunted animals to eat. Scientists want to know what people ate long ago because it helps explain how people survived in difficult conditions. In the Stone Age, Neanderthals and modern humans (our species!) both lived in Europe. We don’t know why Neanderthals went extinct and why modern humans survived. Learning about what Neanderthals ate can help us answer this question. We tested a new method where we measured isotope ratios in tooth enamel. We learned that meat was a big part of Neanderthals’ diet!
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Summary: Researchers studied how different tardigrade species survive difficult conditions.
Abstract: Tardigrades (also called water bears) are tiny, eight-legged animals that live all over Earth. They need water to be active, but have an amazing ability to survive long times without water. Tardigrades can even survive being in space! They survive by drying out into a hard little lump called a tun. We wanted to know how different species of tardigrades handle drying out. We found that some tardigrade species recover from their tun stage faster than others.
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Summary: Scientists used a new laser method to analyze a dinosaur fossil to learn more about its skin.
Abstract: Have you ever wondered how we know what dinosaurs looked like millions of years ago? We analyze fossils! When you think about dinosaur fossils, you might think about bones and footprints. But sometimes fossils contain pieces of skin. One example is the Psittacosaurus fossil located in a German museum. Many scientists examined the scaly skin of this specimen. We then re-examined this fossil using a technique called laser-stimulated fluorescence. This technique helped us gather information that was not visible under normal light. We found that the shape and size of the scales of the Psittacosaurus are not the same everywhere. We also learned that there are patterns in the scales. These patterns are unique to the family of dinosaurs to which the Psittacosaurus belongs.
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Summary: Researchers determined the habitat value for fisheries in Jersey and France to help develop sustainable management plans in the future.
Abstract: Have you ever wondered where the fish you eat comes from? Many fisheries all over the world are declining and need protection. But it is hard. Fishery species don’t stay in one place. In fact, many fishery species use many habitats over their lifetime. Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) can help protect marine ecosystems and fisheries. They can restrict fishing or ban harmful fishing equipment.
We wanted to understand the role that MPAs and different habitats have in supporting fisheries. So we looked at data from fisheries in Jersey and France. We found that subtidal sediments were the most valuable habitats. Yet they were the least protected by MPAs. We also found that different species were protected to varying degrees depending on the habitats they relied on. It will be important to consider species habitat use when designing management plans for fisheries in the future.
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Summary: Scientists observed how installing a mussel farm in the ocean changes the undersea habitat.
Abstract: Lots of people around the world love eating seafood! Unfortunately, some fishing practices harm seafloor habitats. Is there a way to enjoy resources from the ocean and help the environment at the same time? Mussels are a kind of shellfish that can be farmed at sea and collected for food. They grow in clumps, which may attract other animals looking for food and shelter. We wondered if building an offshore mussel farm could help restore ocean habitats damaged by years of harmful fishing practices.
We used underwater videos to investigate how the number and type of animals found inside and outside a mussel farm changed over four years. We found that the areas inside the farm contained more mussels than areas outside. There were also more fish and seafood (such as lobster and crab) inside the farm than outside. Our findings show that offshore mussel farms may revitalize damaged ocean habitats. They also benefit humans and other marine animals.
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Summary: Researchers wanted to know how well a past COVID-19 infection protects people against reinfection with SARS-CoV-2 different variants.
Abstract: Did you have COVID-19? Maybe you are better protected than you think! COVID-19 has changed a lot during the past three years. This makes it harder to fight. To try to stop the virus from spreading, scientists created vaccines. And many people got vaccinated! But some people who had COVID-19 might not need a vaccine because they are already protected. We wanted to know if this is true. We looked at 65 studies and found out that a past infection offers good protection. This is especially true for older variants of the virus. The protection against the newest variant, Omicron, is weaker. It also declines faster with time. But the good news is that a past infection will still protect you from getting really sick!
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Summary: Scientists wanted to know how a restored estuary works throughout the year.
Abstract: Estuaries are very special. They act like a natural filter that helps clean the water before it enters the ocean. But we don’t fully understand how this works and how the processes change throughout the year. So, for a whole year we took samples from various sites along the Western Scheldt estuary. It’s a restored estuary that used to be very polluted. The samples were taken from freshwater, marine water, and brackish water. We analyzed them for several nutrients. We wanted to check how the concentration of nutrients changes in different seasons. Thankfully, our results show that the Western Scheldt estuary is healthy! We discovered that each section of water works differently as a filter. We also found out that temperature is a very important factor in how they work.
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Summary: Researchers used the Curiosity Rover to determine the origins of carbon on the surface of Mars.
Abstract: Mars is currently dry and cold and doesn’t have much of an atmosphere, but what was it like in the past? Did Mars ever have a climate or environment that could support life? Luckily, we have rovers on Mars that can help us investigate!
We used the Curiosity Rover on Mars to sample the planet's surface where there might have been a lake long ago. We looked at the carbon in our sample to see how much there was and where it came from. This could give us clues about what the environment was like and if there used to be organisms living in the area. Our data suggest that there is more carbon on Mars than we had expected. Most of the carbon came from meteorites and volcanic rock. We can’t rule out that it came from living things, but we need a lot more information to help us figure it out.
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Abstract: Have you ever tried to count all the different species in a pond? It’s very hard, especially when you try to find all the tiny animals hiding among the weeds. Now, imagine if you wanted to count all the species in the sea! Scientists struggle to monitor life in the ocean because it is so vast and deep. Yet, we need to know exactly what’s down there in order to protect it.
We wanted to use the bits of DNA that organisms leave behind in their environment to work out which species were present. This is called environmental DNA (eDNA). We looked at interactions between different life forms in Monterey Bay, California. We also looked at how they responded to seasonal and environmental change.
We found that different species were present throughout the year. Warmer waters changed what was there. We also found that certain species (such as humpback whales) can be especially useful for telling us about the environment. Environmental DNA proved to be an exciting new method for tracking and protecting life in the ocean!
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Summary: Researchers studied variability in the traits and behaviors of leopard seals to assess how well they may adjust to climate change.
Abstract: Have you ever been by yourself and needed to get something off a high shelf, but couldn’t reach? Now imagine you had your whole class with you. It’s likely that someone in your class could reach the high shelf.
Variability in traits (and behaviors) is a good thing. It means that groups of organisms can adjust and survive when environments change. We know that animals living at the North and South Poles, especially large predators, are in danger because of the changing climate. We wanted to look at variability in the traits and behaviors of polar predators to assess how they will adapt to climate change.
We tagged and studied a population of leopard seals in Antarctica. We looked at their morphology, movement patterns, and diving behavior. We found lots of variability in these traits in the leopard seal population, especially between males and females. We think this high variability may help leopard seals survive better in the changing Antarctic environment.
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Summary: Researchers find that leprosy infection causes armadillo livers to grow, offering clues to organ regeneration.
Abstract: What if we could make our body’s old or sick cells act young again? Surprisingly, the bacteria that cause leprosy may show us how. Previously, we discovered that infecting cells with leprosy bacteria in a laboratory dish “reprogrammed” the cells back to an immature state. The cells may then be able to produce many different types of cells in the body – and maybe even regenerate an organ. To test this in an actual animal, we infected nine-banded armadillos with leprosy bacteria. We compared their livers to the livers of uninfected armadillos. The livers of armadillos infected with leprosy were larger than those of uninfected armadillos. Importantly, these larger livers were healthy, with no signs of damage. We performed genetic analyses on the liver cells to determine which genes were active. Our results show that leprosy infection “reprograms” adult liver cells to make them resemble immature liver cells.Maybe someday we can adapt this natural process to regrow aging and damaged livers in humans.
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Summary: Researchers discovered how glassfrogs avoid detection by predators by storing their red blood cells in their livers.
Abstract: Glassfrogs earned their name not because they are fragile, but because they are see-through! These tropical frogs have transparent skin and muscles. When sleeping on green leaves, their bodies are almost impossible to see. This form of camouflage is rare. Most animals have colorful red blood cells that would be visible under transparent skin and give them away to predators. We used a special scanner to figure out how glassfrogs overcome this challenge. We discovered that these frogs are more transparent when they sleep than when they are active. They do this by hiding most of their red blood cells in their livers during sleep! This makes them nearly transparent to predators. Our results help explain how glassfrogs can manage this unusual kind of camouflage. This finding may also help doctors treat medical conditions in humans.
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Summary: Scientists set out to discover the evolutionary history of South American wild canids.
Abstract: South America has the most diverse group of wild canids in the world. There are 10 different species! But where did they come from? And how did they become so diverse? Also, why are some species really different from the others? We took DNA from 18 canids and sequenced their genomes. We also downloaded the genomes of 13 other wild canids that were already sequenced. Using computer software, we then looked through their genes. We discovered that all 10 species evolved from a single ancestor that came from North America using the newly formed Panama land bridge around 3.5 million years ago. As the ancestor spread through South America, it evolved into different species. This only took 2 million years – a blink of an eye for evolution! We were also excited to find the genes responsible for some of the wild canids’ unique adaptations.
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Summary: Researchers analyzed the DNA from over 2,000 cats to find out where cats were first domesticated.
Abstract: People all around the world love their cats. Cats are cute, and they can also be helpful! Cats are great at catching mice and other small animals. Long ago, cats evolved from wildcats that started hunting for prey around human settlements. When and where did this happen? We analyzed DNA from over 2,000 cats from around the world. We found that cats’ DNA tells a story that follows ancient human travels. Our data show wildcats were most likely first domesticated in the eastern Mediterranean (Near East). Cats spread out to the rest of the world as traders and sailors brought them on their journeys. We are still learning new things even about the animals we know best!
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Summary: Scientists discovered that invasive black rats on islands in the Indian Ocean affect the territorial behavior of reef fish.
Abstract: Every animal needs an environment where it can survive and thrive. Unfortunately, humans are having a serious impact on the natural world. Our behavior can harm ecosystemsand the animals that call them home.
In the 1700s, black rats arrived with humans on tropical islands in the middle of the Indian Ocean. Seabirds play an important role in providing nutrients to coral reefs around these islands. But the invasive rats feed on the seabirds and thus reduce their population. So, the amount of nutrients reaching the coral reefs also decreases.
Coral reef fish need lots of energy from their food to be aggressive and defend their homes from intruders. We thought there might be a connection between black rats, the nutrients available on coral reefs, and the behavior of small reef fishes. Indeed, we discovered that invasive rats on land directly affect the behavior of fish in the sea!
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Summary: Researchers investigated factors that contribute to a person’s willingness to take part in prosocial behaviors.
Abstract: Have you ever helped a friend find a lost item? Or donated old clothes or toys to a charity? When you help someone, you are taking part in prosocial behaviors. In our study, we analyzed data to determine which factors relate to prosocial behavior. We explored life satisfaction, positive emotions, and negative emotions. We found that people who are more satisfied with their life take part in more prosocial behaviors. We also found a relationship between positive emotions and prosocial behaviors. We learned that negative emotions are more difficult to use as a predictor for prosocial behaviors. Negative emotions often relate to less prosocial behaviors. But the relationship between negative emotions and prosocial behavior was less consistent.
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Summary: Researchers discover a new enzyme that can help make plastic recycling more efficient and sustainable.
Abstract: Plastic is all around us: in our toothbrushes, pens, cars, and even clothing! It is very useful. But plastic trash ends up in the environment and is bad for animals and humans. It can take hundreds of years to break down. Recycling this plastic can take a lot of energy and often still leaves waste. We wanted to find a better way to break plastic down and reuse it to make new plastic.
We discovered an enzyme that “digests” plastic in the same way that humans can digest food. Using this enzyme to break down used plastic means we will need much less energy to recycle plastic. Plus, we can even use the products of the process to make plastics that are just as good as new ones!
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Summary: Scientists explored whether bacteria could be used to make high-energy biofuels to make rockets, airplanes, and ships more sustainable.
Abstract: NASA’s space shuttle has to reach speeds of almost 18,000 miles per hour (29,000 kilometers per hour) in only 8.5 minutes. That’s necessary for it to reach outer space. That’s 300 times faster than a car traveling at 60 mph (97 km/h)! To reach these speeds, rockets need particularly high-energy fuels. It’s the same for airplanes and cargo ships, too.
At the moment, these high-energy fuels are made using petroleum – a fossil fuel, and the leading cause of global climate change. So, there’s an urgent need for scientists to develop more sustainable high-energy fuels.
We explored whether bacteria could make molecules we could turn into high-energy biofuels. We looked into bacterial DNA and used clever chemistry to produce new biofuels using Streptomyces bacteria. These “POP biofuels” seem to be even better (higher energy) than the current petroleum-made rocket fuels!
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Summary: Scientists investigated bacteria that promote nitrogen fixation which could cut down on the use of fertilizers.
Abstract: All plants need nitrogen to grow. Farmers use chemical fertilizers to add nitrogen to the soil. But this creates a lot of problems for the environment. So, scientists have been working on alternative ways to get nitrogen to their plants.
We found a way to edit the DNA of rice plants so that they produce a compound that helps the formation of bacterial biofilms in the soil. These bacterial biofilms are very important to plants. They help them to absorb more nitrogen from the air. The edited rice plants in our experiment did grow better!
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Summary: Scientists determine how cold weather affects the nose’s ability to prevent viruses from infecting nasal cells.
Abstract: Did you know that your nose protects you from germs? The nose makes small sacs called extracellular vesicles. These sacs prevent bacteria from causing infections. In this study, we investigated how the nose uses extracellular vesicles to fight viruses. We hypothesized that cold weather decreases the nose’s ability to prevent viruses from infecting cells. Our findings confirmed that the nose does make extracellular vesicles when exposed to a virus. They contain molecules that attach to and kill the viruses. But the amount of extracellular vesicles decreases in colder weather. Furthermore, when it’s cold, the extracellular vesicles do not contain as many molecules that can kill the virus. That means that we are more likely to get sick when it is chilly outside!
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Summary: Paleontologists analyzed a male mastodon’s tusk to reveal his behavior during his life.
Abstract: Did you know that tusks are enormous teeth? Many animals have them, but the biggest ones belong to elephants and their relatives, including mastodons. Mastodons are now extinct, but paleontologists can use fossil tusks to study the lives of these ancient giants. For our study, we analyzed the right tusk of a male mastodon found in 1998. We also analyzed two chemical elements preserved in the tusks: oxygen and strontium. Using different forms of these elements (called isotopes), we tracked the season when a particular layer of tusk was grown, as well as where he grew it. We learned that he traveled long distances to mate with females. He also had fights with other mastodons and even died during his final battle!
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Summary: Scientists test a new system that allows a person to control a robotic arm with their brain.
Abstract: Picking up an object and moving it from one place to another might seem like an easy, everyday task. But for many people with tetraplegia, it is not possible. They have spinal cord injuries and cannot grasp, move, or feel objects with their hands. This is because the connection between the brain and limbs is damaged.
In a previous study, we made a device that allowed a person to control a robotic arm using small implants in their brain. Using their sense of sight, they guided the arm to an object, picked it up, and placed it in a new location. In this study, we improved this system to include implants in the part of their brain that senses touch from the hand. We found that touch feedback improved a person’s ability to complete tasks with the robotic arm. The time it took to complete the assigned tasks was cut in half! This is because the study participant could grasp the object faster using both senses.
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Summary: Researchers wanted to know the impact of delaying the second COVID-19 vaccine dose in England.
Abstract: Do you remember the first days of the COVID-19 pandemic? It got quite scary at times. There were many unknowns and governments had to make hard decisions. At first, there were lockdowns. Then, less than a year later, scientists developed vaccines.
The UK was the first country to start national vaccination. A full vaccination course required 2 doses for each person. But some evidence suggested that even one dose could provide decent protection for some time. So the UK government decided to delay the second dose and have more people receive the first dose as fast as possible.
What was the impact of this decision? We used a mathematical model to find out. It turned out that delaying the second dose prevented around 58,000 hospitalizations. It has saved more than 10,000 lives!
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Summary: Scientists investigate the effect of radiation on the skin coloration of frogs in Chernobyl.
Abstract: Have you ever heard of Chernobyl? It was a nuclear power plant that released large amounts of radiation into the environment after an accident. While the people nearby left the area, the wildlife remained. Many plants and animals died because of the high levels of radiation. But others, such as tree frogs, adapted. We collected tree frogs from different areas surrounding the Chernobyl power plant. We analyzed their skin coloration. We found that the frogs closer to the power plant had darker skin coloration. That’s because they have higher levels of melanin. Melanin is known to protect organisms from radiation. We think that darker colored frogs better survived the higher levels of radiation closer to the power plant.
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Summary: Researchers wanted to understand the link between farming our food and air pollution.
Abstract: Farming releases small particles of pollution into the air. This lowers the quality of the surrounding air and has serious impacts on human health. In fact, air pollution caused by farming results in 17,900 deaths in the US every year! We wanted to understand more about which farming processes and foods caused the most pollution. That way we could look for ways to reduce it. We calculated the total farming-related air pollution released in the US. We broke this data down into different categories for further analysis. We found that animal waste, fertilizer, and tilling caused the vast majority of deaths. Animal-based foods caused nearly four times more deaths than plant-based foods. Finally, we looked at interventions that could decrease air pollution. We found that changes in diet were the most effective. But farming interventions alone could lower deaths considerably.
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Summary: Scientists analyze weather and ocean data to better understand the effects of the January 2022 Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcanic eruption in Mexico.
Abstract: Did you know that a volcanic eruption can affect the entire world? When the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano erupted on January 15, 2022, it affected the ocean everywhere. That's because it created an atmospheric wave that disturbed the ocean. It also generated a tsunami. We analyzed weather station and tidal gauge data to learn more about the effects of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcanic eruption on Mexico. We learned that the atmospheric wave moved across the world many times. We also learned that the tsunami reached heights of up to 2 meters (6.5 feet) along the Pacific coast of Mexico. Our analysis of the tsunami warning system in Mexico showed that most people were not informed to stay away from the ocean. Based on our analysis, we recommend making changes to tsunami warning systems.
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Summary: Researchers found signs of intestinal worm infections in people who lived in medieval England.
Abstract: We looked for signs of parasitic worm infection in people who lived in Cambridge, England during the Middle Ages. We compared two groups of people who had very different lifestyles: Augustinian friars and common laborers. The friars had better food and lived longer than the common people. They also were more likely to have access to running water and better toilets. Surprisingly, the friars had a higher worm infection rate! We think the reason might be that the friars used human poop to fertilize their vegetable gardens.
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Summary: Scientists develop a new COVID-19 vaccination method using vaccine patches, eliminating the need for needle-based vaccinations.
Abstract: Vaccines are an important tool to help prevent the spread of infectious diseases like COVID-19. Despite their importance, it can be difficult to get such important medicine to everybody who needs it. We developed a painless vaccine patch that can make vaccines easier to transport. It could also increase access for everyone, especially those who are scared of needles! In this study, we wanted to determine if our vaccine patch could produce an immune response, increasing our bodies' protection. We measured the amount of antibodies produced by the immune systems in mice who received the vaccine patch and showed that this vaccine tool is just as effective as traditional needle vaccinations. We also found that the vaccine patch protected the mice from COVID-19 after a single application. These discoveries proved that the vaccine patch can be a safe and effective form of delivering vaccinations.
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Summary: Researchers identified a new subpopulation of polar bears in Southeast Greenland that hunt for food on glacier ice.
Abstract: Polar bears are decreasing in number because of climate change. Polar bears depend on Arctic sea ice to hunt for their food. In a warming climate, sea ice is disappearing. Because of this, many polar bears around the Arctic are expected to disappear. Are there any places in the Arctic where polar bears might have a chance to survive when the sea ice disappears? What would those habitats look like? Would the polar bears that live there look or act differently?
We found a group of polar bears in Southeast Greenland that live in fjords. They use ice from glaciers as well as sea ice to hunt. We conducted a study looking at their movement, genetics, and demography. We found that Southeast Greenland polar bears don’t travel much because of the rugged environment. They have been isolated from other polar bears for about 200 years and are a genetically distinct group. Future studies of these polar bears will help with conservation efforts for the species.
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Summary: Termite mounds inspired scientists to create alternative building materials that are stronger and more environmentally friendly than traditional clay bricks.
Abstract: There is a global need for more sustainable and environmentally friendly construction materials. The large, stable mounds that termites build for their homes are inspirational! Termite mounds form when the termites mix soil with their saliva. This mixture contains simple sugars that act like glue and give it stability. Cassava is a starchy root vegetable that also contains simple sugars. To mimic termite mounds, we mixed soil with hot paste made from cassava flour. Then, we made bricks containing different amounts of cassava flour paste, from 0% to 6%. We tested the physical properties of these different bricks. Our aim was to see how suitable they would be in building construction. Bricks made with 1.5% cassava flour paste performed best in tests of strength, durability, shrinkage, and water absorption. They were even better than traditional clay bricks with no cassava flour! Our termite mound-inspired bricks provide an inexpensive, accessible, and safe alternative to current building materials.
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Summary: Scientists conducted a literature review to summarize the role of organoids in COVID-19 research.
Abstract: Have you ever wondered how scientists know how a virus affects the human body? Or how they develop medicines and vaccines to reduce the impact of viruses like the one that causes COVID-19? The answer is organoids! These miniature models of human organs are grown in the laboratory. Scientists use organoids to determine how a virus attacks the body and identify possible treatments for the virus. We conducted a literature review of the organoids used in COVID-19 research. We found that COVID-19 research used many different types of organoids. We also learned how scientists created these organoids and what they taught us about the SARS-CoV-2 virus. We identified ways to improve this new method of disease research in the future.
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Summary: Researchers developed a nanocarrier spray to better crops without modifying their genome.
Abstract: Did you know that the first genetically modified crop was a tomato with delayed ripening? Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have been around for decades now. And they offer a lot of benefits, such as an increased food supply, resistance to diseases, and more. Yet there are a few downsides as well. Producing them takes a lot of time and is often expensive. Plus, many people have concerns about their safety, since they include foreign DNA in their genome. But what if we can alter the crops without changing their genome?
We tried using bioactive molecules which can change cell activity. To insert them into the plant cells we tested sprays with nanocarriers. It turned out to be a success! Many nanocarriers were able to penetrate the plant cells. We also successfully inserted bioactive molecules in the cells through spraying. In this way the cell could express a new gene or silence an existing one.
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Summary: Researchers wanted to know how a chemical in sunscreen affects coral reefs.
Abstract: Picture yourself diving into a tropical ocean. The sun is bright, and the water is clear and warm. What do you see? Colorful fish, playful dolphins, waving seaweed? Maybe you even see something that looks like a beautiful underwater garden – a coral reef! Coral reefs are important habitats for a huge diversity of animals. But sadly, warming oceans and pollution threaten most coral reefs. An example of this threat is actually sunscreen! Oxybenzone is a chemical found in many sunscreens that can harm corals and other animals. But scientists didn’t know exactly how oxybenzone harmed corals. We set up an experiment to find out how corals and sea anemones (which are closely related to corals) reacted to oxybenzone in the water.
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Summary: Scientists investigated how the diversity of our small intestinal microbiome changes as we age.
Abstract: We know that bacteria can be harmful and can cause a lot of diseases. But did you know that not all bacteria are bad? In fact, there are trillions of bacteria inside us that help us to live! These bacteria make up the gut microbiome. We wanted to understand the relationship between our gut bacteria and how we age. We found that as we get older, the different types of bacteria in our gut microbiome change. We also discovered that diseases and medication can affect this change. Knowing more about how our gut bacteria work can help us live healthier lives!
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Summary: Scientists wanted to understand more about sleep in sharks.
Abstract: We all know what it feels like when we have not had enough sleep. You might feel tired, have trouble concentrating, or even be grumpy and irritable. Despite it being such an important part of our daily lives, sleep still remains a bit of a mystery! To help answer the question of why we sleep, scientists have started researching sleep in other animals. This can help us understand how and why sleep evolved.
Sharks are hundreds of millions of years old. In fact, they are the oldest living group of jawed vertebrates! Because of this, we think they could help unlock important information about the evolution of sleep. So far, only one study has focused on sleep in sharks. We wanted to change this!
We studied the metabolic rate and behavior of draughtsboard sharks (Cephaloscyllium isabellum) over a 24-hour period. Our results show that when sharks sleep, they typically have a flat body posture and a reduced metabolic rate. Our study supports the hypothesis that the conservation of energy is a core function of sleep. It also provides insight into its evolution.
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Summary: Scientists studied a high mountain monkey called the gelada to figure out how they survive in a harsh, low-oxygen environment.
Abstract: Geladas are an unusual primate. They eat mostly grass instead of fruit or meat. They are known as “bleeding heart monkeys” for the bright red patch of skin on their chests. They also live high in the mountains instead of in the jungle or the savanna. The air is thinner high in the mountains, so it is harder to get enough oxygen. How can geladas thrive in that environment? That’s what we wanted to find out. We studied the DNA of wild geladas. We found a surprising difference in how DNA is packaged between geladas from two different regions of Ethiopia. Also, we know that some animals react to low oxygen by increasing the amount of hemoglobin in their blood. But we learned that geladas don’t do that. Instead, they might have evolved to have larger lungs to help them get more oxygen with each breath.
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science #article #teach #STEM #students #readaloud #monkeys #hypoxia #highaltitude #adaptations #speciation
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Read this article at https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/what-can-fossils-tell-us-about-the-nervous-systems-evolution/ or watch at https://youtu.be/69sv6Tf9HEo
Summary: Paleontologists examined a well-preserved fossil of the central nervous system in an extinct horseshoe crab.
Abstract: What can we learn from fossils? We can estimate the shape and size of an extinct animal. Anything else? Well, if soft tissues (like the brain or muscles) fossilize, it could tell us how the animal functioned or behaved. Unfortunately, soft tissue decomposes quickly after an animal dies. They aren’t preserved as fossils very often. That’s why we felt really lucky when we came across a fossil of an extinct horseshoe crab with a preserved central nervous system (CNS). We discovered that the organization of the CNS in our fossil is the same as in horseshoe crabs living today. It hasn’t changed in over 300 million years! We also figured out how our unique fossil might have formed. This could help others discover similar fossils in the future.
About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries.
science #article #teach #STEM #students #readaloud #paleontology #horseshoecrab #fossils #CNS
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Read this article at https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-can-we-know-about-dinosaurs-social-lives/ or watch at https://youtu.be/3HN_G6JcOCU
Summary: Paleontologists learned about the social lives of Mussaurus patagonicus from a huge fossil find in southern Argentina.
Abstract: Fossils tell us a lot about how dinosaur shapes changed over time. But learning how dinosaur behavior changed over time is a lot harder to do! That’s why we were so excited to find a treasure trove of Mussaurus patagonicus fossils in Patagonia in southern Argentina. We found fossils of eggs, hatchlings, juveniles, and adults. Mussaurus lived in the early Jurassic, about 193 million years ago. It is an early cousin of the giant sauropods like Diplodocus. Clues from our fossil find tell us about Mussaurus’ social lives. They lived in herds, nested in colonies, and spent time in age-separated groups. This is the oldest fossil evidence of dinosaur social behavior ever found!
About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries.
science #article #teach #STEM #students #readaloud #dinosaur #socialbehavior #Mussarus #xraytomography #fossils
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Read this article at https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-can-oyster-farms-create-homes-for-fish/ or watch at https://youtu.be/rqJOTkL26xI
Summary: Scientists wanted to find out whether oyster cages could provide important habitat for fish.
Abstract: Fish are fascinating animals. Individual fish have places they call home as well as their own daily routines. We wanted to find out whether oyster cages (gear used to farm oysters) provide habitat for fish. Do they like to hang out there? Do they live there? Which species spend time there and what do they get up to? We used two methods, underwater video cameras and environmental DNA, to uncover the secret lives of fish. The videos let us see which species hung out at the cages and watch their behaviors. Environmental DNA helped us find the species that are hard to see on camera, like very small or nocturnal fish. We found 7 fish species on video and 42 species using environmental DNA. Some species were abundant at the oyster cages. We even watched them getting up to behaviors like foraging for food and sheltering from predators and currents. Oyster cages can act as artificial reefs, providing valuable habitat for fish!
About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries.
science #article #teach #STEM #students #readaloud #oysters #aquaculture #fishhabitat #artificalreefs #ecosystemservices #estuary
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Read this article at https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/do-fish-have-a-home/ or watch at https://youtu.be/1tZQwbFrXk0
Summary: Researchers wanted to see how fish used coastal habitats in an effort to identify specific areas where protection would be most helpful.
Abstract: Do you have a favorite place? One that makes you feel safe and has everything you need to survive? Now imagine you are in your favorite place and a skunk wanders in. You run away because you don’t want to end up stinky. This same thing happens to young (juvenile) fish when their favorite places get polluted or are not protected. Fish might even get caught by fishermen. A lot of fish populations are in danger because: - too many individuals are caught - there aren’t enough safe places for juveniles to hide. If we protect their favorite places, we might be able to keep fish populations from decreasing. We tracked European bass (an important fish in Europe) for a year to figure out where their favorite places were. We found that most European bass stayed close to the coastal sites we caught them from. Our goal is to identify more of these coastal sites. That way, humans can protect them, and fish populations can thrive.
About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries.
science #article #teach #STEM #students #readaloud #fishing #fishhabitat #coastaldevelopment #estuary #recruitment #fishingpressure
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Read this article at https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-can-we-protect-the-seabed-from-storms/ or watch at https://youtu.be/GVASuv1B8ec
Summary: Scientists wanted to see if protecting an area of UK seabed from destructive fishing would help it be stronger against extreme storms caused by climate change.
Abstract: Have you seen any unusual weather recently? One of the changes we may see because of climate change is more severe storms in the UK. When storms hit the coastline, they create strong waves. This really shakes up the organisms living on the seabed. But do methods of fishing also make a difference? Some areas of the sea are protected from destructive fishing methods. These areas are called Marine Protected Areas. We wanted to find out if the organisms in these areas are better at facing and recovering from severe storms than fished areas.
About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries.
science #article #teach #STEM #students #readaloud #marineprotectedarea #resistance #resilience #temperatereefs #climatechange #storms
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Read this article at https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/can-materials-made-of-the-same-elements-have-different-properties/ or watch at https://youtu.be/l9ALWuVKbxU
Summary: Researchers create two polymers with different properties by rearranging the atoms in a sugar-based molecule.
Abstract: Did you know that everything around you contains special molecules called polymers? These molecules form long chains that make up plastic, protein, and even your DNA! The great thing about polymers is that we can design them to have the properties we need. But the polymers we design can sometimes have a negative impact on the environment. That is why we wanted to see if we can create different polymers from the same natural product, such as sugar. We wanted to determine how the placement of atoms in the polymers affected their properties. We found that by rearranging the atoms of a monomer, we could get two different polymers. One behaved like a stiff plastic, and the other behaved like stretchy rubber. The results of our research made us realize that the placement of atoms does change a polymer’s properties. It also proved that we can make strong and flexible polymers from more natural materials.
About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries.
science #article #teach #STEM #students #readaloud #stereoisomers #biodegradable #sugars #chemistry #tensilestrength
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Read this article at https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/what-happens-to-mother-bees-brains-as-they-age/ or watch at https://youtu.be/d7jR3xfEj9g
Summary: Scientists wondered if the brains of solitary bees grow larger as they age, like the brains of honeybees do.
Abstract: You’re probably familiar with honeybees and bumblebees. But did you know that there are over 20,000 species of bees, and most of them are solitary? In worker honeybees, certain brain areas grow larger as the insects get older and have more experiences. We wanted to know if this was also the case for solitary bees. We studied a particular type of solitary carpenter bee named Ceratina calcarata. We collected female bees of three different ages. Then we measured their brains and other body parts under a microscope. As expected, older female bees had smaller ovaries and more worn wings. But surprisingly, older bees had smaller brains than younger bees. We think that female C. calcarata bees invest their energy and resources into reproduction, rather than growing bigger brains.
About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries.
science #article #teach #STEM #students #readaloud #solitarybees #pollination #beebrains #beereproduction
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Read this article at https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-can-we-prevent-cervical-cancer-in-mongolia/ or watch at https://youtu.be/3wYUR4J83dE
Summary: Researchers wanted to find out if introducing HPV vaccination in Mongolia would be a cost-effective way to prevent cervical cancer.
Abstract: Have you ever heard of cervical cancer? It’s one of the most common forms of cancer among women. Most of the cases occur in countries with lower incomes and fewer resources. The leading cause of cervical cancer is human papillomavirus (HPV). There are several effective vaccines against HPV. But introducing them in the vaccination calendar could cost a lot. Would it be worth it? We used a mathematical model to see if HPV vaccination would be cost effective in Mongolia. It helped us estimate the benefits and costs of introducing an HPV vaccine there. We found out that it would cost between $2.4 and $3.1 million (USD) but could save nearly 4,000 lives! We believe that introducing HPV vaccines in Mongolia would be cost effective.
About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries.
science #article #teach #STEM #students #readaloud #HPV #vaccination #sexuallytransmitteddiseases #Mongolia #health
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Read this article at https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-do-gender-stereotypes-impact-girls-interest-in-science/ or watch at https://youtu.be/7DCPPLAPoGg
Summary: Researchers investigated the impact of gender stereotypes favoring boys in computer science and engineering on children and adolescents.
Abstract: Has anyone ever said that you couldn’t or shouldn’t do something because of one of your traits? If so, you’ve probably been the victim of a stereotype. A stereotype is a set of shared beliefs based on a trait or the identity of a group. A common stereotype is that women are not as good at or interested in science as men. This can result in fewer women participating in the sciences. We wanted to know if and when these gender stereotypes about science affect children and adolescents. We also wanted to know if stereotypes cause girls to be less interested in and take part less in these fields. To find out, we conducted surveys and laboratory experiments. We found that very young students believed these gender stereotypes. Girls were less interested in participating in computer science and engineering if they believed the stereotypes. So, teachers and schools should try to generate interest in these fields at an early age.
About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries.
science #article #teach #STEM #students #readaloud #genderinequality #genderstereotypes #computerscience #engineering
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Read this article at https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-much-plastic-from-the-pandemic-ends-up-in-the-ocean/ or watch at https://youtu.be/PZwgm9WVgAo
Summary: Researchers wanted to find out how much extra plastic waste from the pandemic has entered the ocean.
Abstract: Have you ever noticed facemasks littering the streets? They’ve become a part of day-to-day life, but where do they end up? It’s estimated that around 1.5 billion facemasks entered the oceans in 2020! And it’s not just masks. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we have made a lot more plastic for different uses. We wanted to find out how much extra plastic waste there is due to the pandemic. We also wanted to find out how much enters the ocean, and where it eventually ends up. We used data from lots of different sources to work out how much extra plastic has been made for the pandemic. We then used scientific models to work out how much of this plastic ended up in rivers and then the ocean. We found out that over 8 million tons of extra plastic waste has been made globally due to the pandemic. Over 25,000 tons of this has entered the ocean, where it can harm marine wildlife.
About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries.
science #article #teach #STEM #students #readaloud #COVID19 #plasticpollution #microplastics #PPE #beachcleanup
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Read this article at https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-do-chemicals-affect-animals-and-their-kids/ or watch at https://youtu.be/V3YXB_rMgyM
Summary: Researchers wanted to compare the effects of endocrine-disrupting chemicals on different animals and their offspring.
Abstract: Our endocrine system is very bossy. It controls many things in our bodies, like growth or mood. Sadly, there are chemicals that interfere with this important system. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals are all around us. Their negative effects can even pass on to future generations. How does this happen? We reviewed many articles on endocrine disruptors and their effects on various animals. These chemicals have negative effects on fish, frogs, birds and mammals. Sometimes the effects pass on to many generations. However, the mechanism for this transfer is not genetic but most likely epigenetic.
About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries.
science #article #teach #STEM #students #readaloud #Endocrinesystem #endocrinedisruptors #epigenetics #multigenerational #animalstudies
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Read this article at https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/why-do-ducklings-swim-in-a-line-behind-their-mother/ or watch at https://youtu.be/5mpFCPDto5g
Summary: Scientists created a mathematical model to figure out why swimming in a line benefits baby ducks and geese.
Abstract: Have you ever seen baby ducks or geese swimming in line behind their mother? They’re so cute! But why do they do that? Is it to keep everyone together? Or is it to make swimming easier for the babies? We wanted to figure out how swimming in a line benefits ducklings. We thought that swimming in a line behind the mother saves energy. Our research made us realize that if the ducklings try to swim in front or to the side of their mother, they need to use more energy. But if they swim behind her, they need less energy. We also learned that it is only easier at certain spots behind the mother. That’s because at these spots the waves created by the mother interact with the waves created by the ducklings. The resulting wave pushes the ducklings forward, saving lots of energy!
About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries.
science #article #teach #STEM #students #readaloud #ducklings #waves #dragforces #waveinterference
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com
Read this article at https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-can-chemicals-influence-your-hormones/ or watch at https://youtu.be/thbgMoBvC88
Summary: Scientists compiled a list of endocrine-disrupting chemicals and how they get into the environment.
Abstract: Did you know that hormones not only influence your mood but also most of your body’s functions? They are messengers involved in telling you when to feel hungry or when to get tired, for example. It is very important to have the right levels of hormones in your body to stay healthy. But there are a lot of man-made chemicals that find their way into our environment. They can then disrupt those important biological messengers in the animals and humans living nearby. Hormones are particularly important in providing instructions for your development before you are born and when you are a baby. We reviewed the scientific literature to find out how these chemicals get into our bodies and the environment. We found that a lot of them get used in industrial processes or are in pesticides. But some also turn up in food packaging materials, cleaning products, or cosmetics.
About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries.
science #article #teach #STEM #students #readaloud #hormones #endocrinedisruptors #BPA #endocrinesystem
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com
Read this article at https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/what-makes-you-choose-the-food-you-eat/ or watch at https://youtu.be/nizD88jGAbE
Summary: Researchers investigated what adolescents eat worldwide and what factors influence these food choices.
Abstract: Have you ever thought about why you eat what you eat? Is it because it’s tasty? Healthy? Trendy? There are many factors that influence what an adolescent eats. But health is not always the most important one. We wanted to better understand these factors. So we did a scientific review of surveys and studies to see what adolescents eat worldwide. We also explored how economic status and food environment affect food choices. We learned that many adolescents value food as a way to express their individuality. It also gives them a sense of belonging with their peers. We also discovered that limited access to healthy food is a problem in many areas. So are advertisements promoting unhealthy food. That is why countries all over the world need nutrition programs that make healthy food more available, affordable, and appealing to adolescents.
About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries.
science #article #teach #STEM #students #readaloud #foodchoice #foodenvironment #foodinsecurity #adolescentautonomy
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Read this article at https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/what-happens-to-plastic-in-the-soil/ or watch at https://youtu.be/xaL05ONEzkg
Summary: Scientists conducted an experiment to determine what happens to different types of plastic when they are exposed to soil.
Abstract: Can you think of life without plastic? Plastic is currently one of the most common materials. It’s used for most containers and it’s even in your clothes! But what happens to this plastic? Some gets recycled but a lot of it gets thrown away. That means it often ends up in the environment where it can break down and change. We wanted to see what happens to different types of plastic when we exposed them to different types of soil. We put small disks of plastic in different environments for 32 days. We then compared the plastics exposed to soil to plastic that was not exposed to soil to see how the surface and other properties changed. We also wanted to see whether any bacteria grew on the plastic. Our data proved that all plastics change when exposed to soil. But they experience different changes because they have different properties.
About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries.
science #article #teach #STEM #students #readaloud #plastic #recycling #scanningelectronmicroscope #soil #sludge
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com
Read this article at https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-are-chemicals-impacting-our-reproductive-health/ or watch at https://youtu.be/eaTF-3WQdfA
Summary: Researchers wanted to understand how endocrine-disrupting chemicals affect the reproductive development of fish and mammals.
Abstract: You might have heard of a chemical called BPA. Maybe you have seen a “BPA Free” label on a reusable water bottle. But did you know that BPA is just one chemical that is part of a much larger group known as endocrine-disrupting chemicals, or EDCs? EDCs are everywhere. They are in most food packaging, cosmetics, shampoo, and even in antibacterial soap! But now scientists are starting to understand that these chemicals could be the cause of many health problems, including reproductive problems. In this study we reviewed the scientific research looking at EDCs and reproduction in both fish and mammals. We wanted to understand what the research said about how these chemicals impact reproductive systems. The studies we reviewed used laboratory animals to better understand reproduction in fish and mammals. What we found was quite worrying. There is lots of evidence to show that EDCs can cause changes in how the reproductive system develops and grows. There is also evidence that EDCs have long-term impacts including fertility problems and reduced reproductive success.
About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries.
science #article #teach #STEM #students #readaloud #endocrinesystem #endocrinedisruptors #BPA #PCBs #reproductivedevelopment
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com
Read this article at https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-can-we-reduce-our-environmental-footprint-one-food-at-a-time/ or watch at https://youtu.be/gPygKRjtYic
Summary: Scientists investigated the impact of single-food substitutions on carbon emissions and water use.
Abstract: Have you ever wondered what you can do to help the environment and slow climate change? What about eating certain foods because they are better for the environment? Producing the food you eat uses a lot of water and releases gases that warm the planet. If you ate foods that had a smaller impact on the environment, you could help fight climate change. But it’s hard for most people to change their entire diet! So we wondered if replacing just one food could reduce a person’s impact on the environment. We collected diet data from a national survey in the USA. We figured out which foods produced the most carbon emissions. Then we created new potential diets where we substituted foods that had a smaller impact. We found that replacing beef products reduced carbon emissions and water use the most. That means not eating beef can lower the impact of your diet on the environment.
About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries.
science #article #teach #STEM #students #readaloud #climatechange #carbonfootprint #carbonemissions #waterscarcity #beef #dietsubstitutions
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com
Read this article at https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/what-can-graves-tell-us-about-gender-identity/ or watch https://youtu.be/gffDr7lrVDM
Summary: Archaeologists wanted to find out who a person buried in an early medieval grave with jewelry and swords really was.
Abstract: How do we find out about people who lived hundreds and even thousands of years ago? Often we look at their graves. What were they buried with? What does this tell us about who they were? An early medieval grave in Finland has been puzzling archaeologists for a while. The person was buried with a sword, but also jewelry and other objects thought of as feminine. So, for a long time we’ve thought that it could be the grave of a powerful woman – a woman with a sword! This is surprising because usually swords are associated with men. But it’s not so straightforward. We wanted to find out who the person really was. We looked carefully at what they were buried with, and worked out their biological sex using ancient DNA. The results made us think that maybe medieval society had different ideas about sex and gender than what we thought.
About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries.
science #article #teach #STEM #students #readaloud #archaeology #genderidentity #biologicalsex #genderspectrum #nonbinary #klinefeltersyndrome #medievalgraves
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Read this article at https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-do-we-find-a-planet-in-another-galaxy/ or watch at https://youtu.be/6DRg7ffqTlE
Summary: Scientists found evidence for the first possible planet ever to be detected in another galaxy.
Abstract: Have you ever looked up at the sky on a dark, clear night and wondered about all those beautiful, shining stars above you? How many are there? What would they look like if we were able to see them up close? Is there another form of life somewhere out there, also looking at the night sky and asking the same questions? We were once children too, standing outside on a cold night, marveling at the sky and all the secrets out there still left to uncover. And now, we are the first scientists to discover a planet that is not in our solar system, not even in the Milky Way – but in another galaxy!
About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries.
science #article #teach #STEM #students #readaloud #space #exoplanets #extroplants #spectroscopy #telescopes #galaxy
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com
Read this article at https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-can-we-predict-bone-loss-in-astronauts/ or watch at https://youtu.be/37ZW_4dpHRY
Summary: Researchers wanted to assess and predict bone loss in astronauts caused by spaceflight.
Abstract: Have you ever dreamed of being an astronaut? Exploring outer space sounds exciting, and astronauts get to do that. However, going into space can lead to health problems. The lack of gravity has a negative impact on bones, called bone loss. Astronauts try to compensate for bone loss with a lot of exercise – both in space and on Earth. But even exercising doesn’t prevent bone loss in some cases. We wanted to find out what factors affect bone loss. We also wanted to find a way to predict bone loss in astronauts before spaceflight. We analyzed the leg and arm bones of 17 astronauts before and after a space mission. We also looked for markers of bone change in their blood and urine. We found out that bone loss happens quickly in space. The longer the space mission, the bigger the problem. More exercise before spaceflight predicted greater bone loss! Elevated markers of bone metabolism before flight also predicted greater bone loss.
About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries.
science #article #teach #STEM #students #readaloud #space #boneloss #spaceexercise #astronauts #gravityimpacts
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com
Read this article at https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-could-baby-dinosaurs-live-in-the-arctic/ or watch https://youtu.be/BSkF9hCegUU
Summary: Scientists wanted to find out whether dinosaurs could have lived year round and nested in the Arctic.
Abstract: Scientists never thought that dinosaurs lived in the Arctic and Antarctic. But they were wrong! In the 1960s we started discovering dinosaur remains in these harsh environments. Scientists wondered whether dinosaurs lived there year round. Could they have survived the freezing, dark winter? If they did, then dinosaurs must have laid eggs and babies must have been hatched there. So, we went digging for evidence of dinosaur reproduction in the Arctic. We went to northern Alaska to study rocks in the Prince Creek Formation. We searched through the sediment looking for tiny dinosaur bones and teeth. We found evidence of very young dinosaurs in the Arctic and even baby bones and teeth from the time before they hatched. And not one dinosaur species, but seven! Both large and small species of dinosaurs lived there all year. These dinosaurs must have been well-adapted to life there. It is possible they hibernated or fasted to survive the harsh winter.
About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries.
science #article #teach #STEM #students #readaloud #dinosaur #paleontology #arctic #teeth
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com
Read this article at https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-does-the-food-you-eat-affect-your-growth-and-development/ or watch at https://youtu.be/xWD4Yvvciug
Summary: Researchers conducted a study review to see how nutrition impacts the growth and development of different body systems in adolescents.
Abstract: Hungry? Should you eat an apple or potato chips? Does it really matter? It turns out that what you eat as a child and adolescent affects your growth and development. It can also affect your health as an adult! We wanted to understand the link between nutrition and adolescent growth. We did a review of different scientific studies to see what is currently known about this. We found that not eating enough food, eating the wrong foods, and eating too much food all affect the body’s systems. But the effects are different in each case. We also learned that the negative effects of poor nutrition aren’t permanent if they’re corrected at the right time.
About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries.
science #article #teach #STEM #students #readaloud #nutrition #bodysystems #teens #adolescents #malnutrition #healthykidsfood #teenagenutrition #healthyfood
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Read this article at https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/can-computers-help-us-recycle-more-plastic/ or watch at https://youtu.be/7zw_RtUXemk
Summary: Researchers wanted to find a way to improve plastic recycling using a computer program.
Abstract: Plastic pollution is a big environmental challenge facing us today. We use a huge amount of plastic in our daily lives but recycle very little. In fact, the average person living in North America consumes around 230lbs (104kg) of plastic each year! When a problem is this big, it can sometimes feel overwhelming. But if everybody makes small changes, it soon adds up to something big! Recycling old plastic helps to reduce the amount of new plastic we make. However, it is difficult to identify and separate all the different types of plastic by simply looking at them. We wanted to find a solution to this. Our study shows that computers with cameras can learn to recognize 12 types of plastic. They can then use this knowledge to identify plastics as they move along a conveyor belt. Our findings could revolutionize plastic recycling and bring us one step closer to solving the global plastic challenge.
About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries.
science #article #teach #STEM #students #readaloud #recycle #plasticpollution #spectroscopy #machinelearning #plasticidentification
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Read this article at https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/why-do-bees-use-social-distancing/ or watch at https://youtu.be/wR2IxmGpqiM
Summary: Scientists observed how honey bee behavior changes when the colony is infected with Varroa destructor mites.
Abstract: Honey bees are important insects in many of the ecosystems around us. However, they are constantly exposed to many threats. They are particularly vulnerable to disease and parasites because they live in colonies. Once a member of the colony gets infected, it is very easy for the disease to spread. This is why honey bees have some specific behaviors to help them fight infections. In this study we wanted to see how honey bee behavior changes when Varroa destructor mites come into the colony. We found that in infected colonies there was more social distancing between different types of bees. We also discovered that the infection led to higher interactions between bees of the same type. We think this helps bees fight the spread of the parasite.
About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries.
science #article #teach #STEM #students #readaloud #pollinators #honeybee #parasites #socialbehavior #socialimmunity
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com
Read this article at https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-can-we-store-carbon-dioxide-from-the-atmosphere-in-minerals/ or watch at https://youtu.be/ug4P3zWz4VI
Summary: Researchers created a process that transforms carbon dioxide in the atmosphere into minerals that can be collected.
Abstract Did you know that the sea level is rising and that weather patterns are changing worldwide? Because of human activities, there is extra carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. That's why the Earth has gotten warmer. What can we do about it? We can take the carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and store it. Current technologies transform it into a liquid and pump it back into the ground. Unfortunately, this way of doing things can be expensive and difficult to manage. That’s why we created a different method of collecting carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Our process uses the natural ability of ocean water to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Then it forms minerals that we can store or use. Our observations proved that our process successfully removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Our analysis also showed that our method is more energy efficient and environmentally friendly than current technologies.
About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries.
science #article #teach #STEM #students #readaloud #carboncapture #climatechange #solutions #carbonsequestration #electrolysischemistry
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com
Read this article at https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/can-we-grow-safe-and-nutritious-food-in-space/ watch at https://youtu.be/967MLizvv6s
Summary: Researchers investigated the nutrient content and microbial safety of lettuce grown on the International Space Station.
Abstract: Have your parents ever told you to eat your vegetables because they’re “good for you”? Well, vegetables have a lot of nutrients in them that are essential to a balanced diet. While you might get these foods at the store, astronauts rely on processed meals. We wanted to find out if there was a way to grow safe and nutritious salad crops on the International Space Station (ISS) to help supplement their diets. We used a growth chamber called Veggie to grow crops of red romaine lettuce over three different years. We found that our lettuce was safe to eat, although the nutrient content of our lettuce varied slightly each year. For future long-duration space missions, it will be important to make sure that astronauts can create the same growing conditions for every crop of salad.
About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries.
science #article #teach #STEM #students #readaloud #ISS #Astronauts #nutrition #spacemissions #spacefood #vitamins
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Read this article at https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/why-do-some-women-deny-gender-discrimination/ or watch at https://youtu.be/WE9siPUjqLo
Summary: Scientists wanted to find out why some women deny that gender discrimination exists, even though it negatively affects them.
Abstract: Women face discrimination across the world. They have fewer rights and opportunities (like education) than men, all because of their gender. And the COVID-19 pandemic has made this worse. But despite this, many people (including women) deny that gender discrimination exists. Even people who have experienced it personally! We wanted to find out why this is. We thought that perhaps it’s because denying discrimination makes the world seem fairer. This makes women happier. We carried out three studies, involving 20,000 participants from 23 countries altogether. We tested the hypothesis that denial of gender discrimination is related to better well-being in women. We found this to be true across the United States and worldwide. In fact, in countries where gender discrimination is worse, women were even more likely to deny it! Denial of discrimination helps women to cope, but it makes gender inequality worse.
About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries.
science #article #teach #STEM #students #readaloud #gender #discrimination #equality #happiness
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Read this article at https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-did-the-warrah-cross-the-ocean-to-the-falkland-islands/ or watch at https://youtu.be/ofl0BhJcA2M
Summary: Scientists dug into sediment cores on the Falkland Islands and found signs that people had visited the islands before the European explorers arrived.
Abstract: When Charles Darwin visited the Falkland Islands, he was puzzled to find only one species of land-dwelling mammal – a fox-like animal called the warrah [WAH-rah]. How could the warrah have reached the Falkland Islands? Until now, scientists have assumed humans weren’t responsible for bringing the warrah to the islands. However, we showed that it is very likely that Indigenous people from the Tierra del Fuego visited the islands centuries before the first European explorers arrived. The Yaghan people are traditionally nomadic hunter-gatherers and often traveled with domesticated foxes. We believe that the Yaghan people probably brought the warrah to the islands centuries ago.
About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries.
science #article #teach #STEM #students #readaloud #warrah #FalklandIslands #middenheaps #fossilhunters #extinction #radiocarbondating #Yaghan
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Read this article at https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-is-the-ice-in-greenland-melting/ or watch at https://youtu.be/DS4JikjzYBg
Summary: Researchers use new data about the Greenland ice sheet to find out exactly how the ice is melting.
Abstract: The island of Greenland is almost completely covered in ice. But since the 1990s, the sheet of ice has been melting. This makes the sea level rise, causing problems for people and animals around the world who live on the coast. We wanted to find out exactly how the Greenland ice sheet is melting. Does the ocean affect how quickly it melts? Could it be melting Greenland’s ice from below? We needed lots of data (information) to be able to answer these questions. So we collected data to help us model the ice sheet melt. We looked at 226 glaciers all around the coast of Greenland. We found out most of the melt was happening with 74 glaciers in deep, underwater valleys. Here, the warm ocean melted the glaciers from below. Our findings are important for predicting the future of Greenland’s ice.
About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries.
science #article #teach #STEM #students #readaloud #ClimateChange #Greenland #glaciersmelting #warmocean
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com
Read this article at https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/what-kinds-of-landscapes-keep-bees-healthy/ or watch at https://youtu.be/22ZPkmWOJjE
Summary: Scientists wanted to know if various landscape conditions make bumble bees more vulnerable to diseases.
Abstract: Imagine a world without apples, watermelons, and sunflowers… It doesn’t sound very good, does it? Unfortunately, it could actually happen. Bees help these (and many other) plants grow, but they have been dying. One reason for this is that bees are suffering from more diseases. But where do these bee diseases come from? Does it have to do with our changing landscapes? To find out, we collected 890 bumble bees and screened them for three pathogens. We also looked at the types and qualities of the landscapes where we found these bees. Then we created a mathematical model to help us work out how different landscapes affect bees. We found out that landscapes with lots of food (flowers) for bees and more nesting sites led to healthier bees. Our results highlight the need to protect natural landscapes to conserve wild bees.
About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries.
science #article #teach #STEM #students #readaloud #bumblebees #landscape #savethebees #conservation #pollination
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Read this article at https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-can-we-grow-models-of-embryos-in-the-lab/ or watch at https://youtu.be/LZwOoGVGVFI
Summary: Scientists used stem cells to grow 3D models of blastocysts to be able to study the development of embryos.
Abstract: Studying embryos is important to understanding how humans develop. It can also help us understand some pregnancy complications. But access to embryos is very limited. We wanted to find a way to study embryos without actually needing any! We used stem cells to grow models of blastocysts – young embryos. Our experiments showed that stem cells can form structures that look like blastocysts. We called these models blastoids. Blastoids grow and develop at a similar speed as blastocysts. They also have the same size and cell composition. They are not embryos and cannot develop into an organism. But blastoids are a useful way to study human development.
About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries.
science #article #teach #STEM #students #readaloud #embryos #stemcells #embryogenesis #development #blastocyst #blastoid
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com
Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-does-air-pollution-affect-people-differently/ or watch at https://youtu.be/sweuX4R7IqA
Summary: Researchers found out that people of color are more exposed to air pollution than white people, for almost all pollution sources, income levels, and places.
Abstract: Bad air quality is a problem all over the world. In the U.S., air quality is often worse in places where people of color live. There are many different sources of air pollution, like fireplaces, factories, cars, and power plants. We wanted to know how much different pollution sources added to inequality. We found out that people of color are exposed to more air pollution from almost every type of pollution source.
About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries.
science #article #teach #STEM #students #readaloud #airpollution #PM2.5 #environmentaljustice #redlining #healthdisparity #POC
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Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-can-sharing-knowledge-better-explain-land-use-changes-in-ethiopia/ or watch at https://youtu.be/IBe-2FpQXjI
Summary: Scientists worked with local residents to create a better understanding of the causes and consequences of land use changes experienced in the Guassa grassland in Ethiopia
Abstract: When you think about environmental issues, you probably think about science. How does science explain the problem? How can we use science to create a solution? Yet if we only think like scientists, we may miss important details. That is why we need to share knowledge with people who have different perspectives. We shared knowledge with local residents near the Guassa grassland in Ethiopia to discuss how land use had changed over time. They described how they use the land and the benefits it provides. Using satellite technology, we created maps of the area. We then shared these maps with the people of Guassa. Together, we found a link between soil problems and land use changes. We also determined how different management strategies affect land use. Because we shared knowledge with the local residents, we created a more complete picture of what is happening in Guassa.
About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries.
science #article #teach #STEM #students #readaloud #Ethiopia #landuse #ecosystemservices #knowledgecoproduction #community #sustainability
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com
Read this article at https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/why-are-whales-in-trouble-again/ or watch at https://youtu.be/jwmQLi-hBJc
Summary: Researchers used oceanic and population data to determine if climate change is contributing to the decline in the North Atlantic Right whale population.
Abstract: Imagine you are standing on a boat. You look out, searching in all directions for a glimpse of a whale. But you can’t find any. Your excitement fades. Where are the whales? Many years ago, an ocean without whales was a real concern because we hunted them too much. Then we banned whaling and their populations grew. Yet some whale species are declining again. Why? To find out, we analyzed data from the feeding grounds of the North Atlantic Right whale. We found that warmer ocean temperatures made food harder to find. Without enough food, fewer whales were born. Also, whales started swimming north to find more food. This puts them in danger from getting hit by ships and tangled in fishing nets. So now they face a new threat from humans: climate change.
About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries.
science #article #teach #STEM #students #readaloud #RightWhale #endangeredspecies #GulfStream #copepods #climatechange #whalesightings
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Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-do-smartphones-affect-our-sleep/ or watch at https://youtu.be/JGfbZLcHptk
Summary: Researchers wanted to know if smartphone addiction leads to poor sleep.
Abstract: Do you own a smartphone? They are very useful and often we can’t imagine life without them. But they could be harmful as well. For example, people can get addicted to smartphones. As with any other addiction, this can lead to various problems. So does it affect our sleep? To find out, we asked 1,043 students to complete two questionnaires. This helped us determine how many of the students suffer from smartphone addiction. It also showed how many suffer from poor sleep. We found out that smartphone addiction is pretty common among young students. We also found a strong connection between smartphone addiction and poor sleep.
About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries.
#science #article #teach #STEM #students #readaloud #smartphone #addiction #sleep #screentime #sleepquality #bedtime #technology
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com
Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/what-are-the-most-dangerous-places-for-sharks/ watch at https://youtu.be/vCg0KXGxr4Q
Summary: Researchers wanted to find out where sharks are most at risk from fishing across all of the world’s oceans.
Abstract: Many people are scared of sharks, but they are actually a very important part of the ocean’s ecosystem. Did you know that falling coconuts are actually more deadly to humans than sharks? Each year, tens of millions of sharks are caught by fishing vessels (ships). So actually, they should be afraid of us. And instead of fearing them, we should protect them – from ourselves! We wanted to find out where sharks are most at risk from fishing across all of the world’s oceans. We used tracking data from both sharks and fishing vessels to create maps of where sharks like to hang out and where ships go fishing. When they overlap, sharks are at risk of being caught! We found the areas that are most dangerous for sharks to swim. These areas are unique to different species and different oceans. We can use our findings to tell people who manage the seas how to best protect sharks and the other marine life that rely on them.
About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries.
science #article #teach #STEM #students #readaloud #sharks #overfishing #sharkhotspot #taggingsharks #MPAs
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Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-well-do-masks-protect-against-covid-19/ or watch at https://youtu.be/qhfPS9DmuU8
Summary: Researchers tested how effective face masks are in reducing the transmission of SARS-CoV-2.
Abstract: COVID-19 has changed our lives. Since the beginning of the pandemic, many countries have introduced various restrictions. Most of us had to stay at home, distance ourselves from others, and wear face masks in public spaces for some period of time. Two years in, COVID-19 is still affecting us. Many people still have to keep their physical distance and wear masks. So are these measures effective? We tested what would happen if a sick person and a healthy one got together and talked for some time. We found out that social distancing alone isn’t effective. There is a 90% chance that a healthy person 3m (10ft) away will get infected in less than 5 minutes. However, if both wear a protective mask, this risk goes down considerably – even if they are standing quite close together!
About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries.
science #article #teach #STEM #students #readaloud #COVID19 #pandemic #mask #maskfit #socialdistancing #virusspread
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com
Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-can-we-help-improve-human-elephant-conflict/ or watch at https://youtu.be/Uxl_3Uskzc0
Summary: Researchers identified the most important problems for people living near wild elephants in Myanmar, Asia.
Abstract: When humans and wildlife share the same areas, they can come into conflict over resources. This is called human-wildlife conflict. This can be a big problem when the wildlife in question are large mammals (like tigers, lions, or elephants). Can you imagine living alongside such giants? To understand more about these types of conflict, we did interviews with rural people in Myanmar. The results of this study will help wildlife managers find ways for elephants and people to live side-by-side with less conflict!
About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries.
science #article #teach #STEM #students #readaloud #AsianElephants #humanwildlifeconflict #endangeredspecies #Myanmar
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com
Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-does-reducing-air-pollution-help-birds/ or watch at https://youtu.be/67pX0zh6yvs
Summary: Researchers show that air pollution reduction programs not only benefit human health but also the health of birds.
Abstract: When you think of pollution, what image comes to mind? Litter? Oil spills? We think of these types of pollution first because they are visible. But the most dangerous form is one that we cannot see: air pollution. We know that chemicals and small particles in the air can harm human health, so governments create laws and programs to reduce air pollution. We wanted to know if these same programs also positively affect birds. After all, birds are such an important part of our world! We built a mathematical model using bird population and air pollution data to see which air pollutants (tropospheric ozone and/or fine particulate matter) harm birds. Then we looked at how a United States air pollution reduction program affected the bird populations. From this analysis, we found that air pollution programs not only benefit humans, but they also protect birds.
About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries.
science #article #teach #STEM #students #readaloud #airpollution #birds #ozone #PM2.5 #cleanair #smog #nitrogenoxides #EPA
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Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-can-we-prepare-for-droughts/ or watch at https://youtu.be/tngs1vayQlg
Summary: Researchers wanted to know if water suppliers and farmers could use climate models to plan for future droughts in Texas.
Abstract: Droughts are common in many parts of the world. Yet climate change has made them more severe and difficult to predict. This makes it harder for water suppliers to plan for the future. Currently, they use data from past droughts to make these decisions. But we think it’s important to consider future changes as well. We analyzed drought projections for Texas – a large state in the USA with both wet and dry regions. They show that the conditions there will be even drier and hotter in the future. Water planning needs to adapt to these changes and take future climate change into account. Climate models would be very helpful for that.
About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries.
science #article #teach #STEM #students #readaloud #drought #climatechange #modeling #waterreservoir #aquifer #megadrought #water
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Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/routine-vaccinations-during-a-pandemic-benefit-or-risk/ or watch at https://youtu.be/m7qZNzzSeHk
Summary: Scientists used a mathematical model to work out the risks and benefits if health systems sustain their routine vaccinations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Abstract: Did you have your routine vaccinations as a kid? Vaccines help prevent millions of deaths each year. But now that the new coronavirus is here, some countries may stop their vaccination programs for a while. The idea is to reduce the risk of spreading the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which causes the COVID-19 disease. But which is better: fewer coronavirus infections or making sure children get all their usual vaccinations? To find out, we used a mathematical model. We worked out the risks and benefits if health systems in Africa continue with their vaccination programs as usual. We found that if African countries give vaccinations as usual, they will prevent many children from dying. The benefits are far greater than the risk of extra deaths due to COVID-19.
About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries.
science #article #teach #STEM #students #readaloud #vaccination #COVID19 #mathmodeling #Africa #epidemic
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com
Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-will-climate-change-affect-arctic-birds/ or watch at https://youtu.be/qr1Y3fI16Zo
Summary: Scientists combined ideas from climate science and biology to figure out how climate change and genetics influence the migration habits of peregrine falcons.
Abstract: Peregrine falcons are famous for their super-fast diving flights. But that’s not the only thing that they’re good at. Peregrines are also world travelers! We tracked peregrine falcons migrating from the Arctic to their winter habitat. Some went all the way from northern Russia to the tropics! We wanted to know how climate change and genetics affect the way peregrines migrate. So we used a computer program to predict how the Arctic would change over the next 50 years. We compared the peregrines’ current summer and winter habitats to the computer prediction. We found that summer habitats (where the birds breed) are shrinking, while winter habitats are growing. This is due to climate change. We tracked migration paths for peregrines from six places in the Eurasian Arctic. We found that some peregrines traveled more than five times as far as other peregrines! When we looked at the peregrines’ DNA, we saw that there were differences between the peregrines who had short migrations and those who had long migrations.
About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries.
science #article #teach #STEM #students #climatechange #peregrinefalcon #migration #flyway #breedinggrounds #climatemodel #Arcticwarming #readaloud
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Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-can-we-turn-ocean-water-into-renewable-energy/ or watch at https://youtu.be/B9saMI5MtE4
Summary: In this article, scientists make renewable energy from ocean water by creating a device that combines osmosis and water-splitting to make hydrogen.
Abstract: Think about what life would be like without energy. No refrigerators, no computers, no cars, and no cellphones! Today, most of the world’s energy comes from fossil fuels, which are nonrenewable resources ( resources that take a long time for the Earth to make) that pollute our air and land. That is why we are trying to find cleaner, renewable energy resources that can power our planet. Hydrogen is a great renewable fuel that can be made from water. Most of the water on Earth is salt water, so we created a device that can make hydrogen from it at a low cost. It combines the process of osmosis with the reaction of water splitting. Our data show that this device is effective and efficient, which means hydrogen could become more available in the future.
About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries.
science #article #teach #STEM #students #renewable #energy #hydrogen #fuel
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Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-many-lives-do-vaccines-save/ or watch at https://youtu.be/KNtFIPv5_-Y
Summary: Scientists wanted to measure the benefits of expanded vaccination programs in 98 countries.
Abstract: Ever since their creation, vaccines have saved countless lives all over the world! Still, people in many countries suffer from diseases that could be prevented by vaccination. We looked at 98 countries where a lot of people are infected with such diseases. We wanted to measure the benefits of vaccination for them. Using mathematical models, we found that vaccination saved 37 million lives between 2000 and 2019! We project that it could save 32 million more by 2030.
About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries.
science #article #teach #STEM #students #readaloud #vaccination #modeling #measles #herdimunity
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Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/would-beavers-make-good-firefighters/ or watch at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XNkc0irH4M&list=PLJ2oYgFchqUrwBeG5NKGxc4nysx_akVI-&index=48
Summary: Researchers found out that beavers’ activities can protect plants and animals around them during a wildfire.
Abstract: We all know beavers as cute animals with flat tails. They gnaw down trees with their sharp teeth and build dams in rivers. But beavers are much more than lumberjacks. By building those dams, they reshape the whole environment around them and provide their surroundings with more water. And this actually helps the plants around beaver dams to survive during wildfires! Therefore, we can think of beavers not only as great lumberjacks but also as effective firefighters.
About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries.
science #article #teach #STEM #students #readaloud #beavers #wildfires #ecosystemengineer #drought #refuge
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Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-do-some-algae-make-the-earth-warmer/ or watch at https://youtu.be/hKwuE6sYC2Y
Summary: Scientists figure out how and why algae produce nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas stronger than carbon dioxide.
Abstract: If you have ever visited a lake, a pond, or even the ocean, then you know about algae – not only the big ones that wash up on the beach, but also the much smaller microalgae. Responsible for the green you see on the water, these tiny organisms are not only the foundation of the aquatic food web, but they also photosynthesize. That means they take carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere like plants. And we all know how important that is because of global warming! Interestingly, some algae also produce nitrous oxide – another greenhouse gas. We wanted to find out which type of algae produces it and how they create it. We tested different types of algae in both light and dark environments, which made us realize that only green algae make nitrous oxide from nitric oxide, and they have different ways of doing it based on the amount of light available. We also linked the nitric oxide production to fertilizers, implying that there may be a way to reduce the amount of nitrous oxide produced by algae in the future.
About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries.
science #article #teach #STEM #students #readaloud #globalwarming #algae #greenhousegas #algalblooms #nitrousoxide #fertilizer #enzymes
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Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-can-virtual-reality-help-construction-engineers/ or watch at https://youtu.be/OypUnkXAqTg
Summary: Researchers tested whether virtual reality could help construction engineers do their jobs more effectively.
Abstract: With virtual reality (VR), you can look and move around in a digital world. We wanted to know if VR could help construction engineers plan their projects. To find out, we set up an experiment where expert and novice engineers used either VR goggles or a normal desktop computer to review engineering designs in three dimensions (3D). We found out that VR goggles made it easier for engineers to spot problems in construction plans. VR also helped engineers work out the order in which a project should be built. But VR has some limitations and should only be used for appropriate tasks and scenarios.
About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries.
science #article #teach #STEM #students #readaloud #virtualreality #VR #construction #designreview #engineering #digitalmodel
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com
Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/what-can-ancient-dna-tell-us-about-stone-age-people/ or watch at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaSi64Jq8pE&list=PLJ2oYgFchqUrwBeG5NKGxc4nysx_akVI-&index=51
Summary: Researchers analyzed DNA from the oldest Late Stone Age human specimens ever found in Europe and discovered that these people had recent Neanderthal ancestors.
Abstract: Archaeologists digging in Bacho Kiro Cave in Bulgaria found bones from people who lived 45,000 years ago. This period is known as the early Upper Paleolithic. It was an exciting time for human evolution as humans took a big jump forward in art and technology. It’s also a time when Neanderthals were still around. We wanted to know what these people’s DNA could tell us about where their ancestors came from and where their descendants ended up. Surprisingly, even though the bones were found in Europe, their DNA had more in common with people from East Asia and Native Americans. We also found that all the individuals whose remains were found in Bacho Kiro Cave had Neanderthal ancestors only a few generations back. That means that not only did Stone Age humans and Neanderthals know about each other, they sometimes had children together.
About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries.
science #article #teach #STEM #students #readaloud #Evolution #Neanderthal #ancientDNA #upperpaleolithic #prehistoricpeople #StoneAge
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Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-can-we-relax-covid-19-restrictions/ or watch at https://youtu.be/CnZuQ-aFnmk
Summary: In this article, researchers wanted to assess the impact of lifting the restrictions against COVID-19 in England and the emergence of the Delta variant.
Abstract: COVID-19 has changed everyone’s lives. At one time or another, most of us have had to stay at home and socially distance ourselves from others. But in some countries, people are starting to get out of lockdowns. The last lockdown in England started in January 2021. Relaxing the restrictions afterwards happened gradually. It depended mainly on the number of immune people. Was this a good strategy? We created a mathematical model to see if lifting the restrictions was well timed. The strategy was successful at first. But the emergence of the Delta variant changed things. Our model shows that vaccination alone may not be enough to stop another peak of hospitalisations and deaths.
About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries.
science #article #teach #STEM #students #COVID-19 #lockdowns #England #diseasespread #modeling
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com
Read this article at https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/where-did-flying-reptiles-come-from/ or watch at https://youtu.be/2G0lqZykAy8
Summary: In this article, researchers found out that the first flying vertebrates were very closely related to a small dinosaur-like group of animals.
Abstract Have you heard of flying dinosaurs named pterodactyls [terr-oh-dak-tlz]? Well, you may be surprised to hear that they are not technically dinosaurs. Pterodactyls, part of the group pterosaurs [terr-oh-sorz], were reptiles. They were related to dinosaurs, which are also reptiles but do not belong to that group. Pterosaurs were the first vertebrates that were able to fly by flapping their wings. This makes them all the more interesting. Have you ever thought about how it is possible that some animals started to fly? How did they get their wings? The general answer is: evolution. But here the mystery deepens. For a long time, it seemed like there was a huge evolutionary gap between pterosaurs and most other animals. How did they come about? By looking at fossils, we found out that lagerpetids [la-jer-pe-tids] (a small group of non-flying reptiles) are close relatives of pterosaurs. Finding out about lagerpetids told us a bit about how pterosaurs started to fly.
About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries.
science #article #teach #STEM #students #dinosaurs #paleontology
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Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/what-is-the-impact-of-covid-19-on-other-diseases/ or watch at https://youtu.be/g3553FCW770
Summary: Scientists created mathematical models to estimate how the measures against COVID-19 are impacting people with HIV, tuberculosis and malaria.
Abstract The new coronavirus has spread almost everywhere on our planet. Governments have taken various measures to try and control the disease – many of us are in lockdown, and lots of schools and businesses are closed. Some people have lost their jobs. These (and other) measures have consequences for other diseases as well. We wanted to assess what impact the coronavirus epidemic would have on three other current epidemics: HIV, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria. These three diseases are a major threat, especially in poorer countries. We created mathematical models to estimate how the measures against COVID-19 are impacting people with these other diseases. Unfortunately, we found that deaths could increase by 10% for HIV, 20% for TB and 36% for malaria. Our results show that governments should continue with the most important actions that help prevent and treat these three diseases.
About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries.
#science #article #teach #STEM #students #covid19 #HIV #TB #Malaria #epidemic #pandemic #diseasetreatment #mathematicalmodel #readaloud
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com
Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-did-covid-lockdowns-affect-air-pollution/ or watch at https://youtu.be/RmhHzntSz6o
Summary: In this article, researchers looked at air pollution and transportation data and found out that air pollution decreased during the COVID-19 lockdowns.
Abstract Air pollution harms people’s health. During the first few months of the global COVID-19 pandemic, many countries went into lockdown. Many adults worked from home, children went to school online, and families limited their trips outside of the home. Fewer trips outside meant fewer cars on the road and planes in the air. We wanted to know whether the change in people’s driving and flying habits resulted in better air quality. Using satellites, weather stations, and traffic data, we found out that it did!
About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries.
science #article #teach #STEM #students #COVID-19 #lockdown #airpollution #pandemic #transportation
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com
Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-will-dragonflies-adapt-to-a-warmer-earth/ or watch at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRNsRtdxYkI&list=PLJ2oYgFchqUrwBeG5NKGxc4nysx_akVI-&index=56
Summary: In this article, researchers compared the wing coloration of different dragonfly species to see how the color and amount of coloration changed depending on the climate.
Abstract: The Earth is getting warmer, and we can see the effects of it – destructive floods, severe droughts, and intense storms. Just as we must look for ways to adjust to our changing environment, animals and plants must also adapt if they want to survive. We wanted to know how animals’ reproductive traits change to help them survive in warmer climates. We looked at dragonflies because the males use dark coloring on their wings to attract mates and intimidate rivals. We created a database to compare dragonflies living in warm climates to those living in cooler climates. We found that male dragonflies living in warmer climates have less wing coloring than those living in cooler climates. We also found wing ornamentation in warmer areas to be lighter in color. This is because the darker coloring can overheat the dragonfly and they become unable to reproduce. Lighter or reduced ornamentation is naturally selected when climates are warmer.
About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries.
science #article #teach #STEM #students #dragonflies #evolution #natural selection #climatechange #ornamentation
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com
Read this article at https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/heavy-metal-pollution-how-can-we-make-water-safe-to-drink/ or watch at https://youtu.be/GNprpGzIlok
Summary: In this article, scientists created a new material to remove copper from our water resources.
Abstract: When you think of a glass of water, what words come to mind? Clean? Safe? Refreshing? Unfortunately, those words don’t describe most of the drinking water in the world. According to the World Health Organization, 1 in 3 people on Earth don’t have access to safe drinking water. Children in some parts of Africa, for example, may need to walk for miles to get access to a bottle of drinking water. No matter where you live, people need clean water. Think about it. We need water for drinking, cooking, bathing, handwashing, and growing food. We need water to survive. Copper is a contaminant that makes water unsafe to drink. We created a new material – ZIOS – that can take copper out of the water and use it in other industries. We tested ZIOS to see how much it reduced copper levels in water. We also tested how quickly it does that, and if it would work in acidic environments. Our data support that ZIOS is a good solution to cleaning up copper pollution.
About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries.
science #article #teach #STEM #students #osmosis #heavymetal #pollution
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Read this article at https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/why-do-some-clownfish-not-breed/ or watch at https://youtu.be/PVT58BQq2T4
Summary: In this article, scientists investigate an evolutionary puzzle: why some clownfish choose to remain peacefully in their social groups, even though this means they may not breed.
Abstract: Clownfish are one of the most well-known tropical fish. But even though we see them on our TV screens, what do you know about them in real life? They live in social groups in which individuals are ranked by size (size-based dominance hierarchy). The two biggest dominant individuals breed (have babies), but the smaller individuals do not. So why do some clownfish forgo their own reproduction? We decided to investigate the smaller clownfish. We looked at the risks and rewards of moving to a different home to breed or of contesting to breed in their current home. We found that it’s too risky for these clownfish to move to a new home. Furthermore, they aren’t likely to contest by getting bigger and potentially fight the dominants since they risk being evicted from the group. So, they choose to stay put and wait in the hope that they will one day be able to breed.
About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries.
science #article #teach #STEM #students #evolution #clownfish #Nemo
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com
You can read the article here: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-can-we-make-sure-to-catch-only-the-fish-we-want-to-eat/ or watch it here: https://youtu.be/zyO0BfUezyM
Summary: Researchers explored whether illuminating gillnets could reduce the accidental bycatch of marine animals like sharks, rays, and squid.
Abstract: How much do you think seafood is worth? Would it surprise you to know that the world’s seafood market was worth over $250 billion in 2021?! And it’s not just money. 3 billion people (over 1/3 of the world’s population) rely on seafood as their main source of protein.
But the way that we fish is harming marine life. Bycatch, where animals like sharks and turtles are accidentally caught, is a big problem. We urgently need to find solutions!
We wanted to find out whether we could use lights to make gillnet fishing better. Could using illuminated nets reduce the amount of bycatch?
We found that illuminated gillnets reduced the amount of bycatch. Even better, fishers using the nets still caught lots of the fish that they were targeting and spent less time retrieving the nets. It’s a win-win!
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com
Read this article at https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/what-can-we-learn-about-aging-from-naked-mole-rats/ or watch at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yN61Jc6QjOc
Summary: Scientists conducted a DNA analysis of naked mole-rats to determine why they age differently than other mammals.
Abstract: Have you ever heard of a naked mole-rat? This rodent is interesting to scientists. That's because their bodies don’t age like the bodies of humans or other mammals. They also don’t get age-related diseases, such as heart disease or cancer. That’s why they can live over 30 years! Scientists are trying to understand how aging works in naked mole-rats. This will help them better understand aging in humans. We conducted an analysis of naked mole-rat DNA. We wanted to find out if the DNA changed with age. We found that naked mole-rats do age on a DNA level like other mammals. We then analyzed the places where the DNA changed. This analysis helped us predict how these changes might affect the body. We also found that the naked mole-rat queens age more slowly than the rest of the naked mole-rats in a community.
About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries.
science #article #teach #STEM #students #readaloud #DNA #nakedmolerats #DNA #epigenetics #aging #eusocial
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com
Read this article at https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/can-you-help-stop-online-racism/ or watch at https://youtu.be/9YHNtPpRBWY
Summary: Researchers wanted to understand the impacts of online racism on the lives of Black students and how to encourage White students to take a stand against it. Abstract Imagine you read a comment on a school social media site that made a negative statement about your race. How would that make you feel? Angry? Frustrated? Now imagine that nobody stood up to the person that made the comment. Would that make you feel worse? You might think other people agree with them, or you may feel disconnected from the school. Unfortunately, this is how many Black students feel because of the online racism they face today. We wanted to find out more about the impacts of online racism. We also wanted to discover what makes students more likely to stand up to online racism, and if this helps to reduce its negative impact. Our study showed that online racism negatively affects how Black students feel. But when they see White students standing up to the post, they feel better. We found that White students are more likely to stand up to online racism if they understand how it impacts Black students, and if they know what to say.
About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries.
science #article #teach #STEM #students #racism #socialmedia #intervention #ally
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Read this article at https://sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-do-ravens-thinking-skills-compare-with-apes/ or watch at https://youtu.be/QKUQe-pur9M
Summary: Scientists wanted to know how ravens’ intelligence and cognitive skills compared to apes. Abstract Ravens behave in ways that suggest they are really smart. Most scientists studying animal intelligence focus on monkeys and apes like macaques and chimpanzees. One group of scientists made a set of puzzles that tested primates’ physical and social thinking skills. We wanted to know more about ravens’ intelligence, and we wanted to be able to compare ravens and great apes. So, we changed the set of puzzles to make sure they could be solved by a bird using a beak instead of fingers. We found that ravens did just as well as the apes on almost all of the puzzles!
About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries.
science #article #teach #STEM #students #neuro #brain #intelligence #cognitive #ravens
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com