Bat-ty GPS

Oh no! Our GPS has gone BATTY! This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. Carrying a toddler around all day? Who can relate? Egyptian fruit bats!! Mother bats carry their newborns everywhere when looking for food. But eventually, these pups learn to spread their wings and

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Smoked Out

Don’t set your scale on fire just yet! This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. Congratulations, you’ve kicked your smoking habit after years of trying! You’ve gained health benefits, but also…some weight?? Some former smokers have gained up to twenty pounds after quitting! What’s to blame? 

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Just Do It

No time to exercise? There might still be a “runners high” on the way! This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. Whew! Just one more lap around the block! Or … hamster wheel? Even lab mice can get a “runners’ high!” And those who get their

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Bug Off!

Unbe-leaf-able! Plants can be SO defensive!  This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. You just brought home this plant and the leaves are already chewed up? How can we protect our green beauties? The answer could be. . . Tobacco plants. . They produce an arsenal

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Good Fungi Vibes

There’s fungus among us…but that might be a good thing! This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. It’s pizza night! What’s better than a mushroom pie! They don’t just taste good. Past research tells us some mushrooms may reduce anxiety. But what about depression?  Djibril Ba

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Variety-Sized Pups

Clifford the SMALL Red Dog??? That can’t be right! This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. “My dog’s bigger than your dog…” But wait – how can itty-bitty chihuahuas and HUMONGOUS Saint Bernards BOTH be dogs? Hint – it’s not the Ken-L-Ration!  Jocelyn Plassais from the

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Grub Gamblin’ Seals

At sea, sometimes SEAL-ing the deal is risky business!  This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. Imagine BULKING up to start a family. Male elephant seals need to get big to fight off other males during mating season. In fact, males can gain ONE THOUSAND pounds

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Insect Wound Schmear

Need pain relief cream? Hold the bug spray! This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. Chopping veggies for dinner and … YIKES! Where’s the Neosporin?? It’s not just us — even wild animals can have accidents! And they’ve been known to self-medicate, mostly with plants. But

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Nibbling Cancer Away

Imagine a meal even Ms. Pacman can’t swallow whole!  This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. Macrophages are large immune cells with an even LARGER appetite – they’re known for swallowing bacteria whole!  Ramraj Velmurugan from Texas A&M University and colleagues wondered – just how big

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Tracking by Burp

Love is in the air tonight … or is that giraffe DNA? This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. Imagine trying to study animals that are always in hiding! Animal ecologists can relate! Scientists can learn a lot about elusive sea creatures by analyzing their environmental

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