Hey…do I have something in my teeth? This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. Dental records are often used for identification. What other tales can our teeth tell about us?? Christina Warinner at the Max Planck Institute and fellow researchers picked through some plaque history. While
Continue readingCategory: Episodes
Champion Swimmers
If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the…ocean?!? This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science We know ocean temperatures change. But exactly how does that affect fish? Enter researchers at McMaster and St. Andrew’s Universities. Specifically, they investigated how early exposure to heat would
Continue readingWhat to Expect When You’re Expecting Spiders
The itsy-bitsy spider… grew bigger in its cozy nest! This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. Dogs, cows and humans all nurse their young. But ever wonder how SPIDERS nourish their babies? YIKES! Zhanqi Chen from the Chinese Academy of Sciences investigated a species of jumping
Continue readingStick to It
Insects: They creep, they crawl — but could they teach us to stick around? This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. Beetles and geckos have super sticky feet. Their secret? Tiny mushroom-shaped patches! These patches are a million times smaller than the width of a single
Continue readingPut a Gribble in Your Tank!
Gas prices have you feeling CRABBY? This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. Fossil fuels aren’t going to be around forever. Fortunately, scientists are finding new ways to develop similar fuels from wood! But turning wood into fuel might need the help of a little friend.
Continue readingAsleep or Awake?
Somebody pinch me! Am I REALLY awake? This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. Brain injury can make it difficult to tell if someone’s conscious or not! Patients in a coma may respond to things, but only as a reflex. How can doctors tell the difference?
Continue readingHopping to the Rescue
The Easter bunny is here… with a basket full of fresh air? This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. Urban homes often contain high levels of pollutants, known as volatile organic carcinogens. These VOC’s include formaldehyde, benzene, and chloroform. Yuck! Certain house plants are a good,
Continue readingEgg-stra Large Eggs
Baby dinosaur or…Jurassic omelette? This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. Most birds incubate their eggs by sitting on them. But how did big, heavy dinosaurs warm their eggs without smashing them? This question captured the attention of Kohei Tanaka. He studies Oviraptorosaur fossils. Parent Oviraptorosaurs
Continue readingComputer Savvy
Have you ever leaned in for a kiss that wasn’t? Awkward! This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. We humans are generally good at predicting social cues. A handshake versus a hug, for example. How? By observing those around us and comparing to our previous experiences.
Continue readingHigh-Class Element
More money, more problems? Not if you are a social-climbing metal! This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. Electrons are like the currency of chemistry. And usually, elements like to have a full wallet! Many elements, like carbon and oxygen, are stuck at eight electrons —
Continue reading