Grandma’s Hands

Sourdough bread

Do grandmas really have a “magic touch” for baking? This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. Aspen Reese from Harvard wanted to know: can grandma’s actual hands really make a difference? She and her team sent flour to eighteen bakers across North America and Europe. The

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Eye See You

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. But what does that MEAN? This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. It SEEMS easy to prove we’re seeing the same thing. I see an old blue mug; you see an old blue mug. But do we all

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Altruistic Apes

Two Bonobo monkeys looking at a leaf that one of them holds

When it comes to helping strangers, what kind of ape are you? This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. You might think altruism is a uniquely human trait. For example, when lending a helping hand, chimpanzees tend to favor their friends. But do other primates show

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Color Me Happy

Hey, adults of a certain age. Do you like to color? This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science saying, coloring books! They’re not just for kids anymore. Adults claim they help reduce stress and improve well-being. But how effective are they compared to traditional art therapy?

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ElectronINKed

Sensor tattooed on skin

Smartwatch weighing you down? This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science, saying… How smart are they, anyway? Tracking your health and fitness is important – you want a device that knows you like your own skin! Faheem Ershad from the University of Houston has a solution.

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Ancient DNA

Tuatara (kind of reptile)

Fans of Jurassic Park, listen up! This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. The tuatara is an ancient reptile with close ties to dinosaurs. It looks like a lizard, but has TEETH — and triple-digit birthdays! What makes this critter so special? Neil Gemmell and an

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Toys for Tots

A kid in the middle of a room plenty of toys

Are you buying too many toys for your kids?? This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. Children leave toys everywhere in the house. What a mess! Sure, playing is critical for child development. But does the NUMBER OF TOYS affect how children play? Alexia Metz and

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Cuddle Buddies

Two lemurs cuddling

Are hugs the new chicken soup? This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. Think of your gut as a soup of friendly bacteria. Everybody’s recipe is custom made to work with our bodies properly. These good bacteria help digest food and fight disease. Scientists know that

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Make it Snow

Street picture while snowing

Let it snow or MAKE it snow?! This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. Winter is right around the corner! Time to get your skis waxed and skates sharpened! But what if it doesn’t snow? The problem goes deeper than winter sports. Water scarcity is becoming

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The Perfect Pop

A pot with overfloading popcorn on a gas stove

Movie magic meets… popcorn science? This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. No movie night is complete without delicious, buttery popcorn! But have you ever wondered what makes those kernels pop and jump? A study led by Ecole Polytechnic tried to explain this phenomenon. Two French

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