Could the next wave in air conditioning be trees? This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. With climate change, the risk of heat waves in cities continues to rise. Urban green spaces can help cool cities. Think parks and tree-lined streets. But what green spaces are
Continue readingTag: environment
Reefs That Protect
Hey! Where’s the beef in that coral reef? This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. Coral reefs are colorful ecosystems filled with life on the shallow surfaces of the ocean. But can they do more than provide a habitat for fish? Mohommad Ghiasian and team explored
Continue readingSneaky Species
SOS! Invasion of the… yellow… star… thistles?! This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. Ever had an unwanted guest in your garden? I’m up to my neck in Pampas Grass! Invasive species can disrupt habitats, push out native species, and be agricultural pests. So how long
Continue readingMoldy but a Goodie?
No dessert until you’ve finished your…MOLD? This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. Plant-based and vegetarian meals are great choices because of their health and environmental benefits. But how can we make meat alternatives taste like the REAL thing? There’s a fungus among us—an edible type
Continue readingFishy Fatherhood
Underwater… empty nesters?! This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. Raising a baby takes a lot of work! How do animals know when it’s time to quit? John Majoris, from the University of Boston and team wondered. They studied neon gobies, a seemingly common egg-laying fish.
Continue readingShroomy Bags
Looking for a stylish new handbag? On to the produce aisle! This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. Sustainable fashion is all the rage, but did you know mushrooms can be made into textiles?! Their fibrous mycelia innards are the reason why. But, processing these mushroom
Continue readingSeaworthy Straws
Feeling di-STRAW-t over ocean pollution? Listen up. This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. Plastic straws degrade slowly in landfills and the ocean, far outliving their single use. Biodegradable straws have become more popular. But are they really ocean-friendly? Bryan James and team from Woods Hole
Continue readingDriving the Distance
Time to put your Tesla to the test! This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. Do more electric cars on the road mean less pollution? FIRST, we need to know how much they’re driven! Enter Lujin Zhao and team from George Washington University. Researchers analyzed over
Continue readingLlama Landscapers
Nature can heal itself? LLAMA tell you how! This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. Glaciers are melting rapidly worldwide, leaving behind harsh environments without plant and animal life. The poor soil conditions prevent new ecosystems from developing for decades. Could animals help speed up this
Continue readingFriendly Neigh-bears
Howdy, neigh-bear! This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science, and the story of three bears… The Indigenous First Nations of modern British Columbia hold strong connections to wildlife. One venerated animal? The grizzly bear, which has shared their homeland for millennia. Recently, grizzlies appeared in new
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