environmental science – The Loh Down On Science

Water Wonder

March 28, 2019 Krista Fruehauf

Water treatment that’s effective…and CUTE! This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. Most treatment facilities purify water by using chemicals that glob onto bad stuff. But this process isn’t perfect… if only someone could lend a hand… or a tentacle?! Introducing the sea anemone Actinia! It

Pink Snow

March 26, 2019 Loh Down Staff

We all know to avoid yellow snow. But what about PINK snow? This is Sandra Tsing Loh with The Loh Down On Science. Pink snow forms when the surfaces of glaciers and ice sheets melt. Red algae grow in the meltwater and color the snow beneath. Scientists from the University

Plastic for Dinner

March 18, 2019 Hurik Muradyan

Just say “no” to plastic straws. Think of the turtles! This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science Plastic is everywhere – in packaging, fast-food containers … dirt?! Yes, dirt! Farmers sometimes mix plastic chips with mulch to improve plant growth. But the plastic stays in our

Super-Predator

November 14, 2018 Hurik Muradyan

Oooh — where’s that wascally wabbit?? This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. Hey early risers – have you noticed more animals on your morning run versus your afternoon walk? Do all the bunnies leave for afternoon tea time? Unlikely! Kaitlyn Gaynor at U-C Berkeley wanted

Bear-ly Exercising

November 7, 2018 Samantha Leigh

Need a workout buddy? How about a….polar bear?! This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. Studies show that ice in the Arctic is rapidly melting. Since polar bears call this ice home, how will its disappearance affect them? Anthony Pagano teamed up with zoos in San

Smog Breath

October 11, 2018 Loh Down Staff

Does this smog make me look fat? This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science, and a weight-gain study we hope doesn’t make you hyperventilate! Who’s asking it? Environmental health scientists at Ohio State University. They wanted to examine how exposure to air pollution early in life

Coral Conundrum

October 1, 2018 Kellen Kartub

An up close image of coral underwater. The coral in the foreground is bleached white while the coral in the background is brown. Small fish swim in the background.

Could fun in the sun – mean grief in the reef? This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. The sun’s ultraviolet rays cause suntans, sunburns… and an increased risk of skin cancer. Sunscreen protects our skin by using chemicals like oxybenzone to absorb harmful U-V rays.

Poopopotamus

August 20, 2018 Samantha Leigh

Hippo poop stinks — in more ways than one! This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. In Tanzania, Africa, hippos are big. And they leave a big mark. How big? These large mammals generate over fifty-two-thousand metric tons of dung each year! People originally thought that