Latest Loh Downs – The Loh Down On Science

Odd Couple Mice

October 23, 2020 Bryce Wilson

Hey, lab mice – take a walk on the wild side! This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. For fifty years, scientists have worked hard to breed a standard lab mouse. Similar mice let researchers have better control over their experiments. They can compare different drugs

Tangled Tongues

October 22, 2020 Krista Fruehauf

Polyglot your tongue? This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. Many people think they are too old to learn a new language. Supposedly, young kids pick up languages faster because their brains are still developing. But is any of that really true? Joshua Hartshorne, Joshua Tenenbaum, and

Soft Dino Shells

October 21, 2020 Heidi Waite

A clutch of soft-shelled snake eggs surrounded by dirt

Which came first? The chicken or the soft shelled egg? This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. For ages it was believed that dinosaur eggs were hard shelled – like chicken eggs! But is there a crack in that theory? Mark Norell and colleagues from the

Standup Pups

October 20, 2020 Sebastian Waz

A large dog bends over to greet a smaller dog

You’d rescue a dog, but would your dog rescue you? This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. We love our furry friends — SO much, we shower them with toys and clean up their messes! But doesn’t that relationship seem awfully one-sided? Would your puppy return

Hocus Focus

October 19, 2020 Sebastian Waz

Can you stop cheaters… with magic? This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. When exam time comes down, cheaters abound! Teachers might sit students far apart or banish book bags to a corner of the room. But are physical barriers really the only way? Professor Gail

Coral Conundrum

October 16, 2020 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 UV rays.

Antsy for Answers

October 15, 2020 Xinyu Li

An areal shot of a group of black ants on red dirt.

Ants! They’re tiny, they’re mighty, they’re – master coders? This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. How are hungry ants like scientists? Check out an anthill! Here ants wander randomly, searching until they reach their target. Scientists might also try a million paths before that EUREKA

Technicolor Vision

October 14, 2020 Heidi Waite

It’s a truly brilliant world… for hummingbirds! This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. Pretty blues! Vibrant reds! We humans see colors because of special cells in our eyes called cones. Hummingbirds have an extra cone that detects UV light — light from the sun WE can’t see.

Baby Shark Food

October 13, 2020 Racine Rangel

What has rows of sharp pearly whites?! This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science, saying… BABY SHARK! Mighty Jaws sits on top of the oceanic food throne. Where adult white sharks munch on marine mammals, like dolphins, found near the water’s surface. But when you’re a

Ancient Americans

October 12, 2020 Stella Moon

Is the New World older than we think? This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. Land Ho! Finally arrived on this brand new continent we’re calling “America”! But… there’s people here already…. When did THEY get here? Ciprian Ardelean of the University of Exeter, UK, and his international