SJK Audio Edition

Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/where-did-south-american-wild-canids-come-from/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/o1rIhsW4lQcSummary: Scientists set out to discover the evolutionary history of South American wild canids.Abstract: South America has the most diverse group of wild canids in the world. There are 10 different species! But where did they come from? And how did they become so diverse? Also, why are some species really different from the others? We took DNA from 18 canids and sequenced their genomes. We also downloaded the genomes of 13 other wild canids that were already sequenced. Using computer software, we then looked through their genes. We discovered that all 10 species evolved from a single ancestor that came from North America using the newly formed Panama land bridge around 3.5 million years ago. As the ancestor spread through South America, it evolved into different species. This only took 2 million years – a blink of an eye for evolution! We were also excited to find the genes responsible for some of the wild canids’ unique adaptations. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com

Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/where-did-cats-first-start-living-with-people/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/QGJa0UROGOISummary: Researchers analyzed the DNA from over 2,000 cats to find out where cats were first domesticated.Abstract: People all around the world love their cats. Cats are cute, and they can also be helpful! Cats are great at catching mice and other small animals. Long ago, cats evolved from wildcats that started hunting for prey around human settlements. When and where did this happen? We analyzed DNA from over 2,000 cats from around the world. We found that cats’ DNA tells a story that follows ancient human travels. Our data show wildcats were most likely first domesticated in the eastern Mediterranean (Near East). Cats spread out to the rest of the world as traders and sailors brought them on their journeys. We are still learning new things even about the animals we know best! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com

Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-can-black-rats-change-the-behavior-of-reef-fish/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/eygqUtAndtYSummary: Scientists discovered that invasive black rats on islands in the Indian Ocean affect the territorial behavior of reef fish.Abstract: Every animal needs an environment where it can survive and thrive. Unfortunately, humans are having a serious impact on the natural world. Our behavior can harm ecosystems and the animals that call them home. In the 1700s, black rats arrived with humans on tropical islands in the middle of the Indian Ocean. Seabirds play an important role in providing nutrients to coral reefs around these islands. But the invasive rats feed on the seabirds and thus reduce their population. So, the amount of nutrients reaching the coral reefs also decreases.Coral reef fish need lots of energy from their food to be aggressive and defend their homes from intruders. We thought there might be a connection between black rats, the nutrients available on coral reefs, and the behavior of small reef fishes. Indeed, we discovered that invasive rats on land directly affect the behavior of fish in the sea! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com

Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/which-type-of-people-tend-to-help-others/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/GVssR3mtBAYSummary: Researchers investigated factors that contribute to a person’s willingness to take part in prosocial behaviors.Abstract: Have you ever helped a friend find a lost item? Or donated old clothes or toys to a charity? When you help someone, you are taking part in prosocial behaviors. In our study, we analyzed data to determine which factors relate to prosocial behavior. We explored life satisfaction, positive emotions, and negative emotions. We found that people who are more satisfied with their life take part in more prosocial behaviors. We also found a relationship between positive emotions and prosocial behaviors. We learned that negative emotions are more difficult to use as a predictor for prosocial behaviors. Negative emotions often relate to less prosocial behaviors. But the relationship between negative emotions and prosocial behavior was less consistent. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com

Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-can-we-recycle-plastic-more-sustainably/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/4CB0N9LxH8cSummary: Researchers discover a new enzyme that can help make plastic recycling more efficient and sustainable.Abstract: Plastic is all around us: in our toothbrushes, pens, cars, and even clothing! It is very useful. But plastic trash ends up in the environment and is bad for animals and humans. It can take hundreds of years to break down. Recycling this plastic can take a lot of energy and often still leaves waste. We wanted to find a better way to break plastic down and reuse it to make new plastic. We discovered an enzyme that “digests” plastic in the same way that humans can digest food. Using this enzyme to break down used plastic means we will need much less energy to recycle plastic. Plus, we can even use the products of the process to make plastics that are just as good as new ones! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com

Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/can-we-use-bacteria-to-make-renewable-rocket-fuel/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/w89zniBxgucSummary: Scientists explored whether bacteria could be used to make high-energy biofuels to make rockets, airplanes, and ships more sustainable.Abstract: NASA’s space shuttle has to reach speeds of almost 18,000 miles per hour (29,000 kilometers per hour) in only 8.5 minutes. That’s necessary for it to reach outer space. That’s 300 times faster than a car traveling at 60 mph (97 km/h)! To reach these speeds, rockets need particularly high-energy fuels. It’s the same for airplanes and cargo ships, too.At the moment, these high-energy fuels are made using petroleum – a fossil fuel, and the leading cause of global climate change. So, there’s an urgent need for scientists to develop more sustainable high-energy fuels.We explored whether bacteria could make molecules we could turn into high-energy biofuels. We looked into bacterial DNA and used clever chemistry to produce new biofuels using Streptomyces bacteria. These “POP biofuels” seem to be even better (higher energy) than the current petroleum-made rocket fuels! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com

Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-do-bacteria-help-plants/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/53P-RR4eMXQSummary: Scientists investigated bacteria that promote nitrogen fixation which could cut down on the use of fertilizers.Abstract: All plants need nitrogen to grow. Farmers use chemical fertilizers to add nitrogen to the soil. But this creates a lot of problems for the environment. So, scientists have been working on alternative ways to get nitrogen to their plants. We found a way to edit the DNA of rice plants so that they produce a compound that helps the formation of bacterial biofilms in the soil. These bacterial biofilms are very important to plants. They help them to absorb more nitrogen from the air. The edited rice plants in our experiment did grow better! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com

Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/why-are-people-more-likely-to-get-sick-when-it-is-cold/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/gvSTjL4zOwISummary: Scientists determine how cold weather affects the nose’s ability to prevent viruses from infecting nasal cells.Abstract: Did you know that your nose protects you from germs? The nose makes small sacs called extracellular vesicles. These sacs prevent bacteria from causing infections. In this study, we investigated how the nose uses extracellular vesicles to fight viruses. We hypothesized that cold weather decreases the nose’s ability to prevent viruses from infecting cells. Our findings confirmed that the nose does make extracellular vesicles when exposed to a virus. They contain molecules that attach to and kill the viruses. But the amount of extracellular vesicles decreases in colder weather. Furthermore, when it’s cold, the extracellular vesicles do not contain as many molecules that can kill the virus. That means that we are more likely to get sick when it is chilly outside! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com

Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/what-can-tusks-tell-us-about-the-lives-of-mastodons/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/bv5h6B0_8aASummary: Paleontologists analyzed a male mastodon’s tusk to reveal his behavior during his life.Abstract: Did you know that tusks are enormous teeth? Many animals have them, but the biggest ones belong to elephants and their relatives, including mastodons. Mastodons are now extinct, but paleontologists can use fossil tusks to study the lives of these ancient giants. For our study, we analyzed the right tusk of a male mastodon found in 1998. We also analyzed two chemical elements preserved in the tusks: oxygen and strontium. Using different forms of these elements (called isotopes), we tracked the season when a particular layer of tusk was grown, as well as where he grew it. We learned that he traveled long distances to mate with females. He also had fights with other mastodons and even died during his final battle! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com

Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/can-a-robotic-arm-be-controlled-by-the-brain/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/pDFzjAQyLXMSummary: Scientists test a new system that allows a person to control a robotic arm with their brain.Abstract: Picking up an object and moving it from one place to another might seem like an easy, everyday task. But for many people with tetraplegia, it is not possible. They have spinal cord injuries and cannot grasp, move, or feel objects with their hands. This is because the connection between the brain and limbs is damaged. In a previous study, we made a device that allowed a person to control a robotic arm using small implants in their brain. Using their sense of sight, they guided the arm to an object, picked it up, and placed it in a new location. In this study, we improved this system to include implants in the part of their brain that senses touch from the hand. We found that touch feedback improved a person’s ability to complete tasks with the robotic arm. The time it took to complete the assigned tasks was cut in half! This is because the study participant could grasp the object faster using both senses. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com

Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/what-was-the-impact-of-a-delayed-second-covid-19-vaccine/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/HsWs4qYyqFcSummary: Researchers wanted to know the impact of delaying the second COVID-19 vaccine dose in England.Abstract: Do you remember the first days of the COVID-19 pandemic? It got quite scary at times. There were many unknowns and governments had to make hard decisions. At first, there were lockdowns. Then, less than a year later, scientists developed vaccines. The UK was the first country to start national vaccination. A full vaccination course required 2 doses for each person. But some evidence suggested that even one dose could provide decent protection for some time. So the UK government decided to delay the second dose and have more people receive the first dose as fast as possible. What was the impact of this decision? We used a mathematical model to find out. It turned out that delaying the second dose prevented around 58,000 hospitalizations. It has saved more than 10,000 lives! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com

Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/what-can-tree-frogs-in-chernobyl-tell-us-about-radiation/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/3fM7TkhsjKASummary: Scientists investigate the effect of radiation on the skin coloration of frogs in Chernobyl.Abstract: Have you ever heard of Chernobyl? It was a nuclear power plant that released large amounts of radiation into the environment after an accident. While the people nearby left the area, the wildlife remained. Many plants and animals died because of the high levels of radiation. But others, such as tree frogs, adapted. We collected tree frogs from different areas surrounding the Chernobyl power plant. We analyzed their skin coloration. We found that the frogs closer to the power plant had darker skin coloration. That’s because they have higher levels of melanin. Melanin is known to protect organisms from radiation. We think that darker colored frogs better survived the higher levels of radiation closer to the power plant. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com

Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-does-farming-impact-air-quality/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/SRWUd38gXhASummary: Researchers wanted to understand the link between farming our food and air pollution.Abstract: Farming releases small particles of pollution into the air. This lowers the quality of the surrounding air and has serious impacts on human health. In fact, air pollution caused by farming results in 17,900 deaths in the US every year! We wanted to understand more about which farming processes and foods caused the most pollution. That way we could look for ways to reduce it. We calculated the total farming-related air pollution released in the US. We broke this data down into different categories for further analysis. We found that animal waste, fertilizer, and tilling caused the vast majority of deaths. Animal-based foods caused nearly four times more deaths than plant-based foods. Finally, we looked at interventions that could decrease air pollution. We found that changes in diet were the most effective. But farming interventions alone could lower deaths considerably. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com

Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-can-the-eruption-of-a-volcano-affect-the-ocean-everywhere-on-earth/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/bOyBXmkTVbYSummary: Scientists analyze weather and ocean data to better understand the effects of the January 2022 Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcanic eruption in Mexico.Abstract: Did you know that a volcanic eruption can affect the entire world? When the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano erupted on January 15, 2022, it affected the ocean everywhere. That's because it created an atmospheric wave that disturbed the ocean. It also generated a tsunami. We analyzed weather station and tidal gauge data to learn more about the effects of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcanic eruption on Mexico. We learned that the atmospheric wave moved across the world many times. We also learned that the tsunami reached heights of up to 2 meters (6.5 feet) along the Pacific coast of Mexico. Our analysis of the tsunami warning system in Mexico showed that most people were not informed to stay away from the ocean. Based on our analysis, we recommend making changes to tsunami warning systems. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com

Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/what-was-life-like-in-medieval-england/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/yWigSrXWHP4Summary: Researchers found signs of intestinal worm infections in people who lived in medieval England.Abstract: We looked for signs of parasitic worm infection in people who lived in Cambridge, England during the Middle Ages. We compared two groups of people who had very different lifestyles: Augustinian friars and common laborers. The friars had better food and lived longer than the common people. They also were more likely to have access to running water and better toilets. Surprisingly, the friars had a higher worm infection rate! We think the reason might be that the friars used human poop to fertilize their vegetable gardens. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com

Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/can-you-get-vaccinated-without-a-needle/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/IMpGT-dKR10Summary: Scientists develop a new COVID-19 vaccination method using vaccine patches, eliminating the need for needle-based vaccinations.Abstract: Vaccines are an important tool to help prevent the spread of infectious diseases like COVID-19. Despite their importance, it can be difficult to get such important medicine to everybody who needs it. We developed a painless vaccine patch that can make vaccines easier to transport. It could also increase access for everyone, especially those who are scared of needles! In this study, we wanted to determine if our vaccine patch could produce an immune response, increasing our bodies' protection. We measured the amount of antibodies produced by the immune systems in mice who received the vaccine patch and showed that this vaccine tool is just as effective as traditional needle vaccinations. We also found that the vaccine patch protected the mice from COVID-19 after a single application. These discoveries proved that the vaccine patch can be a safe and effective form of delivering vaccinations. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com

Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-can-polar-bears-survive-longer-in-a-changing-climate/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/M69lyTjV78QSummary: Researchers identified a new subpopulation of polar bears in Southeast Greenland that hunt for food on glacier ice.Abstract: Polar bears are decreasing in number because of climate change. Polar bears depend on Arctic sea ice to hunt for their food. In a warming climate, sea ice is disappearing. Because of this, many polar bears around the Arctic are expected to disappear. Are there any places in the Arctic where polar bears might have a chance to survive when the sea ice disappears? What would those habitats look like? Would the polar bears that live there look or act differently?We found a group of polar bears in Southeast Greenland that live in fjords. They use ice from glaciers as well as sea ice to hunt. We conducted a study looking at their movement, genetics, and demography. We found that Southeast Greenland polar bears don’t travel much because of the rugged environment. They have been isolated from other polar bears for about 200 years and are a genetically distinct group. Future studies of these polar bears will help with conservation efforts for the species. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com

Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/what-can-termites-teach-us-about-better-building-materials/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/NDD8PxRrmmISummary: Termite mounds inspired scientists to create alternative building materials that are stronger and more environmentally friendly than traditional clay bricks.Abstract: There is a global need for more sustainable and environmentally friendly construction materials. The large, stable mounds that termites build for their homes are inspirational! Termite mounds form when the termites mix soil with their saliva. This mixture contains simple sugars that act like glue and give it stability. Cassava is a starchy root vegetable that also contains simple sugars. To mimic termite mounds, we mixed soil with hot paste made from cassava flour. Then, we made bricks containing different amounts of cassava flour paste, from 0% to 6%. We tested the physical properties of these different bricks. Our aim was to see how suitable they would be in building construction. Bricks made with 1.5% cassava flour paste performed best in tests of strength, durability, shrinkage, and water absorption. They were even better than traditional clay bricks with no cassava flour! Our termite mound-inspired bricks provide an inexpensive, accessible, and safe alternative to current building materials. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com

Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-did-organoids-help-scientists-understand-covid-19/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/jAGVEmHiQK0 Summary: Scientists conducted a literature review to summarize the role of organoids in COVID-19 research.Abstract: Have you ever wondered how scientists know how a virus affects the human body? Or how they develop medicines and vaccines to reduce the impact of viruses like the one that causes COVID-19? The answer is organoids! These miniature models of human organs are grown in the laboratory. Scientists use organoids to determine how a virus attacks the body and identify possible treatments for the virus. We conducted a literature review of the organoids used in COVID-19 research. We found that COVID-19 research used many different types of organoids. We also learned how scientists created these organoids and what they taught us about the SARS-CoV-2 virus. We identified ways to improve this new method of disease research in the future. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com

Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/can-a-spray-make-our-crops-better/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/nrZg9NQ7M8wSummary: Researchers developed a nanocarrier spray to better crops without modifying their genome.Abstract: Did you know that the first genetically modified crop was a tomato with delayed ripening? Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have been around for decades now. And they offer a lot of benefits, such as an increased food supply, resistance to diseases, and more. Yet there are a few downsides as well. Producing them takes a lot of time and is often expensive. Plus, many people have concerns about their safety, since they include foreign DNA in their genome. But what if we can alter the crops without changing their genome? We tried using bioactive molecules which can change cell activity. To insert them into the plant cells we tested sprays with nanocarriers. It turned out to be a success! Many nanocarriers were able to penetrate the plant cells. We also successfully inserted bioactive molecules in the cells through spraying. In this way the cell could express a new gene or silence an existing one. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com

Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-does-sunscreen-make-corals-sick/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/Mf-Xd3ER6sMSummary: Researchers wanted to know how a chemical in sunscreen affects coral reefs.Abstract: Picture yourself diving into a tropical ocean. The sun is bright, and the water is clear and warm. What do you see? Colorful fish, playful dolphins, waving seaweed? Maybe you even see something that looks like a beautiful underwater garden – a coral reef! Coral reefs are important habitats for a huge diversity of animals. But sadly, warming oceans and pollution threaten most coral reefs. An example of this threat is actually sunscreen! Oxybenzone is a chemical found in many sunscreens that can harm corals and other animals. But scientists didn’t know exactly how oxybenzone harmed corals. We set up an experiment to find out how corals and sea anemones (which are closely related to corals) reacted to oxybenzone in the water. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com

Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-are-aging-and-gut-bacteria-related/ or watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSvnTbZErwESummary: Scientists investigated how the diversity of our small intestinal microbiome changes as we age.Abstract: We know that bacteria can be harmful and can cause a lot of diseases. But did you know that not all bacteria are bad? In fact, there are trillions of bacteria inside us that help us to live! These bacteria make up the gut microbiome. We wanted to understand the relationship between our gut bacteria and how we age. We found that as we get older, the different types of bacteria in our gut microbiome change. We also discovered that diseases and medication can affect this change. Knowing more about how our gut bacteria work can help us live healthier lives! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com

Read this article here: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/why-do-sharks-sleep/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/EEucn4KdiA4Summary: Scientists wanted to understand more about sleep in sharks.Abstract: We all know what it feels like when we have not had enough sleep. You might feel tired, have trouble concentrating, or even be grumpy and irritable. Despite it being such an important part of our daily lives, sleep still remains a bit of a mystery! To help answer the question of why we sleep, scientists have started researching sleep in other animals. This can help us understand how and why sleep evolved.Sharks are hundreds of millions of years old. In fact, they are the oldest living group of jawed vertebrates! Because of this, we think they could help unlock important information about the evolution of sleep. So far, only one study has focused on sleep in sharks. We wanted to change this!We studied the metabolic rate and behavior of draughtsboard sharks (Cephaloscyllium isabellum) over a 24-hour period. Our results show that when sharks sleep, they typically have a flat body posture and a reduced metabolic rate. Our study supports the hypothesis that the conservation of energy is a core function of sleep. It also provides insight into its evolution. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com

Read this article at https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/why-can-some-monkeys-live-high-in-the-mountains/ or watch at https://youtu.be/Gkv2pyifmIwSummary: Scientists studied a high mountain monkey called the gelada to figure out how they survive in a harsh, low-oxygen environment. Abstract: Geladas are an unusual primate. They eat mostly grass instead of fruit or meat. They are known as “bleeding heart monkeys” for the bright red patch of skin on their chests. They also live high in the mountains instead of in the jungle or the savanna. The air is thinner high in the mountains, so it is harder to get enough oxygen. How can geladas thrive in that environment? That’s what we wanted to find out. We studied the DNA of wild geladas. We found a surprising difference in how DNA is packaged between geladas from two different regions of Ethiopia. Also, we know that some animals react to low oxygen by increasing the amount of hemoglobin in their blood. But we learned that geladas don’t do that. Instead, they might have evolved to have larger lungs to help them get more oxygen with each breath.About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries. #science #article #teach #STEM #students #readaloud #monkeys #hypoxia #highaltitude #adaptations #speciation This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com

Read this article at https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/what-can-fossils-tell-us-about-the-nervous-systems-evolution/ or watch at https://youtu.be/69sv6Tf9HEoSummary: Paleontologists examined a well-preserved fossil of the central nervous system in an extinct horseshoe crab. Abstract: What can we learn from fossils? We can estimate the shape and size of an extinct animal. Anything else? Well, if soft tissues (like the brain or muscles) fossilize, it could tell us how the animal functioned or behaved. Unfortunately, soft tissue decomposes quickly after an animal dies. They aren’t preserved as fossils very often. That’s why we felt really lucky when we came across a fossil of an extinct horseshoe crab with a preserved central nervous system (CNS). We discovered that the organization of the CNS in our fossil is the same as in horseshoe crabs living today. It hasn’t changed in over 300 million years! We also figured out how our unique fossil might have formed. This could help others discover similar fossils in the future. About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries. #science #article #teach #STEM #students #readaloud #paleontology #horseshoecrab #fossils #CNS This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com

Read this article at https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-can-we-know-about-dinosaurs-social-lives/ or watch at https://youtu.be/3HN_G6JcOCUSummary: Paleontologists learned about the social lives of Mussaurus patagonicus from a huge fossil find in southern Argentina. Abstract: Fossils tell us a lot about how dinosaur shapes changed over time. But learning how dinosaur behavior changed over time is a lot harder to do! That’s why we were so excited to find a treasure trove of Mussaurus patagonicus fossils in Patagonia in southern Argentina. We found fossils of eggs, hatchlings, juveniles, and adults. Mussaurus lived in the early Jurassic, about 193 million years ago. It is an early cousin of the giant sauropods like Diplodocus. Clues from our fossil find tell us about Mussaurus’ social lives. They lived in herds, nested in colonies, and spent time in age-separated groups. This is the oldest fossil evidence of dinosaur social behavior ever found! About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries. #science #article #teach #STEM #students #readaloud #dinosaur #socialbehavior #Mussarus #xraytomography #fossils This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com

Read this article at https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-can-oyster-farms-create-homes-for-fish/ or watch at https://youtu.be/rqJOTkL26xISummary: Scientists wanted to find out whether oyster cages could provide important habitat for fish. Abstract: Fish are fascinating animals. Individual fish have places they call home as well as their own daily routines. We wanted to find out whether oyster cages (gear used to farm oysters) provide habitat for fish. Do they like to hang out there? Do they live there? Which species spend time there and what do they get up to? We used two methods, underwater video cameras and environmental DNA, to uncover the secret lives of fish. The videos let us see which species hung out at the cages and watch their behaviors. Environmental DNA helped us find the species that are hard to see on camera, like very small or nocturnal fish. We found 7 fish species on video and 42 species using environmental DNA. Some species were abundant at the oyster cages. We even watched them getting up to behaviors like foraging for food and sheltering from predators and currents. Oyster cages can act as artificial reefs, providing valuable habitat for fish! About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries. #science #article #teach #STEM #students #readaloud #oysters #aquaculture #fishhabitat #artificalreefs #ecosystemservices #estuary This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com

Read this article at https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/do-fish-have-a-home/ or watch at https://youtu.be/1tZQwbFrXk0Summary: Researchers wanted to see how fish used coastal habitats in an effort to identify specific areas where protection would be most helpful. Abstract: Do you have a favorite place? One that makes you feel safe and has everything you need to survive? Now imagine you are in your favorite place and a skunk wanders in. You run away because you don’t want to end up stinky. This same thing happens to young (juvenile) fish when their favorite places get polluted or are not protected. Fish might even get caught by fishermen. A lot of fish populations are in danger because: - too many individuals are caught - there aren’t enough safe places for juveniles to hide. If we protect their favorite places, we might be able to keep fish populations from decreasing. We tracked European bass (an important fish in Europe) for a year to figure out where their favorite places were. We found that most European bass stayed close to the coastal sites we caught them from. Our goal is to identify more of these coastal sites. That way, humans can protect them, and fish populations can thrive. About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries. #science #article #teach #STEM #students #readaloud #fishing #fishhabitat #coastaldevelopment #estuary #recruitment #fishingpressure This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com

Read this article at https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-can-we-protect-the-seabed-from-storms/ or watch at https://youtu.be/GVASuv1B8ecSummary: Scientists wanted to see if protecting an area of UK seabed from destructive fishing would help it be stronger against extreme storms caused by climate change. Abstract: Have you seen any unusual weather recently? One of the changes we may see because of climate change is more severe storms in the UK. When storms hit the coastline, they create strong waves. This really shakes up the organisms living on the seabed. But do methods of fishing also make a difference? Some areas of the sea are protected from destructive fishing methods. These areas are called Marine Protected Areas. We wanted to find out if the organisms in these areas are better at facing and recovering from severe storms than fished areas. About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries. #science #article #teach #STEM #students #readaloud #marineprotectedarea #resistance #resilience #temperatereefs #climatechange #storms This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com

Read this article at https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/can-materials-made-of-the-same-elements-have-different-properties/ or watch at https://youtu.be/l9ALWuVKbxUSummary: Researchers create two polymers with different properties by rearranging the atoms in a sugar-based molecule. Abstract: Did you know that everything around you contains special molecules called polymers? These molecules form long chains that make up plastic, protein, and even your DNA! The great thing about polymers is that we can design them to have the properties we need. But the polymers we design can sometimes have a negative impact on the environment. That is why we wanted to see if we can create different polymers from the same natural product, such as sugar. We wanted to determine how the placement of atoms in the polymers affected their properties. We found that by rearranging the atoms of a monomer, we could get two different polymers. One behaved like a stiff plastic, and the other behaved like stretchy rubber. The results of our research made us realize that the placement of atoms does change a polymer’s properties. It also proved that we can make strong and flexible polymers from more natural materials. About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries. #science #article #teach #STEM #students #readaloud #stereoisomers #biodegradable #sugars #chemistry #tensilestrength This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com

Read this article at https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/what-happens-to-mother-bees-brains-as-they-age/ or watch at https://youtu.be/d7jR3xfEj9gSummary: Scientists wondered if the brains of solitary bees grow larger as they age, like the brains of honeybees do.Abstract: You’re probably familiar with honeybees and bumblebees. But did you know that there are over 20,000 species of bees, and most of them are solitary? In worker honeybees, certain brain areas grow larger as the insects get older and have more experiences. We wanted to know if this was also the case for solitary bees. We studied a particular type of solitary carpenter bee named Ceratina calcarata. We collected female bees of three different ages. Then we measured their brains and other body parts under a microscope. As expected, older female bees had smaller ovaries and more worn wings. But surprisingly, older bees had smaller brains than younger bees. We think that female C. calcarata bees invest their energy and resources into reproduction, rather than growing bigger brains.About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries.#science #article #teach #STEM #students #readaloud #solitarybees #pollination #beebrains #beereproduction This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com

Read this article at https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-can-we-prevent-cervical-cancer-in-mongolia/ or watch at https://youtu.be/3wYUR4J83dESummary: Researchers wanted to find out if introducing HPV vaccination in Mongolia would be a cost-effective way to prevent cervical cancer. Abstract: Have you ever heard of cervical cancer? It’s one of the most common forms of cancer among women. Most of the cases occur in countries with lower incomes and fewer resources. The leading cause of cervical cancer is human papillomavirus (HPV). There are several effective vaccines against HPV. But introducing them in the vaccination calendar could cost a lot. Would it be worth it? We used a mathematical model to see if HPV vaccination would be cost effective in Mongolia. It helped us estimate the benefits and costs of introducing an HPV vaccine there. We found out that it would cost between $2.4 and $3.1 million (USD) but could save nearly 4,000 lives! We believe that introducing HPV vaccines in Mongolia would be cost effective. About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries. #science #article #teach #STEM #students #readaloud #HPV #vaccination #sexuallytransmitteddiseases #Mongolia #health This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com

Read this article at https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-do-gender-stereotypes-impact-girls-interest-in-science/ or watch at https://youtu.be/7DCPPLAPoGg Summary: Researchers investigated the impact of gender stereotypes favoring boys in computer science and engineering on children and adolescents. Abstract: Has anyone ever said that you couldn’t or shouldn’t do something because of one of your traits? If so, you’ve probably been the victim of a stereotype. A stereotype is a set of shared beliefs based on a trait or the identity of a group. A common stereotype is that women are not as good at or interested in science as men. This can result in fewer women participating in the sciences. We wanted to know if and when these gender stereotypes about science affect children and adolescents. We also wanted to know if stereotypes cause girls to be less interested in and take part less in these fields. To find out, we conducted surveys and laboratory experiments. We found that very young students believed these gender stereotypes. Girls were less interested in participating in computer science and engineering if they believed the stereotypes. So, teachers and schools should try to generate interest in these fields at an early age. About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries. #science #article #teach #STEM #students #readaloud #genderinequality #genderstereotypes #computerscience #engineering This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com

Read this article at https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-much-plastic-from-the-pandemic-ends-up-in-the-ocean/ or watch at https://youtu.be/PZwgm9WVgAoSummary: Researchers wanted to find out how much extra plastic waste from the pandemic has entered the ocean. Abstract: Have you ever noticed facemasks littering the streets? They’ve become a part of day-to-day life, but where do they end up? It’s estimated that around 1.5 billion facemasks entered the oceans in 2020! And it’s not just masks. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we have made a lot more plastic for different uses. We wanted to find out how much extra plastic waste there is due to the pandemic. We also wanted to find out how much enters the ocean, and where it eventually ends up. We used data from lots of different sources to work out how much extra plastic has been made for the pandemic. We then used scientific models to work out how much of this plastic ended up in rivers and then the ocean. We found out that over 8 million tons of extra plastic waste has been made globally due to the pandemic. Over 25,000 tons of this has entered the ocean, where it can harm marine wildlife. About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries. #science #article #teach #STEM #students #readaloud #COVID19 #plasticpollution #microplastics #PPE #beachcleanup This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com

Read this article at https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-do-chemicals-affect-animals-and-their-kids/ or watch at https://youtu.be/V3YXB_rMgyMSummary: Researchers wanted to compare the effects of endocrine-disrupting chemicals on different animals and their offspring. Abstract: Our endocrine system is very bossy. It controls many things in our bodies, like growth or mood. Sadly, there are chemicals that interfere with this important system. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals are all around us. Their negative effects can even pass on to future generations. How does this happen? We reviewed many articles on endocrine disruptors and their effects on various animals. These chemicals have negative effects on fish, frogs, birds and mammals. Sometimes the effects pass on to many generations. However, the mechanism for this transfer is not genetic but most likely epigenetic. About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries. #science #article #teach #STEM #students #readaloud #Endocrinesystem #endocrinedisruptors #epigenetics #multigenerational #animalstudies This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com

Read this article at https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/why-do-ducklings-swim-in-a-line-behind-their-mother/ or watch at https://youtu.be/5mpFCPDto5gSummary: Scientists created a mathematical model to figure out why swimming in a line benefits baby ducks and geese. Abstract: Have you ever seen baby ducks or geese swimming in line behind their mother? They’re so cute! But why do they do that? Is it to keep everyone together? Or is it to make swimming easier for the babies? We wanted to figure out how swimming in a line benefits ducklings. We thought that swimming in a line behind the mother saves energy. Our research made us realize that if the ducklings try to swim in front or to the side of their mother, they need to use more energy. But if they swim behind her, they need less energy. We also learned that it is only easier at certain spots behind the mother. That’s because at these spots the waves created by the mother interact with the waves created by the ducklings. The resulting wave pushes the ducklings forward, saving lots of energy! About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries. #science #article #teach #STEM #students #readaloud #ducklings #waves #dragforces #waveinterference This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com

Read this article at https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-can-chemicals-influence-your-hormones/ or watch at https://youtu.be/thbgMoBvC88Summary: Scientists compiled a list of endocrine-disrupting chemicals and how they get into the environment. Abstract: Did you know that hormones not only influence your mood but also most of your body’s functions? They are messengers involved in telling you when to feel hungry or when to get tired, for example. It is very important to have the right levels of hormones in your body to stay healthy. But there are a lot of man-made chemicals that find their way into our environment. They can then disrupt those important biological messengers in the animals and humans living nearby. Hormones are particularly important in providing instructions for your development before you are born and when you are a baby. We reviewed the scientific literature to find out how these chemicals get into our bodies and the environment. We found that a lot of them get used in industrial processes or are in pesticides. But some also turn up in food packaging materials, cleaning products, or cosmetics. About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries. #science #article #teach #STEM #students #readaloud #hormones #endocrinedisruptors #BPA #endocrinesystem This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com

Read this article at https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/what-makes-you-choose-the-food-you-eat/ or watch at https://youtu.be/nizD88jGAbESummary: Researchers investigated what adolescents eat worldwide and what factors influence these food choices. Abstract: Have you ever thought about why you eat what you eat? Is it because it’s tasty? Healthy? Trendy? There are many factors that influence what an adolescent eats. But health is not always the most important one. We wanted to better understand these factors. So we did a scientific review of surveys and studies to see what adolescents eat worldwide. We also explored how economic status and food environment affect food choices. We learned that many adolescents value food as a way to express their individuality. It also gives them a sense of belonging with their peers. We also discovered that limited access to healthy food is a problem in many areas. So are advertisements promoting unhealthy food. That is why countries all over the world need nutrition programs that make healthy food more available, affordable, and appealing to adolescents. About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries. #science #article #teach #STEM #students #readaloud #foodchoice #foodenvironment #foodinsecurity #adolescentautonomy This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com

Read this article at https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/what-happens-to-plastic-in-the-soil/ or watch at https://youtu.be/xaL05ONEzkgSummary: Scientists conducted an experiment to determine what happens to different types of plastic when they are exposed to soil. Abstract: Can you think of life without plastic? Plastic is currently one of the most common materials. It’s used for most containers and it’s even in your clothes! But what happens to this plastic? Some gets recycled but a lot of it gets thrown away. That means it often ends up in the environment where it can break down and change. We wanted to see what happens to different types of plastic when we exposed them to different types of soil. We put small disks of plastic in different environments for 32 days. We then compared the plastics exposed to soil to plastic that was not exposed to soil to see how the surface and other properties changed. We also wanted to see whether any bacteria grew on the plastic. Our data proved that all plastics change when exposed to soil. But they experience different changes because they have different properties. About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries. #science #article #teach #STEM #students #readaloud #plastic #recycling #scanningelectronmicroscope #soil #sludge This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com

Read this article at https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-are-chemicals-impacting-our-reproductive-health/ or watch at https://youtu.be/eaTF-3WQdfASummary: Researchers wanted to understand how endocrine-disrupting chemicals affect the reproductive development of fish and mammals. Abstract: You might have heard of a chemical called BPA. Maybe you have seen a “BPA Free” label on a reusable water bottle. But did you know that BPA is just one chemical that is part of a much larger group known as endocrine-disrupting chemicals, or EDCs? EDCs are everywhere. They are in most food packaging, cosmetics, shampoo, and even in antibacterial soap! But now scientists are starting to understand that these chemicals could be the cause of many health problems, including reproductive problems. In this study we reviewed the scientific research looking at EDCs and reproduction in both fish and mammals. We wanted to understand what the research said about how these chemicals impact reproductive systems. The studies we reviewed used laboratory animals to better understand reproduction in fish and mammals. What we found was quite worrying. There is lots of evidence to show that EDCs can cause changes in how the reproductive system develops and grows. There is also evidence that EDCs have long-term impacts including fertility problems and reduced reproductive success. About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries. #science #article #teach #STEM #students #readaloud #endocrinesystem #endocrinedisruptors #BPA #PCBs #reproductivedevelopment This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com

Read this article at https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-can-we-reduce-our-environmental-footprint-one-food-at-a-time/ or watch at https://youtu.be/gPygKRjtYicSummary: Scientists investigated the impact of single-food substitutions on carbon emissions and water use. Abstract: Have you ever wondered what you can do to help the environment and slow climate change? What about eating certain foods because they are better for the environment? Producing the food you eat uses a lot of water and releases gases that warm the planet. If you ate foods that had a smaller impact on the environment, you could help fight climate change. But it’s hard for most people to change their entire diet! So we wondered if replacing just one food could reduce a person’s impact on the environment. We collected diet data from a national survey in the USA. We figured out which foods produced the most carbon emissions. Then we created new potential diets where we substituted foods that had a smaller impact. We found that replacing beef products reduced carbon emissions and water use the most. That means not eating beef can lower the impact of your diet on the environment. About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries. #science #article #teach #STEM #students #readaloud #climatechange #carbonfootprint #carbonemissions #waterscarcity #beef #dietsubstitutions This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com

Read this article at https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/what-can-graves-tell-us-about-gender-identity/ or watch https://youtu.be/gffDr7lrVDMSummary: Archaeologists wanted to find out who a person buried in an early medieval grave with jewelry and swords really was. Abstract: How do we find out about people who lived hundreds and even thousands of years ago? Often we look at their graves. What were they buried with? What does this tell us about who they were? An early medieval grave in Finland has been puzzling archaeologists for a while. The person was buried with a sword, but also jewelry and other objects thought of as feminine. So, for a long time we’ve thought that it could be the grave of a powerful woman – a woman with a sword! This is surprising because usually swords are associated with men. But it’s not so straightforward. We wanted to find out who the person really was. We looked carefully at what they were buried with, and worked out their biological sex using ancient DNA. The results made us think that maybe medieval society had different ideas about sex and gender than what we thought. About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries. #science #article #teach #STEM #students #readaloud #archaeology #genderidentity #biologicalsex #genderspectrum #nonbinary #klinefeltersyndrome #medievalgraves This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com

Read this article at https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-do-we-find-a-planet-in-another-galaxy/ or watch at https://youtu.be/6DRg7ffqTlESummary: Scientists found evidence for the first possible planet ever to be detected in another galaxy. Abstract: Have you ever looked up at the sky on a dark, clear night and wondered about all those beautiful, shining stars above you? How many are there? What would they look like if we were able to see them up close? Is there another form of life somewhere out there, also looking at the night sky and asking the same questions? We were once children too, standing outside on a cold night, marveling at the sky and all the secrets out there still left to uncover. And now, we are the first scientists to discover a planet that is not in our solar system, not even in the Milky Way – but in another galaxy! About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries. #science #article #teach #STEM #students #readaloud #space #exoplanets #extroplants #spectroscopy #telescopes #galaxy This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com

Read this article at https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-can-we-predict-bone-loss-in-astronauts/ or watch at https://youtu.be/37ZW_4dpHRYSummary: Researchers wanted to assess and predict bone loss in astronauts caused by spaceflight. Abstract: Have you ever dreamed of being an astronaut? Exploring outer space sounds exciting, and astronauts get to do that. However, going into space can lead to health problems. The lack of gravity has a negative impact on bones, called bone loss. Astronauts try to compensate for bone loss with a lot of exercise – both in space and on Earth. But even exercising doesn’t prevent bone loss in some cases. We wanted to find out what factors affect bone loss. We also wanted to find a way to predict bone loss in astronauts before spaceflight. We analyzed the leg and arm bones of 17 astronauts before and after a space mission. We also looked for markers of bone change in their blood and urine. We found out that bone loss happens quickly in space. The longer the space mission, the bigger the problem. More exercise before spaceflight predicted greater bone loss! Elevated markers of bone metabolism before flight also predicted greater bone loss. About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries. #science #article #teach #STEM #students #readaloud #space #boneloss #spaceexercise #astronauts #gravityimpacts This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com

Read this article at https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-could-baby-dinosaurs-live-in-the-arctic/ or watch https://youtu.be/BSkF9hCegUUSummary: Scientists wanted to find out whether dinosaurs could have lived year round and nested in the Arctic. Abstract: Scientists never thought that dinosaurs lived in the Arctic and Antarctic. But they were wrong! In the 1960s we started discovering dinosaur remains in these harsh environments. Scientists wondered whether dinosaurs lived there year round. Could they have survived the freezing, dark winter? If they did, then dinosaurs must have laid eggs and babies must have been hatched there. So, we went digging for evidence of dinosaur reproduction in the Arctic. We went to northern Alaska to study rocks in the Prince Creek Formation. We searched through the sediment looking for tiny dinosaur bones and teeth. We found evidence of very young dinosaurs in the Arctic and even baby bones and teeth from the time before they hatched. And not one dinosaur species, but seven! Both large and small species of dinosaurs lived there all year. These dinosaurs must have been well-adapted to life there. It is possible they hibernated or fasted to survive the harsh winter. About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries. #science #article #teach #STEM #students #readaloud #dinosaur #paleontology #arctic #teeth This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com

Read this article at https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-does-the-food-you-eat-affect-your-growth-and-development/ or watch at https://youtu.be/xWD4YvvciugSummary: Researchers conducted a study review to see how nutrition impacts the growth and development of different body systems in adolescents. Abstract: Hungry? Should you eat an apple or potato chips? Does it really matter? It turns out that what you eat as a child and adolescent affects your growth and development. It can also affect your health as an adult! We wanted to understand the link between nutrition and adolescent growth. We did a review of different scientific studies to see what is currently known about this. We found that not eating enough food, eating the wrong foods, and eating too much food all affect the body’s systems. But the effects are different in each case. We also learned that the negative effects of poor nutrition aren’t permanent if they’re corrected at the right time. About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries. #science #article #teach #STEM #students #readaloud #nutrition #bodysystems #teens #adolescents #malnutrition #healthykidsfood #teenagenutrition #healthyfood This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com

Read this article at https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/can-computers-help-us-recycle-more-plastic/ or watch at https://youtu.be/7zw_RtUXemkSummary: Researchers wanted to find a way to improve plastic recycling using a computer program. Abstract: Plastic pollution is a big environmental challenge facing us today. We use a huge amount of plastic in our daily lives but recycle very little. In fact, the average person living in North America consumes around 230lbs (104kg) of plastic each year! When a problem is this big, it can sometimes feel overwhelming. But if everybody makes small changes, it soon adds up to something big! Recycling old plastic helps to reduce the amount of new plastic we make. However, it is difficult to identify and separate all the different types of plastic by simply looking at them. We wanted to find a solution to this. Our study shows that computers with cameras can learn to recognize 12 types of plastic. They can then use this knowledge to identify plastics as they move along a conveyor belt. Our findings could revolutionize plastic recycling and bring us one step closer to solving the global plastic challenge. About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries. #science #article #teach #STEM #students #readaloud #recycle #plasticpollution #spectroscopy #machinelearning #plasticidentification This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com

Read this article at https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/why-do-bees-use-social-distancing/ or watch at https://youtu.be/wR2IxmGpqiMSummary: Scientists observed how honey bee behavior changes when the colony is infected with Varroa destructor mites. Abstract: Honey bees are important insects in many of the ecosystems around us. However, they are constantly exposed to many threats. They are particularly vulnerable to disease and parasites because they live in colonies. Once a member of the colony gets infected, it is very easy for the disease to spread. This is why honey bees have some specific behaviors to help them fight infections. In this study we wanted to see how honey bee behavior changes when Varroa destructor mites come into the colony. We found that in infected colonies there was more social distancing between different types of bees. We also discovered that the infection led to higher interactions between bees of the same type. We think this helps bees fight the spread of the parasite. About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries. #science #article #teach #STEM #students #readaloud #pollinators #honeybee #parasites #socialbehavior #socialimmunity This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com

Read this article at https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-can-we-store-carbon-dioxide-from-the-atmosphere-in-minerals/ or watch at https://youtu.be/ug4P3zWz4VISummary: Researchers created a process that transforms carbon dioxide in the atmosphere into minerals that can be collected. Abstract Did you know that the sea level is rising and that weather patterns are changing worldwide? Because of human activities, there is extra carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. That's why the Earth has gotten warmer. What can we do about it? We can take the carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and store it. Current technologies transform it into a liquid and pump it back into the ground. Unfortunately, this way of doing things can be expensive and difficult to manage. That’s why we created a different method of collecting carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Our process uses the natural ability of ocean water to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Then it forms minerals that we can store or use. Our observations proved that our process successfully removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Our analysis also showed that our method is more energy efficient and environmentally friendly than current technologies. About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries. #science #article #teach #STEM #students #readaloud #carboncapture #climatechange #solutions #carbonsequestration #electrolysischemistry This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com

Read this article at https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/can-we-grow-safe-and-nutritious-food-in-space/ watch at https://youtu.be/967MLizvv6sSummary: Researchers investigated the nutrient content and microbial safety of lettuce grown on the International Space Station. Abstract: Have your parents ever told you to eat your vegetables because they’re “good for you”? Well, vegetables have a lot of nutrients in them that are essential to a balanced diet. While you might get these foods at the store, astronauts rely on processed meals. We wanted to find out if there was a way to grow safe and nutritious salad crops on the International Space Station (ISS) to help supplement their diets. We used a growth chamber called Veggie to grow crops of red romaine lettuce over three different years. We found that our lettuce was safe to eat, although the nutrient content of our lettuce varied slightly each year. For future long-duration space missions, it will be important to make sure that astronauts can create the same growing conditions for every crop of salad.About us: Science Journal for Kids is a non-profit organization that “translates” academic papers into easy-to-understand science articles for school students. Why? Because children have the right to know about the latest scientific discoveries. #science #article #teach #STEM #students #readaloud #ISS #Astronauts #nutrition #spacemissions #spacefood #vitamins This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencejournalforkids.substack.com