Who enjoys a tickle—toddlers, babies, rats?!? This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. We often link laughter to joy, humor, and happiness – emotions typically felt by humans. But do animals also gleefully giggle during play? Scientists at Humboldt University in Berlin gave the question a
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Being a perfect parent. The secret is. . . what? This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. Some kids who are raised in overcrowded institutions can have developmental issues. Attention deficit disorder, problems speaking. Lack of individual attention can really slow mental development. Charles Nelson at
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Could you be a musical genius and not even know it? This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. We all know the names: Beethoven, Elvis, Brittney Spears. What is it that makes these artists so gifted? Could it be some innate personality trait? Scientists at the
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Can’t remember your dreams? Take your vitamins! This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. Psychologists think that “lucid dreaming” – when you’re aware that you’re having a dream – can help people overcome nightmares. Some people keep dream journals to help them be more aware of
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Helicopter parents beware! You may be doing more harm than good! This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. Little Ben is taking FOREVER to finish his homework. As a caring parent, what do you do? Helping might SEEM like the best option. But when and how
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Politics stink! But could your nose give away your voting history? This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. It’s easy to determine someone’s politics these days. Just ask them their opinion on, well, anything! But if you had to guess, it pays to be a bit
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Is your best friend…a volleyball named Wilson? This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. Existential isolation is the feeling that there’s an uncomfortable gap between you and other people. Turns out, men experience existential isolation more than women. But why? Alyssa Croft at the University of
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Is the key to eating healthier. . . Kenny G? This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science The mealtime choices we make are influenced by our environment. Bright lights, colorful restaurants, sticky icky menus, … even how loud the music is! Courtney Szocs and colleagues studied
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In after-lunch meetings, when people drone on and you doze off, don’t blame bad Powerpoints. Blame food coma! This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science, and on food coma—the unbearable sleepiness that sets in about a half an hour after you’ve finished a big meal. According
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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
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