Water woes? Time to get down to earth! This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. Wide open sunlit lands, as far as the eye can see. Should be a great place to grow crops! Problem? the earth is dry and sandy in almost HALF of global
Continue readingGut and Paste
Stressed? You have GUT to relax! This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. Money! Politics! Global warming! Stress is abundant in our everyday lives. Recent studies show that certain foods affect our microbiomes — that is, our gut bacteria. Foods like red meat, artificial sweeteners, and
Continue readingA Snooze Boost
Exams…ugh! I’m drinking Red Bull and pulling all-nighters but I can’t remember ANYTHING! This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. After a good night’s sleep, our memory is tip-top compared to when we’re more bleary-eyed. But how does a snooze help us remember? Jing Zhang and
Continue readingHealing Tea
Could a cup of tea a day keep the doctor away? This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. Tea-time – it’s not just an excuse for cookies! Tea can give you energy, help you sleep, even soothe your stomach! But can it do even more? José
Continue readingDaunted Dingoes
You’ve heard of scarecrows – how about scare-DINGOES?! This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. Australian wolves, known as DINGOES, prey on farmers’ livestock. When they’re caught having a farm fresh meal, it becomes their LAST meal. Is there a…FRIENDLIER way to fend off predators? Enter
Continue readingBlockheads
Are the building blocks for math skills… literal building blocks? This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. Luis builds a tower. Kim builds a town. Rosie crashes in, and it all falls down! Building blocks are great for preschoolers playing pretend, but do they REALLY teach
Continue readingMicrodosing for Plants
Don’t mind me! I’m just microdosing my plants… with ALCOHOL!? This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. Rice and wheat are staple foods that are at risk globally due to drought. So, scientists want to improve plant growth during water restriction. Could ethanol, a drinkable alcohol,
Continue readingTime Flies
Just one more game of Mahjong Solitaire. . . What — it’s been six hours?!? This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. Does time REALLY fly when you’re having fun? Or does it just SEEM that way? Masamichi Hayashi Richard Ivry from UC Berkeley have some
Continue readingThat Playpus Glow
What has fur and GLOWS brighter than a Tyra Banks Smize?! (That’s a smile with your eyes.) This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. Some animals really light up a room…BUT only under ultraviolet light. This is called biofluorescence. Scientists believe mammals like possums use it
Continue readingStimulated Learning
The latest development in learning? It’s literally SHOCKING! This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. When you’re learning something new, your brain starts firing electrical pulses. These signals help you track and record information. But – does it work in reverse? Could a jolt of electricity
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