Green Light Plant Flight

It’s a bird, it’s a plane . . . it’s a – scientist in a helicopter!? This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. Living beings, like plants, reflect light in unique spiral patterns into the environment. Non-living things — like buildings and bridges – not so

Continue reading

Leaf No Trace

Do our plant babies have FEELINGS too?   This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science saying…   Our sense of touch is a double edged sword. A pat on the head? Nice. A paper cut? Yowch. Either way, our skin sends a calcium nerve signal to

Continue reading

Jack and the Beans Talk

Can you be-LEAF what your plants are saying?  This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. If only house plants could just TELL us when they need water! Or can they?  Itzhak Khait from Tel-Aviv University and team investigated. Researchers put plants near microphones that pick up

Continue reading

Fighting Fire with Fire

Photo of wildfires.

Does like cure like when it comes to… WILDFIRES?  This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. Fire season is coming! One way to help avoid the destruction? Prescribed burns! This technique has been used to control wildfires for years. But it can cause the soil to

Continue reading

Leaf of Faith

Reducing carbon emissions? That’s gonna take a LEAF of faith!  This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. Ever drive past a few stringy trees planted in the middle of the road, and wonder – “What’s the point?” Well… COULD urban greenery ACTUALLY make an impact on

Continue reading

Plant Magicians

Fritillaria flower in different colors and diverse background environments

If you want to survive – hide in plain sight! This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. In the mountains of southwest China grows a lucrative treasure called Fritillaria. This flower is commonly used in traditional medicine and comes in THREE colors – gray, brown, and

Continue reading

Microdosing 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 reading

Planting Secrets

Trees in a forest

Plants and climate change: a love-hate relationship! This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. Carbon dioxide, or CO2, is a major contributor to climate change. But it’s also a plant food source. When the sun shines, plants turn CO2 into food! So, back when there were

Continue reading

Flower Power Devour

Could flower power take a bite out of the energy crisis?  This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. Most plants get their energy from the sun, but carnivorous plants eat ANIMALS! They each have a special way to trap their prey. Could this inspire new energy-harnessing

Continue reading

Bug Off!

Unbe-leaf-able! Plants can be SO defensive!  This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. You just brought home this plant and the leaves are already chewed up? How can we protect our green beauties? The answer could be. . . Tobacco plants. . They produce an arsenal

Continue reading