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Science Journal for Kids
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Listen to our kid-friendly scientific articles. All articles are available to download free on our website sciencejournalforkids.org #read-aloud #text-to-speech sciencejournalforkids.substack.com

  1. E192: Where do whale sharks have their babies? [SJK Audio Edition]

    2D AGO

    E192: Where do whale sharks have their babies? [SJK Audio Edition]

    Read this article at:  or watch at: https://youtu.be/JJHuWMotBgw Summary: Scientists studied where baby whale sharks are found and discovered that they often appear near low-oxygen ocean zones.  Abstract: Where do the world’s biggest fish have their babies? This question remains one of the ocean’s greatest mysteries. Adult whale sharks are easy to find. But newborns are not! We looked back over 50 years of sightings to connect the dots of this puzzle. Our team mapped the locations of 33 baby sharks that were discovered by chance. We also looked at the water temperature, food levels, and oxygen in those areas. We found that baby whale sharks do not appear in random areas of the ocean. In fact, most babies appeared near places called oxygen minimum zones. These areas have very little oxygen (which sharks and other fish need to breathe) deep in the water. They can also lead to more food bunched near the surface. These zones may play an important role in where baby whale sharks are found. Learning more about these hidden nurseries could help protect this endangered ocean giant. You are one of half a million educators in the U.S. who use our articles and videos in class. All our content is FREE, no paywalls, no need to subscribe.  But recent federal cuts have made it hard for us to win grants to fund our mission. We are a small non-profit, and without support, we may not make it. If you enjoy our content, please consider donating - https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/support-us.html 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

    8 min
  2. E191: How can viruses wake up sleeping cancer cells? [SJK Audio Edition]

    MAY 12

    E191: How can viruses wake up sleeping cancer cells? [SJK Audio Edition]

    Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-can-viruses-wake-up-sleeping-cancer-cells/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/ksEuNI3AhXQ Summary: Researchers discovered that viruses that infect the lungs can reactivate sleeping breast cancer cells  Abstract: Have you ever had a virus like the flu or coronavirus? These viruses affect the lungs. They also activate the immune system to try and help you feel better. During the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, death rates from cancer rose. No one knew exactly why. We wondered if viral infections could “wake up” cancer cells that had been asleep for years. To find out, we studied mice with dormant breast cancer cells in their lungs. We infected the mice with influenza or a version of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. We also analyzed data from people in cancer remission who got COVID-19. We found that both viruses can reactivate sleeping breast cancer cells in mice. We also discovered that despite the virus-induced immune response, the growing cancer altered immune cells to prevent them from fighting the cancer. This suggests that viruses may pose extra risks for people who have had cancer. You are one of half a million educators in the U.S. who use our articles and videos in class. All our content is FREE, no paywalls, no need to subscribe.  But recent federal cuts have made it hard for us to win grants to fund our mission. We are a small non-profit, and without support, we may not make it. If you enjoy our content, please consider donating - https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/support-us.html 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

    10 min
  3. E190: How do we make better food for honeybees? [SJK Audio Edition]

    MAY 4

    E190: How do we make better food for honeybees? [SJK Audio Edition]

    Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-can-we-make-better-food-for-honeybees/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/IRyT-dMDe6c Summary: Researchers improve honeybee health by modifying yeast to produce the substances in pollen. Abstract: Honeybees visit flowers to collect food for themselves and their colonies. When bees visit flowers, they also pollinate. Pollination is an important step that causes plants to make fruits. Many fruits that we eat, like apples and blueberries, need bees for pollination. Without bees, our food supplies would be in danger of not producing enough fruit. But human activities have reduced the abundance of flowering plants. That means bee colonies are more likely to starve every year. Beekeepers feed honeybees human-made food. But this food is missing essential nutrients called sterols. Yeasts are genetically engineered by scientists to make all kinds of important compounds, like insulin. We engineered a common yeast using genes from plants to produce the correct sterols that bees need. When we added this modified yeast to the bees’ diet, we found that colonies could continue to produce young bees. If the sterols were not in the diet, the colonies stopped being able to do so. We hope that this innovative solution will be used by beekeepers worldwide to improve bee health.  You are one of half a million educators in the U.S. who use our articles and videos in class. All our content is FREE, no paywalls, no need to subscribe.  But recent federal cuts have made it hard for us to win grants to fund our mission. We are a small non-profit, and without support, we may not make it. If you enjoy our content, please consider donating - https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/support-us.html 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

    10 min
  4. E189: Why do treehoppers have such strange body shapes? [SJK Audio Edition]

    APR 27

    E189: Why do treehoppers have such strange body shapes? [SJK Audio Edition]

    Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/why-do-treehoppers-have-such-strange-body-shapes/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/zAqBSz7Mnwg Summary: Scientists discovered that treehoppers can sense electric fields in the air and that their strange body shapes help make these invisible cues easier to detect. Abstract: Some animals can sense tiny electric fields around them. We call this electroreception. Sharks use it underwater. Using it in the air is harder, but some insects can do it. Treehoppers have strange body shapes with a part that can look like a helmet or crazy hat on their backs. We wanted to find out if this helps them use electroreception. We measured how much static electricity is on treehoppers, bees, and wasps. We then watched how treehoppers reacted to small electric fields – like the ones we measured on the insects. We also used computer models to test if their body shape made electric cues stronger around them. We found out that treehoppers, bees and wasps all produce electric fields. Wasps usually produce stronger electric fields than bees. Moreover, treehoppers can sense other insects’ electric fields. These fields can provide information about what is nearby. Strong electric fields – like the ones wasps produce – might warn them about danger. Tiny hairs on their backs help them sense those fields. We also found out that their helmet shape made the fields stronger. So, this rare sense and their unique body shape work together to help them stay safe from danger. You are one of half a million educators in the U.S. who use our articles and videos in class. All our content is FREE, no paywalls, no need to subscribe.  But recent federal cuts have made it hard for us to win grants to fund our mission. We are a small non-profit, and without support, we may not make it. If you enjoy our content, please consider donating - https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/support-us.html 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

    9 min
  5. E188: How do bacteria protect each other from antibiotics? [SJK Audio Edition]

    APR 21

    E188: How do bacteria protect each other from antibiotics? [SJK Audio Edition]

    Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-do-bacteria-protect-each-other-from-antibiotics/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/YEX5ycutefY Summary: Researchers show how bacteria living close together form patterns, share protection, and respond to antibiotics in surprising ways. Abstract: Bacteria do not live alone. They crowd together and form tiny “neighborhoods.” In these neighborhoods, some bacteria can resist antibiotics. They break down the medicine and create “safe zones.” They then protect their sensitive neighbors. We mixed resistant and sensitive bacteria. Then we watched how they grew on plates with different amounts of antibiotics. The two types of bacteria formed many different patterns. Sometimes the resistant ones took over. Other times, the sensitive ones used the safe zones to survive. We also grew the same bacteria in liquid. We found that the same kind of safe zones do not exist in liquid. Instead, the cultures either grew rapidly or died. Our study shows that bacterial survival does not depend on one cell alone. It depends on the whole neighborhood around it. You are one of half a million educators in the U.S. who use our articles and videos in class. All our content is FREE, no paywalls, no need to subscribe.  But recent federal cuts have made it hard for us to win grants to fund our mission. We are a small non-profit, and without support, we may not make it. If you enjoy our content, please consider donating - https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/support-us.html 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

    10 min
  6. E187: What toxic chemicals are released in lithium-ion battery fires? [SJK Audio Edition]

    APR 6

    E187: What toxic chemicals are released in lithium-ion battery fires? [SJK Audio Edition]

    Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/what-toxic-chemicals-are-released-in-lithium-ion-battery-fires/ or watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAK3t8_MeN0 Summary: Scientists determined how particles released by lithium-ion batteries can affect lung health. Abstract: Portable electronic devices are an essential part of life. Cell phones, laptops, and tablets are just a few that we use on the go. What makes these devices portable? They use lithium-ion batteries! Lithium-ion batteries are rechargeable and last a long time. But when a lithium-ion battery overheats (known as thermal runaway), it can result in fire or even an explosion. This releases small particles that people in the area can inhale. We wanted to know how these inhaled particles affect lung cells. We caused several batteries to experience thermal runaway and examined the particles emitted. We collected these particles on special filters. Then we exposed lung cells to these collected particles. We found that lithium-ion batteries release mixtures of toxic gases and particles that may contain heavy metals. We learned that these mixtures cause cell stress and DNA damage if people are exposed to and inhale them. These exposures and associated effects can potentially cause lung injury. You are one of half a million educators in the U.S. who use our articles and videos in class. All our content is FREE, no paywalls, no need to subscribe.  But recent federal cuts have made it hard for us to win grants to fund our mission. We are a small non-profit, and without support, we may not make it. If you enjoy our content, please consider donating -https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/support-us.html 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

    10 min
  7. E186: How has weathering affected Earth? [SJK Audio Edition]

    MAR 30

    E186: How has weathering affected Earth? [SJK Audio Edition]

    Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-has-weathering-affected-earth/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/_Gh4H-8lm24 Summary: Researchers analyzed marine sediments to determine the weathering patterns over the last two billion years. Abstract: Have you ever wondered why the Grand Canyon is so deep? Weathering of rocks creates features like this. Physical and chemical weathering affect the shape and composition of the continents. They also impact the movement of elements between the continents and the ocean. We wanted to better understand these weathering processes. We analyzed samples containing marine sediments up to 2,000 million years old. Marine sediments collect particles weathered from the continents. We looked at the amounts of four elements related to weathering. We saw a shift in weathering about 650 million years ago. Erosion and particle transport dominated weathering processes before that. Afterwards, the chemical weathering of rocks became more important, but not always. The shifting importance of chemical and physical processes related to regular movements of the Earth’s crust and mantle. This information helps us understand more about the impact of weathering on geological history. You are one of half a million educators in the U.S. who use our articles and videos in class. All our content is FREE, no paywalls, no need to subscribe.  But recent federal cuts have made it hard for us to win grants to fund our mission. We are a small non-profit, and without support, we may not make it. If you enjoy our content, please consider donating - https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/support-us.html 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

    11 min
  8. E185: What makes some medicines too thick? [SJK Audio Edition]

    MAR 15

    E185: What makes some medicines too thick? [SJK Audio Edition]

    Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/what-makes-some-medicines-too-thick/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/zcofWUPH4nw Summary: Researchers used computer simulation models to investigate why medicines become viscous at high concentrations. Abstract: A lot of thought goes into the creation of a medicine. One important consideration is how the medicine is given. Some medicines can be given in pills or sprays. Others need to be injected using a syringe. Some even require procedures in a medical center. The physical properties of the medicine will determine how it can be given. So, what if we could change those physical properties on demand? We wanted to investigate the physical properties of medicines containing monoclonal antibodies. They are used to treat cancer and autoimmune diseases. They often have to be given intravenously at a medical center because these medicines can get very viscous (thick). We wanted to know why. So we developed several models and ran computer simulations to see what was happening. We found that interactions between the antibodies and charged particles in the solution created temporary clusters. We can use this information to modify medicines and make them more accessible. You are one of half a million educators in the U.S. who use our articles and videos in class. All our content is FREE, no paywalls, no need to subscribe.  But recent federal cuts have made it hard for us to win grants to fund our mission. We are a small non-profit, and without support, we may not make it. If you enjoy our content, please consider donating - https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/support-us.html 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

    11 min
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Listen to our kid-friendly scientific articles. All articles are available to download free on our website sciencejournalforkids.org #read-aloud #text-to-speech sciencejournalforkids.substack.com

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