SJK Audio Edition

Science Journal for Kids

Science Journal for Kids

4.0 (2)
Science
Updated Weekly

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

4d ago

E204: What can bats learn from eavesdropping? [SJK Audio Edition]

Read this article at: or watch at: https://youtu.be/dYpODn4Q8Go Summary: Fringe-lipped bats get better at identifying frogs and toads by their mating calls as they get older. Abstract: Can you think of a sound that tells you that you’re about to get your favourite food? Maybe a friend opens a bag of chips, or you hear corn popping. Listening helped you get a snack! Some animals are very good at listening, too. If you have a dog or a cat, they’ll probably appear when they hear you pick up their food bowl. Some bats also use sounds to find their favourite things to eat. But we didn’t know how much information they get from listening to their prey. We played sounds from different frogs and toads to see how fringe-lipped bats responded. We found that adult bats reacted more to species that were good to eat. In contrast, juvenile bats responded strongly to some poisonous species of toads. All the bats responded to acoustic signals related to size. Experience seems to help bats learn which sounds to tune into for a chance at a good meal. 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
Sep 6

E203: What can rocks tell us about the past? [SJK Audio Edition]

Read this article at: or watch at: https://youtu.be/u64V_AHfE_s Summary: Researchers used two methods to determine the pressure experienced by rocks in the Grand Canyon to make a more detailed timeline for the area. Abstract: Did you know the Grand Canyon can help us figure out what happened on Earth long ago? As in, 1.7 billion years ago? As we go down into the Grand Canyon, we find older and older rocks. Some of the oldest rocks are in a section of the canyon called the Upper Granite Gorge. These blocks of metamorphic rock formed when older rocks experienced extreme heat and pressure. We wanted to figure out the pressure experienced by four of the blocks. We collected five samples and analyzed them. We used the minerals in the rocks to determine the pressure each block experienced. We learned that the blocks formed under different pressures. We also found out that the blocks that formed at higher temperatures experienced higher pressure than blocks that formed at lower temperatures. The difference in pressure made us realize the blocks formed at different depths. Then they moved when tectonic plates pushed together to form mountains. 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
Aug 25

E202: What if a hummingbird wears a tiny backpack? [SJK Audio Edition]

Read this article at: or watch at: https://youtu.be/KbvQUJSS298 Summary: Scientists tested whether tiny radio-tag backpacks changed how hummingbirds spent their time flying, feeding, preening, and perching. Abstract: Scientists often use tiny tools to study wild animals. These tools can show where animals go and how they move. But if the tools aren't safe for the animals, then we aren't doing our job properly! We studied Black-throated Mango hummingbirds in Colombia. These birds are small, fast, and full of energy. We wanted to know if wearing a tiny radio backpack changed how they spent their time. Each bird had a tiny ID chip, like a name tag. We tested each bird in two ways. The first time, the bird wore the radio backpack. The second time, it did not. The clearest change in the birds’ behavior was preening. Birds with backpacks used their beaks to touch or pull at the straps more often. Birds with backpacks also flew a little less and ate a little more, but those results were not as consistent. No birds got caught in plants while wearing the backpack. Our study shows that scientists should test tracking tools with great care before using them in the wild. 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
Aug 16

E201: How can swimming be less of a drag? [SJK Audio Edition]

Read this article at: or watch at: https://youtu.be/kvbw3exNvf0 Summary: Researchers examined the leg movements of shrimp while swimming and found that reducing drag is an important factor in their movement. Abstract: It is important for animals to move around easily. It helps them avoid predators or catch a meal. But the ways animals move depend on the environment they live in. A lot of animals that live in water beat their legs one after another. It is called metachronal swimming. And it is really efficient at propelling animals through the water. We wanted to investigate the other half of the story. Is metachronal swimming also good at reducing drag? We performed experiments on grass shrimp to look at metachronal swimming. We looked at leg flexibility, the patterns of leg movement, and how the water moved around the legs. Then we built a robotic model to measure water flow and force data at the same time. We found that leg flexibility reduced drag up to 75% compared to stiff legs. We also saw that there was less drag when legs grouped together. It caused fewer interactions with wakes from other legs. Hopefully, this information can help us build more efficient underwater vehicles in the future. 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
Aug 11

E200: Can living in a multilingual country slow down aging? [SJK Audio Edition]

Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/can-living-in-a-multilingual-country-slow-down-aging/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/WQRs-r1iqRc Summary: Researchers wanted to find out if living in a multilingual country can help people stay mentally and physically active as they grow older. Abstract: Have you heard about brain training? That might bring to mind crossword puzzles, Sudoku, or brain teasers. Learning new languages is another powerful way to stimulate the brain. Activities that challenge the brain can help us stay healthy and sharp for longer. So, we wanted to see whether living in multilingual countries is associated with slower aging. We interviewed a large number of people about their cognition, health, and lifestyle. We estimated their age from their answers. Next, we compared their real age to this estimated age. With statistics, we found some interesting things. People who live in countries that speak more than one language tend to be more mentally and physically fit. For people living in monolingual countries, it’s the opposite. They are more likely to age faster. Also, living in a country with more spoken languages offers greater protection against age-related decline over time. 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
Aug 4

E199: Thinking about thinking: how do birds make choices? [SJK Audio Edition]

Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/thinking-about-thinking-how-do-birds-make-choices/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/SilL7szcPeo Summary: Researchers showed how the Eurasian jay uses metacognition to solve tricky puzzles and seek out their favorite food. Abstract: What do you do when you’re asked a tricky question in class? Do you take a guess or wait for an easier question? The capacity to answer this question is called metacognition. It describes the ability to assess what you know and make good decisions from that information. Lots of mammals show metacognition. We wanted to know if birds do, too. We tested Eurasian jays with a food puzzle. We hid their favorite food under one of two cups. Then we moved the cups around once (easy) or three to four times (hard). The jays could take a guess at where the food was. Or they could opt out and choose their second favorite food under a third cup. Some of our jays were very successful in assessing their choices. They only chose the hard task when they knew where the food was. This means that these individuals showed metacognition! In the wild, this is important as it can help them find and store food for the winter. 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
Jun 30

E198: Why are Arctic rivers turning orange? [SJK Audio Edition]

Read this article at: or watch at: https://youtu.be/WmpUt1i546U Summary: A team of scientists went on an expedition to a river in Alaska to find out why the river suddenly turned bright orange. Abstract: The Salmon River in Alaska’s Kobuk Valley National Park is wild and scenic. Recently, scientists were surprised to find many of the streams in the park turning a bright, rusty shade of orange. What could cause such a change? One possibility is thawing permafrost. Permafrost is ground that normally stays frozen all year long. When it thaws, water can reach rocks that were inaccessible in the frozen ground for thousands of years. The water reacts with minerals in the rocks, making acid. The acidic groundwater carries certain metals, like iron, to streams. We traveled to the headwaters of the Salmon River and rafted down the river. We took measurements along the way. Our data showed that the water quality has become worse since the streams turned orange. We found toxic levels of iron, aluminum, and cadmium in the water. This may be to blame for the lower numbers of salmon returning to the area in recent years. 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
Jun 24

E197: How can fish help us deliver medicines? [SJK Audio Edition]

Read this article at: or watch at: https://youtu.be/K4wcSGpX9dM Summary: Scientists created a new device copying the remora fish's natural ability to hitchhike on other animals. Abstract: Have you ever wondered how small animals survive in a giant ocean full of danger? Remora fish attach to sharks, whales, turtles, boats, and even divers to survive. We studied remoras to figure out how they attach themselves using a disc on the top of their head. We wanted to find out if we could copy the disc to make suction devices that can work in other wet environments. Using our findings, we created a device that can attach to a variety of surfaces. It also worked under a variety of conditions. For example, it stayed attached inside the stomach of live animals for almost 3 weeks! This device could help us track conditions and deliver medicine inside the human body. It could also help us track the environment around us. 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

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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

Channel

Science Journal for Kids
Creator

Science Journal for Kids
Years Active

2022 - 2026
Episodes

196
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© Science Journal for Kids
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SJK Audio Edition

Science

Science

Updated 12/14/2023
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