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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. E180: Are there toxic chemicals in people’s bodies? [SJK Audio Edition]

    5D AGO

    E180: Are there toxic chemicals in people’s bodies? [SJK Audio Edition]

    Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/are-there-toxic-chemicals-in-peoples-bodies/  or watch at: https://youtu.be/OA-h9LpBu30 Summary: Researchers analyzed blood samples of Glynn County residents to determine their level of exposure to dangerous chemicals from nearby Superfund sites. Abstract: Did you know that some parts of the United States are contaminated with high levels of toxic chemicals? These sites are so dangerous that the government must clean them up. Glynn County, Georgia has many of these sites. We wanted to know if Glynn County residents had toxic chemicals in their bodies. Working with community members, we collected blood samples from one hundred people. We analyzed the samples for chemicals. Then we compared these levels to those found in the general population. We found that people in Glynn County had higher levels of some chemicals in their bodies. Older residents, Black people, and people who fish were more likely to have higher levels of these chemicals. So were people who worked at one of the sites or lived with someone who did. 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

    12 min
  2. E179: How does your brain know which food made you sick? [SJK Audio Edition]

    JAN 31

    E179: How does your brain know which food made you sick? [SJK Audio Edition]

    Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-does-your-brain-know-which-food-made-you-sick/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/y0ySCVZrZgM Summary: Scientists studied how the brain links new flavors with delayed sickness by replaying flavor memories in the amygdala. Abstract: Sometimes food makes you feel sick long after you eat it. But how does your brain know which food caused the problem? We wanted to find out. We studied this question in mice. First, we gave them a sweet drink with a flavor that was either new or familiar. Then, after a short delay, we caused mild sickness and looked at their brains. The amygdala, a brain area for memory, “replayed” the flavor signal when the stomach sent the sickness signal. This replay made the memory stronger. Mice then avoided the new flavor that made them sick, but not the familiar flavor that hadn’t made them sick in the past. This shows how the brain bridges the gap between eating and later feeling sick. 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
  3. E178: What’s on Nature’s secret plant list? [SJK Audio Edition]

    JAN 29

    E178: What’s on Nature’s secret plant list? [SJK Audio Edition]

    Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/whats-on-natures-secret-plant-list/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/MeXwRVLbOpM Summary: Scientists studied thousands of sites worldwide to discover that natural areas are missing many plant species that could live there, a hidden loss they call dark diversity. Abstract: Picture a meadow or forest full of plants. Did you know that even when it looks wild and healthy, there are many plants missing? Scientists call these “missing species” dark diversity. Our team studied more than 5,000 sites in 119 regions across the globe. Each site was about the size of a classroom. We counted the plants that actually grew there. Then we compared them with the plants that could live there. On average, only about one-quarter of the possible plants were present. The rest were gone, even in places that still look natural. Why? Human activities – like building roads, cities, and farms – make it hard for plants to survive or return. We found that the more people shape the land, the fewer plants remain from the full list of potential species. This hidden loss shows that Nature is emptier around us than it appears. That matters for protecting biodiversity. 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
  4. E177: How did scientists share their findings during the COVID-19 pandemic? [SJK Audio Edition]

    JAN 7

    E177: How did scientists share their findings during the COVID-19 pandemic? [SJK Audio Edition]

    Read this article at:   or watch at: https://youtu.be/XIl20eaK31U Summary: Researchers wanted to know how fast COVID-19 science research reached decision-makers. Abstract: Do you remember the lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic? Leaders had to make fast choices. But how did they know what to do? We looked at the work of a team of scientists from Imperial College London. They helped by sharing reports, news stories, and science papers – fast. We looked at 620 reports they put out between 2020 and 2022. We were curious. What types of reports did they produce? How fast did they share their work? Who used it? What did they study?News stories reached leaders the fastest. About two months faster than normal science papers. That matters when people are getting sick! Reports and preprints were also created by the team. Governments from 41 different countries cited work from the team as they developed policy. The team also changed what they studied as the virus changed. This made their reports more useful for governments. Our study shows something important: sharing science quickly can help develop policy that keeps people safe. 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. E176: Who lives in the rainforest canopy? [SJK Audio Edition]

    12/15/2025

    E176: Who lives in the rainforest canopy? [SJK Audio Edition]

    Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/who-lives-in-the-rainforest-canopy/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/EkO0cYJbMOU Summary: Researchers developed a new eDNA collection system to look at biodiversity in tropical rainforests. Abstract: Can you list all the animals that live at the top of rainforest trees? You might have seen pictures of birds or monkeys living in the rainforest canopy. The tropical rainforest is very biodiverse. But researchers still don’t know about everything that lives there.We wanted to test a new way of finding out what lives in the rainforest canopy. We set up collectors that catch rainwater as it falls down from the trees. We studied environmental DNA from the water to look at biodiversity. We found that hundreds of different organisms live in the rainforest canopy. There is also more biodiversity in areas that are not disturbed by humans. So, the environmental DNA gathered in rainwash is very important. This method can help people learn more about the rainforest ecosystem and conserve its biodiversity. 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
  6. E175: How do cuttlefish trick their prey? [SJK Audio Edition]

    11/21/2025

    E175: How do cuttlefish trick their prey? [SJK Audio Edition]

    Read this article at:   or watch at: https://youtu.be/GBkNur1E_Bw Summary: Researchers identified four different camouflage hunting displays in wild broadclub cuttlefish. Abstract: Predators and prey are in conflict with each other. Predators try to catch prey, while prey try to avoid predators. Predators can blend into their surroundings and wait for prey to get close. Or predators can chase their prey. Some predators will even sneak up on their prey before chasing it. Camouflage can help these predators be more successful. One predator that uses camouflage is the cuttlefish. But we don’t know much about how they hunt in the wild. So, we observed broadclub cuttlefish on coral reefs in the Indo-Pacific. We saw four different hunting displays. We also saw individual cuttlefish using multiple displays in different moments. This information can help us better understand predator behavior on coral reefs. 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
  7. E174: How can growing seaweed help fight climate change? [SJK Audio Edition]

    11/14/2025

    E174: How can growing seaweed help fight climate change? [SJK Audio Edition]

    Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-can-growing-seaweed-help-fight-climate-change/  or watch at: https://youtu.be/Av0AflIv6bY Summary: Researchers compared seaweed farming scenarios to see if seaweed farming could help reduce carbon emissions. Abstract: Why is seaweed important? If you ask a fish, they might say that seaweed helps them hide from predators. A sea lion might say that seaweed forests are great places to find fish to eat! And people all around the world like to eat seaweed.Recently, people have started to talk about seaweed farming as a way to help with the climate crisis. Why? Because farming seaweed doesn’t use very many resources. Growing it may even improve ocean health by providing habitat and food to sea creatures. Seaweed also absorbs carbon dioxide (CO2) as it grows, so it could even help with climate change by reducing the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere. But just because it could help doesn’t mean it will!We studied five different seaweed farming scenarios using a computer simulation. We found that growing and harvesting seaweed can help with climate change. The biggest impact would come from using seaweed products to replace common things that right now take a lot of carbon-intensive energy to make. 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
  8. E173: Why are some sea snails moving north? [SJK Audio Edition]

    10/22/2025

    E173: Why are some sea snails moving north? [SJK Audio Edition]

    Read this article at:   or watch at: https://youtu.be/JKoJhxkvFYQ Summary: Scientists wanted to find out how sea snails were adapting to new habitats in colder waters. Abstract: If you lived in sunny California, would you want to move north? Well, some sea snails are doing exactly that! We were curious about Kellet’s whelks, a type of sea snail. They usually live in the warm waters of Southern California and Mexico. Now, we’re finding them further north in colder water!  We collected Kellet’s whelks from the California coast – some from the south and some from the north. We kept them in separate tanks with identical conditions. Then we compared the DNA of their babies. The northern snails had 2,770 genes that were working differently. These differences were so clear that we could tell if a baby snail’s parents came from the south or north just by looking at its DNA. We also found that the northern snails’ genes show some changes that help them survive in the colder water up north! Our findings are helping scientists understand how ocean animals are adapting to a changing climate. 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
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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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