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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. E184: “How does your gut talk to your brain?” [SJK Audio Edition]

    5D AGO

    E184: “How does your gut talk to your brain?” [SJK Audio Edition]

    Read this article at:  https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-does-your-gut-talk-to-your-brain/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/TyzqiA5L0o4 Summary: Scientists found a new gut “sixth sense” that detects bacterial flagellin and tells the brain to stop eating. Abstract: You have heard about the 5 senses, right? We use sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell to understand the world. But did you know your gut has its own sense? It doesn’t notice light or sound, but it can pick up signals from bacteria. We looked at one of these signals, a chemical called flagellin. Almost all bacteria make flagellin to build their tiny tails. Special cells in the gut can sense flagellin. When they do, they release a fast signal that uses the vagus nerve to tell the brain, “You’re full.” In our mouse studies, animals without this sensor ate bigger meals and gained more weight. This shows that the gut can directly sense bacteria to control eating. We call this new pathway the neurobiotic sense. 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
  2. E183: Freeze or run? How does a mouse’s brain react? [SJK Audio Edition]

    MAR 1

    E183: Freeze or run? How does a mouse’s brain react? [SJK Audio Edition]

    Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/freeze-or-run-how-does-a-mouses-brain-react/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/Ab-0692xpL4 Summary: Scientists studied why similar species of mice either run or freeze when faced with the same predator.  Abstract: What would your first reaction be if you saw a lion in the wild? You might not even think about it before you start to back away. Your response to a lion might be very different from encountering a chimpanzee. So, what controls these different responses? To find out, we used two related species of mice that live in different habitats. We showed the mice a fake predator threat and then watched their behavior. We looked at the activity in a part of the brain called the escape center. Then, we turned the escape center on and off. We saw that one species of mouse froze, but the other ran away when threatened. Our findings traced the origin of these behaviors to a single part of the brain. This area had a different role in causing the behaviors between the two species. These differences may have been the result of natural selection.  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. E182: Can we make milk from insects? [SJK Audio Edition]

    FEB 22

    E182: Can we make milk from insects? [SJK Audio Edition]

    Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/can-we-make-milk-from-insects/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/6E6xobn21DQ Summary: Scientists use insect larvae to make a healthy, sustainable milk alternative and a useful material. Abstract: Did you know that what you eat affects the environment? Meat and dairy products typically come from animals. Raising animals requires a large amount of land, water, and energy. It also contributes to environmental damage. That is why scientists are developing meat and dairy substitutes. Many plant-based substitutes are already available. We explored another option. Insects! We produced milk using lesser mealworm larvae. We also produced a special material from the leftover skeletons. Industries can transform this material into bioplastics and medication. We found that insect-based milk contains as much protein and fat as many plant-based milks. We also found that the material made from the skeletons is like the one made from crustaceans. That means that insects have the potential to be a source for a healthy and sustainable 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

    10 min
  4. E181: What can we learn from environmental accidents? [SJK Audio Edition]

    FEB 16

    E181: What can we learn from environmental accidents? [SJK Audio Edition]

    Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/what-can-we-learn-from-environmental-accidents/  or watch at: https://youtu.be/pqKT4I_AYW0 Summary: Researchers summarize findings about the human health effects of a chemical after it was accidentally included in livestock feed. Abstract: Accidents happen, and when they do, it is important to learn from them. Environmental accidents are no different. They teach society about the dangers of a chemical or process. In 1973, a chemical company in Michigan made chemicals called polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) and a food supplement for farm animals. The company made a mistake and sent the PBBs to mix into animal feed instead of the food supplement. The contaminated feed was sent to farms all over the state. The contamination was discovered a year later, after a farmer spent months investigating why his cows were getting sick. By that time, millions of people in Michigan had eaten food (like meat, dairy, and eggs) contaminated with PBBs. Scientists conducted many studies to figure out the health effects of PBBs. We reviewed these studies and summarized the results. We found that PBBs had some short-term effects on people’s health. They also had many long-term health effects. People exposed in their youth experienced different health effects than the exposed adults. PBBs also negatively affected the children and grandchildren of people who ate food products with PBBs. 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

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

    FEB 8

    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
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. 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
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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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