E159: How can we predict extreme winter weather? [SJK Audio Edition]
Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-can-we-predict-extreme-winter-weather/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/aX88S-pYOncSummary: Scientists analyzed data to determine what factors affect the formation of a weak polar vortex.Abstract: Some winter days are so cold and snowy that you feel like you are living at the North Pole. But what causes the weather to be so cold? Freezing temperatures and heavy snow at lower latitudes often follow a weak polar vortex. A polar vortex is a band of strong winds that traps a large mass of cold air above the North and South Poles. When the polar vortex weakens, extreme cold air moves away from the poles. We wanted to work out what factors cause a weak Arctic polar vortex event. We found that warmer ocean temperatures cause air pressure changes. This change in air pressure causes a shift in the polar vortex in the upper atmosphere. Our results can help predict weak polar vortex events in winter. Predicting these events will improve the ability to forecast extreme cold and snow. 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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9:20
E158: How can rivers flow through the air? [SJK Audio Edition]
Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-can-rivers-flow-through-the-air/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/_za5Bb3Q9s8Summary: Researchers wanted to know how dense atmospheric river clusters form and how climate change might increase their frequency and intensity.Abstract: In 2022 and 2023, California experienced a series of atmospheric rivers that caused major damage. Atmospheric rivers are huge storms that carry a lot of water through the air. When they hit land, they can cause heavy rain or snow. Atmospheric rivers become extreme events when they are very strong and intense. They can then lead to flooding and landslides. Some happen one after another, forming what's called an atmospheric river cluster. These clusters can be very dangerous because they bring even more rain in a short amount of time. We wanted to look at how these clusters form. We also explored how climate variability could make clusters happen more often. We found that dense clusters (storms that happen close together) bring the most rain. They also cause the most flooding. Changes in temperature and weather patterns might make these intense clusters more frequent. But why do we need to understand more about atmospheric river clusters? So we can better prepare for flooding and extreme weather in the future. 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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8:24
E157: How do groups of ants make shared decisions? [SJK Audio Edition]
Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-do-groups-of-ants-make-shared-decisions/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/kvr4f2NfooESummary: Researchers wanted to discover which group decision-making strategy weaver ants used when transporting their prey back to the nest.Abstract: Have you ever noticed that animals living in groups tend to work together? For example, African elephants typically walk in a line for safety and follow the age and experience of the oldest and largest female. This is called “follow the leader” strategy. But what about the humble ant? Ants often work together to transport large food items back to their nest. Since ants can’t talk to each other to make decisions, they must rely on other senses to work as a team. We wanted to find out how weaver ants cooperate to move large items. So, we observed ants in the lab trying to move objects. We discovered that no single ant takes the lead. Instead they pool their opinions to decide on which direction to go. This is known as the “wisdom of the crowd” strategy! 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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9:13
E156: How does limiting sugar early in life affect adult health? [SJK Audio Edition]
Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-does-limiting-sugar-early-in-life-affect-adult-health/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/pL6MsH4OHmcSummary: Researchers exploit the end of World War II sugar rationing to examine the link between limited sugar exposure up to age two and health problems as adults.Abstract: What do soda, ice cream, and candy have in common? They all contain lots of added sugar! While sugar makes foods taste great, too much added sugar can negatively impact a person’s health. For instance, studies link high added sugar levels to type 2 diabetes and hypertension. These diseases often occur later in life.Because of World War II, the United Kingdom rationed several foods, including sugar, from 1940 to 1953. In September 1953, sugar rationing ended. This event likely caused diets to be lower in sugar before and higher after that date. We looked at the data and noticed that there was indeed an increase in the amount of sugar people ate right after the sugar rationing ended. We wanted to understand how being in a place with either very little or a lot of sugar early in life affected a person's health as an adult. So, we studied adults born in the UK around the end of sugar rationing who were later diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and hypertension. For this group, we found that restricting sugar until age two decreased the chances of developing type 2 diabetes and hypertension. It also delayed when these diseases started. 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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9:21
E155: How did mammals evolve to live in the sea? [SJK Audio Edition]
Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-did-mammals-evolve-to-live-in-the-sea/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/a5DHR61VJOMSummary: Researchers compared neuropeptides in cetacean and land mammal DNA to explore how mammals evolved to live underwater.Abstract: Marine mammals are well adapted to living in the sea. For example, whales and dolphins are excellent divers, hold their breath for long periods, and can sleep underwater. However, this was not always the case. In fact, whales and dolphins (collectively known as cetaceans) evolved from mammals that once lived on land! How did cetaceans develop these abilities to live underwater? A group of chemicals called neuropeptides may hold the answer. These chemicals play important roles in numerous bodily processes including sleep, feeding and the maintenance of blood pressure. We compared the neuropeptides found in cetaceans with those found in land mammals. We wanted to see how they are different. We found that marine mammals have lost the ability to make many of the neuropeptides that land mammals still have. So, differences in neuropeptides may explain how cetaceans adapted to live in a marine environment. 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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