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.

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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

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

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

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