A Moment of Science

Latest Episodes:

How Butterflies Keep Their Wings Cool Jan 14, 2021

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In 2020 an interdisciplinary team of American researchers published a study on how butterflies keep their wings cool. Using a specialized infrared camera, they found that the living parts of the wings, around the wing veins, were best at radiating heat.

Megalodon: The Largest Shark That Ever Lived Jan 13, 2021

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The largest shark that ever lived is called Otodus megalodon. Its teeth were as big as a human hand. The oldest fossil evidence dates from 20 million years ago, and it became extinct just 3.5 million years ago.

Serving Up Nuclear Pasta Jan 12, 2021

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Neutron stars can form when a giant star goes supernova. During a supernova, the star’s core collapses, and the remaining protons and electrons get squeezed together so tightly that their nuclei touch.

The Science Of Narrative Structure Jan 11, 2021

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Even very different kinds of books share some common characteristics, like the pattern of their function words. These are the short connector words such as pronouns and prepositions, as well as articles, conjunctions, negations and auxiliary verbs.

Dinosaur For Dinner Jan 08, 2021

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Chewed up dinosaur bones are a pretty common find in Colorado's Mygatt-Moore Quarry. According to a recent story, about 29% of 2,368 dinosaur bones researchers found had bite marks from the serrated teeth of therapods, carnivorous dinosaurs that roamed the region in the late Jurassic period 150 million years ago.

Do Praying Mantises Change Color? Jan 07, 2021

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Mantises display subtle shades of color that sometimes allow them to disappear into their habitats, where you might find them perching on a blade of tall grass or a pumpkin vine.

Facebook And The Emergency Department Jan 06, 2021

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Social media can be addictive, and sometimes it's better to cut back on use. But it isn't necessarily all bad. It can tell us some surprising things about a person's well being.

How Chinchillas Stay Clean Jan 05, 2021

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Chinchillas are sometimes singled out as being particularly adorable and fascinating. Chinchillas are native to the Andes Mountains. To survive the cold temperatures, their fur is dense, and about an inch-and-a-half long.

The Australian Wildfires: An Ecological Disaster Jan 04, 2021

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Near the beginning of 2020 massive wildfires ravaged Australia.The fires peaked in intensity during December and January. Damage to Australian ecosystems and wildlife was extensive.

The Early Bird Gets The Girl Jan 01, 2021

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Everyone might enjoy waking up to birdsong, but not at 4am. So what is making birds start their singing at this less idyllic time?

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