Reactions

Some stomachs simply cannot get enough of one sweet treat; chocolate. Find out why!

Intro theme by Adam Dylewski; Dvorak Polka by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com); Creative Commons licensed audio from freesound.iua.upf.edu includes kiss sound by roscoetoon, burp sound by jppi_Stu, male scream by thanvannispen, gurgling stomach sound by nannygrimshaw and brute vocal by Xythe.

Thanks to a new gadget that gulps pollution right out of the air, scientists may be able to reduce the environmental damage caused by the hundreds of millions of cars worldwide.

Intro theme and sound effects by Adam Dylewski; Lasting Hope and Space Explorers music by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com); Creative Commons licensed audio from freesound.iua.upf.edu includes slurping sound by FranciscoPadilla, car ignition and horn sounds by Han1, single cough sound by zippi1, group cough sounds by Leady, gas stove sound by WIM, water drop sound by junggle, pool splash sound by patchen, brute vocal by Xythe and vacuum sound by tweeterdj.

Sci-fi movies and comic books are not the only place you can find “hair-raising” mutants with super-powers. With the help of some special bacteria, scientists are giving plants mutant roots with abilities that may one day make super-heros turn green with envy. These roots may become biofactories — natural factories that churn out fuels, food flavorings, and even medicine.

Intro theme and sound effects by Adam Dylewski; The Way Out music by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com); Creative Commons licensed audio from freesound.iua.upf.edu includes male scream by thanvannispen, factory sounds by kokuya, car ignition sound by Han1, underwater sounds by suonho and applause sounds by SandyRB.

The next time you rip a CD onto that shiny new iPod or cozy up with a DVD movie, give this some thought: Scientists have found a surprising new job for compact discs and players. Those silvery wafers of plastic may be taking a spin in a laboratory near you!

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Scientists find a way to make a tasty African veggie called cassava more healthy.

Intro theme and sound effects by Adam Dylewski; “Whimsy Groove” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com); Creative Commons licensed audio from freesound.iua.upf.edu includes crowd sounds by SandyRB.

Shows at family adventure parks featuring Shamu — an orca or killer whale — have made these gigantic mammals one of the most famous marine animals. Shamu’s wild brothers and sisters, however, face many threats to their survival in the open ocean.

Intro theme by Adam Dylewski; Creative Commons licensed audio from freesound.iua.upf.edu includes shore sounds by Volivieri, ambient music by Genghis Attenborough, foghorn sound by Kathol and seagull sounds by Hazure.

Thanks to our amazing fans for asking! Got more chemistry questions? Drop ‘em in the comments and we might answer them in future episodes.

Scientists say that eating chicken, fish or vegetables once per week in place of red meat can help the environment.

Intro theme and various sound effects by Adam Dylewski; music by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com); Creative Commons licensed audio from freesound.iua.upf.edu includes sounds by mich3d, suonho, kjackson, fogma and acclivity.