Read this article at:  https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/what-sustainable-options-are-there-for-jet-fuel/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/1mlvKIQFwGs

Summary: Researchers reviewed information about the availability and use of alternative fuels for airplanes.

Abstract: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be? Is it a tropical paradise or the snow-capped mountains? Wherever it is, you might need to take an airplane to get there. Airplanes use kerosene jet fuel to take you to your travel destination. Kerosene jet fuel comes from fossil fuels. When burned, fossil fuels produce carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming.

To reduce global warming, carbon emissions from airplanes must decrease. That means airplanes will need new fuel sources. We wanted to identify possible sustainable aviation fuels. We also wanted to know if they are already in use or if they are in the research and development stage. So, we did a research review of alternative jet fuels. We found that there are three main alternative fuel types. These include biofuels, hydrogen (and hydrogen-derived) fuels, and electricity. One of the biofuels is already used in airplanes. The other alternatives are still in the research and development phase.

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Read this article at:   or watch at: https://youtu.be/LuBmWexq168

Summary: Researchers identify the social impacts of making and using biofuels for aviation to investigate their sustainability.

Abstract: Plant-based jet fuel is the focus of many studies. Why? Many people think that these fuels are a good alternative to fossil fuel jet fuels. They think they are a sustainable option for air travel. To be sustainable, plant-based jet fuels need to meet society's needs. These needs are economic, environmental, and social. Almost all the studies about plant-based jet fuel focus on environmental impacts. They also discuss the economics of plant-based jet fuel. 

We wanted to figure out how switching to plant-based jet fuels can meet important social needs. So, we identified the important social indicators to consider. Based on several scientific studies, we found that plant-based jet fuels can serve as a sustainable alternative for air transportation. People need to design this new industry to address each social indicator, not only environmental and economic ones. They must also find ways to balance competing needs, known as trade-offs. We recommend research to figure out how to manage the different trade-offs effectively.

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Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-do-parasites-limit-a-childs-growth/  or watch at: https://youtu.be/4CgQSlibgs8

Summary:Researchers wanted to explore different pathways by which parasites can lead to stunting.

Abstract: Stunting affects millions of kids around the world. This means they are not growing as tall as they should. Unfortunately, stunted children are more likely to have health problems later in life. One of the major reasons for stunting is not eating enough healthy food. Research also indicates that parasites can cause stunting. These parasites are common in poorer or tropical areas. So, how could parasites affect child growth? To find out, we examined evidence on stunting from different countries and organizations. We found several different ways in which parasites can lead to stunting. For example, they can interfere with nutrition, damage the gut and put stress on the immune system. So, it's important to tackle both malnutrition and parasitic infections to prevent stunting.

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Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/what-happens-to-astronauts-dna-in-space/  or watch at: https://youtu.be/DLGr3RHtwa4

Summary: Researchers examined changes in telomere length during a short civilian space mission.

Abstract: Space is a really cool place. It is even becoming popular as a tourist destination! But space is also a dangerous place. Floating around sounds fun, right? But weightlessness can have negative impacts on human health. Think muscle and bone loss or vision problems. And exposure to cosmic radiation can actually damage our DNA. So, it is important to better understand how the human body responds to being in space. 

We studied DNA from the 2021 SpaceX Inspiration4 mission crew. We looked at it before, during, and after their 3-day trip to space. We were particularly interested in telomeres – the “end-parts” of chromosomes that protect the DNA. Telomere length relates to aging and the risk of other diseases. We found that telomeres got longer while the crew was in space. When the astronauts returned to Earth, telomeres quickly shortened. Exposure to cosmic radiation might have triggered this dynamic response. Keeping people safe from cosmic radiation is essential for any long-duration spaceflight. In the future we can use this information to help keep people healthy as we explore the cosmos.

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Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/what-if-earth-had-a-ring-like-saturns/  or watch at: https://youtu.be/v9w0XqSlK8A

Summary: Scientists investigated whether Earth used to have a ring around it and how this would have affected our planet millions of years ago.

Abstract: We know that some planets can have rings. Saturn’s rings are especially famous! But could Earth have had a ring around it, too? We wanted to find out! We had two big questions to answer: how could a ring have formed around Earth? And what would happen if there was a ring around our planet? We came up with an idea (a hypothesis) that an asteroid was ripped apart as it passed by our planet millions of years ago. Then, all the dust and debris could have formed a ring around Earth! We hypothesized that meteorites rained down from this ring onto the Earth to form a chain of impact craters. We found lots of evidence to support our hypothesis. Also, there was a very big global cooling event shortly after these impacts. Scientists have not been able to prove why this happened. If the Earth did actually have a ring around it back then, it could explain this global cooling mystery from 446 millions of years ago.

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Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-does-thiamine-fortified-salt-taste/  or watch at: https://youtu.be/ncKe3VNBk6c

Summary: Researchers conducted taste tests to see whether a new thiamine-fortified salt could help address vitamin deficiencies in Cambodia.

Abstract: Everyone needs vitamins and minerals to stay healthy. But it’s not always easy to get all you need. Health organizations can help people by fortifying common foods with vitamins or minerals. Adding them to food means you can get the micronutrients you need without taking a vitamin pill. In rural Cambodia, many people struggle to eat enough thiamine.  Thiamine – aka vitamin B1 – is important. It helps brain development in infants and is needed by the muscles and heart. Infants often get the vitamins they need from their mother’s milk. If the mother doesn’t have enough thiamine in her diet, then the baby won’t either. 

We wanted to know whether fortified salt would be a good way to help people get enough thiamine. We recruited hundreds of Cambodian families to taste-test thiamine-fortified salt. Most people liked the new salt, especially when they cooked with it. Thiamine-fortified salt could help lots of people!

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Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-can-we-detect-rare-animals/  or watch at: https://youtu.be/0Uo06Yw5vkc

Summary: Scientists use environmental DNA to determine which golden mole species live in the western part of southern Africa, including one species previously believed extinct.

Abstract: Did you know that scientists can use DNA to figure out which organisms have been in an area? Organisms leave DNA behind in the environment. We call this DNA environmental DNA (eDNA). Using eDNA is a new technique that scientists have used in water environments. We wanted to figure out if this same technique could work to find species on land. 

We collected soil samples containing eDNA from golden moles in the western part of southern Africa. These mammals are hard to observe because they live underground and some species are rare. People believed that one species, De Winton's golden mole, might be extinct. We extracted eDNA from soil samples. Then we compared the eDNA to DNA samples we collected from golden moles and from databases. We found that all four golden mole species live in this region of Africa. That means that we can use eDNA to find rare animals in land environments. It also means that De Winton’s golden mole is not extinct!

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Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-helpful-is-the-r21-malaria-vaccine/  or watch at: https://youtu.be/Fzti2_4uFos

Summary: Researchers wanted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the R21 malaria vaccine.

Abstract: Have you ever heard of malaria? It's a serious disease spread by mosquito bites and affects millions of people each year. Scientists have developed vaccines to help stop malaria. The new R21 vaccine looks very promising. We tested it on 5,139 kids in Africa to see if it works and if it's safe.

We found that the vaccine worked really well. It prevented 73% of malaria cases overall. It worked best for younger kids, stopping 78% of cases. Moreover, most side effects were mild, like a sore arm or a fever, and serious problems were rare.

This vaccine could help save many lives if used more widely in places where malaria is common.

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Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/what-are-the-benefits-of-marine-protected-areas/  or watch at: https://youtu.be/mTdP4plixKw

Summary: Researchers wanted to assess the economic benefits of marine protected areas.

Abstract: You have probably heard that the ocean is in trouble. One reason is that we are catching too many fish, which is bad for the fish and the environment. But there is a cool solution to that problem called Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). These are special zones in the ocean where fishing is limited. This gives fish a chance to grow and thrive! But some people argue that they are not helpful and make it hard for fisheries. So are there any benefits of MPAs? To find out, we reviewed 81 articles from 37 countries. It turned out that MPAs not only help fish but also fisheries. Near most MPAs, fishermen catch more and find bigger fish. Moreover, MPAs make a lot of money through tourism!

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Read this article at: https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/what-can-fingerprints-tell-us-about-artists/ or watch at: https://youtu.be/7lnGo38XJQ8

Summary: Researchers used a CT scan to analyze fingerprints left on a sculpture to determine information about the artist.

Abstract: Have you ever noticed that each of your fingertips has a complex pattern of lines? These lines are unique to each person. When you touch different surfaces, you leave impressions of those lines behind. Artists from a long time ago also left such impressions. Previous scientists used photographs of fingerprints to learn more about the artists. They figured out if the artists were male or female. They also figured out the age of the artist. Unfortunately, photos are sometimes of poor quality. 

We wanted to develop a new method of fingermark analysis using a 3D-micro CT scan. This technology produced detailed 3D images of the fingerprints left on a sculpture. Then we analyzed these fingerprints for more information about the artist. Our analysis identified the artist as an adult male. This technology will help better analyze the works of artists 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