Curious Kids: Could someone become a superhero in real life?

Technology can give superhero abilities to people in real life.

Michael Fitzpatrick, Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Lloyd's Register Foundation Chair in Structural Integrity and Systems Performance, Coventry University • conversation
Jan. 5, 2021 • ~7 min
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How does your brain wake up from sleep?

The mystery of how the brain creates consciousness still puzzles scientists, but the mechanics of waking up are starting to be understood.

Aneesh Hehr, Medical Student, Wayne State University • conversation
Jan. 4, 2021 • ~6 min
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Why do different countries have different electric outlet plugs?

There are 15 different kinds of electrical outlets around the world. One standard would be more convenient, but no one wants to change theirs.

Theodore J. Kury, Director of Energy Studies, University of Florida • conversation
Dec. 21, 2020 • ~6 min
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Mermaids aren't real – but they've fascinated people around the world for ages

Mermaids are not real, but are meaningful to people around the world.

Peter Goggin, Associate Professor of English, Arizona State University • conversation
Dec. 14, 2020 • ~6 min
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Curious Kids: If the Earth is spinning all the time, why don't things move around?

The Earth spins around its axis every day – but gravity keeps us firmly in place.

Jacco van Loon, Astrophysicist and Director of Keele Observatory, Keele University • conversation
Nov. 27, 2020 • ~5 min
space astronomy gravity curious-kids

Why do tigers have stripes?

How do tigers – a top predator – successfully hunt their prey when they have bright orange fur? The secret's in their stripes!

Andrew Cushing, Assistant Professor in Zoological Medicine, University of Tennessee • conversation
Nov. 23, 2020 • ~6 min
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Why do tigers have different stripe patterns?

How do tigers – a top predator – successfully hunt their prey when they have bright orange fur? The secret's in their stripes!

Andrew Cushing, Assistant Professor in Zoological Medicine, University of Tennessee • conversation
Nov. 23, 2020 • ~6 min
vision wildlife curious-kids curious-kids-us predator-prey-interaction tigers camouflage captive-wildlife big-cats predator-and-prey wildlife-crime

How do geese know how to fly south for the winter?

Geese honk loudly and point their bills toward the sky when they're ready to start the migration. Here's how they know it's time, how they navigate and how they conserve energy on the grueling trip.

Tom Langen, Professor of Biology, Clarkson University • conversation
Nov. 16, 2020 • ~8 min
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Curious Kids: How did some animals evolve wings to fly?

Today's birds evolved from feathered dinosaurs.

Matthew Wills, Professor of Evolutionary Palaeobiology at the Milner Centre for Evolution, University of Bath • conversation
Oct. 22, 2020 • ~5 min
evolution birds dinosaurs feathered-dinosaurs curious-kids

Curious Kids: How can we tell when a volcano is going to erupt?

Volcanoes give lots of clues which help scientists work out if they are about to erupt.

Ian Skilling, Senior Lecturer in Volcanology, University of South Wales • conversation
Oct. 9, 2020 • ~5 min
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