In Tokyo Neighborhood, Artistic Toilets Get Attention

VOA Learning English • voa
April 12, 2024 ~4 min

What happens if you need to pee while you're asleep?

A pediatric urologist explains how the bladder and the brain communicate to wake you up when you need to ‘go’ – and how that communication might break down.

Jennifer Ahn, Assistant Professor of Urology, School of Medicine, University of Washington • conversation
Sept. 18, 2023 ~7 min


The dirty truth about your phone – and why you need to stop scrolling in the bathroom

Your mobile phone is 10 times dirtier than a toilet seat. Here’s what to do about it.

Primrose Freestone, Senior Lecturer in Clinical Microbiology, University of Leicester • conversation
April 24, 2023 ~7 min

Toilets spew invisible aerosol plumes with every flush – here's the proof, captured by high-powered lasers

Toilets eject aerosol droplets that may carry disease-causing pathogens. Learning about how these particles move could help reduce exposure in public restrooms.

John Crimaldi, Professor of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder • conversation
Dec. 8, 2022 ~7 min

How do astronauts go to the bathroom in space?

Going to the bathroom is much more complicated in space without any gravity. To solve this problem of tricky orbital potty breaks, NASA builds special toilets that work without gravity.

Tracy K.P. Gregg, Associate Professor of Geology, University at Buffalo • conversation
March 15, 2021 ~5 min

Hoarding, stockpiling, panic buying: What's normal behavior in an abnormal time?

The pandemic has put a spotlight on a once little-discussed disorder – hoarding. But hoarding disorder is not what you might think.

Carol Mathews, Professor of Psychiatry, University of Florida • conversation
Nov. 17, 2020 ~8 min

We found a way to turn urine into solid fertiliser – it could make farming more sustainable

If rolled out worldwide, our method could replace a quarter of all the synthetic nitrogen fertiliser used in agriculture.

Jenna Senecal, Postdoctoral Researcher in Environmental Engineering, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences • conversation
Nov. 6, 2020 ~7 min

What goes into the toilet doesn’t always stay there, and other coronavirus risks in public bathrooms

Public restrooms can be scary when it comes to coronavirus, and they get scarier when you look at how the virus spreads. A doctor explains how to stay safe when you're traveling and really gotta go.

William Petri, Professor of Medicine, University of Virginia • conversation
June 5, 2020 ~5 min


Coronavirus: people in tall buildings may be more at risk – here's how to stay safe

Buildings with lots of occupants such as tower blocks and hospitals could be a hidden risk in the battle against COVID-19.

Michael Gormley, Director, Water Academy, Heriot-Watt University • conversation
April 8, 2020 ~7 min

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