Laura Sanders

2 weeks ago | snexplores.org | Laura Sanders |Janet Raloff

average: (in science) A term for the arithmetic mean, which is the sum of a group of numbers that is then divided by the size of the group. blood-brain barrier: A barrier of tightly packed cells that carefully regulate what molecules can — and can’t — enter the brain. The barrier protects the brain from foreign substances in the blood and helps to maintain a constant environment for brain cells.

Jan 10, 2025 | snexplores.org | Laura Sanders |Tina Saey

annual: Adjective for something that happens every year. fiber: Something whose shape resembles a thread or filament. (in nutrition) Components of many fibrous plant-based foods. These so-called non-digestible fibers tend to come from cellulose, lignin, and pectin — all plant constituents that resist breakdown by the body’s digestive enzymes. nerve: A long, delicate fiber that transmits signals across the body of an animal.

Jul 2, 2024 | snexplores.org | Laura Sanders

average: (in science) A term for the arithmetic mean, which is the sum of a group of numbers that is then divided by the size of the group. Drosophila melanogaster: The common fruit fly, this animal is a workhorse of biomedical research. Scientists use it to study many aspects of animal physiology and genetics. engineer: A person who uses science and math to solve problems. As a verb, to engineer means to design a device, material or process that will solve some problem or unmet need.

Apr 9, 2024 | snexplores.org | Maria Temming |Laura Sanders |Jake Buehler |Susan Milius

Arctic: A region that falls within the Arctic Circle. The edge of that circle is defined as the northernmost point at which the sun is visible on the northern winter solstice and the southernmost point at which the midnight sun can be seen on the northern summer solstice. The high Arctic is that most northerly third of this region. It’s a region dominated by snow cover much of the year.

Feb 22, 2024 | geneticliteracyproject.org | Laura Sanders

Laura Sanders | Science News Explores | February 22, 2024 Just as vodka packs more of a punch than beer, a high-potency toke of cannabis — the name for the marijuana plant — delivers much more of the brain-active substance THC. That’s an abbreviation for tetrahydrocannabinol (TEH-trah-hy-drow-ka-NAB-ih-nol). It’s possible, [psychiatrist at King’s College London Tiago] Reis Marques says, that a bigger dose of THC simply may have stronger effects on the brain. That’s important because as...