Your daily 90-second dose of real science for real people, with Sandra Tsing Loh!
Revenge is sweet. Science says so! This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. We love a happy ending! The hero riding off into the sunset, while the villain reaps what he sowed. We pay to see this movie again and again. Is enjoying it part of
What makes Internet trolls tick? This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science, saying: You’ve experienced trolls: people who will write anything online to make someone else look silly. These tricksters spew a lot of bile, but what are they like in real life? Maybe not that
Too much to do on your to-do list? Sleep on it! This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. It can be hard to fall asleep with unfinished tasks bouncing around our head. Many of us prepare for the next day with a to-do list. Others just
Do our pets experience the placebo effect? This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. The placebo effect is when people’s belief that a treatment is working makes them feel better. But we can also imagine that a treatment is making our pets better. So how can
Can your bridesmaids predict your lifespan? This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. Scientists say personality somewhat predicts mortality. For example, inactive, fatty-food-loving people are susceptible to early heart attacks. Psychologists at Washington University in St. Louis were interested in this mortality connection. Problem is, most
Are you buying too many toys for your kids?? This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. Children leave toys everywhere in the house. What a mess! Sure, there’s no doubt that playing is critical for child development. But does the NUMBER OF TOYS affect how children
Who’s more sensible? Humans? Or Monkeys? This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. Meet Yale psychologist Laurie Santos. She researches human buying habits by having monkeys barter for treats. She says Capuchin monkeys understand economics. She gives them tokens—monkey money! Her monkeys are trained to exchange
Think you look bad in selfies? Blame your camera! This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. Beauty is a big business. All day, pictures of beautiful people claim certain products will make you beautiful, too. But researchers at Iran’s Islamic Azad University wondered: Can cameras play
Hey, adults of a certain age. Do you like to color? This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science saying, coloring books! They’re not just for kids anymore. Coloring books aren’t just for kids anymore. Adults claim they help reduce stress and improve well-being. But how effective
“I love you” will never be the same again. This is Sandra Tsing Loh with the Loh Down on Science. About to leave a voicemail for your sweetie? Log on to your laptop instead! That’s what Alan Dennis and Taylor Wells suggest. In their study, they asked college students to