A Moment of Science

We recently talked about a strange amphibian that feeds its offspring milk, so what other surprising creatures do the same? A Moment of Science has more

The spider that gives milk Cows and humans aren't the only ones who produce milk. There are also some insects and spiders that produce a milk-like substance to feed their young.

Scientists are saying that as the climate warms and temperatures rise, we may lose more crops to insects. Find out why with A Moment of Science:

Climate change is making insects eat more crops Scientists are saying that as the climate warms and temperatures rise, we might lose more crops to insects.

Pandas are known for their favorite snack, but they didn't always have such specific tastes. Learn more about pandas and bamboo with A Moment of Science: https://indianapublicmedia.org/amomentofscience/pandas-always-know-whats-for-dinner.php

Did you know mammals aren't the only ones who give their offspring milk? Learn more about this unique amphibian species with A Moment of Science:

An amphibian mother feeds her offspring with 'milk' Human mothers secrete milk to feed their babies. So do other mammals. Biologists now know that many other kinds of animal mothers also secrete milk-like nutritious substances to feed their offspring.

Fruit flies might not have good manners when they invade your home, but they do have culture. Find out more with A Moment of Science

Cultured fruit flies Fruit flies might not have manners when they invade your home, but they do have culture.

These days, you can hear about self-driving cars when you turn on the news, or you can browse store shelves for high-tech gadgets. But in the mid-nineteenth century, there was one go-to place for the public to view scientific achievement: the Great Exhibition.

Putting science on display at the Great Exhibition of 1851 These days, you can hear about self-driving cars when you turn on the news, or you can browse store shelves for high-tech gadgets. But in the mid-nineteenth century, there was one go-to place for the public to view scientific achievement: the Great Exhibition.

There's safety in numbers, but what other benefits are there from swimming in a school of fish? A Moment of Science has more

Schools of fish are silent swimmers Swimming in a school has a lot of benefits for fish, from social opportunities to avoiding predators to finding more food.

Researchers have heard orangutans make the noise after the danger has passed—a sign that they’re communicating about the past, and the first evidence that primates other than humans have that ability.

Orangutans talk about the past Researchers have heard orangutans make the noise after the danger has passed—a sign that they’re communicating about the past, and the first evidence that primates other than humans have that ability.

If air temperature gets close to our body temperature, something more is needed to keep the skin cooler than the inner body. We sweat.
Learn more about how our bodies work with A Moment of Science:

It's not just the heat, it's the humidity If the air temperature gets close to our body temperature, something more is needed to keep the skin cooler than the inner body. We sweat.

Want to learn more about surface tension? Check out this simple exercise you can do at home with today's A Moment of Science!

How to see what soap does to water Water molecules attract each other. The molecules at the surface of a body of water make a film under tension. That film is strong enough to support a needle or a small insect like a water strider.

Spider-Man might not be real, but the slingshot spider's abilities are a pretty close comparison. Learn more about this Amazonian web-slinger with today's A Moment of Science:

Your friendly Amazonian slingshot spider Researchers reported that they discovered a tiny spider in the Peruvian Amazon rain forest that has a behavior that’s surprisingly similar to the web-slinging superhero.

How much do you know about the Great Glen Fault? Learn all about Scotland's geographical history with A Moment of Science

The fault that runs through Scotland If you look at a map of Scotland, you may notice a line cutting straight through the country. This line, called the Great Glen Fault, is the result of a long geological history that has in turn impacted the history of Scotland itself.

Cotton is a pretty comfortable material to wear, but why does it have to wrinkle so much? A Moment of Science explains

Why does cotton wrinkle? A cool, dry cotton fiber springs back after being bent. A warm, damp cotton fiber doesn't. Moisture and temperature make the difference.

What kind of surprises can you find in cork? Learn about Robert Hook's discoveries with the microscope in today's A Moment of Science

Robert Hook found a surprise in cork The 17th-century English physicist Robert Hooke was curious about the remarkable properties of cork -- its ability to float, its springy quality, its usefulness in sealing bottles. Hooke investigated the structure of cork with a new scientific instrument he was very enthusiastic about: the microscop...

Now that summer's in full swing, you might notice a familiar phenomenon at night: heat lightning. What is it exactly? A Moment of Science explains

A summer night mystery: heat lightning One of the more mysterious pleasures of a warm summer evening is the spectacle of lightning from distant thunderstorms, flickering silently on the horizon while stars shine overhead. People usually call it heat lightning.

How can one rotten apple cause so many problems? Find out more with A Moment of Science

Why one rotten apple can spoil the barrel Learn about the role that ethylene plays in ripening fruit with today's A Moment of Science

Otters are seen as cute and carefree creatures, but they're a little more serious than that. Learn about their secret mission with A Moment of Science

Otter heroes with a secret mission The carefree southern sea otters of central California’s coast have had a secret mission: working to fight the devastating loss of kelp forests due to anthropogenic climate change.

What animals will thrive in the next century? Researchers used statistical tools to find the answer. Learn more with A Moment of Science

What animals will thrive in the next century? Researchers used statistical tools to forecast which characteristics the animals of the future will likely have.

What kind of parenting style did you grow up with? Research suggests these styles have ties to health effects later in life. A Moment of Science has more

Parenting styles and telomeres Research suggests there's a link between parenting styles and health effects later in life.

When it comes to tea, water can be just as important as the leaves. Today's A Moment of Science has more on water's role in the rise of tea's popularity

Saved by the boil As any aficionado will tell you, water can be just as important as the tea leaves themselves when it comes to a good brew.

Why does the color of a glass bottle matter? The answer is more than just cosmetic. Learn more with A Moment of Science

Why are glass bottles different colors? If the color of the bottles was significant enough to control how they’re recycled, then surely the color was more than cosmetic. So what's the reason why wine bottles are olive-green and beer bottles are amber?

New Zealand's isolation has led to the evolution of a unique set of animals, including birds found nowhere else. But what does the future hold for them? A Moment of Science explains

The future of New Zealand's birds Because of the isolation, New Zealand has evolved a unique set of animals dominated by abundant bird species found nowhere else.

Have you ever tried to eat leftover rice the next day only to find that perfect, fluffy texture disappeared over night? What makes that happen? A Moment of Science explains

The starch difference Have you ever made rice that was perfectly fluffy and then the next day, taken it out of the fridge only to find it hard and crumbly?

Tennis players are known for grunting while playing. Why do they do that? A Moment of Science has more

Why do people grunt when playing tennis? Tennis players are known for the loud grunts they make during a game. Why do they do it?

Are you a dog person? Your preference for man's best friend might be in your genes. Learn more with today's A Moment of Science

Could being a dog person be in your genes? In 2019 a team of Swedish and British scientists published a study claiming that whether we chose to own a dog may be influenced by our genes.

Physicists are searching for new materials with better semiconductor properties so that computers can continue to improve. Learn about their findings with today's A Moment of Science

Graphene and faster computer chips Physicists are searching for new materials with better semiconductor properties so that computers can continue to improve.

We just covered what makes the sky blue, but what about the places were it isn't blue? Get a closer look with today's A Moment of Science

Where the sky isn't blue We just covered why the sky is blue, but there are a few areas without color above us.

A simple question for today's A Moment of Science:
What makes the sky blue?

What makes the sky blue? It can't be the atmosphere, or dust, or water droplets. So what makes the sky blue?

When it comes to the perfect cup of coffee, water temperature is a key factor. What makes it so important? A Moment of Science explains

Temperature: A key variable in making the perfect cup of coffee Water temperature is a major element of quality control in making coffee. Why exactly is temperature important?