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Science

1,585 cards. Each one is a 40-second story with a five-minute read behind it. Page 3 of 27.

121. How geological shifts shaped the unique biodiversity of MadagascarMadagascar is a global biodiversity hotspot, but its strange wildlife is more than just a product of isolation. This video explores how the island's unique geological history, inv…
122. The strange biological link between smoking and ulcerative colitisSmoking is undeniably harmful, yet researchers have discovered a bizarre paradox: smokers appear significantly less likely to develop ulcerative colitis. This video explores the s…
123. The unexpected decline of cancer risk in the very elderlyWhile aging is typically associated with rising cancer rates, a surprising trend emerges among the oldest members of society. This video explores the scientific discovery behind w…
124. Is the average daily commute a universal human constant?While our cultures and environments differ wildly, a surprising pattern emerges in how we move. This video explores recent research suggesting that most human populations share th…
125. Beyond beauty: how fractal geometry transformed modern engineeringWhile the intricate patterns of Romanesco broccoli and the Mandelbrot set are visually stunning, fractal geometry offers much more than aesthetic appeal. This video explores how s…
126. Why the world's most cited scientific papers are often invisible to the publicWhile breakthroughs like mRNA vaccines and the Higgs boson dominate the news, they rarely appear in the most-cited lists. This video explores the gap between scientific fame and c…
127. Could the entire complexity of our universe be reduced to just zero numbers?Modern particle physics relies on roughly 30 fundamental constants to describe reality, from gravity's strength to electron mass. Yet, a decades-long debate among theorists sugges…
128. The missing piece of the onion's chemical sting is physicsWe have long understood the biology and chemistry behind why slicing an onion causes tears. However, a new look at the process reveals that physics plays a crucial role in the puz…
129. Why DIY sunscreen is a dangerous mythThe internet is full of dangerous misinformation regarding skincare. This video examines why homemade sunscreen recipes are ineffective and debunks six common myths to help you pr…
130. Can ancient geological formations provide a blueprint for future urban design?Explore the Shilin World Geopark, a massive karst landscape in China. This video examines how the Earth's natural geological history might offer unexpected lessons for the develop…
131. Tracing the ancient migrations that shaped the human storyWhile we know humans evolved in Africa, the exact birthplace of our species remains a mystery. This video explores the oldest known human lineages and tracks the epic migrations t…
132. The radioactive legacy resting on the ocean floorDeep beneath the waves, several Cold War-era nuclear submarines remain lost. This video examines the environmental risks posed by these sunken vessels and the potential for radioa…
133. The Bahia emerald: a geological anomaly caught in a legal battleA gemstone so valuable it has inspired decades of conflict and even a restraining order. Discover the strange geological conditions that allow the Bahia emerald to exist and the u…
134. What happens to life and physics when gravity disappears?For more than 25 years, the International Space Station has served as a unique laboratory. This video explores the strange scientific discoveries made possible only by the microgr…
135. The hidden psychological toll of your daily video callsWhile video calls keep us connected, they may be doing more harm than good. This video explores how frequent Zoom sessions are undermining our virtual relationships and impacting …
136. Could we reprogram deadly glioblastoma into functional brain cells?Brain metastasis is a devastating complication of cancer progression, often leading to severe symptoms. This video explores the radical scientific question of whether we can trans…
137. Fact-checking the truth behind popular dietary supplementsFrom CoQ10 to oregano oil, many supplements promise much but deliver little. This video examines the scientific reality behind ten common supplements requested by the SciShow audi…
138. Could termites be the secret to revitalizing destroyed rainforests?While often viewed as destructive, termites may be essential for forest regeneration. This video explores how researchers are investigating whether transplanting these wood-eating…
139. The enduring mystery of why bird nests vary so muchFrom intricate woven twigs to simple underground burrows, avian architecture is incredibly diverse. This video explores the scientific uncertainty surrounding why different bird s…
140. The unexpected environmental cost of a perfect latherWhen domestic washing machines first arrived, their new synthetic detergents worked too well. This video explores how the massive buildup of bubbles in freshwater ecosystems trigg…
141. Can science explain the mythical monsters of the Strait of Messina?In Homer's Odyssey, Odysseus famously navigated between the terrifying Scylla and Charybdis. This video explores how real-world oceanography explains the treacherous conditions of…
142. How do scientists calculate the mass of a distant planet?Measuring a planet's weight is impossible with a scale, so astronomers rely on gravity and light. This video explores the ingenious methods used to determine the mass of worlds, f…
143. Why humans and giraffes share the same number of neck bonesIt is a biological fact that humans and giraffes possess the same number of cervical vertebrae. This video explores the evolutionary complexity behind this shared trait and why al…
144. Why the sun can catch you off guard in unexpected placesYou might assume a sunburn requires tropical heat, but the sun can strike when you least expect it. This video explores how sunburn occurs in the shade or even in the cold, and th…
145. A rare look inside the active zones of the National Nuclear LaboratoryStep inside the high-security environment of Sellafield. This video provides a close-up encounter with some of the world's most radioactive elements, including Uranium and Plutoni…
146. How G-protein-coupled receptors shape our biological understandingWatch as Professor Martyn Poliakoff and guest Barrie Kellam celebrate the 2012 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. This video revisits the announcement and explores the groundbreaking resea…
147. The unexpected scientific treasures hidden in Berkeley's parking lotsJoin the Periodic Table of Videos team during their visit to Berkeley to discover the stories behind the science, featuring a rare look at an authentic piece of history used by La…
148. The legacy of Glenn Seaborg and the synthetic element SeaborgiumJourney to Berkeley to explore the creation of Seaborgium, a synthetic element named in honour of the legendary chemist Glenn Seaborg. This video provides a visual look into the w…
149. Recreating the chemistry behind the Vatican's papal election smokeHow does the Vatican signal a new Pope? This video explores the specific chemical recipe used to produce the black and white smoke during a Papal Conclave, featuring a chemist-tur…
150. Inside the factory where even the dust is too valuable to ignoreStep inside the noble metals section of Johnson Matthey to see how precious elements are handled. This video explores the high-stakes environment of a factory managing platinum, i…
151. What happens when a chemistry experiment goes wrong?Watch a demonstration using ethanol and a currency note that was intended to burn without damaging the paper, only to see how unexpected chemical reactions can transform a planned…
152. The reflective alloy that powered Newton's first telescopeDiscover the history of speculum, a unique metal alloy that served as the primary mirror for Sir Isaac Newton's original reflecting telescope. Professor Martyn Poliakoff explores …
153. One man walked 175,000 miles to fill a single leather-bound bookIn the early 20th century, Joseph Mikulec embarked on a journey spanning six continents. His goal wasn't just travel, but the pursuit of greatness on paper. He returned with a 60-…
154. Can green chemistry make life-saving medicine more sustainable?Discover how Professor Sir Martyn Poliakoff and his team are redesigning the production of artemisinin. This video explores how applying green chemistry principles to the photoche…
155. The chemistry behind the Volkswagen emissions scandalExplore the chemical processes used in diesel engines and the controversy surrounding Volkswagen's attempts to manipulate nitrogen oxide emissions. This video examines the science…
156. The chemistry behind the explosive expansion of Elephant's ToothpasteWitness the rapid decomposition of hydrogen peroxide in high detail. This slow-motion demonstration reveals how a simple catalyst can transform a liquid into a massive, colorful f…
157. Can the new polymer £5 note withstand the chemistry treatment?Moving away from traditional paper, the UK's new £5 banknote is crafted from polymer. This video explores the material science behind this change, featuring Professor Sir Martyn P…
158. Why you will never see a physical sample of astatineAstatine is one of the rarest elements on Earth. This video explores the extreme properties that make it nearly impossible for chemists to handle, featuring Professor Sir Martyn P…
159. Is this Ethiopian pond the saltiest water body on Earth?Explore the extreme chemistry of Gaet’ale, a newly discovered hypersaline pond in Ethiopia's Danakil Depression. This video, featuring Professor Sir Martyn Poliakoff, examines a s…
160. Can a phosphorus explosion hollow out a pound coin?Witness the volatile power of phosphorus in a controlled demonstration. This video captures the moment a phosphorus explosion blasts the centre out of a £1 coin, revealing the int…
161. Uncovering the history behind a rare, early version of the periodic tableExplore the restoration of a precious scientific artifact. This video examines an early periodic table, brought to light through the dedicated efforts of historians and conservato…
162. The explosive necessity of protective eyewear in scientific demonstrationsWitness a classic demonstration of why safety goggles are indispensable. Using cherry tomatoes and specially-made Krakatoa Tubes, this video illustrates the physical risks inheren…
163. Decoding the complex mathematical orchestration behind biological wound healingHow does a living organism coordinate the intricate biological processes required to repair tissue? This lecture explores how researchers are using mathematical models to uncover …
164. How mathematics proves the absolute efficiency of data compressionIn this lecture from Sam Cohen’s third-year Information Theory course at Oxford, explore the mathematical foundations of optimal coding. Discover why certain recursive methods are…
165. Can we optimize data by fixing the encoding length instead of the message?In this lecture from Sam Cohen's third-year Information Theory course at Oxford, we explore Tunstall’s algorithm. Discover how to build optimal codes by varying input length while…
166. How mathematical objects bridge random walks and modern financeThis lecture from Oxford University's third-year mathematics course explores the fundamental structures of probability. Watch as Jan Obloj demonstrates how advanced concepts like …
167. How information flows through the randomness of timeIn this third-year lecture from Oxford Mathematics, Jan Obloj explores the mathematical architecture of uncertainty. Discover how filtrations and stopping times create the essenti…
168. Understanding the mathematical architecture of martingales and stochastic integrationIn this third-year lecture from Oxford Mathematics, Jan Obloj explores the fundamental properties of martingales. Discover how these processes are constructed and how complex sequ…
169. How stopping time preserves the balance of a martingaleIn this advanced lecture from Oxford Mathematics, Jan Obloj explores the mathematical stability of martingales when they are stopped, alongside the fundamental principles of unifo…
170. Mastering the convergence and inequalities of martingalesDelve into advanced probability theory with this third-year lecture from Oxford Mathematics. This session covers the technical proofs behind Vitali’s convergence theorem and the e…
171. How chemical interactions create the complex patterns of lifeExplore the mathematical foundations of biological design. This lecture examines how interacting chemicals, known as morphogens, diffuse and react to spontaneously generate intric…
172. How chemical interactions create the complex patterns of lifeExplore the mathematical foundations of biological design. This lecture examines how interacting chemicals, known as morphogens, diffuse and react to spontaneously generate intric…
173. How chemical interactions create the intricate patterns of lifeExplore the mathematical foundations of biological design. This lecture examines how interacting chemicals, known as morphogens, diffuse and react to spontaneously generate comple…
174. Why nature prefers curves over sharp cornersIn this Oxford Mathematics Public Lecture, Gábor Domokos explores the geometric preference for rounded edges and non-flat surfaces. Discover how these principles manifest in every…
175. How the art of solving equations evolved over four millenniaTrace the transformation of algebra from ancient Babylonian quadratic solutions to the sophisticated theory of equations. This lecture explores how mathematical problem-solving sh…
176. How the 19th century transformed algebra from calculation into abstractionFor millennia, algebra was a toolkit for solving equations. This lecture explores the profound 19-century shift toward structural mathematics, examining how a move away from physi…
177. Is the divide between mathematical logic and artistic emotion merely an illusion?We often view mathematics as a realm of rigid logic and art as a domain of pure emotion. This video explores why these two seemingly incompatible forces may actually be deeply int…
178. How mathematicians use algebra to decode the fundamental shapes of spaceIn this lecture from Oxford University, André Henriques explores how algebraic invariants allow us to distinguish between different topological spaces by translating geometric pro…
179. Can we trust mathematical models to guide our most critical global decisions?From managing epidemics to addressing climate change, mathematical models shape our world. This lecture explores why these tools are inherently imperfect and how we can establish …
180. How mathematicians use shapes to define the fundamental structure of homologyIn this lecture from Oxford University, André Henriques explores the intuitive foundations of algebraic topology. Watch as the complex concepts of chains, cycles, and homology cla…

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