The Loh Down on Science: Special Pandemic Edition

Series produced by Sandra Tsing Loh

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Image by: Madeline Miller 

Three-minute modules on the science and history of pandemics, appropriate for middle school and up

The Loh Down on Science: Special Pandemic Edition explores the science and history of pandemics (appropriate for middle school and up). Each week, fascinating new three-minute modules are reported by science writers from the Loh Down on Science "Hive." Subjects include: global crises' unexpected "silver linings" (i.e. technological innovations), what Isaac Newton did during HIS 1600's college quarantine, the science of soap, COVID-19's surprising impacts on climate change, and Folding@home, a cool new project seeking to model a coronavirus cure with the help of our home computers (it worked for Ebola!).


42 Pieces

Order by: Newest First | Oldest First
World of Corona
From: Sandra Tsing Loh
Series: The Loh Down on Science: Special Pandemic Edition
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Quarantining at home? Playing video games to get away from the pandemic? How about pandemics IN your video games?

Bought by Spokane Public Radio and WYAP


  • Added: Dec 21, 2020
  • Length: 03:00
  • Purchases: 2
Pandemic Dreams
From: Sandra Tsing Loh
Series: The Loh Down on Science: Special Pandemic Edition
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Have you been having weird dreams lately? If so, you’re not alone. Pandemic dreams are on the rise!

Bought by Spokane Public Radio and KSQM 91.5 FM


  • Added: Nov 07, 2020
  • Length: 03:00
  • Purchases: 2
But Fluffy Needs Me
From: Sandra Tsing Loh
Series: The Loh Down on Science: Special Pandemic Edition
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As society reopens, what will become of our four-legged friends? They spent all those months indoors as our officemates, distractions, and Zoom cal...

Bought by WYAP and Spokane Public Radio


  • Added: Sep 10, 2020
  • Length: 03:00
  • Purchases: 2
'Rona Ramadan
From: Sandra Tsing Loh
Series: The Loh Down on Science: Special Pandemic Edition
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Many Muslims fast during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. This year, it falls within the coronavirus pandemic and people are curious about the he...

Bought by KUCR 88.3 fm Riverside, Calif. and WYAP


  • Added: May 27, 2020
  • Length: 03:00
  • Purchases: 2
Shotgun Vaccine
From: Sandra Tsing Loh
Series: The Loh Down on Science: Special Pandemic Edition
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Traditional vaccines are too slow to help with a pandemic that is here right now. But next generation vaccines promise something much quicker. Tune...

  • Added: May 27, 2020
  • Length: 02:59
Viral Mania
From: Sandra Tsing Loh
Series: The Loh Down on Science: Special Pandemic Edition
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Move over coronavirus! There is a bigger outbreak in town. It’s herpes! And it has been here for a while. But don’t freak out! Virologist Kennen Hu...

Bought by Spokane Public Radio and WYAP


  • Added: May 24, 2020
  • Length: 02:59
  • Purchases: 2
My Mask is Your Mask
From: Sandra Tsing Loh
Series: The Loh Down on Science: Special Pandemic Edition
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Masks can be one of the most powerful tools we have to fight the coronavirus, but only if they are worn universally. My mask protects you, and your...

Bought by WYAP


  • Added: May 24, 2020
  • Length: 02:59
  • Purchases: 1
Inside Out
From: Sandra Tsing Loh
Series: The Loh Down on Science: Special Pandemic Edition
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Keeping clean has never been easier, or more confusing! Fortunately, there are many options for your exterior surfaces. And no, you cannot use them...

Bought by WYAP


  • Added: May 17, 2020
  • Length: 03:00
  • Purchases: 1
Deus Ex Vaccina
From: Sandra Tsing Loh
Series: The Loh Down on Science: Special Pandemic Edition
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The world waits for a coronavirus vaccine. But this isn’t the first time it’s taken a little longer than ideal. Written and reported by Brenna Biggs.

Bought by Spokane Public Radio


  • Added: May 17, 2020
  • Length: 03:00
  • Purchases: 1
Zoomed Out
From: Sandra Tsing Loh
Series: The Loh Down on Science: Special Pandemic Edition
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Have video conferences and facetime cocktails left you zoomed out? You’re not alone.

Bought by WYAP and Spokane Public Radio


  • Added: May 17, 2020
  • Length: 02:59
  • Purchases: 2
The Sprawling Upside
From: Sandra Tsing Loh
Series: The Loh Down on Science: Special Pandemic Edition
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Los Angeles’ traffic will forever live in infamy. But might it slow the spread of a virus?

Bought by Spokane Public Radio and WYAP


  • Added: May 14, 2020
  • Length: 03:00
  • Purchases: 2
Every Last Drop
From: Sandra Tsing Loh
Series: The Loh Down on Science: Special Pandemic Edition
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Trying to destroy coronavirus? The World Health Organization says get to scrubbing! Twenty seconds at the sink should do it. But what if you don’t ...

Bought by Spokane Public Radio


  • Added: May 13, 2020
  • Length: 03:00
  • Purchases: 1
Pandemic Buzz
From: Sandra Tsing Loh
Series: The Loh Down on Science: Special Pandemic Edition
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Pandemic: quite a BUZZ word these days. We stay home, wear masks, and wash hands like crazy. But what would bees do? Hint: dance party! Written and...

  • Added: May 13, 2020
  • Length: 03:00
Quarantine 15
From: Sandra Tsing Loh
Series: The Loh Down on Science: Special Pandemic Edition
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Stuck in a house packed with snacks and limited ways to exercise? Tempted to turn to Ben and Jerry for sweet, sweet solace? Experts say this is nor...

Bought by Spokane Public Radio


  • Added: May 13, 2020
  • Length: 03:00
  • Purchases: 1
Bye-Bye Beards?
From: Sandra Tsing Loh
Series: The Loh Down on Science: Special Pandemic Edition
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Can beards be hotspots for the coronavirus? Before you grab your clippers, let’s grow through history!

Bought by Spokane Public Radio


  • Added: May 12, 2020
  • Length: 03:00
  • Purchases: 1
Labs in Translation
From: Sandra Tsing Loh
Series: The Loh Down on Science: Special Pandemic Edition
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Mistranslation? Awkward. Surprisingly, it was a classic mistranslation after the Franco-Prussion War that prompted the acceptance of biosafety. Now...

  • Added: May 07, 2020
  • Length: 03:00
Sanitation Lamentation
From: Sandra Tsing Loh
Series: The Loh Down on Science: Special Pandemic Edition
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Disease is one of the greatest roadblocks to progress. Pandemics come and go. But endemics require a lot more work. For diseases that live with soc...

  • Added: May 04, 2020
  • Length: 03:00
Pandemic Pets
From: Sandra Tsing Loh
Series: The Loh Down on Science: Special Pandemic Edition
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Pet owners have noticed peculiar behaviors of their pets in their coronavirus self-quarantine. As people struggle to cope, many are curious to know...

Bought by Spokane Public Radio and KCPW Salt Lake City


  • Added: May 07, 2020
  • Length: 03:00
  • Purchases: 2
Anty-Who?
From: Sandra Tsing Loh
Series: The Loh Down on Science: Special Pandemic Edition
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Anty-who?! Don’t let the name fool you, antibodies are some of your best friends. Researchers from the Weiss and Penner labs are collaborating to c...

Bought by Spokane Public Radio


  • Added: May 07, 2020
  • Length: 03:00
  • Purchases: 1
Free Play
From: Sandra Tsing Loh
Series: The Loh Down on Science: Special Pandemic Edition
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Soccer practice? Canceled. School? Canceled. Parents? Stressed! Will children learn ANYTHING during this pandemic?

Bought by Spokane Public Radio


  • Added: May 04, 2020
  • Length: 02:59
  • Purchases: 1