Video: Recycling Plastic Bags

Can we recycle plastic bags? Definitely yes. Discarded plastic bags need not go to waste.These old plastic bags are getting a new lease of life in a recycling factory. They are transformed into recycled plastic pellets which are used to make new bags for packaging purposes.


Young Scientists Level 2

Tiny Pests

Let's take a look at ants. Some ant species are considered as pests. They adapt easily to the environment and thus destroying the entire colony is nearly impossible. Pest management is therefore a matter of controlling the population  instead of getting rid of the whole colony. Most attempts at control are only temporary solutions.

Ants classified as pests include the Pharaoh ants, carpenter ants (black ants), odorous house ants (stink or coconut ants), red imported fire ants and the European fire ants (common fire ants). Their populations are controlled using insecticide baits, either in granules or liquid forms. The bait is gathered by the ants as food and carried back to the nest where the poison is then spread to other colony members. Boric acid and borax are often used as insecticides that are relatively safe for humans.

View the following video.

Test Your Science

1. How does food gathered by an ant endanger the entire colony?

Read about the Little Pests in the Young Scientists Issue 116 Level 1.

The Octopus' Camouflage

What does an octopus do when it is spotted by a predator? Its main defence is to hide, either not to be seen at all, or not to be detected as an octopus. However, the most common defence is fast escape. Other defences include the use of ink sacs, camouflage and autotomising of limbs (detaching its limbs).

An octopus' camouflage is aided by certain specialised skin cells which can change the apparent colour, opacity and reflectiveness of the epidermis. Chromatophores contain yellow, orange, red, brown or black pigments. Most species have three of these colours while some have two or four. Other colour-changing cells are reflective iridophores and leucophores (white). This colour-changing ability can also be used to communicate with or warn other octopi.The poisonous blue-ringed octopus becomes bright yellow with blue rings when it is provoked. Octopi can use muscles in the skin to change the texture of their mantle (surface layer) to achieve a greater camouflage. In some species the mantle can take on the spiky appearance of seaweed or the scraggly, bumpy texture of a rock. However, in some species the skin structure is limited to relatively patternless shades of one colour and limited skin texture.

Let's view the following clip on the different camouflages of the octopus.



Test Your Science
1. How is the octopus able to camouflage itself from its predator?

Get to know the Best Camouflaged Creatures in the forest in the Young Scientists Issue 117 Level 1.

The Lotus

Do you know that the lotus or the Nelumbo nucifera is currently recognised and placed in its own order known as Nelumbonales? This plant is an aquatic perennial. A common misconception is referring to the lotus as a waterlily (Nymphaea), an entirely different plant as can be seen from the centre of the flower which clearly lacks the structure that goes on to form the distinctive circular seed pod in the lotus.

The distinctive dried seed heads which resemble the spouts of watering cans are widely sold throughout the world for decorative purposes and for dried flower arranging. The flowers, seeds, young leaves and roots (rhizomes) are all edible. In Asia, the petals are sometimes used for garnishing while the large leaves are used to wrap food. Lotus roots are rich in dietary fibre, vitamin C, potassium , thiamin, riboflavin, vitamin B6, phosphorus, copper and manganese while very low in saturated fat. The stamens can be dried and made into a fragrant herbal tea or used to add a scent to tea leaves.In Myanmar, the lotus plant fibres are used to produce a unique fabric for weaving special robes for Buddha images.

Get to know the water lily and the lotus in the following clip.



Test Your Science
1. What makes the lotus a very useful plant?

Find out more about the Lotus in the Young Scientists Issue 117 Level 2.

The Alpaca

Have you ever heard of the alpaca? It is a domesticated species of South American camelid. It resembles a small llama in appearance. Alpacas are considerably smaller than llamas and unlike llamas, they are not bred to be beasts of burden. They are bred specifically for their fibre. Alpaca fibre is used for making knitted and woven items, similar to wool. These items include blankets, sweaters, hats, gloves, scarves, a wide variety of textiles and ponchos in South America, as well as sweaters, socks, coats and bedding in other parts of the world.

An adult alpaca is generally between 81 and 99 cm in height. They usually weigh between 48 and 84 kg. Alpacas are social herd animals that live in family groups consisting of a territorial alpha male, females and their young. Alpacas warn the herd about intruders by making sharp, noisy inhalations that sound like a high-pitched bray. The herd may attack smaller predators with their front feet and can spit and kick. Most alpacas do not like being grabbed. Some alpacas tolerate being stroked or petted anywhere on their bodies although many do not like their feet, lower legs and especially their abdomen to be touched or handled.

Watch the Suri Alpacas in this clip.




Test Your Science
1. State the difference(s) between the llama and alpaca.

Learn about the Llama in the Young Scientists Issue 117 Level 3.

Superfatted Soap

What is superfatted soap? It is  soap made with extra amount of fat. The excess fat is used to consume the alkali.The glycerine left in the soap acts as a moisturising agent. It also makes the soap softer and less resistant to becoming mushy if left wet.

Superfatted soap is more skin-friendly than one without extra fat. However, if too much  fat is added, it can leave a greasy feel to their skin. Sometimes an emollient additive such as jojoba oil or shea butter (nut extract) is added to make the skin softer.

Superfatting can also be accomplished through a process known as lye discount in which the soap manufacturer uses less alkali than required instead of adding extra fats.

View the following video  on soap-making.

Test Your Science

1. What is the advantage of adding glycerine in soap making?

Find out how soap was first discovered in the Young Scientists Issue 116 Level 2.

Allergies

Do you know that mild allergies such as hay fever are very common among humans? The symptoms to look out for are red eyes, itchiness, runny nose, eczema, hives, sneezing or an asthma attack. Allergies can play a major role in conditions such as asthma. In some people, severe allergies to environmental or dietary allergens or to medication may result in life-threatening reactions. Food allergies and reactions to the venom of stinging insects such as wasps and bees are often associated with these severe reactions.

A variety of tests can be used to diagnose allergic conditions. These include placing possible allergens on the skin and looking  for a reaction such as swelling. Blood tests can also be done to look out for an allergen.

Treatment for allergies include avoiding known allergens and use of medications such as anti-histamines, steroids and decongestants. Many of these medications are taken orally.

View the following video on the symptoms of allergies.

Test Your Science

1. State the allergies that may cause a person to lose his life.

Read the Young Scientists Issue 116 Level 3 on sneezing and hay fever.

Feeding Habit of the Mosquito

Let's find out why mosquitoes feed on blood. Both male and female mosquitoes usually feed on nectar and plant juices but in many species the mouthparts of the females are adapted for piercing the skin of animal hosts and sucking their blood. The female needs to obtain nutrients from a blood meal before she can produce eggs. After a blood meal, she can produce more eggs.

Both plant materials and blood are useful sources of energy in the form of sugars. Blood supplies more concentrated nutrients such as lipids but the most important function of blood meals is to supply proteins as materials for egg production.

The female puts her life at risk when she is feeding on the host but she is good at dodging direct attacks. She tends to ignore side-to-side movements, so a resting female permits a finger to approach slowly if the finger moves several centimetres from side to side about once a second. With practice one can use this strategy to squash resting mosquitoes with high frequency.

You can treat a mosquito bite in the following ways:



Test Your Science
1. How does blood help the female mosquito in producing more eggs?

Read about the Crazy Mosquito in the Young Scientists Issue 115 Level 1.

Carnivorous Plants

Have you heard of meat-eating plants? Well, the Venus Flytrap is a carnivorous plant that catches and digests insects and arachnids. Its trapping structure is formed by the terminal portion of each of the plant's leaves and is triggered by tiny hairs on their inner surfaces. When an insect or spider crawling along the leaves comes in contact with a hair, the trap closes.

View the following BBC video on the Venus Flytrap.



Another plant that is capable of such rapid movement is the waterwheel plant. This plant feeds on small aquatic invertebrates using traps very similar to those of the Venus Flytrap. The traps are arranged in whorls around a central, free-floating stem. The actual traps consist of two lobes which fold together to form a snap-trap similar to that of the Venus Flytrap, except that they are smaller and underwater. These traps, which are twisted so that the trap openings point outward, are lined on the inside by a fine coating of trigger hairs. They snap shut in response to contact with aquatic invertebrates and trap them.



Test Your Science
1. State the difference(s) between the Venus Flytrap and the waterwheel plant.

Get to know the carnivorous pitcher plant in the Young Scientists Issue 115 Level 2.

Balancing an Egg

Do you know that another name for the equinox is the Vernal Equinox? It is also known as The Day When You Can Balance an Egg on End.

The equinox occurs when the Earth's position on its axis, as it moves around the Sun, places the sun directly over the Earth's equator. Day and night are of approximately equal length at 12 hours each. The theory most commonly used to explain the egg-equinox connection is that the Earth and Sun have aligned "gravitationally". And somehow the Sun's and Earth's gravitational pulls are in a delicate balance that makes eggs more stable. Apparently this derives from the notion that due to the Sun's equidistant position between the poles of the Earth at the time of the equinox, special gravitational forces apply.

Yet there is no scientific reason to suppose that such alignment exerts any special effect on solid objects here on Earth. View the following video to find out how to balance an egg at home.



Test Your Science
1. When is the right time to make an egg stand on its end?

Refer to the Young Scientists Issue 115 Level 3 on the Unbreakable Egg.

Removing Bad Smells

Don't be surprised that most of the things that can remove bad smells can easily be found in your kitchen. Before you can get rid of the bad smell, it is important to clean the affected smelly surfaces with a clean cloth, some water and detergent or soap first. Then you can perhaps follow any of the following tips which work wonders and can effectively help you to get rid of the smell.

1. You can put a medium-sized chunk of charcoal inside your smelly refrigerator and leave it there for a couple of days. You will notice that the bad smell will soon be gone.

2. Put a generous amount of baking soda in an uncovered container and leave it for several days. Remove the baking soda and replace it with new one until it has cleared the bad smell.

3. Just put some lemon or lime peels into an uncovered container and leave them inside the confined area for a couple of days. The citrus smell will naturally replace the bad smell.

4. Take a few strips of pandan leaves or screwpine and tie them into knots. Place the leaves inside the confined space and leave them until the leaves withered or dried up. Replace the leaves regularly until the smell goes away.

5. Pour several drops of vanilla essence or mint extract on some cotton wool. Toss it inside your wardrobe and leave it for several days. You will notice that the area smells nice.

6. Just place 2-3 teabags inside the confined space for several days. The tea leaves in the bags will not only absorb the bad smell but also release the natural aroma of tea.

View the following video on how to remove bad breath.



Test Your Science
1. How do the agents remove the bad smells?

Read about things that kill unpleasant smells in the Young Scientists Issue 114 Level 1.

Reflex Actions

If you accidentally touch a very hot object, you will jerk away without thinking about what action to take. This is a reflex action. It is an automatic or involuntary movement brought about by a sensory stimulus. Reflex actions are of two types - unconditioned and conditioned reflexes.

Unconditioned reflexes are part of the basic bodily functions which are not dependent on one's past experiences with a particular type of stimulus. For example, the pupils of our eyes automatically expand in the dark and contract in the light.

Conditioned reflexes are reflexes which one learns from previous experiences with a similar stimulus. These reflexes work by one learning to associate the stimulus with something else. For example, a dog may begin to salivate with smell of food because the dog has learnt to associate the smell with the food.

Let's look at some unconditioned reflexes in babies.



Test Your Science
1. Name 3 types of reflex actions mentioned in the video clip.

Find out more about reflex actions in a game of football in the Young Scientists Issue 114 Level 2.

The Malayan Tapir

Have you ever seen a Malayan tapir? This animal is easily identified by its markings, especially the light-coloured patch which extends from its shoulders to its rear. This pattern is for camouflage. Other animals may mistake it for a large rock rather than a prey when it is lying down to sleep.

Malayan tapirs grow to between 1.8 to 2.4m in length, stand 90 to 107cm tall and weigh between 250 to 320kg. Some can weigh up to 500kg. The females are usually larger than the males. Like the other types of tapirs, they have small stubby tails and long, flexible proboscises. They have four toes on each front foot and three toes on each back foot.

The Malayan tapir has very poor eyesight but excellent hearing and sense of smell. It is most active at night. It is the largest of the four tapir species at birth and grows more quickly than the others. The female tapir produces one calf every two years. The Malayan tapir can live up to 30 years, both in the wild and in captivity.

Test Your Science

1. How long is the gestation period of the Malayan tapir?

Get to know another nocturnal animal, the owl in the Young Scientists Issue 113 Level 1.

Three States of Matter

Are you familiar with the three states of matter, solid, liquid and gas? Let's see what is in a solid. A solid is made up of particles known as molecules packed closely together. The forces between the molecules are so strong that the molecules cannot move freely but only vibrate. As a result, a solid has a stable, definite shape and a definite volume. A solid can only change its shape by force, that is ,when it is broken or cut. Solids can be transformed into liquids by melting and liquids can be transformed into solids by freezing. Solids can also change directly into gases through the process of sublimation.

A liquid is a nearly incompressible fluid that takes the shape of its container but keeps an almost constant volume independent of pressure. When a solid is heated above its melting point, it becomes liquid.

A gas is a compressible fluid. Not only will a gas fit in with the shape of its container but it will also expand to fill the container. A gas has no definite shape or volume, but occupies the entire container in which it is kept. A liquid may be converted to a gas by heating at constant pressure to the boiling point or by reducing the pressure at constant temperature.

Test Your Science

1. At which state(s) does matter have no definite shape?

Read about the three states of a candle in the Young Scientists Issue 113 Level 2.

The Mummy

Have you ever wondered how a body is mummified? View the following video to find out how it is done.



Natron was used to remove moisture from the body. This salt-like substance would dry out and preserve more flesh than bone. Once dried, mummies were ceremoniously rubbed with oils and perfumes. The hollowed out body was then covered in natron to speed the process of drying and preventing decay. Finger and toe protectors were placed over the mummy's fingers and toes to prevent them from breaking. Mummies were wrapped with strips of white linen to protect the body from being damaged. After that, they were wrapped in a sheet of canvas to further protect them. Many sacred charms and amulets were placed in and around the mummy and the wrappings. This was intended to protect the mummy from harm and to give good luck to the soul of the mummy. Once preserved, they were laid to rest in a coffin inside a tomb.

Test Your Science

1. Give two reasons why natron was used in mummification.

Read about the Missing Mummy in the Young Scientists Issue 112 Level 1.

The Jaguar

Let's take a closer look at the jaguar's unique skill in hunting. The jaguar uses the deep-throat bite-and-suffocation technique typical among the Panthera genus. It has an unusually powerful bite compared to the other big cats. This allows it to pierce the shells of armoured reptiles such as tortoises and crocodiles. It bites directly through the skull of its prey between the ears and pierces the brain with its canine teeth.

Its short and stocky limb structure makes it skilful in climbing, crawling and swimming. The jaguar has a sturdy head and an extremely powerful jaw giving it the strongest bite of all cats. It can bite with a force of 8,900 N. This is twice the strength of a lion and the second strongest of all mammals.

Test Your Science

1. What other animals do you think belong to the Panthera genus?

Look up the Unique Skills of other animals in the Young Scientists Issue 112 Level 2.

Tea Picking

Do you drink tea? Do you know how tea leaves are picked? Tea leaves and flushes are plucked from tea bushes twice a year, during early spring and early summer. In Malaysia, they are picked every three weeks.

A bud with two leaves is called a tea flush. When a higher quality tea is needed or where labour costs are not too expensive, hand-picking is done by pulling the flush with a snap of the wrist. Twisting or pinching the flush reduces the quality of the leaves. Tea flushes and leaves can also be picked by machine but there will be more broken leaves and partial flushes. It is also more difficult to harvest by machine on mountain slopes where tea is often grown.

Test Your Science

1. How is the quality of tea leaves being maintained during picking?

Discover the Uses of Tea Leaves in the Young Scientists Issue 112 Level 3.

The Border Collie

How many breeds of dogs do you know? One of them is the collie breed. As you can see in this video, the Border Collie comes from an intelligent breed. It is widely considered to be one of the most intelligent dogs.

The Border Collie is a working stock dog. It requires quite a lot of daily physical exercise and mental development. It makes a very demanding, energetic pet that is better off in a household that can provide it with plenty of play and exercise with humans or other dogs. It chews holes in walls and digs holes when it is bored.

It can be motion-sensitive and it may chase a moving vehicle. The natural life span of the Border Collie is between 10 and 17 years, with an average life span of 12 years.



Test Your Science

1. What type of environment would be suitable for the Border Collie?

Get to understand dogs in the Young Scientists Issue 111 Level 1.

The Mobility Scooter

Have you seen a mobility scooter? It is often referred to as a power-operated scooter or electric scooter. It has a seat over three, four or now five wheels, a flat area or plate for the feet and handlebars in front to turn one, two or three steerable wheels. The seat may swivel to allow a person to get onto it when the front is blocked by the handlebars. The scooter is usually battery powered. A battery or two is stored on board the scooter and is charged by an onboard or separate battery charger unit from standard electric power. Petrol-powered scooters are also available in some countries, though they are rapidly being replaced by electric models.

The handle is the steering column which is centrally located at the front of the scooter. It has controls for forward/reverse directions and speed.The directions can be controlled by thumb paddles, finger controls or a switch.



Test Your Science

1. What power does the mobility scooter run on?

Refer to the Young Scientists Issue 111 Level 3 on the world's smallest caravan towed by an electric scooter.

Kites

Do you know that man first flew being tied to a kite? In China, criminals sentenced to death were used as test pilots for man-bearing kites by the emperor Wen Hsuan Ti in 559 A.D.

In the 12th century, the samurai Minamoto no Tametamo who was banished to an island off Japan is believed to have used a kite as a means of escape for his son. He is said to have tied his son to a kite and flown him to the mainland.

Today we have kites of various sizes and designs ranging from the tetrahedral kite of 3-D structure to the smallest kite measuring only 5 mm long.



Test Your Science

1. What do you think was invented as a result of the development of the kite?

Learn the skills required to fly a kite in the Young Scientists Issue 110 Level 3.