Tag: science

Chinese Dam Slows Down Earth’s Rotation

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The construction of the Three Gorges Dam in China has brought significant attention to the effects of large-scale engineering projects on the Earth’s natural systems. One of the remarkable findings associated with this dam is its potential impact on the Earth’s rotation. Although the idea may seem far-fetched at first, scientific studies indicate that massive reservoirs can influence the global distribution of mass and, consequently, the rotation speed of the Earth. 

In conclusion, these dams serve as an example of how human actions can have broader environmental effects than previously anticipated. While the immediate goal of the dam was to generate electricity and control flooding, the dam also illustrates the complex relationship between human engineering and the Earth’s systems. As we move forward, it is essential to consider these interactions when planning and executing large-scale projects. Understanding these dynamics can help in making better decisions that align with environmental sustainability and Earth’s natural rhythms. 

Watch the video to learn more about how the Three Gorges Dam slows the Earth’s rotation.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is a “reservoir”? “When the dam slows or stops the flow of water to fill up its reservoir, it holds 10 trillion gallons of water which weigh a total of 83.4 trillion pounds.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does “to put something in perspective” mean? “To put it in perspective, this dam could power the entirety of New Zealand and Ireland and Iceland and Costa Rica and the Bahamas and Rwanda combined.”  Use it in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
  3. What does “miniscule” mean? “Every single movement of mass up or down, in fact, has some miniscule effect on how fast Earth rotates.” Use it in a sentence. Give a synonym.


Discussion Questions:

  1. How does a dam slow down the Earth’s rotation?
  2. What is your reaction to this?
  3. Do you think it’s a problem if human activities can slightly change how the Earth spins? Why? 
  4. Should countries consider global effects when planning large infrastructure projects? Why? 
  5. The report states that there are many reasons for the slowing of Earth’s rotation, both natural and man-made. Are you concerned? Why or why not?

Scientists Resurrected the Dire Wolf

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Colossal Biosciences, a biotech company, has successfully de-extincted the dire wolf, a species that vanished 12,500 years ago. By using ancient DNA and advanced cloning techniques, scientists created three dire wolf pups from the genes of a gray wolf, its closest living relative.

These pups resemble the prehistoric predator, which once roamed North America and inspired the iconic dire wolves in the popular television series “Game of Thrones.”

Read the article to learn about the return of the dire wolf.

https://edition.cnn.com/2025/04/07/science/dire-wolf-de-extinction-cloning-colossal/index.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “standoffish” mean? “We’re still seeing a lot of juvenile behaviors. I think they are much more standoffish, much more skittish (than gray wolves). “ Make a sentence with this word. Give a similar word.
  2. Define “skittish“. “We’re still seeing a lot of juvenile behaviors. I think they are much more standoffish, much more skittish (than gray wolves). .” Use this adjective in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  3. Explain the phrase, “carbon copy“. “The debate over whether the wolves are a carbon copy of their extinct forerunners misses the point, Shapiro said, adding that the team had been successful in resurrecting the “functional essence” of the dire wolf.” Make a sentence using the phrase. Give a similar expression.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on using cloning and gene-editing to bring back extinct animals like the dire wolf? Do you think there are potential benefits or risks?
  2. What ethical considerations should be taken into account when deciding whether to resurrect extinct species?
  3. Should scientists focus on resurrecting extinct species like the mammoth or dire wolf, or should they prioritize conserving endangered species?
  4. Regarding Meachen’s statement, “I don’t think they are actually dire wolves. I don’t think what we have is dire wolves. What we had is something new — a mostly gray wolf that looks like a dire wolf.”, do you agree or disagree? Why?
  5. Could bringing extinct animals back to life contribute to biodiversity, or might it disrupt the balance of ecosystems? Share your opinion.

We Need Scientists Now, More than Ever

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In light of pressing global issues, scientists emphasize the indispensable role of science in safeguarding our planet’s future. Historical successes, like the Montreal Protocol’s role in curbing ozone layer depletion, showcase science’s potential in preventing disasters. However, recent assessments indicate that six out of nine Planetary Boundaries essential for Earth’s stability have been breached.

Read the article to know the urgent need for evidence-based approaches, increased investment in scientific research, and global collaboration to address environmental and health challenges

https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/climate-energy/why-we-need-scientists-now-more-than-ever-2025-05-07/?

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “the list goes on” mean? “Their alarm turned out to be an early warning that was at first dismissed and then attacked, before being proven to be the alarm that would steer us away from catastrophic consequences, as a result millions of cases of skin cancer were averted, eye cataracts prevented as well as the eventual destruction of ecosystems loss that could have led to agricultural system collapse, the list goes on.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does “undermine” mean? ” If we want to leave a flourishing future for generations to come, science should consistently be nurtured, celebrated and invested in, not dismissed, undermined and attacked.” Use it in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  3. What does “to be grounded in something” mean? “Let us not be divided by political narratives, but united by our shared responsibility and grounded in modern and Indigenous people’s science. “ Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What historical example shows how science successfully helped prevent an environmental crisis?
  2. What are the “Planetary Boundaries,” and how many of them have been exceeded according to recent assessments?
  3. Why is it important to use evidence-based approaches when dealing with global issues like climate change or public health?
  4. How can increased investment in scientific research help protect the planet and future generations?
  5. What role should international cooperation play in solving large-scale scientific and environmental problems?

North America Is Dripping Down into Earth’s Mantle

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Geologists have identified a massive ancient slab of Earth’s crust beneath North America that is slowly sinking into the mantle, a process described as “dripping.” This phenomenon is occurring beneath regions from Michigan to Alabama and provides new insights into the dynamic processes shaping our planet’s interior.

Read the article to know why understanding these subterranean movements is crucial for comprehending seismic activity and the geological evolution of continents.

https://www.livescience.com/planet-earth/geology/north-america-is-dripping-down-into-earths-mantle-scientists-discover

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “slab” mean here, “An ancient slab of Earth’s crust buried deep beneath the Midwest is sucking huge swatches of present-day’s North American crust down into the mantle.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does “splinter” mean? “The Farallon plate splintered due to the advance of the Pacific plate roughly 20 million years ago, and remnant slabs subducted beneath the North American plate slowly drifted off.“ Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does “full-waveform inversion” mean? “The discovery was possible thanks to a wider project led by Hua to map what lies beneath North America using a high-resolution seismic imaging technique called “full-waveform inversion.“ Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you imagine life would be like if we could actually see this crust sinking beneath our feet? How would it change how we view the Earth’s inner workings?
  2. Do you think understanding this process could help us predict future geological events, like volcanic eruptions or earthquakes?
  3. How does this “dripping” crust affect the way we think about seismic activity and earthquakes in areas like Michigan or Alabama?
  4. Isn’t it fascinating that there’s an ancient piece of Earth’s crust slowly sinking into the mantle—what do you think that means for the planet’s long-term evolution?

Scientists Discover New Species

B2 – Upper Intermediate

During a 38-day expedition in Peru’s Alto Mayo region, scientists uncovered 27 new species, including mammals, fish, amphibians, and butterflies. This discovery highlights the rich biodiversity of the area.

Read the article to know more about the importance of conservation efforts in densely populated regions.

https://people.com/scientist-discovers-27-new-species-peru-alto-mayo-landscape-8763717

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to construct a corridor” mean? “Before constructing this corridor, Conservation International needs to know “where the most important species live, especially those that are new to science, rare, or threatened with extinction.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. Explain “human-influence”. “According to Trond, the Alto Mayo Landscape is the most “highly populated and human-influenced” landscape in which RAP has worked.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does “knowledge gap” mean? “Trond’s expedition went to the Alto Mayo Landscape to fill these “knowledge gaps” so that the corridor can develop a land-use plan that supports biodiversity conservation, agricultural sustainability, and habitat connectivity across the broader region.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think makes the Alto Mayo region in Peru such a great place for finding new species?
  2. How do you think finding these new species helps scientists learn more about the rainforest and how it all works together?
  3. With all these new species found, do you think there’s enough being done to protect their home from things like deforestation?
  4. Do you think discoveries like this could inspire more people to visit or support conservation in places like Peru?

AI Shaping Proteomics and Multiomics

B2 – Upper Intermediate

This project leverages the extensive genetic database to train AI models, identifying precise disease subtypes for tailored treatments.

Read the article to know more about the launching of proteomics utilizing artificial intelligence to better understand and treat diseases.

https://www.technologynetworks.com/proteomics/articles/how-is-ai-shaping-proteomics-and-multiomics-395403

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Explain the word “underpinning”. “Discovery research is incredibly important for interrogating the underpinning mechanisms of biological states, such as health and disease.” Use it in a sentence and give 2 synonyms.
  2. What does the word “bottleneck” mean here, “There’s one drawback, however; DIA generates large amounts of data, which creates a bottleneck.” Use it in a sentence and give 2 synonyms.
  3. Explain “pan-cancer cohort”. “Local models were trained on simulated sites that contained data from a pan-cancer cohort and 29 cohorts that were held behind firewalls, representing 8 countries and 19,930 DIA-MS runs.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do you feel about AI being used to analyze genetic and protein data to personalize disease treatments?
  2. Do you think AI-driven medical advancements will make healthcare more accessible, or could it widen the gap between those who can afford cutting-edge treatments and those who cannot?
  3. Since proteomics helps in understanding how proteins influence diseases, what conditions do you think could benefit the most from this research?
  4. Would you be open to having your genetic and protein data analyzed by AI to predict potential health risks, or would privacy concerns hold you back?

Scientists Closer to Reverse Aging

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Since time passes by so swiftly, we all age with it. However, there are others who are incredibly wealthy who do not want to age naturally, slow down, or take it easy. After all, wealth is the source of power, and funding eminent scientists to develop age-reversing technology is the finest use of that wealth that is possible. It is something we’ve all secretly wanted for a long time, whether we deny it or not.

Take a look at the video and learn more about how scientists are closer than ever to reverse aging.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Explain “loss of viability and increase in vulnerability”. “Aging is as inevitable and progressive process of loss of viability and increase in vulnerability.”. Create a sentence using this phrase.
  2. What does “accumulation of changes” mean? “Aging is really an accumulation of changes.” Use this term to make your own sentence.
  3. What is the meaning of “long stretch“? “.,but to go from there to ask, you know, can we now start using this in humans?. It’s a long stretch.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘long stretch’ in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do you feel about cellular reprogramming being the main factor in life longevity?
  2. Do you wish to live longer and invest in programs that will help you achieve it? Explain your stance.
  3. What do you think would happen if we were able to live for thousands of years and our offspring were also able to benefit from the process of cellular reprogramming that keeps them safe from illness and disease?
  4. Why do most ultra-rich individuals invest in longevity? 

Chaos Theory

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Chaos is a very common term we hear often. It is used to describe apparently random and unpredictable events. The rowdy behavior of children in a theme park might be a good example. However, scientists have a different perspective on chaos. To them, it is a system that is not completely random and yet cannot be predicted easily. This is what they refer to as “chaos theory”.

Let’s watch the video and know more about the significance and complexities of this theory.

https://www.bbc.com/reel/video/p0gn8kps/the-butterfly-effect-what-is-chaos-theory-

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the idiom “like clockwork” mean? “Chaos theory questions this deterministic vision. Not everything is predictable anymore, nor does it work like clockwork.” Use it in your own sentence.
  2. What does the verb “resemble” mean? “For example, in the calculations Lawrence used for his model, the trajectory created a pattern that resembled the wings of a butterfly.” Use it in a sentence and give two synonyms.
  3. What is the meaning of the word “trolling“? “For example, how trolling on social networks can be triggered by a single negative comment“. Use it in a sentence and give example scenarios.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is chaos theory and how is it connected to the butterfly effect?
  2. How has chaos theory influenced the development of new technologies and economics?
  3. “Chaos is not the same as disorder.” Explain this in your own words. Give example circumstances as well.
  4. “Ultimately, chaos theory introduces an element of uncertainty into our reading of the universe. It reveals the limit of our knowledge.” How does this make you feel?
  5. Give an example scenario for chaos theory.

New Dimensions in Quantum Computing: Majorana Particles Go 2D

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Researchers have made a breakthrough in quantum computing by developing a method to produce Majorana particles in a two-dimensional plane. This innovation could lead to more stable and efficient qubits.

Read the article to know why this innovation is crucial for the advancement of quantum computing technology​.

https://scitechdaily.com/new-dimensions-in-quantum-computing-majorana-particles-go-2d/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is “qubit”? “While classical computers use bits as the basic unit of information, which can be either 0 or 1, quantum computers use qubits, which can exist in a state of 0, 1, or both simultaneously.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does “quantum computing” mean? “Researchers have innovated a 2D method for producing Majorana particles, aiming to improve quantum computing with stable and efficient qubits.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does “readout” mean? “In the longer term, the flexibility and scalability of the 2D platform should allow us to think about concrete strategies to create networks of Majoranas and integrate them with auxiliary elements needed for control and readout of a Majorana qubit.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Talk about the things you know about Majorana particles.
  2. How does the two-dimensional production method of Majorana particles contribute to the stability of qubits in quantum computing?
  3. What specific advantages do Majorana particles offer over traditional qubits in quantum computing systems?
  4. What institutions or research teams are leading the innovation in producing Majorana particles in two dimensions?
  5. How might the development of 2D Majorana particles impact the future scalability and efficiency of quantum computers?

Sugar Doesn’t Make Kids Hyper

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Trick-or-treating gets more popular as the spooky season draws near and kids roam the neighborhood gathering sweets. Sadly, many kids become very hyper after eating the collected sweets. One might conclude that sugar is causing this effect. However, a number of researches challenge the notion of sugar rush.

Watch the video to learn more about hyperactivity, which apparently, has nothing to do with consuming sugary treats.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What’s the meaning of “to put something to bed”? “And today, we’re putting this long-standing food myth to bed.” Make a sentence using this idiom.
  2. What does “to keep something in check” mean? “Glucagon’s job is to tell our bodies to release some of our stored-up sugar supplies to balance out our blood sugar levels. Our bodies are extremely good at keeping these things in check when they’re healthy.” Use this idiom in a sentence.
  3. What does “to bounce off the walls” mean? “But as you get older, the season’s less about TPing* the house of that one neighbor that gives away healthy apples and toothbrushes during trick-or-treating and more about dreading your five-year-old bouncing off the walls after consuming half of their body weight in Kit Kats.” Create your own sentence using this expression.

*TP stands for ‘toilet paper’ which means to cover (trees, buildings, etc.) with toilet paper as a prank.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you agree to the theory presented in this video? Explain.
  2. Have you experienced the sugar rush effect mentioned in this video? Talk about that instance.
  3. What were your thoughts about children becoming hyperactive after taking/eating sugary foods before seeing this video?
  4. What might be reasons many people turn to sugary food when they feel tired?
  5. Are you aware of how your body reacts to food and how it relates to the prevailing knowledge in society? Cite concrete examples.