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Yamini Srikanth

Yamini's (he/they) interests lie in environmental education, science communication and trying to build a better world. When not languishing in front of his laptop, they can be found outside, poking at any insect, bird or plant. They love making science accessible, especially to those who aren't encouraged to pursue it. Yamini hopes that the young women who read Smore love learning from their articles and get just a little bit more excited about science!

The majestic blue glaucus

Blue Glaucus: A Majestic Blue Sea Slug

This tiny creature is much cooler than its size would suggest. Learn about sea slugs, the unsung heroes of the sea!

Table of Contents What are sea slugs? The term sea slug is often used interchangeably to describe many species with the “classic slug shape”—a long, slightly squashed cylinder. True sea slugs, like the blue glaucus, belong to a family known as . Nudibranchs are some of the most fascinating and beautiful marine creatures, with over …

Blue Glaucus: A Majestic Blue Sea Slug

This tiny creature is much cooler than its size would suggest. Learn about sea slugs, the unsung heroes of the sea!

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What does water taste like?

What Does Water Taste Like?

Find out how we taste and why water tastes like it does

Table of Contents What, exactly, does nothing taste like? Water—bottled, tap, mineral, or sparkling. It might even have a lemon slice or some mint leaves. Water from the tap and water from the bottle don’t taste the same; but how do we know what exactly water tastes like? How do we taste things? If you’ve …

What Does Water Taste Like?

Find out how we taste and why water tastes like it does

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The external ear is the small slit visible behind the eye. This is the saltwater crocodile.

Alligators vs. Crocodiles!

What’s the difference between these two similar looking animals? Big, green and scaly! Read on to look a little closer.

Table of Contents What are crocodilians? are some of the largest and coolest-looking reptiles on planet Earth! The massive American alligator can range to fourteen feet (4.3 meters) long, and the saltwater crocodile can be up to 20 feet (6 meters) long. Crocodiles and alligators (along with gharials, false gharials, and caimans) are all part …

Alligators vs. Crocodiles!

What’s the difference between these two similar looking animals? Big, green and scaly! Read on to look a little closer.

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Flowers under UV Rays

Are Dogs Colorblind?

Dogs live their lives with us, but the world they see is not the same as ours.

Table of Contents Every animal perceives the world differently, but how and why is this the case? Vision is almost always the first sense we use to perceive the world around us, but it is incredibly difficult to try to explain what exactly we are seeing. How do you know that the blue you see …

Are Dogs Colorblind?

Dogs live their lives with us, but the world they see is not the same as ours.

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how does a nuclear reactor work

How Does a Nuclear Reactor Work?

Nuclear reactors are one of the most common ways of producing energy worldwide

Table of Contents Nuclear energy sounds mysterious, doesn’t it? Learn how a common reaction powers our daily lives The very first fuel source was firewood, keeping humans warm in the winter and helping us cook. From firewood, we began to use coal and other fossil fuels. Although nuclear energy is many centuries younger, having been …

How Does a Nuclear Reactor Work?

Nuclear reactors are one of the most common ways of producing energy worldwide

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A nineteenth century pair of glasses

How do Glasses Work?

Glasses are worn by people in every corner of the world. Learn about how these seemingly magical pieces of glass let people see

About 79% of the American population needs a form of visual aid. This can include prescription eyeglasses, contact lenses, or laser corrective surgery. Of these 198 million people, a majority of about 84% use eyeglasses! This proportion increases as people get older, and most senior citizens use some form of vision aid. The spectacular invention …

How do Glasses Work?

Glasses are worn by people in every corner of the world. Learn about how these seemingly magical pieces of glass let people see

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The internal structure of quartz

How do Crystals Form?

Shining, sparkling crystals catch the eye, but what’s inside? How does a regular structure like crystal form in the chaos of nature?

Table of Contents What is crystal? Crystal is simply a regular, repeating arrangement of particles. These particles are known as atoms. Atoms are the fundamental units that make up everything that we see in the world! The device that you’re reading this on? Atoms! Tables and chairs? Atoms! Imagine you have a magical knife, with …

How do Crystals Form?

Shining, sparkling crystals catch the eye, but what’s inside? How does a regular structure like crystal form in the chaos of nature?

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Soap_Molecule

How Does Soap Work?

Find out the mechanism behind one of the most common household products

Table of Contents Liquid, solid or powder, all soaps work similarly Soap is so easily available nowadays that we often take it for granted. Though soap became commonly used around 1000 years ago, it took a long time for people to realize just how useful it is! Disease was mysterious for a long time. Nobody …

How Does Soap Work?

Find out the mechanism behind one of the most common household products

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A large solar power park in Serpa, Portugal

How Does a Solar Panel Work?

Sunlight to electricity? How does a conversion like that take place?

Solar panels are the most well-known source of renewable energy. But how do they work, exactly? Table of Contents What do solar panels do? When most people imagine solar power, they think of giant fields of solar panels, each taking energy from the Sun. This is the most common use of solar panels, but it …

How Does a Solar Panel Work?

Sunlight to electricity? How does a conversion like that take place?

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The minty leaves of the catnip plant

What is Catnip Used For?

Herb, drug, or seasoning?

Adorable videos of cats playing with catnip toys are common, but how does it work? Does catnip have any other uses? Table of Contents Catnip for Cats Catnip comes from the plant Nepeta cataria. Dried, fresh, or concentrated into an essential oil, most cats go crazy for catnip! Catnip, or catmint, is an herb native …

What is Catnip Used For?

Herb, drug, or seasoning?

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