Science Take-Out

05/30/2026

Every fall, Culex pipiens mosquitoes, the primary carriers of West Nile virus in the United States, are supposed to take their cues from the waning daylight and go dormant for the winter.

Now, a new backyard study finds that the glow of a floodlight may be enough to delay that shutdown, giving the mosquitoes more opportunities to bite.

The research suggests artificial light at night powerfully disrupts mosquitoes’ ability to go dormant—raising the possibility that as cities grow brighter, disease transmission seasons could extend.

Learn more: https://scim.ag/4wSekOz

05/29/2026

Even our resident woodpecker is looking forward to the weekend! 😁

05/29/2026

We're looking forward to a weekend of planting our pollinator-friendly garden.
🌻🐝🌼🦋

05/29/2026

"Due to the rise in va**ng by pre-teens and teens, these kits are of great use. Students seem to believe that va**ng is a 'safe' alternative to ci******es. These kits can help dispel that myth to our students."

-Science Teacher, MS

Investigate whether va**ng e-ci******es exposes users to toxic chemicals with STO's "Does Va**ng Expose You to Toxic Chemicals?" kit.

05/27/2026

Congratulations to our University of Rochester colleagues! 🎉

The new department combines nationally recognized strengths in toxicology, epidemiology, policy, and community health research and will build upon decades of leadership in environmental health, prevention science, and community engagement.

05/27/2026

“Experts say young people could be actively defying the warnings about sun exposure.”

Tanmaxxing 🤯

Dermatologists are flummoxed.

05/26/2026

"I really love the Case of Skin Cancer kit - especially the beads that change color in sunlight. It's a great visual to show all those tan-fixated kids that they don't need to do that!"
- Science Teacher, KY

Follow a young woman who has an unusual mole on her shoulder and learn about skin cancer & sun safety with STO's "A Case of Skin Cancer" kit.

05/26/2026

Fascinating research to reduce Lyme disease by using CRISPR gene editing for "heritable immunization" of wild mice - making the mice and their offspring immune to Lyme infection. Ticks that feed on these mice will no longer carry Lyme bacteria.

MIT Media Lab’s Kevin Esvelt leads a community-driven effort on Nantucket to engineer Lyme-immune mice and stop the disease at its source

05/23/2026

Science Take-Out provides FREE kits for teacher-led workshops! 😍

🔗 for more info:
https://sciencetakeout.com/lead-a-workshop/

05/23/2026

Did you know that head blows can disrupt the gut microbiome? This might inform scientists of biomarkers for head trauma. 🧠🦠

Our kit "A Bang to the Head" explores the use of biomarkers to diagnose concussions.
https://www.sciencetakeout.com/product/a-bang-to-the-head-group/

https://www.the-scientist.com/head-blows-during-football-tied-to-changes-in-gut-microbiomes-74498

Small head impacts that did not cause any symptoms were linked with microbial diversity shifts in athletes, offering clues into potential biomarkers for head trauma.