How Can STEM Help Stop Hunger? |SHE-ensya Lecture Series (Environment)

Hello Science Fans!

How can science and technology help solve the problem of world hunger?

In this video, we talk about the causes for world hunger or food insecurity. We look at the different indicators that the UN has created to achieve the goal of Zero Hunger. We get in touch with reality and see the status of hunger in the world — given the Covid-19 pandemic. And most importantly, we check how STEM can help achieve this goal.

So, if you want to help stop hunger and food insecurity, please check out this video!

Learn more about the SDG’s here: https://sdgs.un.org/goals

Thank you so much for dropping by!

If you have any comments, questions or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to contact me, your resident Filipina scientist, in the comments section below.
And remember, when in doubt, always use your (con)science!

Does Cold Weather Make Us Sick? | SHE-ensya Why Series

Hello Science Fans!

Do you wear socks at night?

Do you avoid sleeping with wet hair?

Do you avoid cold drafts?

Do you do all these because you think the cold temperature can make us sick?

In this episode of the SHE-ensya Why Series, we look at the science behind the connection between cold weather or cold temperature and colds and flu. We discuss the primary causes for us getting sick, and the possible links these have with low temperatures. We also look at the other possibilities as to why we feel under the weather when the weather turns. And we look at the best ways to prevent us getting colds and flu!

So if you want to know if the coming cold weather is bad for you, please watch this video!

The SHE-ensya why series will dissect some of our most head scratching why questions, teasing out the scientific principles from historical records, conspiracy theories and mass media. 

Thank you so much for dropping by!

If you have any comments, questions or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to contact me, your resident Filipina scientist, in the comments section below.

And remember, when in doubt, always use your (con)science!

How Can Molecular Biology Help the Environment? Can Genetics Fight Global Warming? | SHE-ensya Specials

Hello Science Fans!

I’m proud to share with you a video that talks about how molecular biology can help in the battle against climate change.

It’s a short lecture I prepared for a webinar hosted by the UPLB Cell Biology organization. And here, I got to talk about DNA barcoding and how it helps in the conservation of biodiversity. I also talk about how it helps in understanding the subtle differences across species that allow us to find unique adaptations to the environment. I get to talk about how we study the response of different organisms to the environment by looking at the different molecules inside them. And I also discuss the controversy behind genetic engineering and GMOs.

If you want to see how studying the DNA and the things that happen inside cells can help the environment, then please watch this video!

Thank you so much for dropping by!

If you have any comments, questions or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to contact me, your resident Filipina scientist, in the comments section below.

And remember, when in doubt, always use your (con)science!

What is SDG1 on Poverty? How Can STEM Help Fight Poverty? | SHE-ensya Lecture Series (Environment)

Hello Science Fans!

It’s time for a close-up of our Sustainable Development Goals — starting with SDG 1 on Poverty!

In this video, we look into what poverty really is. We look at its various (complex) aspects, and the different ways that SDG1 lays out plans to try and stop it! We get in touch with reality and see the status of existing actions, and most importantly, we check how STEM can help achieve this goal.

So, if you want to help reduce poverty in the world, I hope you can check out this video.

Learn more about the SDG’s here: https://sdgs.un.org/goals

Thank you so much for dropping by!

If you have any comments, questions or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to contact me, your resident Filipina scientist, in the comments section below.
And remember, when in doubt, always use your (con)science!

Are Essentials Oils Good For Us? | SHE-ensya Why Series

Hello Science Fans!

Are essential oils essential to our lives?

In this episode of the SHE-ensya Why Series, we look at the science — at least, what little there is — on the use of essential oils. We discuss how its components are highly varied, and why this makes it inconsistent at best, and dangerous at worst. We discuss how it is used, and how the substances in it affect our bodies. And we look at why it has been very difficult to study scientifically.

So if you want to find out if you should be inhaling that peppermint sage oil, then please watch this video!

The SHE-ensya why series will dissect some of our most head scratching why questions, teasing out the scientific principles from historical records, conspiracy theories and mass media. 

Thank you so much for dropping by!

If you have any comments, questions or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to contact me, your resident Filipina scientist, in the comments section below.

And remember, when in doubt, always use your (con)science!

Why Should We Be Excited About Inspiration4? Should We Be Really Going to Space? | SHE-ensya’s Corner Episode 27

Hello Science Fans!

The first all civilian crew has gone to space! And this has ignited the hopes of would space travelers that someday soon, we might all have an opportunity to step out of planet Earth.

But should we really be thinking about going to space right now?

In this video, we talk about the implications of Inspiration4. We look at some of the reasons why it is such an exciting achievement, and how it differs from other billionaire expeditions to space. But we also heed a little caution and examine the different reasons as to why we should — or shouldn’t — go to space just yet.

If you’ve ever dreamt of space exploration, then you’ll enjoy this video!

Thank you so much for dropping by!

If you have any comments, questions or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to contact me, your resident Filipina scientist, in the comments section below.
And remember, when in doubt, always use your (con)science!

What are the Sustainable Development Goals and How Do We Achieve Them? | SHE-ensya Lecture Series (Environment)

Hello Science Fans!

What are the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)? Why do need to achieve them? And how do we achieve them?

In this video, we dive once again in a discussion about how we meet the needs of the present without sacrificing the needs of the future (aka sustainability). Lucky for us, the United Nation’s have developed a set of goals to achieve this. So, we talk about the vision behind the SDGs, we look at how they can be implemented, and we also discuss what will happen if our countries fail to achieve them.

So, if you want to help make the world a better place, please watch (and share) this video!

Learn more about the SDG’s here: https://sdgs.un.org/goals
Read about the Addis Ababa Action Agenda here: https://www.un.org/esa/ffd/ffd3/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2015/07/DESA-Briefing-Note-Addis-Action-Agenda.pdf

Thank you so much for dropping by!

If you have any comments, questions or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to contact me, your resident Filipina scientist, in the comments section below.
And remember, when in doubt, always use your (con)science!

Why Do We Get Brain Freeze? | SHE-ensya Why Series

Hello Science Fans!

Ice cream…
Slurpees…
Milk shakes…

Yum!!! And ouch!

In this episode of the SHE-ensya Why Series, we look at the science of brain freeze. We look at what’s happening inside our mouths and our brains that lead to that painful sensation. We also try to figure out how to stop it from happening. And finally, we look at how this uncomfortable event may actually be the key in understanding — and curing — migraines!

So if you want to enjoy your cold treats pain-free, please watch this video!

The SHE-ensya why series will dissect some of our most head scratching why questions, teasing out the scientific principles from historical records, conspiracy theories and mass media.

Thank you so much for dropping by!

If you have any comments, questions or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to contact me, your resident Filipina scientist, in the comments section below.
And remember, when in doubt, always use your (con)science!

What are Echo Chambers? Why Do False Information Keep Spreading? | SHE-ensya’s Corner Episode 26

Hello Science Fans!

Who succeeded in convincing you to live a healthy lifestyle?
How were you convinced to take up your high school track or college degree?
What convinced you to vote for or support a political candidate?

In this video, we talk about echo chambers — what they are and how they can become dangerous. We also look at the reasons as to why we can be convinced to change our minds by some people, but not by others. And from there, we jump off to discussing the reasons why false information continue to spread — and be believed — even after they’re shown to be wrong. We talk about a lot of frustrating human tendencies and biases, but all of these are very important if we want to be effective (science) communicators!

Watch this video and learn how to be convincing!

Thank you so much for dropping by!

If you have any comments, questions or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to contact me, your resident Filipina scientist, in the comments section below.
And remember, when in doubt, always use your (con)science!

What Does Sustainability Mean? Why is Sustainability Important? | SHE-ensya Lecture Series (Environment)

Hello Science Fans!

Why do environmental scientists keep talking about “sustainability”? What does it mean and how will it affect our lives?

In this video, we explain the meaning of sustainability based on how it impacts our daily lives. We talk about why it is an important concept not just for us, but for our children, and the specially for the people of tomorrow. We also look at simple things that we can do to help achieve sustainability.

So, if you want to help create an Earth that will remain beautiful for us and for the next generation, please watch this video!

Thank you so much for dropping by!

If you have any comments, questions or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to contact me, your resident Filipina scientist, in the comments section below.
And remember, when in doubt, always use your (con)science!