Acidic: An adjective describing a substance that contains an acid. Acidic substances often dissolve minerals such as carbonates or prevent them from forming in the first place.
alkalinity: An adjective describing chemicals that produce hydroxide ions (OH-) in solution. These solutions are also called basic, the opposite of acidic, and have a pH of 7 or higher.
Antibiotics: A substance with bactericidal properties, usually prescribed as a medicine (and sometimes as a feed additive to promote the growth of livestock). It has no effect against viruses.
Anticoagulants: A term for substances, often drugs, that slow or prevent blood clotting in the body. Doctors may prescribe these substances if people have a tendency to have blood clots in their blood vessels. A blood clot in a blood vessel can block blood flow. In the heart, such a blockage can cause a heart attack.
Bacteria: Single-celled organisms that live almost everywhere on Earth, from the ocean floor to inside other organisms (such as plants and animals). Bacteria are one of the three domains of life on Earth.
Biodegradable: An adjective describing something that can be broken down into simpler substances based on the activity of microorganisms. This usually occurs when there is water, sunlight, or other conditions that are conducive to the growth of those organisms.
bleaching: A diluted liquid called sodium hypochlorite. It is used around the home to lighten fabrics, remove stains, kill bacteria, or to make something permanently lighter. For example, constant exposure to sunlight will bleach most of the dark colors in your window curtains.
Coagulate: A term used to describe the process by which blood clots, preventing excessive bleeding (hemorrhage) when a blood vessel ruptures. Cells called platelets work with proteins in the plasma (the yellow liquid in blood) to form clots at the site of injury to stop the bleeding. Medications prescribed to slow or prevent excessive activity of the blood clotting system include: Anticoagulants.
depression: Low areas such as fields and rock faces.
environment: The sum of everything that exists around some organism or process and the conditions that those things create. Environment can refer to the weather or ecosystem that some animal lives in, or the temperature and humidity (or the arrangement of things near the item of interest).
gauze: A thin, open-weave fabric, usually made of cotton, used in clothing. In the medical field, it is used to cover wounds as a breathable barrier to protect the wound from contamination (and infection).
hydrochloric acid: A strong, corrosive acid produced when hydrogen chloride gas dissolves in water. The human intestine produces this dilute solution to break down food.
infection: A disease that spreads from one organism to another, usually caused by some kind of microorganism.
inflammation: The body’s response to cell damage or obesity. It is often characterized by swelling, redness, heat and pain. It is also the underlying cause of the onset and worsening of many diseases, especially heart disease and diabetes.
organic: An adjective indicating that something contains carbon; also a term relating to the basic chemicals that make up living things; (in agriculture) produce that is grown without the use of unnatural and potentially toxic chemicals such as pesticides.
pH: A measure of a solution’s acidity or alkalinity. A pH of 7 is completely neutral. Acids have a pH below 7, and the further away from 7 the more acidic they are. Alkaline solutions are called bases, and have a pH above 7. Again, the further away from 7 the more base they are.
prototype: The first or initial model of a device, system, or product that is yet to be completed.
Recall: Something to remember.
Regeneron International Science and Technology Fair: (Regeneron ISEF) First launched in 1950, this competition is one of three created (and still run) by the American Academy of Sciences. Now, each year, approximately 2,000 high school students from up to 70 countries, regions and territories have the opportunity to present their original research at Regeneron ISEF and compete for an average prize of $9 million.
Shea butter: The fat contained in the seeds of the shea tree (Vitelaria paradoxa) Like many natural fats, it’s used in foods and soaps as well as a variety of other products (cosmetics, shampoos, candles, etc.) and may also have antibacterial properties.
simulation: The analysis of the state, function, or appearance of a physical system, often done with the help of a computer. Computer programs do this by using mathematical operations that can describe the system and how it will change over time and in response to various predicted conditions.
Scientific Association: A non-profit organization founded in 1921 and based in Washington, DC. Since its inception, it has promoted public engagement in scientific research as well as public understanding of science. It founded and continues to run three well-known science competitions: the Regeneron Science Talent Search (began in 1942), the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (first launched in 1950), and the MASTERS competition for middle school students (2010-2022) (which has evolved into the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovator Challenge and will begin in 2023). It also publishes award-winning journalism. Science News (began in 1922) and Science News Explores (Created in 2003).
Sodium bicarbonate: Also known as baking soda, this white chemical powder occurs in nature. Its chemical formula is NaHCO3 It has also been used as a natural product to extinguish small electrical and grease fires. When ingested, it can help reduce stomach acid. In fact, it is the main ingredient in many antacids sold in grocery stores.
software: Mathematical instructions that tell a computer’s hardware, including the processor, to perform specific operations.
Solution: A liquid in which one chemical is dissolved in another.
Sustainable: An adjective describing the use of resources in such a way that they will remain available for a long time into the future.
Symptoms: A physical or mental indicator commonly regarded as characteristic of illness. A single symptom, especially a common symptom such as fever or pain, may be a sign of many different kinds of injury or illness.
Characteristic: A characteristic of something. (in genetics) An inherited quality or trait.
turmeric: A yellowish-orange spice extracted from the roots of the plant. Turmeric An Asian relative of ginger. It is used throughout Asia to add color and flavor to foods, especially curries. It is also used as a natural remedy in some traditional Chinese and Indian medicines. Its main therapeutic component is curcumin, which has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Some studies suggest it may also be effective in treating arthritis, anxiety, muscle pain (after exercise) and high blood cholesterol.
Source: www.snexplores.org
