On this week’s news update--
A microscope made of paper--
Archaeologists who work underwater--
And a surprising new use
for old mattresses!
First up--
At the recent Design Indaba conference
in Cape Town, South Africa,
people from all over the world
presented their ideas.
Scientist Manu Prakash told the
audience about one of his inventions.
It’s called Foldscope,
and it’s a microscope made of paper!
Microscopes allow us to study objects
that are too small to see
with just our eyes,
like blood cells,
pollen,
or tiny animals!
However, most microscopes are big,
heavy, and expensive.
So Manu and his team designed
Foldscope to be cheap, light,
and easy to carry around.
It’s made by folding paper
into a precise shape,
and fitting it with a small lens,
which magnifies objects,
making them look 140 times bigger
than they actually are!
Manu says his goal is to make
microscopes available everywhere,
so everyone can explore
the microscopic world!
Next up--
Archaeologists investigate history
by uncovering and studying
objects from the past.
You might think they all
work in dusty deserts,
but archaeologists also work
in cities, and even underwater!
These archaeologists have been
exploring the wreck of a ship
named HMS Erebus,
which sank off the coast of Canada
in the 1840s.
They’ve collected more
than 350 objects,
including dishes,
and a toothbrush!
They also found these decorations
from a sailor’s uniform.
Now, they’re recording these objects
with detailed drawings,
X-rays,
and photographs.
By studying objects like these,
archaeologists can help us understand
what life was like in the past,
on ships, in deserts,
and everywhere else!
And finally--
Zaatari Refugee Camp, in Jordan,
is home to people who have fled
their countries due to war.
The soil is in poor condition
and there’s not much water,
so it’s difficult to grow plants
in the ground.
However, there are lots
of old, foam mattresses,
left behind by people
working in the camp.
Now, residents have teamed up with
scientists to grow plants in the foam!
The foam is placed in cups,
and soaked in the nutrients	
and water the plants need to survive.
Because the foam doesn’t dry out
as quickly as soil,
less water is needed.
Now, for the first time in many years,
people here are growing
their own fresh food.
Scientists think the technique could
be used in other refugee camps as well!
That’s all for this week.
We’ll see you next time.
