Scientists Say

A weekly word defined, in a sentence and in context.

  1. Math

    Scientists Say: Statistical significance

    Statistical significance is a phrase that describes how often a scientific difference might occur by accident.

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  2. Space

    Scientists Say: Orbit

    An orbit is the path one object in space takes around another, such as a planet, star or the center of an atom.

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  3. Plants

    Scientists Say: Nectar

    Nectar is a fluid filled with sugar that plants — especially flowers — produce. They use it to attract animals that will then spread their pollen to another plant.

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  4. Space

    Scientists Say: Multiverse

    The multiverse is an idea that there are many universes out there, including the one we live in. Each universe has an alternate reality.

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  5. Health & Medicine

    Scientists Say: Quarantine

    This is a restriction on where people or animals who are sick — or suspected of being sick — can go. Doctors use quarantine to try to prevent a disease from spreading.

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  6. Health & Medicine

    Scientists Say: Parasite

    Lots of organisms live in pairs, benefitting from each other. But when one organism benefits while the other suffers? That first organism is a parasite.

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  7. Ecosystems

    Scientists Say: Understory

    A forest isn’t made just out of the tallest trees. Shorter trees and shrubs thrive in their shade. This layer is called the understory.

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  8. Scientists Say: Data

    Data are a group of facts that are collected together for analysis.

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  9. Space

    Scientists Say: Yellow dwarf

    Yellow dwarf is a term used for a medium-sized star. Our sun is a yellow dwarf.

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  10. Humans

    Scientists Say: Neandertal

    This extinct species is a close relative of modern humans. Neandertals lived in Europe and Asia, and made tools and jewelry — just like us.

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  11. Physics

    Scientists Say: Kelvin

    Kelvin is a temperature scale. It’s based around the concept of “absolute zero,” a temperature so cold that molecules stop moving.

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  12. Chemistry

    Scientists Say: Peptide

    Peptides are short chains made of smaller molecules called amino acids. These chains can form proteins, and they can also do work on their own.

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