Silke Schmidt

Freelance Writer

Silke Schmidt is a freelance science writer with degrees in biostatistics and journalism. She enjoys covering the environment, engineering and medicine. Silke has been writing for Science News for Students since 2018. She has covered the benefits of fever, clothing that keeps mosquitoes from biting, electric surgery and new uses of ultrasound. Before she became a science writer, she was a human genetics researcher at Duke University in Durham, N.C. Originally from Germany, she now lives in Madison, Wis., where she enjoys biking, kayaking and spending time with her husband and two children.

All Stories by Silke Schmidt

  1. Tech

    Offshore wind farms could do far more than just make clean power

    Offshore wind farms cost more than onshore ones. But their ability to make ‘green’ hydrogen and capture carbon dioxide could help this wind power pay off.

  2. Health & Medicine

    New brain scans may show if a concussion has not yet healed

    Concussions change certain brain waves, and delta waves may be the best signs of when teens can return to competitive sports.

  3. Health & Medicine

    How sunshine may make boys feel hungrier

    Males eat more on long summer days, but females do not. Hormones may explain this difference.

  4. Tech

    Someday soon, smartwatches may know you’re sick before you do

    Such an early detection of flu-like infections could tell you when to avoid others to limit the spread of disease.

  5. Health & Medicine

    Cannabis may alter a teen’s developing brain

    Marijuana use between ages 14 and 19 was linked to faster thinning of brain regions important in decision-making.

  6. Brain

    Search for ‘rewards’ is big driver in remodeling a teen’s brain

    Communication ‘highways’ in the brain undergo a major overhaul as children morph into adults. Dopamine plays a big role in this remodeling project.

  7. Materials Science

    Bandages made from crab shells speed healing

    The chitin in seafood wastes, insect “bones” and fungi is a chemist’s dream. Used in a new medical dressing, it beats regular gauze for wound healing.

  8. Genetics

    Gene editing can alter body fat and may fight diabetes

    Researchers have long dreamed of using brown fat to fight obesity and diabetes. Work in animals shows they’re closing in on achieving that dream.

  9. Tech

    Why sports are becoming all about numbers — lots and lots of numbers

    Sports once focused on muscles, skill and tactics. Now math is becoming almost as important. It helps assess players — and improve their tools.

  10. Tech

    Our gut microbes love a good workout

    Technology shows how microbes in the body respond to exercise. That helps scientists understand why those microbes keep athletes healthy.

  11. Tech

    Sweat tech alerts athletes when to rehydrate — and with what

    Technology shows how the body responds to moderate and vigorous exercise. That helps athletes stay healthy — and helps scientists understand why.

  12. Science & Society

    Science isn’t just for scientists

    It doesn’t take an advanced degree or a lab to do science. All you need is curiosity and an interest in learning something new every day.