Electric Trees, Mars Minerals & Memory Magic! (3.11.26)

Yo yo, hey, it's time to dash.

Welcome to Kids News Flash.

News for Kids.

We keep it cool.

Stay in the know is the golden rule.

Hey there, and welcome to Kids News Flash.

The news show made just for curious kids like you.

I'm Katie, here to help you stay up to date

on what's happening around the world.

Stay in the know is the golden rule.

Today is Wednesday, March 11th, 2026.

Happy National Johnny Apple Seed Day.

Celebrate by planting a tree or enjoying a crunchy apple snack.

Let's spread some green joy today.

Here are today's top stories.

Get this.

Scientists just discovered a tiny plant trick

that could seriously boost how much food crops produce.

It's all about photosynthesis.

The way plants turn sunlight into energy,

they found a special tweak that can make the process way more efficient.

Imagine our future snacks and meals growing faster

and in bigger amounts because of this cool science magic.

One scientist mentioned this could change food production worldwide.

Think about it.

More food from the same amount of land.

How awesome would it be to have more fruits and veggies

without needing extra space?

Recent research has unveiled that the diminutive ocean microbe

nitrosopumulus meridimus could gain significant strength

due to ocean warming.

These microscopic organisms are crucial in managing

the ocean's nutrient dynamics through nitrogen reactions.

Contrary to the usual detrimental effects

of warming oceans on marine organisms,

these microbes are evolving to thrive in warmer

and iron deficient waters by enhancing their iron utilization efficiency.

Consequently, they might continue their vital

ecological functions amidst climate change.

This adaptation showcases their potential role

as unseen guardians of marine equilibrium,

highlighting the remarkable resilience and complexity

of nature systems in facing environmental challenges.

Scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory

have innovated a method to repurpose discarded car parts

into something remarkably beneficial.

They developed a novel metal, Ridge alloy,

which converts scrapped aluminum from old cars

into durable, valuable components for manufacturing new vehicles.

This process not only reduces waste,

but also contributes to the production of new automobiles

by recycling materials that would otherwise be considered trash.

This breakthrough can revolutionize car manufacturing.

Remark to scientists from the team,

the implication is a significant reduction in automotive waste

and an increase in the efficiency

of producing new high-quality vehicles.

Ready for a challenge?

Let's see what you remember from our first three stories.

What process do plants use to turn sunlight into energy?

Is it choice A, photosynthesis?

Is it choice B, respiration?

Is it choice C, fermentation?

Or is it choice D, digestion?

You have five seconds to think about your answer.

Time's up.

The correct answer is choice A, photosynthesis.

The correct answer is explicitly stated in the story text.

It's all about photosynthesis.

The way plants turn sunlight into energy,

this indicates that photosynthesis is the process

by which plants convert sunlight into energy.

Great job if you knew the answer.

Now it's time for this day in history.

A look at what happened on this day in the past.

On this day, March 11th in 1959,

imagine a magical moment when a stylish

and adventurous doll named Barbie burst onto the toy scene.

With her dazzling outfits and endless possibilities,

Barbie quickly became a best friend to kids everywhere,

sparking their imaginations and empowering them to dream big.

From exploring exciting careers,

to embarking on thrilling adventures,

Barbie continues to inspire kids to believe in themselves

and reach for the stars.

Wow.

Now let's continue with more news stories.

Tree tops can emit a sparkling glow

due to electricity during thunderstorms,

a fascinating natural phenomenon.

Researchers have found that the air surrounding tree tops

becomes electrically charged just before a lightning strike,

leading to this glow.

This discovery is not merely an intriguing natural occurrence.

It plays a crucial role in enhancing our ability

to forecast lightning strikes,

thereby safeguarding lives and property.

Invision observing this glow from your window during a storm,

serving as a natural alert for impending lightning.

This electrifying spectacle is worth watching for during stormy weather.

Recent research has unveiled that individuals

who consume cannabis may develop false memories.

This phenomenon occurs because the substance interferes

with the brain's mechanisms for storing and retrieving experiences.

Specifically, chronic users or those who frequently use cannabis

struggle more with retaining new information

and may recall events that never occurred.

This could lead to vivid but entirely fabricated recollections,

such as imagining a journey never embarked upon

or a dialogue that never transpired.

This discovery prompts a deeper contemplation

on the impact of our consumption habits,

on the accuracy and integrity of our memories.

Scientists have recently identified a potentially new mineral on Mars,

a significant discovery made while analyzing Martian surface rocks.

This find is of paramount importance,

as it may provide insights into Mars' geological history

and the possibility of ancient habitable conditions.

The presence of this mineral suggests

it could have been created by water activity in Mars' past,

hinting at the planet's complex environmental evolution.

This revelation raises intriguing questions about Mars' secrets

and how this discovery could alter our understanding of the red planet.

It prompts us to consider what other mysteries the universe holds,

yet to be uncovered.

Let's test your memory again.

Here's a question about what we just covered.

What becomes electrically charged just before a lightning strike?

Is it choice A, the ground near trees?

Is it choice B, the air surrounding tree tops?

Is it choice C, the tree trunks?

Or is it choice D, the clouds above trees?

You have five seconds to think about your answer.

Time's up.

The correct answer is choice B, the air surrounding tree tops.

The correct answer is found in the sentence.

Researchers have found that the air surrounding tree tops becomes electrically charged

just before a lightning strike,

explicitly stating that it is the air surrounding tree tops

that becomes electrically charged.

Great job if you knew the answer.

We're recognizing Asheville Middle School in Asheville, North Carolina.

Great job, everyone.

Want to hear your school featured on the show?

Just leave us a review and tell us your school's name.

You might be next.

Time to boost your brain power with our fact of the day.

The universe is about 13.8 billion years old.

Wow, the universe is older than all the dinosaurs put together.

Wow.

Time for a quick laugh.

What room does a ghost not need?

A living room.

Hope that made you smile.

Today's news was electrifying with scientists' supercharging crops,

transforming scrap metal into high-performance treasures,

and possibly discovering a brand new mineral on Mars.

That's all for today's Kids News Flash.

If you love today's stories, don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Keep being curious, and I'll see you tomorrow with more amazing stories.

Special thanks to our co-producers Tyler and Katie.

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