Debbie Deroma

Mending a Broken Heart: Human Cardiac Surgery Heals Labs

Emma Hancock feared her passenger's ailing heart might give out before they reached their destination. She rested her arm across his furry chest, relieved ot feel the steady cadence of his breathing. He was sedated when Hancock sprung him from the ER earlier that day.

Why Eating Like a Bird Might Get You Banned From Holiday Dinners - Duck, Duck, Platypus!

Some birds have terrible table manners. Predatory birds are particularly problematic diners. Their hooked beaks, powerful jaws and knife-like claws make mealtime a messy affair. And with an appetite for still-squirming entrees and a tendency to barf up bones, these high-flying hunters give new meaning to "eating like a bird."

Zoo Biologist Insists Storks are Cooler Than Pandas - Duck, Duck, Platypus!

Tom Jensen doesn't hate pandas. He just thinks they are overrated. Jensen insists there are "cooler and prettier" black and white animals.

Testing the Waters: Astrophysicist's Work Transports Him From the Moon to the Oceans - Duck,...

When astrophysicist Gerardo Dominguez tells people what he does for a living, they often ask him to point out constellations. By testing the waters within these space rocks, he's solving mysteries about the solar system.

Don't Call Her a Dog Whisperer - Duck, Duck, Platypus!

Like Mary Poppins, Marilisa Markey travels with a magical bag. Although she can't speak to dogs like the eponymous nanny, Markey has a seemingly supernatural ability to see the world from their perspective. Just don't liken her gift to a certain celebrity dog trainer. "I'm not the Dog Whisperer," she says.

Smashing Stereotypes! Psychologist Harnesses Superpowers to Diversify Scientific Research - Duck,...

Like most superheroes, Anna Woodcock wrestles with identity. A social psychologist by trade, she and her student sidekicks seek to smash gender and racial stereotypes and change the face of science.

Ice in His Veins: Physics Professor Chills Out in the Lab and at the Rink - Duck, Duck, Platypus!

An associate professor of physics at California State University San Marcos (CSUSM), Justin Perron is a Canadian transplant and hardcore hockey player. Although he now lives in a Southern California city better known for surfing lineups than hockey rinks, he stays connected to the ice through his research and recreational pursuits.

See Spot Run

Can You Grow A Pothos Plant Without Soil? - House Digest

Pothos are extremely well-loved, low-maintenance houseplants. If you want to grow your own with minimal effort, learn how you might grow the plant without soil.

If Your Tap Water Tastes Like A Swimming Pool, This Could Be Why - House Digest

If your tap water reminds you of jumping off the diving board at your neighbor's pool party last year, you might've already guessed the source of the issue.

Why You Should Stick A Dead Branch Into The Ground Near Your Hummingbird Feeder - House Digest

We promise we are not kidding -- there's a solid reason for putting a big stick in the middle of the ground near your hummingbird feeder.

Why Fixer To Fabulous' Jenny Marrs Keeps A Bowl Full Of Rocks On Her Bookshelf - House Digest

The successful and presumably wealthy HGTV star has a bunch of rocks in her house. That seems weird, right? Let's hear her explanation.

Encourage Mourning Doves To Nest In Your Yard With This Easy DIY - House Digest

Mourning doves have some pretty unique nests that stand out from other birds'. If you want to encourage them to nest in your yard, check out this easy DIY.

The Beautiful Ornamental Plant That Deer And Other Pests Will Leave Alone - House Digest

If you're struggling with deer chomping up all your prettiest blooms, you can help deter them with this one easy-to-grow ornamental plant that's also gorgeous.

A Vertical Garden Is The Key To Bringing In More Hummingbirds - House Digest

We all want more hummingbirds around, and you can entice them to show up and hang out by arranging your flowers in an upward trajectory.

Students Serve up STEM to Local High Schools

A career in science was just about the last thing on Rhianna Rodea's mind when she graduated from high school. It wasn't until she took an introductory chemistry class during her sophomore year at CSUSM that she discovered her true passion and began an unexpected journey from business major to budding scientist.

How Graduates Can Outmaneuver the Competition in an Uncertain Job Market

Puppy Power: Dogs Showcased Their Alter Egos at PAWmicon 2021

Growling Ghosts and Beatboxing Behemoths! The Surprising Percussive Prowess of Crabs - Duck,...

In the real world, crabs can't match the vocal virtuosities of Disney's Sebastian, but their surprising percussive prowess could land them a spot in his "hot crustacean band."

Does Size Matter? It Depends Whether You're a Pigeon or a Parakeet - Duck, Duck, Platypus!

When birds flock together, feathers often fly. Knock-down-drag-out fights are rare, but birds frequently bicker and squabble to establish their place in the pecking order.

Can I Eat My Christmas Tree? The Savory Science of Conifers - Duck, Duck, Platypus!

If you're one of the 25-30 million Americans who opted for a live Christmas tree this year, taking down decorations includes disposing of the droopy conifer carcass in the corner of your room. For the ultimate green solution, you might consider eating it.

What Squirrel Girl Can Teach You About the Superpowers of Squirrels - Duck, Duck, Platypus!

A genie has granted you a single wish - you can take on the superpowers of any animal you desire. What would you choose? Perhaps you considered a lion, or bear, or eagle. It's unlikely a squirrel was at the top of your list.

Holey Spaghettification! Surprising Holes in Science - Duck, Duck, Platypus!

Spaghettification sounds more like a culinary mishap than an astronomical phenomenon. Otherwise known as a tidal disruption event, the term describes how black holes rip apart objects that venture too close. Thanks to new observations of an ill-fated star's spectacular demise and the recent announcement of the Nobel prize in physics, black holes are trending on a cosmological scale.

This Badass Beetle Can Really Blow Off Steam - Duck, Duck, Platypus!

Bombardier beetles are experts at chemical warfare. Though many insects use chemicals to defend themselves, these aptly named bugs detonate explosions within their bodies and blast their attackers with boiling caustic bombs.

Is it Time to Replace Toucan Sam? How Elephants Follow Their Noses to the Fruitiest Flavors -...

He's rapped with rhinos, outwitted pirates, and escaped the clutches of carnivorous flowers - all in the name of breakfast cereal. In his 60+ years as the Froot Loops mascot, Toucan Sam has appeared in hundreds of commercials, showing generations of cereal lovers how to follow their noses to the flavors of fruit.

How My ADHD Diagnosis Helped Me Silence the Critics and March to My Own Music - Duck, Duck,...

A bright but impulsive student, I drew the ire of teachers by blurting out answers and coercing my classmates into covert conversations. My ADHD diagnosis helped me march to my own music.

Ice Cream Science

Whip up a delicious bowl of ice cream from ingredients you have at home!

Straw Gliders

A fun project to learn about glider design and flight.

Soda Bottle Boats

Learn how to make your own homemade boat out of a soda bottle. It really moves by itself!

Bouncy Ball Science

Have fun by making up your own type of ball game. In fact, with a bit of science, you can even create your own ball!

Build a Rocket

Imagine sweeping the dust from a giant rock formation to uncover an ancient dinosaur fossil, or peering through your backyard telescope to identify a hazy comet as it streaks across the sky. Sound exciting? Believe it or not, several scientific discoveries were first observed by amateur hobbyists.

Cooking with the Sun: Science with Kids

How to cook using a solar box. Science with kids

Quantum Quest Educational Resource Guide