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. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. 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.

  9. Tech

    Viewing virtual reality of icy landscapes may relieve pain

    Traveling to polar vistas via virtual reality eased a temporary burning in the viewers’ skin. The same VR also lessened simulated chronic pain.

  10. Tech

    Graphene fabric keeps mosquitoes from biting

    Graphene is a super-thin material with many cool uses. The latest: protection against mosquito bites by embedding it in your clothing.

  11. Health & Medicine

    Ultrasound might become a new way to manage diabetes

    Ultrasound turns on production of the hormone insulin in mice. Someday, it might help maintain healthy blood-sugar levels in people who were recently diagnosed with diabetes.

  12. Health & Medicine

    Explainer: What is ultrasound?

    These sound waves, which fall above the range of human hearing, are important in medicine, medical imaging and more.