During Magnetic Resonance Imaging the patient is placed inside a giant magnet and is exposed to radio waves. Hydrogen nuclei in the body behave as tiny magnets and orient themselves with the...
Nutmeg is a spice introduced to Europe by the Arabs during the middle ages. Its essential oil has been used topically to treat arthritis pain and orally with small amounts of honey or sugar, to...
Cranberries are commonly associated with Thanksgiving but in early America they played a varied role. Besides the berries serving as food, the plant’s leaves were commonly used for tea or as a...
Xylitol often appears in candies and gum as a low calorie sweetener. It has the added benefit that unlike sugar it does not support the growth of bacteria that can cause cavities. Xylitol’s name...
For animals wanting to find the healthiest mate, cortisol (stress hormone) levels in their mates could have big implications. Luckily, it appears that animals detect cortisol levels through its...
Honey isn’t just useful as a topping for your toast; it’s actually a powerful antimicrobial. To the best of our knowledge, honey never spoils, as it is a supersaturated sugar solution with only 17%...
Turbulence during a flight may make plates crash to the floor but it doesn’t make planes crash. Airplanes are built to withstand turbulence, but people aren’t, so it can make for a most unpleasant...
Past studies have suggested that a connection may exist between diet and breast cancer. A paper published in the prestigious journal, Science, proposes a possible explanation. It seems that a...
The original mistletoe, Viscum album, (different from the ornamental North American version) got its name from the Anglo-Saxon word “mistel” for “dung” and “tan” for “twig.” Dung-on-a twig really...