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MRI

20 May 2017

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 drug?

20 May 2017

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: a Superfood

20 May 2017

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...

“X”

20 May 2017

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...

Cortisol, Testosterone and Finding a Mate

18 May 2017

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 Is More Than Just Sweet… It's also Antimicrobial

18 May 2017

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%...

Airplanes & Turbulence

13 May 2017

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...

Cholesterol’s Link to Breast Cancer

13 May 2017

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...

Mistletoe

13 May 2017

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...

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