Did You Know?

Bumpy, Not Broken: What Turbulence Really Means

Sophie Tseng Pellar BSc — Sat, 03 Jan 2026 02:17:29 +0000

If you’re anything like me, flying doesn’t exactly bring out your most relaxed self. I recently crossed the Atlantic and encountered a stretch of turbulence that had me gripping the armrest with the primal determination of a newborn testing its palmar grasp reflex. This is the article I wish I could’ve read at 35,000 feet, somewhere between bargaining with the universe and believing my snack choice was my “last meal.”

Of Mistletoe, Frankincense and Myrrh

Joe Schwarcz PhD — Wed, 24 Dec 2025 06:46:53 +0000

Mistletoe has had a certain mystique about it since ancient times, probably on account of the curious way it grows. The plant is a “hemiparasite,” meaning that it can either grow in soil, or, more commonly, it can spring from the branch of a tree. Ladies probably stood under the branch in awe, admiring the pretty flowers, giving gentlemen an opportunity to take a little liberty with the fair sex.

Pizza, Lizards, Electrified Chopsticks and Weight Loss With Teflon

Joe Schwarcz PhD — Fri, 19 Dec 2025 21:02:34 +0000

This article was written for publication in The Montreal Gazette.

It is said to be the world’s most popular food. We are talking pizza! Although I’m a fan, and know all about “four-cheese pizza,” I’ve never come across “pizza quattro stagioni,” or “four-seasons pizza,” that is divided into four sections with each section representing one season of the year. Prosciutto and olives represent winter, artichokes spring, basil and tomatoes summer, and mushrooms represent autumn. Of course, there is always a base of tomato sauce and cheese.

A Bear’s Den and a Spaceship May Have More in Common Than You Think

Eva Kellner B.A.Sc. — Fri, 19 Dec 2025 11:00:00 +0000

Having recently moved to Prague, I have spent many of my weekends in the Czech countryside. Life there is slow, with a usual day involving a long walk in the forest as the main event. I am often reminded by my grandmother to keep my eyes and ears peeled (my words, not hers) for wild boars – especially young ones. Now might be a good time to look at this image of these delightful beasts.

Best Before but Not Bad After

Cat Wang MScPH — Fri, 12 Dec 2025 19:13:00 +0000

From grocery stores to our medicine cabinets, dates stamped on products carry a subtle authority. These "best before" or "expiration" dates guide our consumption, influence our purchasing decisions, and, in some cases, shape the ingredients list on our favourite food products. But what do these dates really mean? Who decides them, and how are they determined?

Why Can’t I Tell if Something is Wet or Cold?

Ada McVean M.Sc. — Fri, 26 Sep 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Approximately half of the homes in the UK do not have a tumble dryer. My flat is lucky enough to have a 2-in-1 that washes poorly and dries worse, so we mostly hang wet clothes from a drying rack in the living room (it’s also too small to afford us a more convenient drying location than the middle of our living space, but I digress). Because we also don’t turn the heat on very often, I’m often faced with trying to decipher if a hanging shirt is wet or cold or both.

How to Beat a Fruit Fly Infestation

Ada McVean M.Sc. — Fri, 19 Sep 2025 10:00:00 +0000

As I type this, I occasionally have to pause and swat away tiny annoying flying bugs that seem drawn specifically to my face. In light of my plight, let’s look at some fruit fly science – specifically, how best to bait, trap and rid your home of them.

While fruit flies might seem like a warm weather problem, as temperatures cool they can move inside and become just as much of a nuisance during the cold months as when delicious summer fruits are sitting on your counter.

Lithium For Alzheimer’s Disease?

Joe Schwarcz PhD — Thu, 04 Sep 2025 01:47:06 +0000

Mention lithium and you likely conjure up an image of lithium batteries or a medication to treat bipolar disease. But researchers are now looking at another aspect of lithium. The possibility that lithium in the diet may play a role in reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. This is not the first time that intake of lithium has been linked with medicinal effects.

Mosquito Patches: The Itch They Can’t Scratch

Angelina Lapalme — Fri, 22 Aug 2025 10:00:00 +0000

While camping this weekend, I got to mind a very cute 7-month-old baby. She was super social, giggly and sporting a patch that inspired this article. As she laid her head on my shoulder, I noticed a pink patch on the back of her shirt collar. I asked her grammie what it was, and she said that the baby’s mom makes her wear this “mosquito patch” to keep the bugs away. My immediate thought was, does it actually work?

Einstein’s Brain

Joe Schwarcz PhD — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 17:46:23 +0000

Vladimir Lenin lies in a mausoleum in Red Square in Moscow in a preserved state. But he has no brain. That’s because the Soviet government had it removed after he died in 1924. They wanted to have the brain examined scientifically to see how it differed from that of mere mortals. After all, someone who thought up something as clever as communism must have had a very special brain! The item in question was sent to Oskar Vogt, a well-known German neuroscientist, who spent a couple of years studying it. His conclusion?

The Invisible Houseguest: Should You Worry About Radon in Your Home?

Sophie Tseng Pellar BSc — Fri, 15 Aug 2025 10:00:00 +0000

There may be an uninvited guest in your home. It doesn’t eat your snacks, hog the remote, or leave the toilet seat up—but it might be slowly increasing your risk of lung cancer. Meet radon: a colourless, odourless, tasteless radioactive gas that may be living in your basement rent-free.

So… what exactly is it?

When Tea Changes Hues Out of the Blue

Joe Schwarcz PhD — Fri, 08 Aug 2025 17:57:08 +0000

This article was first published in The Montreal Gazette.

So there I was, ready with a tea bag in one hand, a slice of lemon in the other and a couple of grandkids collared into being the audience. I said we were going to do a chemical experiment. They were not too excited. After all, they had seen tea being made before.

This French Physician’s Career Could Be Defined by the Word ‘Ectoplasm’

Joe Schwarcz PhD — Fri, 01 Aug 2025 16:05:06 +0000

This article was first published in The Montreal Gazette.

Say Cheese!

Joe Schwarcz PhD — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 17:27:26 +0000

It was the 1960’s and cheese producers were cheesed off. People were just not eating enough veal. Slaughterhouses were running short of calf stomachs and the cheese industry was feeling the pinch. There was not enough rennet to meet the demands of turophiles (that's "cheese lovers" from the Greek “turo” for cheese) around the world.

Next Time it Rains, You May Want to Pack More Than Just Your Umbrella

Eva Kellner B.A.Sc. — Fri, 18 Jul 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Have you ever felt sluggish or achy on a rainy day? You’re not alone. While you could see a rainy day as an excuse to cozy up with freshly brewed tea and a movie, your rain-induced back pain may be out of your control.