You Asked

Organic Doesn’t Mean Clean: Here’s Why Washing Fruits and Vegetables Matters More Than You Think

Eva Kellner B.A.Sc. — Fri, 31 Oct 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Growing up, the arrival of apple season was always enough to get me through the back-to-school blues. The sweet aroma of apple cider doughnuts and the numerous haystacks provided necessary relief from the pungent smell that lingered in the city. While my siblings would fight over who got to use the long stick to reach the highest apple on the tree, I spent my time traversing the orchards searching for low-hanging fruit. There was something about picking an apple from the tree and taking a big ol' bite that just hit the spot.

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.

The Rub on Vicks VapoRub

Joe Schwarcz PhD — Fri, 21 Mar 2025 17:19:51 +0000

I was forwarded a short video with the alluring title, “Miracles Happen When You Apply Vicks VapoRub to Your Feet.” The speaker tells us in a compelling tone that the miracle is about inducing sleep and calmness, especially when suffering from a cold, by applying Vicks VapoRub to the soles of our foot and then donning socks. The speaker turns out to be a chiropractor and that already starts the alarm bells tingling.

Is Nutmeg Really Hallucinogenic?

Ada McVean M.Sc. — Fri, 19 Apr 2024 15:24:57 +0000

This article was first published in The Skeptical Inquirer.

How to Keep Cut Flowers Looking Fresh, With Science

Ada McVean M.Sc. — Fri, 23 Feb 2024 13:45:52 +0000

It's a lovely feeling to wake up in the morning and be greeted by a beautiful bouquet artfully arranged in a vase. But it's a far less pleasant one when you start to notice their petals falling, leaves wilting and stems drooping. Drawing on some knowledge of chemistry and biology, here are a few things you can do to prolong the life of cut flowers using nothing outside what's likely already in your home.

The Vitamin D Puzzle

Joe Schwarcz PhD — Wed, 24 Jan 2024 19:27:07 +0000

Walk into any pharmacy or health food store and you will see shelves filled with vitamin D supplements. Then stroll over to a bookstore and you will find all sort of books touting the wonders of the vitamin. Next, search PubMed for articles about vitamin D. There will be thousands, with different conclusions about what constitutes adequate blood levels and how these are to be achieved. Where will that leave you? Confused, I suspect.

Is bottled water bad for your health?

Christopher Labos MD, MSc — Fri, 19 Jan 2024 14:27:47 +0000

This article was originally posted in the Montreal Gazette.

Tap water or bottled water? The point has been debated for years, but a new study has added another dimension to the discussion. A recent study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences has created a bit of a panic with the suggestion that high levels of microplastics can be found in bottled water.

Are disposable diapers more likely than cloth diapers to cause diaper rash?

Ada McVean M.Sc. — Sat, 20 Jan 2024 00:01:24 +0000

This article was first published in The Skeptical Inquirer.

Cloth diapers may offer a more environmentally friendly option for baby’s bottoms, but are they a risk factor for diaper rash? Common knowledge says so, the New York Times agrees, but what about the science?

Why do we get wrinkles?

Ada McVean M.Sc. — Thu, 12 Oct 2023 00:11:10 +0000

This article was first published in The Skeptical Inquirer.

Should you wipe “back to front” or “front to back”?

Ada McVean M.Sc. — Fri, 27 Oct 2023 10:00:00 +0000

This article was first published in The Skeptical Inquirer.

Go for Goggles: The Risks of Opening Your Eyes Underwater

Ada McVean M.Sc. — Fri, 20 Oct 2023 10:00:00 +0000

This article was first published in The Skeptical Inquirer.

If you’ve ever forgotten your goggles and decided to make like a fish and open your eyes underwater, you may have been putting yourself at greater risk than you realize. Indeed, opening your eyes underwater increases the risk of a few types of eye irritation and damage.

Does Wearing a Bra Make Your Breasts Sag?

Ada McVean M.Sc. — Fri, 22 Sep 2023 17:31:09 +0000

This article was first published in The Skeptical Inquirer.

Debunking Detox: Your Colon Doesn’t Need Cleaning!

Ada McVean M.Sci — Fri, 01 Sep 2023 18:40:28 +0000

This article was first published in The Skeptical Inquirer.

No Need to Avoid Dairy When You’re Sick

Ada McVean M.Sc. — Fri, 18 Aug 2023 16:00:52 +0000

This article was first published in The Skeptical Inquirer.

Your Tongue Knows How the World Feels

Cat Wang, B.Sc. — Fri, 11 Aug 2023 15:33:59 +0000

“Your tongue knows what everything feels like.” This phrase has 27.6M hits on TikTok, leaving people with their tongues hanging out and brows furrowed. Of course, we know the texture of our morning cereal and metal spoons. But as you imagine touching your tongue to your computer mouse, pillowcase, and couch cushions, why is it that your tongue tells you these odd textures are familiar too?