Science and Nature

We&rsquo ;ve all had food fall victim to freezer burn; the light, dried out areas that can appear on frozen food, making it unpalatable. Here’s how to prevent it. What Is Freezer Burn? Frozen food, when poorly wrapped or frozen for too long can eventuall..
(Read Full Article On What Causes Freezer Burn?)

Experience shows that people with fair complexions (low levels of melanin) are more prone to sunburn. New research now reveals that certain variations in the genes that control the color of our skin, hair and eyes are associated with an increased risk of melanoma and carcinoma, two potentially de..
(Read Full Article On Genetics of Pigment and Skin Cancer)

The task s of daily living that most of us take for granted are much more challenging to accomplish in outer space, especially those personal things involving an astronaut's privates. This question, how to capture human waste at zero Gs, is so important in fact, that in 2007 NASA spent 19 million..
(Read Full Article On How Do Astronauts Pee In Space?)

Members of the bacterial genus Clostridium have been around for ages, causing a wide range of deadly diseases, including tetanus, botulism and gangrene. Several unusual characteristics make them such tough little ‘bugs’. Clostridium Can Form Endospores..
(Read Full Article On C. Diff Infection: Bacterial Cause of Colitis)

Shortly after antibiotics were first mass produced for the general public, the microbes that they were designed to kill began to fight back. Since that time, many pathogenic microbes (those that cause disease) have become resistant to drug therapy. But what exactly is antibiotic resistance, and h..
(Read Full Article On How Do Bacteria Become Resistant to Antibiotics?)

Pneumonia occurs when the air sacs and small airways in the lungs fill with liquid and cannot function properly. When this happens, the body cannot take in oxygen as it normally would. Oxygen is vital to the body’s cells, where it is needed for aerobic respiration; the breakdown of food to ..
(Read Full Article On Warning! Viral Pneumonia Signs and Symptoms)

Bacteria, viruses, fungi and other microbes are all around us. They are ubiquitous and cannot be avoided. The body is actually host to many species of ‘good guy’ (normal flora) microbes—species that one doesn’t want to eliminate. Then there are the interlopers, the ‘..
(Read Full Article On Simple Steps to Prevent Cold and Flu)

Although you can find orchids at supermarkets and home supply stores these days, it is still best to purchase one from a plant nursery where the plants will have most likely received specialized care. A nursery may also have an experienced orchid grower on staff, who can help you choose the best ..
(Read Full Article On Orchid Housplants as Gifts: How to Choose)

Unlike herbaceous plants, deciduous trees stand tall all winter, minus some important accessories -- leaves. To understand why the leaves fall off, it helps to first understand what the job of a leaf actually is. Leaves Are Plant Food Factories Plants and other ph..
(Read Full Article On Why Do Trees Lose Their Leaves in Fall?)

The human body contains billions of bacteria and other microorganisms. Some are ‘bad guys’, disease causing pathogens, but many bacteria are beneficial and play an important role in keeping us healthy. The bacteria naturally found on and in the human body are called ‘nor..
(Read Full Article On How Probiotic Bacteria Promote Digestive Health)