Health, features and articles | Educational Science

May 31, 2010

Why Do Bottles of Water Have Expiration Dates?

You've just finished an intense workout, and you reach for a cold bottle of water. You crack open the seal and as you bring the bottle to your lips, you notice the expiration date says the water expired two months ago. You thought the bottle seemed a little dusty. Should...

May 31, 2010

Is Sugar Bad for You?

Over the past few years, some soda makers switched from corn syrup to sugar to sweeten their soft drinks. This was partly in response to a corn shortage, but also because many people believe that sugar is healthier or more natural than the high fructose corn syrup previously used. On...

May 31, 2010

Is Premium Liquor Really Better than the Cheap Stuff?

Paying more for a premium brand rather than the buying cheaper bottles of liquor might be a good idea, because you often get what you pay for come tasting time. More expensive premium liquors often have natural ingredients and more careful distilling and aging processes, so they earn their higher...

May 31, 2010

What's an Orgasm?

Clinically speaking, an orgasm is just a series of involuntary muscle contractions. But unlike a charley horse, these spasms turn your legs into jelly for an entirely different reason. It's a great pleasure for some, a frustrating puzzle for others and still much of a mystery to sex researchers, said...

May 31, 2010

Which Plastics Are Safe To Put in the Microwave?

With all of the warnings about the dangers of plastics in the microwave, along with the many plastics available today, it's no wonder consumers would be confused about what to and what not to zap in the kitchen. The easiest way to figure out if a plastic container is safe...

Apr 30, 2010

5 Minutes with Nature Can Boost Mental Health

Just 5 minutes doing something in a park, in the woods or even in your backyard can boost mental health, a new study finds. Many studies have shown that spending active time in the great outdoors is good for the mind. Humans have a deep-seated need for contact with nature,...

Apr 30, 2010

What's Alcohol Poisoning?

Alcohol poisoning, which can result from binge drinking, poses a very real threat and can lead to death and serious health problems. Alcohol often causes poisonings among adults, but many people are unaware that alcohol can be toxic, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Alcohol poisoning...

Apr 30, 2010

Longevity Protein Discovered

A protein that can extend the lifetimes of worms could have implications for human longevity and development of cancers, a new study suggests. Roundworms (C. elegans) born without the protien called arrestin lived a third longer than normal, while worms with triple the amount of the protein cut their lives...

Apr 30, 2010

Mechanism Found That Makes Order From Chaotic Newborn Brain

Brain cells in a newborn baby are loosely interconnected. Amid chaos, they are looking for contact with each other and are only later able to operate as interactive neural networks. Now scientists say they've found a mechanism in the memory center of newborn that adjusts the maturation of the brain...

Apr 30, 2010

Burger & Fries Worsen Asthma, Study Suggests

A burger and fries are not only bad for the waistline, they might also exacerbate asthma, a new study suggests. Patients with asthma who ate a high-fat meal had increased inflammation in their airways soon afterward, and did not respond as well to treatment as those who ate a low-fat...

Apr 30, 2010

What's a Gluten-Free Diet?

Gluten is a protein found in grains, such as wheat and barley, and is known to cause inflammation in the intestines of people with celiac disease, according to the Mayo Clinic. People with celiac disease need to be on a gluten-free diet, since ingesting . In people with this disease,...

Apr 30, 2010

Why Is Gray Matter Gray?

The stuff between our ears comes in two shades: white and grey. The difference between the two is all in the fat content. The white matter of the brain is made up primarily of axon tracts, the long, spindly appendages of some brain cells. These tracts transmit the electrical signals...

Mar 31, 2010

Why Are Some People Ambidextrous?

Surprisingly, very little is known about what makes people ambidextrous, or able to use either hand effectively. Research has made some links between handedness and hemispheres of the brain. Studies have shown that people who have a preference for using their right hand tend to have brains in which the...

Mar 31, 2010

Masters Mystery: What's the Story Behind Golf's Green Jacket?

Some golf tournaments give trophies, some give cars. But only one gives its winner a green sports jacket the Masters. In an annual tradition that dates back more than 60 years, the previous year's champion helps the new winner put on the fairway-green coat with the logo emblem of the...

Mar 31, 2010

Mirror Neurons Allow Us to Understand Each Other

We can understand the actions of others because of mirror neurons — cells that are located in the movement and memory sections of our brains and which help us interpret the actions of others, scientists have long suspected. Now they have evidence. Mirroring is believed to be the way in...