Learning about the chemistry of onions may not seem like the most exciting academic topic, but it can help you understand how things work in the world around you. When you chop an onion, you're changing its chemistry and releasing a gas that causes your eyes to water. You can slow down the onion's enzymes by storing it in the fridge or boiling it briefly, or you can wear goggles or sunglasses while cutting it. Scientists are even working on creating tear-free onions through genetic modification and traditional plant breeding. Learning about the chemistry of onions can help you appreciate the complexities of the natural world and give you practical skills for your everyday life.

Science is not always confined to laboratories with white coats and high-tech gadgets. The Weird History of the Cell Theory shows how even the most groundbreaking discoveries can have strange and varied beginnings. The discovery of cells and the development of the cell theory started with Zacharias Janssen's invention of the microscope in the early 1600s. Anton van Leeuwenhoek, a Dutchman, discovered bacteria by looking at dental scrapings through his homemade microscope. Robert Hooke, another scientist, coined the term "the cell" while looking at a piece of cork. Matthias Schleiden and Theodor Schwann discovered that every plant and animal is made of cells. Rudolph Virchow proved that cells come from other cells. Learning about the history of scientific discoveries can be exciting and inspiring, and it shows that anyone can make a significant contribution to science, even with limited resources.

Silphion, a golden-flowered plant once prized by the Greeks and Romans for its medicinal and culinary uses, disappeared from the ancient world. But a professor in Turkey may have rediscovered the last holdouts of the plant, which was once valued as highly as gold. Ferula drudeana, a plant with similar characteristics, may be the modern-day version of silphion, with potential for medical breakthroughs. Explore the fascinating story of a plant that was the first recorded extinction and the search for its rediscovery.

Did you know that low concentrations of chloride can produce a sweet taste sensation? Scientists from Okayama University in Japan have discovered a new mechanism for detecting chloride ions in taste buds, shedding light on how we perceive taste. Using mice models and structural biology methods, they found that chloride ions activate sweet receptors, similar to other taste substances. This study could lead to a better understanding of taste perception in organisms.

Ever heard of umami? It's the mystery taste that adds savouriness to your favorite foods and has been recognized as a basic taste along with sweet, sour, bitter, and salt. Join the Japanese chemist Kikunae Ikeda on his journey of isolating the key amino acid responsible for the taste and revolutionizing the food industry with his discovery.

Cells are the fundamental units of life, driven by the forces of the universe, and are impossible machines. They are biological robots that follow their programming, which has evolved over billions of years. Your cells are mostly filled with water molecules and proteins, which are the dead things that make life happen. Cells speak the language of life, which is made up of proteins that are formed from amino acids. Amino acids are the alphabet of the language of life, and proteins are the words that form sentences called biological pathways. The language of life is complex, and mindless cells speak it through DNA, which contains instructions, genes, and building manuals for all the proteins your cells need to function. Understanding the language of life can help you appreciate the amazing complexity of cells and their role in keeping you alive.

Scientists have traced the origins of the Black Death, the deadliest pandemic in history, to Central Asia through the study of ancient Y. pestis genomes. The pandemic claimed up to 60% of the population in Europe, the Middle East, and northern Africa during the 14th century. The study's findings shed light on the pandemic's 500-year-long Second Plague Pandemic and its diversification event. The study highlights the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration among historians, archaeologists, and geneticists in resolving big mysteries of our past with unprecedented precision.

Discover the scientist who uncovered the savory fifth taste, umami, and how it's related to the infamous MSG. Learn how umami has become a buzzword in the culinary world, inspiring chefs to create meaty flavors in meatless dishes.

Singapore's national flower, Papilionanthe Miss Joaquim, has had its entire genetic blueprint decoded, revealing natural products with antioxidant properties and distinctive colors. The study, published in Communications Biology, could lead to future research in gene and metabolite engineering, as well as the discovery of bioactive compounds for healthcare purposes. The collaboration between A\*STAR's Genome Institute of Singapore and SingHealth Duke-NUS Institute of Biodiversity Medicine showcases the power of genetic sequencing technology in preserving and studying Singapore's plant biodiversity.

Are you curious about the secrets hidden in ancient DNA? Harvard University has made a groundbreaking discovery that could change the way we understand life on earth. Scientists have managed to reconstruct the genomes of microorganisms up to 100,000 years old, and even revived molecules from the Stone Age in the lab. The group’s findings and genome-reconstruction techniques are outlined in a paper published in Science. This is an exciting breakthrough that could lead to the discovery of new oral species and biochemicals with therapeutic potential. Don't miss out on this fascinating article!

Umami, the savory essence found in a variety of foods, was only recently recognized as the fifth fundamental human taste. Scientists have now discovered how glutamate, the chemical responsible for umami taste, activates nerves on the tongue and how inosinate and guanylate can enhance its flavor. Learn how this "Venus flytrap" mechanism works and why a good Japanese broth contains both seaweed and dried fish flakes. Discover the truth behind MSG and why it's not as bad as some may think.

DNA is a molecule that holds the secrets of life within its code, and it's waiting for you to explore it! This amazing molecule determines our traits, from our physical appearance to our personalities, and it can also tell us about our ancestry, our risk of diseases, and much more. Leading academics in the field of genetics, such as James Watson and Francis Crick, made major contributions to our understanding of DNA by discovering its structure and how it stores and transfers genetic information. Watson and Crick's discovery of the double helix structure of DNA was a major turning point in the field of genetics and opened up new avenues for scientific research. In the early 1990s, the Human Genome Project was launched to map all of the genes in human DNA. This project was a huge success and has had a profound impact on the field of genetics. It allowed scientists to identify specific genes that are associated with different diseases, such as cancer, and has paved the way for new treatments and cures. One of the most fascinating things about DNA is that every person's DNA is 99.9% identical to every other person's DNA. It's the remaining 0.1% that makes each of us unique! Our DNA also contains fascinating stories about our ancestors and their migrations. For example, DNA testing can tell us where our ancestors came from and how they migrated across the world. This is known as genetic genealogy, and it's an exciting field that combines genetics and history. Another fascinating aspect of DNA is its role in evolution. Charles Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection states that species change over time through the process of natural selection. This process occurs because certain traits that provide an advantage in survival and reproduction become more common in a population over time. DNA mutations can lead to changes in traits, and over many generations, these changes can accumulate and result in new species. By exploring the world of DNA, you will not only deepen your understanding of genetics and biology, but also gain a new appreciation for the complexities and wonders of life. So go ahead, unlock the secrets of life with the power of DNA!

Do you ever wonder why orange juice tastes so bad after brushing your teeth? It turns out that our taste buds, which are made up of taste receptor cells, are responsible for identifying different tastes like sweet, bitter, and savory. Toothpaste contains Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS), which creates foam while brushing and temporarily gets rid of the molecules that block our bitter receptors. This makes the receptor much more sensitive to bitter flavors, causing that awful taste. However, taste isn't just affected by our receptors. Temperature, texture, and smell can change what we sense too. Learning about the science of taste can help you understand why some foods taste the way they do and how to enhance your dining experience. So, next time you have OJ after brushing, try plugging your nose or go for a coffee or Bloody Mary instead.

In just a few thousand years, northern Europeans evolved to digest milk, a feat that was once impossible for adult humans. Scientists now believe that exceptional stressors like famines and pathogens may have driven this genetic change, making the ability to digest milk extra valuable. This study, published in Nature and led by experts from the University of Bristol and University College London, sheds light on the evolution of lactose tolerance and rewrites the textbooks on why drinking milk was an advantage.

Food is energy for the body, and the average number of calories in fat, protein, and carbohydrates is still used as an important marker for nutrition today. However, biologist Rob Dunn explains that there is no such thing as an average food or person. How many calories we extract from food depends on the biology of the species we are eating, how we cook and process our food, and even on the different bacterial communities in different people's guts. Standard calorie counts don't take any of these factors into consideration, resulting in numbers that are slightly inaccurate, at best, and sometimes rather misleading. Digestion turns out to be such a messy affair that we'll probably never have precise calorie counts for all the different foods we'd like to eat and prepare in so many different ways. However, learning about the biology of food and digestion can help us make better choices and understand our bodies better.

Watson and Crick are often credited with discovering the structure of DNA, but it was the work of a host of talented scientists, including X-ray crystallographer Rosalind Franklin, that made it possible. Learn about the breakthrough that has led to world-changing advances in biological research and our understanding of inherited diseases. Explore the story of the discovery and the unsung heroes who made it happen.

The story of Odysseus and Circe from Homer's "Odyssey" has long been dismissed as pure imagination. However, recent scientific research has found that the mention of herbs and drugs throughout the passage may suggest that the myths were fictional expressions of real experiences. The passage describes the effects of the Jimson weed and snowdrop plants, which were used by villagers to treat polio and Alzheimer's. The story also highlights the importance of local plants in ancient times and how they were used to great effect. As we continue to learn more about the world around us, we may uncover more hidden knowledge within the myths and legends of ages passed. By exploring academic topics such as ancient literature and science, students can learn about the connections between the past and present, as well as the benefits of self-directed learning and critical thinking.

Ancient Egyptian tombs reveal pots of honey, thousands of years old and still preserved. What makes honey such a special food? The answer lies in its chemical makeup and the alchemy of bees. Honey's longevity and acidic properties lend it medicinal qualities, making it a natural bandage and a barrier against infection for wounds. Discover the magic of honey and its perfect balance of hygroscopic and antimicrobial properties.

Scientists sequence Beethoven's genome from locks of hair, revealing new insights into his health and ancestry. The study, led by Cambridge University and other institutions, uncovers genetic risk factors for liver disease and an infection with Hepatitis B virus. Beethoven's hearing loss remains a mystery, but his genomic data rules out coeliac disease and lactose intolerance as potential causes. The study sheds light on the composer's health problems, including chronic gastrointestinal complaints and a severe liver disease that likely contributed to his death at age 56.

Have you ever wondered why a black eye turns blue, then green, then yellow, and finally brown before disappearing? It's all because of your hemoglobin, the compound in red blood cells that brings oxygen to your body. When you get hit, the blow crushes tiny blood vessels called capillaries, and red blood cells ooze out of the broken capillaries into the surrounding tissue. From the outside of your skin, this mass of cells looks bluish-black, which is where we get the term, "black and blue". Learning about hemoglobin and how it works in your body can be fascinating and practical knowledge that can help you understand how your body works. It's an example of how exploring academic topics through reading, reflection, and writing can inspire you to learn more about the world around you.