Podcast
Watching memories in the brain, how to make new element, a cure for the afternoon slump, what makes a swallow sexy, and new research on nutrition.
Turkey and Immunity
Tryptophan is a chemical found in turkey. Seinfeld mocked it for making people sleepy, but science reporter Bob Hirshon learned that it could hold the key to new medicines for multiple sclerosis.
Rosemary Burgers
Adding rosemary to meat reduces harmful compounds that form during grilling.
Healthy Snacks
Raisins may prevent cavities, and a fermentation process reduces allergens in peanuts.
Apples & Tea Roundup
Testing apples for antioxidants, and a compound in green tea that prevents cancer.
Calcium & Vitamin D
Why does calcium need vitamin D to get into bones? (Vitamin D receptors in the intestine enhance calcium absorption.)
Unpopped Popcorn
Heat affects the outer coating of popcorn kernels, making some easier to pop.
Iron-Deficient Moms
Mothers who had adequate iron levels had better parenting skills.
Medicinal Produce
Analyzing colored carrots for phytochemicals, and a compound in grapes inhibits a cancer enzyme.
Supplement Roundup
Green tea helps athletes increase endurance, calcium reduces women's risk of colon cancer.
Eat Your Veggies
Foods with a high water content help weight loss, and two daily servings of gazpacho lowered stress compounds in the blood.
Chewing Machine
A machine called the BiteMaster II mimics a human bit and evaluates food texture.
Vitamin E
The body absorbs more vitamin E from fortified breakfast cereal than from supplements.
Beer Survival
Can humans live on beer alone? (No, it would cause malnutrition and alcohol-related diseases.)
Pudgy Pets
The National Research Council released a report on pet nutrition and obesity.
Root Beer Foam
Why does root beer foam when you drop ice cream into it? (the protein in ice cream stabilizes the bubbles in root beer -- so they act just like the bubbles in beer foam)
Red Seafood
Why do shellfish turn red when you cook them? (Releases a red pigment that's usually bound to a protein)
Pizza Cheese
Why does the cheese taste funny in reheated pizza? (Moisture loss changes its texture.)
Basil Wrap
Impregnating a plastic wrap with essence of basil keeps food safe from microbes
Allergen-Free Shrimp
Genetically modifying foods, like shrimp, to remove the allergens
Vitamin C Origin
Researchers have teased out the gene that makes vitamin C in strawberries, and found it increases other plant's ability to make vitamin C as well
Iron Pots
Iron leaches out of iron pots and into food when food is cooked in iron pots