A 16 year-old high school student in the US has been awarded a patent for a protein she discovered in yoghurt while working on a science fair project. The protein is toxic to E.coli, the bacteria which causes diarrhea and kills millions of people, mostly children, in third world countries each year. Scientists hope that […]
What makes a stone bounce when thrown across the surface of a lake? The answer lies in the principles of hydrodynamics, elasticity and capillarity.
The mystery of the skipping stone - Physics Web
A South Korean study has found that shopping trolley handles are the most bacteria-laden of a number of common public objects. Some other objects, such as bathroom door handles, were not nearly as bad as were expected.
In a similar vein, a 12 year old student from Tampa, Florida has completed an interesting science project: she […]
Archeologists have discovered another ancient tomb in Egypt’s Valley of Kings, a mere 16 feet away from the site where Tutankhamun, the boy pharoah’s, was found.
Although it is not thought to hold royalty, the find is exciting as it’s the first new tomb uncovered in the Valley since 1922. Many believed that there was nothing […]
Why are chillies hot? The scientific answer is that they contain the chemical capsaicin, also used to create pepper spray.
More information about capsaicin and chillies in general (including lots of recipes) from a Southern hemisphere point of view can be found at Chillies Down Under.
A new study has uncovered the relationship between thirst and pain. The findings indicate that people who are dehydrated feel painful stimuli more acutely.
The results were obtained by injecting saline into study participants to simulate thirst. Mild pressure was then applied to the thumb, and a positron emission tomography (PET) scan taken, to measure blood […]
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