Some of the richest, most intense flavors are achieved by blooming, or tempering, spices. Integral to South Asian cuisine but applicable to many areas of cooking, the technique involves frying aromatic ingredients in fat before adding them to a dish. To understand how this works, we need to take a closer look at the chemistry […]
When flavors bloom: What happens when we temper spices Read More »
As humans, we often naturally fall into the assumption that the world around us exists exactly as we see it. In reality, it appears that we see the world very differently from some of our animal counterparts, and in some cases, our perceptions are quite limited in comparison. The naked human eye can only detect
The world through the eyes of a pigeon Read More »
Looking for an unconventional career? Meet Stuart Williams, an associate professor of engineering at the University of Louisville who conducts research about whiskey. Williams is interested in the study of colloids, a type of mixture in which solid particles are suspended in fluid. He learned from a colleague that whiskey contains colloids, and that piqued
Whiskey webs: Where whiskey and science collide Read More »
Helianthus annuus, commonly known as sunflowers, were named for their tendency to turn towards the sun throughout the day, almost as if they’re sentient. This phenomenon, known as heliotropism, is not unique to sunflowers; most species of legumes also turn towards the sun. However, since the head of the sunflower is so prominent that you
Here comes the sun: How sunflowers tilt toward the light Read More »
There are few things more poetic than a flower blooming. Artists clamor to capture graceful petals peeling back into a blossom, yet despite mankind’s affinity for flora’s beauty, little is known about how it comes to be. It was initially suspected that petals would bend outwards because of internal stress building against the midrib (the
The equation for how flowers bloom Read More »
Upon first sight, transparent animals seem like ethereal creatures from alternate dimensions of the universe. However, thousands of species of transparent animals inhabit regions all across the world — mainly in marine habitats. These animals lack pigment, allowing light to pass through them and scatter instead of reflecting, which gives them their transparency. From the
A closer look at transparent animals — if only we can look! Read More »
As spring approaches, albeit slowly, the threat of allergies encroaches. Seasonal allergies, often due to pollen, leave the afflicted congested, with itchy eyes and more. These symptoms all stem from a common denominator: pollen, or in other words, plant sperm. The immune system is primed to maintain balance in the body by removing potential threats,
Tree sexism: Why — Achoo! — allergies get so bad Read More »
When considering endangered species, people often think of animals like the white rhino, polar bear, or dodo bird. What people often fail to consider is the fact that plants can be equally as susceptible to being endangered or going extinct, often from human impacts. Plants are just as vulnerable as animal species to the impacts
Seed banks: So humans can stop & smell the roses for generations to come Read More »
If you’ve taken a biology class, you’ve probably heard that “the mitochondria are the powerhouses of the cell.” That phrase is etched into the memories of millions of schoolchildren. Still, their notoriety is well deserved; these little powerhouses sparked one of the most fundamental events in evolutionary history: the development of the eukaryotic cell. There
Mitochondria: The powerhouse of … life as we know it? Read More »