Agriculture
These Sneaky Toxins Are Slipping Past Food Regulators
Chemical mask-wearing mycotoxins can slip past screening techniques
February 08, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
Earthworms Could Make Climate Change Worse
While earthworms benefit soils, they do play a significant role in greenhouse gas emissions worldwide - though not nearly as great as humans, of course
February 05, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Citrus Greening Will Ruin Morning OJ, No Matter How You Slice It
A recent study from the USDA looked into whether the juice from plants with citrus greening - who produce small, shriveled and green fruits -- can still be used for orange juice
January 30, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth
How Did Avocados Become the Official Super Bowl Food?
Did you know this off-season penchant for guacamole is an industry creation?
January 30, 2013 |
By Twilight Greenaway
Dogs May Have Evolved From the Wolves Who Liked Eating Trash the Most
There may be an evolutionary reason that your dog eats everything, including the trash
January 24, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
Sweet Potato Genes Say Polynesians, Not Europeans, Spread the Tubers Across the Pacific
Sweet potato samples preserved in centuries-old herbariums indicate that Polynesian sailors, rather than Spanish or Portuguese explorers, introduced the now-ubiquitous yam across Southeast Asia and the Pacific
January 23, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
How Hot is That Pepper? How Scientists Measure Spiciness
How does the Scoville Scale rate the relative spiciness of a chili pepper?
January 10, 2013 |
By Twilight Greenaway
Prolonged Drought Could Shut Down Shipping on the Mighty Mississippi
This time last year the Mississippi around St. Louis was 20 feet deeper
December 18, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
The Day Henry Clay Refused to Compromise
The Great Pacificator was adept at getting congressmen to reach agreements over slavery. But he was less accommodating when one of his own slaves sued him
December 06, 2012 |
By Gilbert King
Your Genetic Future: Horse-Dogs, Plantimals and Mini-Rhino Pets
A kids' magazine in the '80s hoped that by now we'd have a whole new array of pets to choose from
December 05, 2012 |
By Matt Novak
The Strange Things We Do To Keep Our Food Cold
Whether it was shipped to you from somewhere, stored in a warehouse, or sold nice and chilly, over 3/4 of the food we eat has been commercially refrigerated
November 29, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
The History of Pardoning Turkeys Began With Tad Lincoln
The rambunctious boy had free rein of the White House, and used it to divert a holiday bird from the butcher's block
November 21, 2012 |
By Gilbert King
Where Does Your Thanksgiving Meal Come From?
Take a closer look at where the staples of the holiday dinner originate -- from farms across the country, both large and small
November 20, 2012 |
By K. Annabelle Smith
What Will Convince People That Genetically Modified Foods Are Okay?
In California, a loss for labeling GM foods has both sides wondering when people wil stop shouting and start thinking
November 15, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
A Four-Point Plan For Feeding Nine Billion People
The world is set for food shortages as the population continues to climb. Here are four things we can do to stop it
November 09, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
Geronimo’s Appeal to Theodore Roosevelt
Held captive far longer than his surrender agreement called for, the Apache warrior made his case directly to the president
November 09, 2012 |
By Gilbert King
Meet the Salak, the Ubiquitous Indonesian Fruit You’ve Never Heard Of
It may not be the biggest or brightest of southeast Asian fruits, but the snakefruit is the locals snack of choice
November 09, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Five Ways to Cook With Cauliflower
Roasted, grilled or pureed, the versatile vegetable can be served many ways beyond one mother's love of deep-frying it
November 07, 2012 |
By Jesse Rhodes
Aldous Huxley’s Predictions for 2000 A.D.
The famous author envisioned a brave new world where swelling populations would put tremendous strain on the Earth's resources
November 01, 2012 |
By Matt Novak
The Halloween Tradition Best Left Dead: Kale as Matchmaker
Be happy this Scottish tradition is passé, your future marriage may have depended on it
October 30, 2012 |
By K. Annabelle Smith
