One would expect a mummy to smell moldy, musty, and mildewy. But the first study to systematically sniff the wrapped human remains report much more pleasant scents, describing whiffs as "woody," "spicy," and "sweet," according to a report in in Journal of the American Chemical Society.“The smell of mummified bodies has for years attracted significant interest from experts and the general public, but no combined chemical and perceptual scientific study has been conducted until now,” lead auth ...read more
Space missions take a toll on astronauts’ bodies, especially when it comes to bone and joint health, but jumping exercises may mitigate damage and even improve physical conditioning. A recent study showed that knee cartilage was strengthened in mice that engaged in jumping workouts, a benefit that scientists think could possibly extend to humans. This type of training could become a crucial preventative measure for astronauts, who often experience weakening of cartilage due to low gravity in s ...read more
Lake Mead and Lake Powell could be in for another record year for low water levels as a snow drought persists throughout the Western U.S. With minimal snowfall in the last two months, the Colorado snowpack will likely not provide an abundant water supply to the lakes. And the snow drought could impact crucial drinking water sources.Why are Lake Mead and Lake Powell Important Lake Mead and Lake Powell are crucial reservoirs that provide water to several states, including California, Nevada, Ari ...read more
While lung cancer continues to be the deadliest form of cancer globally, people who have never smoked are making up a growing proportion of those who are battling the disease. In 2022, about 2.5 million people were diagnosed with it.Fewer smokers in many countries — including the U.S. — may account for some of that shift in cancer causation. But air pollution may also be playing a growing role, according to a World Health Organization study published in the Lancet Respiratory Medicine journa ...read more
We’ve all been there: You’ve just eaten a big dinner, but you find yourself craving a little sweet treat. Is there a biological explanation for why we always want to leave room for dessert?A team from the Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research says yes, there is actually science behind the “dessert stomach,” and it all starts in the brain.Sugar on the BrainIn their initial study, researchers used mice to investigate the brain’s reaction to sugar. More specifically, they focused o ...read more
Author Vishay SinghPosted on Categories Discover Magazine