/oss/taxonomy/term/2224/all en /oss/article/you-asked-general-science/it-true-rubbing-olive-oil-knife-will-lead-tearless-chopping <p>Not having carried out a proper scientific investigation in the kitchen, I can’s safe for sure, but I would doubt it makes a difference. Let’s delve into a little onion chemistry which will of necessity involve some chemical terminology that hopefully will not make you cry. Remember that you cannot make any judgements about a chemical based on the complexity of its name.</p> Fri, 10 Dec 2021 21:31:36 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 8947 at /oss /oss/article/contributors-health-general-science/parents-and-sleep-struggle-real-and-long <p>There used to be a time when I not only fell asleep quickly, but I stayed asleep the whole night. I used to tell people “I excel at sleeping.”</p> <p>Then my daughter was born.</p> <p>From the first terrifying night in the hospital after giving birth – when I awoke each time she stirred, certain she was going to suffocate – to today, when I jolt awake at her 3-year-old midnight cries, sleep has been a struggle.</p> Wed, 10 Feb 2021 11:00:00 +0000 Gaia Remerowski, MS, Science Journalism 8612 at /oss /oss/article/general-science-you-asked/why-do-onions-make-you-cry-when-you-cut-them-and-why-are-they-sweet-when-you-fry-them <p>Onion chemistry is extremely fascinating and extremely complex! We’ve been intrigued by this vegetable ever since our prehistoric ancestors gathered and cooked wild onions. By the time of the First Egyptian Dynasty 5000 years ago, onions were widely consumed for flavor and for their supposed medicinal properties. At various times they have been associated with the prevention of colds, loosening of phlegm, correction of indigestion, inducement of sleep, stimulation of appetite, disinfection of wounds and the elimination of parasites from the digestive tract.</p> Tue, 21 Feb 2017 04:21:47 +0000 Joe Schwarcz 1487 at /oss