explainer
What Is the Epigenome? What is Epigenetics?
Most people know that genetics is the study of genes, but what is epigenetics?
It’s Not the Mayonnaise: Food Safety Myths & Summertime Food
Warm weather means picnics and outdoor get-togethers. Here are some tips on how to avoid making your friends and loved ones barf this summer.
What Is CRISPR? And How Can It Be Used to Turn Genes ‘Off’?
CRISPR systems have been a hot research topic since they were shown to have utility as genetic engineering tools in 2012. And they’re often explained in a way that most folks can understand. But those explanations often overlook key details.
5 Things You Should Know About Grilling Burgers (To Avoid Getting Sick)
To help you avoid barfing this grilling season, a food safety expert gave us these five things to remember when it comes to making a delicious (and safe) burger.
Why Do Strawberries Have Their Seeds on the Outside?
This is a tricky question because: one, those "seeds" aren't seeds; and, two, we're not really sure.
Questions About the Science of Beer
Sure, there’s an art to brewing – but there’s science as well.
Spiders: How Spooky Are They?
Spooky scenes of fake spiders in giant webs are everywhere this time of year. But despite the Halloween hype, spiders hardly deserve their reputation as dangerous creatures.
Tackling the Mysteries of Everyday Life
For a few years new, science writers at NC State have tried to help folks solve some of the mysteries of everyday life. What mysteries should they tackle next?
Fast Facts About Cutting Boards and Food Safety in Your Kitchen
Anything that touches your food can be a source of contamination and foodborne illness – including cutting boards. Learn what you can do to limit the risk of foodborne illness.
How a Protein “Cancer Cop” Targets UV Damage in DNA
Ah, summer. People are outside enjoying the warm weather, swimming, playing, or just soaking up that glorious, skin-damaging, high-energy UV radiation from the sun. We know that prolonged sun exposure damages skin – the sun is a nuclear reactor, after […]
The Difference Between Baking Soda and Baking Powder
Note: This post is part of an ongoing series in which we try to answer questions about the science behind food – from farm to fork. If you have a food-related question, please let me know at matt_shipman@ncsu.edu. What’s the […]
Why You Can See the Moon During Daylight Hours
I have a friend whose young son gets incredibly excited when he can see the moon during the day. After several excited shouts of “day moon!” the youngster asks his mom why he can sometimes see the moon when the […]
How Do Bees Make Honey? (It’s Not Just Bee Barf)
Last weekend, my daughter asked me how bees made honey, and I realized that I didn’t know the answer. How do bees make honey? I did some homework, and can now explain it to her – and to you. Different […]
Cretaceous Cold Case No. 4: Graveyard Shift
This is the fourth post in a series called “Cretaceous Cold Cases” in which the science of taphonomy, or prehistoric forensics, is explained by fascinating cases from the files of Terry “Bucky” Gates, a research scientist with a joint appointment […]
That Four-Leaf Clover You Found May Not Be a Four-Leaf Clover
Are four-leaf clovers becoming more common? That was the question put to me by a reader recently. Apparently her kids are finding four-leaf clovers on a daily basis as they walk home from school. What gives? While it is possible […]