You Asked

You Asked /oss/taxonomy/term/281/all en Is Nutmeg Really Hallucinogenic? /oss/article/critical-thinking-you-asked/nutmeg-really-hallucinogenic <hr /> This article was first published in <a href="https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/are-all-snowflakes-really-unique-is-nutmeg-a-hallucinogen-why-do-fruitcakes-seem-immortal-and-other-festive-science-questions/">The Skeptical Inquirer</a>. Fri, 19 Apr 2024 15:24:57 +0000 Ada McVean M.Sc. 9919 at /oss How to Keep Cut Flowers Looking Fresh, With Science /oss/article/you-asked-general-science/how-keep-cut-flowers-looking-fresh-science It's a lovely feeling to wake up in the morning and be greeted by a beautiful bouquet artfully arranged in a vase. But it's a far less pleasant one when you start to notice their petals falling, leaves wilting and stems drooping. Drawing on some knowledge of chemistry and biology, here are a few things you can do to prolong the life of cut flowers using nothing outside what's likely already in your home. Fri, 23 Feb 2024 13:45:52 +0000 Ada McVean M.Sc. 9841 at /oss The Vitamin D Puzzle /oss/article/medical-health-and-nutrition-you-asked/vitamin-d-puzzle Walk into any pharmacy or health food store and you will see shelves filled with vitamin D supplements. Then stroll over to a bookstore and you will find all sort of books touting the wonders of the vitamin. Next, search PubMed for articles about vitamin D. There will be thousands, with different conclusions about what constitutes adequate blood levels and how these are to be achieved. Where will that leave you? Confused, I suspect. Wed, 24 Jan 2024 19:27:07 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 9815 at /oss Are disposable diapers more likely than cloth diapers to cause diaper rash? /oss/article/health-and-nutrition-you-asked/are-disposable-diapers-more-likely-cloth-diapers-cause-diaper-rash <hr /> This article was first published in <a href="https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/facts-and-fiction-of-physiological-phenomena-kids-edition/">The Skeptical Inquirer.</a> <hr /> Cloth diapers may offer a more environmentally friendly option for baby’s bottoms, but are they a risk factor for diaper rash? Common knowledge says so, the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/cloth-vs-disposable-diapers/">New York Times</a> agrees, but what about the science? Sat, 20 Jan 2024 00:01:24 +0000 Ada McVean M.Sc. 9812 at /oss Is bottled water bad for your health? /oss/article/medical-you-asked/bottled-water-bad-your-health <hr /> This article was originally posted in the <a href="https://montrealgazette.com/opinion/columnists/christopher-labos-is-bottled-water-bad-for-your-health">Montreal Gazette.</a> <hr /> Tap water or bottled water? The point has been debated for years, but a new study has added another dimension to the discussion. A recent study in the <a href="https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2300582121">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a> has created a bit of a panic with the suggestion that high levels of microplastics can be found in bottled water. Fri, 19 Jan 2024 14:27:47 +0000 Christopher Labos MD, MSc 9807 at /oss Why do we get wrinkles? /oss/article/medical-you-asked/why-do-we-get-wrinkles <hr /> This article was first published in <a href="https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/the-facts-and-fiction-of-physiological-phenomena-volume-ii/">The Skeptical Inquirer.</a> Thu, 12 Oct 2023 00:11:10 +0000 Ada McVean M.Sc. 9692 at /oss Should you wipe “back to front” or “front to back”? /oss/article/medical-you-asked/should-you-wipe-back-front-or-front-back <hr /> This article was first published in <a href="https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/the-facts-and-fiction-of-physiological-phenomena-volume-ii/">The Skeptical Inquirer.</a> Fri, 27 Oct 2023 10:00:00 +0000 Ada McVean M.Sc. 9691 at /oss Go for Goggles: The Risks of Opening Your Eyes Underwater /oss/article/medical-you-asked/go-goggles-risks-opening-your-eyes-underwater <hr /> This article was first published in <a href="https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/the-facts-and-fiction-of-physiological-phenomena-volume-ii/">The Skeptical Inquirer.</a> <hr /> If you’ve ever forgotten your goggles and decided to make like a fish and open your eyes underwater, you may have been putting yourself at greater risk than you realize. Indeed, opening your eyes underwater increases the risk of a few types of eye irritation and damage. Fri, 20 Oct 2023 10:00:00 +0000 Ada McVean M.Sc. 9690 at /oss Does Wearing a Bra Make Your Breasts Sag? /oss/article/you-asked/does-wearing-bra-make-your-breasts-sag <hr /> This article was first published in <a href="https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/the-facts-and-fiction-of-physiological-phenomena-volume-ii/">The Skeptical Inquirer.</a> Fri, 22 Sep 2023 17:31:09 +0000 Ada McVean M.Sc. 9650 at /oss Debunking Detox: Your Colon Doesn’t Need Cleaning! /oss/article/medical-critical-thinking-you-asked/debunking-detox-your-colon-doesnt-need-cleaning <hr /> This article was first published in <a href="https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/the-fact-and-fiction-of-physiological-phenomena-volume-i/">The Skeptical Inquirer.</a> Fri, 01 Sep 2023 18:40:28 +0000 Ada McVean M.Sci 9617 at /oss No Need to Avoid Dairy When You’re Sick /oss/article/health-and-nutrition-you-asked/no-need-avoid-dairy-when-youre-sick <hr /> This article was first published in <a href="https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/the-fact-and-fiction-of-physiological-phenomena-volume-i/" target="_blank" title="‌">The Skeptical Inquirer.</a> Fri, 18 Aug 2023 16:00:52 +0000 Ada McVean M.Sc. 9601 at /oss Does peeing after sex prevent UTIs? /oss/article/health-and-nutrition-you-asked/does-peeing-after-sex-prevent-utis <hr /> This article was first published in <a href="https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/the-fact-and-fiction-of-physiological-phenomena-volume-i/" target="_blank" title="‌">The Skeptical Inquirer.</a> Fri, 11 Aug 2023 06:17:37 +0000 Ada McVean M.Sc. 9597 at /oss Your Tongue Knows How the World Feels /oss/article/medical-you-asked/your-tongue-knows-how-world-feels “Your tongue knows what everything feels like.” This phrase has 27.6M hits <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/discover/your-tongue-knows-how-everything-feels">on TikTok</a>, leaving people with their tongues hanging out and brows furrowed. Of course, we know the texture of our morning cereal and metal spoons. But as you imagine touching your tongue to your computer mouse, pillowcase, and couch cushions, why is it that your tongue tells you these odd textures are familiar too? Fri, 11 Aug 2023 15:33:59 +0000 Cat Wang, B.Sc. 9599 at /oss Does Weather Really Cause Headaches? /oss/article/environment-you-asked/does-weather-really-cause-headaches When the weather forecast foretells a coming storm, some get out not only their umbrella and wellies but also the Advil. The weather has been blamed for ailments from arthritis flare-ups to coughs, but is it culpable when it comes to headaches? Fri, 04 Aug 2023 16:59:27 +0000 Ada McVean M.Sc. 9595 at /oss Do Not Open a Window during a Hurricane /oss/article/environment-you-asked/do-not-open-window-during-hurricane <hr /> This article was first published in <a href="https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/old-wives-tales-and-truths-2-0/">The Skeptical Inquirer.</a> <hr /> When a hurricane is bearing down on our homes with the potential to cause massive damage, it’s natural to be scared and feel quite helpless. You can do certain things in those moments to make your home, and yourself safer. Unfortunately, opening a window is not one of them. Fri, 28 Jul 2023 17:48:16 +0000 Ada McVean M.Sc. 9589 at /oss