Uric acid is a factor in conditions like gout and kidney stones. It's also essential to the animal body, plants and the rest of the...

Aspergillus flavus is a filamentous mold or fungal organism found in soil, decaying vegetation, grains and nuts, especially peanuts and...

Oxidation is a primary part of chemistry and biology and essential to life. This chemical reaction is vital for energy production. From...

The rotten egg sulfur smell is associated with hydrogen sulfide (H2S), a colorless gas. The stench can arise in water supplies, foods and...

Methane (CH4) is a familiar gas emanating from cow dung. Methane's creators are invisible creatures known today as methanaogens,...

Lactic acid bacteria are important to fermentation of human foods like yogurt , pickles and cheese . Their transformative powers might be...

Talc or hydrated magnesium silicate is a naturally occurring mineral, primarily composed of magnesium, silicon, and oxygen. With its...

Syphilis is a complex disease, leading to unusual and alternative treatments in history. A sexually transmitted disease, syphilis is...

The Elixir of Life manifests as potion, tea, powder, water, oil or soluble salts. This mystical creation is said to bestow immortality or...

Why do onions make people cry? The answer involves a combination of chemistry and enzymes. The trigger behind the tears is an organic...

Myrtle, Rose, Scammory and Flowers of Brass are four infused wines used medicinally in the ancient world. Infused wine in medicine often...

Urine has medical and practical applications though history. Renaissance alchemist Hennig Brand discovers phosphorus by boiling his...

Pedanius Dioscorides (c. 40 - 90 AD) is a Greek physician known as the father of pharmacognosy. Pharmacologist, botanist and prolific...

The Pauli Effect is a peculiar phenomenon named after physicist Wolfgang Pauli. In the early 20th century, quantum theory is a brave new...

Synchronicity describes thoughts and occurrences with apparent relations in meaning, yet without an obvious causal connection....

Ib ( jb ) is the ancient Egyptian heart, the center of intelligence and existence in a body. It's also called qaib or qa-ib referring to...

Neolithic farmers in Britain and northern Europe are the first to drink milk. Early humans are lactose intolerant but consume dairy...

Khet represents the physical body and is considered part of the soul in ancient Egypt. The soul is made of eight parts. Together they...

Nanaya enjoys widespread renown and popularity in the ancient days of Mesopotamia. As a goddess of love, erotic love and lust, she's...

Watercress ( Nasturtium officinale ) grows in fresh water. With hollow stems, it floats and is easily gathered from the water's surface....