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Biology

The Complicated Evolutionary History of Spicy Chili Peppers

-- For over 6,000 years, humans have used chili peppers to add a spicy kick to their meals [1]. Not only does chili spice add heat and flavor, it keeps food from spoiling. We’ve all seen mold growing in wet, humid places like bathrooms, and in hot and…

DNA Damage and Skin Cancer: It’s Not All About the Sun

-- A search for “DNA repair” in Amazon’s “beauty” category results in 71 hits that range in price from $15-$700, all claiming to prevent DNA damage or even to repair your DNA. Both scientists and the beauty industry know that as we grow older, our cells…

Custom-Made Body Parts: Advances in Tissue Engineering

-- Every organ in our bodies performs a specialized role. So what happens when one of these organs fails or is damaged? Some animals can re-grow or replace lost tissue – newts can regenerate entire lost limbs – but unfortunately human organ regeneration…

Born of My Flesh: Using Skin Cells to Generate Eggs

-- One out of every ten women in the United States between the ages of 15 and 44 faces reproductive challenges, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [1]. These challenges have a number of causes, including ovulation disorders and…

Living Foods: The Microbiology of Food and Drink

Presented by Wesley Loo, Heather Olins, and Dipti Nayak Some scientists estimate that one third of the food we eat on a daily basis has been fermented. This seminar will explain what fermentation is, how it works, and why we should care about the…

The Immunology of Pregnancy

-- Are you the oldest sibling? Take note – there may be a reason why your mother prefers your younger siblings to you... at least in one sense. Chances are, your mother’s later pregnancies were easier than her first one. This is supported by new research…