Gas prices: as cooking fuels become more expensive, people are turning to dirtier alternatives

Cooking with wood and charcoal can raise indoor air pollution to dangerous levels.

Matthew Shupler, Postdoctoral Research Associate in Environmental Public Health, University of Liverpool • conversation
May 31, 2022 ~5 min

Electrifying homes to slow climate change: 4 essential reads

Many people want to know about practical suggestions to help slow climate change. Effective action starts at home.

Jennifer Weeks, Senior Environment + Energy Editor, The Conversation • conversation
April 11, 2022 ~8 min


Why do frozen turkeys explode when deep-fried?

Deep-fried turkeys are delicious, but making one can be dangerous. The scientific reason for fiery Thanksgiving mishaps? A difference in the densities of ice, water and oil.

Kristine Nolin, Associate Professor of Chemistry, University of Richmond • conversation
Nov. 18, 2021 ~6 min

'Freezer burn' is a serious problem – preventing ice recrystallization may alleviate it

Scientists are looking for safe new ways to prevent ice from damaging food in frozen storage, which costs consumers billions of dollars a year in wasted food.

Tong (Toni) Wang, Professor, food scientist, University of Tennessee • conversation
Aug. 16, 2021 ~8 min

Happy 50th birthday to Chez Panisse, the Berkeley restaurant that launched farm-to-fork eating

'Local, organic, sustainable' are common buzzwords on US restaurant menus now, but it wasn't always that way. Alice Waters and her restaurant, Chez Panisse, helped put them there.

Paul Freedman, Chester D. Tripp Professor of History, Yale University • conversation
July 14, 2021 ~8 min

Family meals are good for the grown-ups, too, not just the kids

All that planning, shopping, prepping, serving and cleaning can pay off with better physical and mental health for all members of the family.

Anne Fishel, Associate Clinical Professor of Psychology at Harvard Medical School, Harvard University • conversation
April 30, 2021 ~9 min

Air pollution: over three billion people breathe harmful air inside their own homes

Replacing wood stoves is essential but won't solve the indoor air pollution epidemic on its own.

Matthew Shupler, Postdoctoral Research Associate in Environmental Public Health, University of Liverpool • conversation
Jan. 20, 2021 ~6 min

Magnetic induction cooking can cut your kitchen's carbon footprint

Shifting from fossil fuels to electricity is climate-friendly, but serious cooks don't think much of electric stoves. Will induction cooking finally catch on as an alternative?

Kenneth McLeod, Professor of Systems Science, and Director, Clinical Science and Engineering Research Laboratory, Binghamton University, State University of New York • conversation
Dec. 23, 2020 ~9 min


How to host a safe holiday meal during coronavirus – an epidemiologist explains her personal plans

COVID-19 and holiday family gatherings are not a good pair. But taking the right precautions before, during and after the family gets together can greatly reduce coronavirus risk this holiday season.

Melissa Hawkins, Professor of Public Health, Director of Public Health Scholars Program, American University • conversation
Nov. 10, 2020 ~7 min

5 ways eating in a pandemic is improving your relationship with food – and why you should stick with them

A nutritionist shares five habits becoming more common during the pandemic that she hopes will continue. Eating family meals together is just the start.

Stephanie Meyers, Registered Dietitian and Nutritionist, Instructor in Nutrition, Boston University • conversation
June 1, 2020 ~7 min

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