February 2016 Issue
Departments
Open for Discussion: Just How Much Salt Do We Need?
By Chris Eboch
How do we determine how much salt we need? By looking at people’s diets and how their diets affect their health. Sounds easy? Actually, it is not.
As a Matter of Fact
Reducing Vehicle Emissions with Chemistry
Features
Mike Ciesielski
Shaking Out the Facts about Salt
By Chris Eboch
Most people in the United States consume more salt than they should. So is it time to cut back on salt? Not necessarily. The recommended guidelines may need to be revised and the amount of salt that we consume may be just what we need.
Shutterstock
Biomimicry: Taking Inspiration from Nature*
By Brian Rohrig
By looking at how mussels stick to rocks, how a beetle collects water in the desert, and how the lotus plant repels water, scientists have come up with novel products that promise to improve our lives.
*Available in print issue only
Thinkstock
Stuck on You*
By Mary Alexandra Agner
How do mussels stick to rocks? Lucy loves to talk about it. Not Alex, who has other plans...
*Available in print issue only
Mike Ciesielski
Kombucha: Something's Brewing*
By Beth Nolte
Kombucha, a fizzy drink made by fermenting tea and sugar, is becoming more popular. Many people—including the author—say that kombucha gives them an energy boost and helps their digestion, even though there is no scientific evidence to support these claims.
*Available in print issue only
Shutterstock
Let's Talk about E-Cigarettes*
By Kristin Harper
The number of teens who are smoking e-cigarette has tripled between 2013 and 2014. How are e-cigarettes affecting their health, and how do e-cigarettes compare with regular cigarettes?
