Last update:

Why doesn't water help with spicy food? What about milk or beer?

Spicy foods taste spicy because they contain a family of compounds called capsaicinoids. Capsaicin is the major culprit. It's found in chilies, jalapeños, cayenne pepper, and is even the active ingredient in pepper spray.

Many old books contain toxic chemicals—here's how to spot them

In our modern society, we rarely consider books to be dangerous items. However, certain books contain elements so hazardous that they require scrutiny before being placed on the shelves of public libraries, bookstores or ...

More news

Other
Video: Are ammonia engines the way of the future?
Other
Exploring the chemistry behind love this Valentine's Day
Materials Science
What is micellar water and how does it work?
Other
Video: Can science beat counterfeit detector pens?
Other
Helium is essential for research, medical equipment, but it's nonrenewable and difficult to recycle
Analytical Chemistry
New crystalline sponge method proposed for undergraduate courses
Other
Nonalcoholic beer: New techniques craft flavorful brews without the buzz
Other
Thank gluten's complex chemistry for your light, fluffy baked goods
Analytical Chemistry
How is decaf coffee made? And is it really caffeine-free?
Analytical Chemistry
Study shows forensic evidence can survive underwater for weeks
Materials Science
Trio wins Nobel Prize in chemistry for work on quantum dots, used in electronics and medical imaging
Other
Swedish media report that the winners of the Nobel Prize in chemistry may have been announced early
Other
Nobel chemistry winner flunked first college chemistry exam
Other
Video: Why you can't recycle your pants—until now
Other
Why does my hair turn green from the swimming pool?
Other
Video: How is ceviche 'cooked?'
Other
The bubbly chemistry behind carbonated beverages
Other
Why does your hair curl in the summer? A chemist explains the science behind hair structure
Materials Science
Researchers create 3D-printed vegan seafood
Other
Study: Infant formula safety checks can be improved with stratified sampling

Other news

Quantum Physics
Researchers demonstrate how to build 'time-traveling' quantum sensors
Bio & Medicine
Study: Nanoparticle vaccines enhance cross-protection against influenza viruses
Economics & Business
New tools are needed to make water affordable, says study
Planetary Sciences
Mars likely had cold and icy past, new study finds
Plants & Animals
Lion with nine lives breaks record with longest swim in predator-infested waters
Condensed Matter
New multimode coupler design advances scalable quantum computing
Nanophysics
High-speed electron camera uncovers new 'light-twisting' behavior in ultrathin material
Earth Sciences
New incompletely rifted microcontinent identified between Greenland and Canada
Astronomy
Study investigates the nature of very-high energy gamma-ray source TeV J2032+4130
Condensed Matter
Visualizing the boundary modes of the charge density wave in a topological material
Planetary Sciences
Modeling study proposes a diamond layer at the core-mantle boundary on Mercury
Social Sciences
Perceived warmth, competence predict callback decisions in meta-analysis of hiring experiments
Social Sciences
Those excited for holiday season are more likely to feel they come quicker, study shows
Evolution
Scientists create comprehensive map of sea worm neural circuits
Biotechnology
Not so simple: Mosses and ferns offer new hope for crop protection
Astronomy
Astronomers find the nearest massive black hole, a missing link in massive black hole formation
Bio & Medicine
Nanoparticle-based delivery system could offer treatment for diabetics with rare insulin allergy
Plants & Animals
Tiny TnpB: The next-generation genome editing tool for plants unveiled
Condensed Matter
Study demonstrates generation of orbital current via magnetization dynamics
Cell & Microbiology
Team discovers a new defense mechanism in bacteria