As artificial intelligence (AI) continues its rapid integration into nearly every facet of our lives—from virtual assistants and chatbots to self-driving cars and smart...
Summer break often sparks a question for families: how can we keep children engaged and learning while school is out? For many kids, exploring science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) can be a fun and enriching way to do just that. Yet recent federal cuts to education and research funding have made access to formal STEM programs like robotics camps or advanced math classes less available for many children. This shift places more responsibility on families and caregivers to nurture curiosity and problem-solving skills at home.
Drawing on research and real-world examples, here are four practical and playful ways parents and caregivers can support children’s STEM learning during the summer—fostering confidence, creativity, and critical thinking.
1. Identify...
Walk down any supermarket aisle in America, and chances are you’ll find titanium dioxide hiding in plain sight. It's in your chewing gum, your kid’s birthday cake frosting, your favorite candy, even your sandwich bread. Known by its food additive name E171, this whitening agent and color enhancer is one of the most commonly used nanoparticles in the world. But growing scientific evidence reveals that titanium dioxide might be doing more harm than good—raising major questions about why it's still allowed in U.S. foods while countries like France and members of the European Union have banned it entirely.
So, what exactly is titanium dioxide, and why is it sparking such global controversy?
What Is Titanium Dioxide?
Titanium dioxide...
Seed oils have found themselves at the center of a nutritional storm.
From political figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to countless wellness influencers, there’s a rising tide of criticism against common cooking oils such as canola, soybean, and sunflower oil. Kennedy’s “Make America Healthy Again” campaign even hawks merchandise stamped with slogans like “Make Frying Oil Tallow Again”, echoing the nostalgic days of beef fat sizzling in cast-iron pans.
But is this backlash backed by science—or are we oversimplifying a complex dietary issue?
What Are Seed Oils, Really?
Often grouped under the misleading label of “vegetable oils,” seed oils are extracted from the seeds of various plants. These include what some call the “hateful eight”:Canola, corn, soybean, cottonseed,...