Inner Nature: Gustation, the sense of taste

By Vidya Rajan, Columnist, The Times Lead in paint and gasoline was banned in the 1970s because it causes brain damage by downregulating the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) [1]. BNDF is an important growth factor for brains to grow and develop properly. Therefore, banning lead from gasoline makes sense – after all chemicals in fumes get breathed in, enter the circulation,...

Grape to glass: relax, it’s just wine tasting

You don’t have to be an expert to enjoy a wine tasting By Doug Zimmerman, Columnist, The Times Tasting wine has the unfair reputation of being an intimidating, high maintenance endeavor for the inexperienced. Believe me, this does not have to be the case. Wine bars and wineries are growing in popularity, and the culture is becoming more mainstream than in the past. Don’t sweat it. It’s...