In a 1990 consumer handbook, the Environmental Protection Agency estimated that the U.S. produced 2 billion disposable razors and razor blades per year.1 There are now 80 million additional people living in the country, and while many of them are waste-conscious enough to opt for reusable options, the plastic razor still reigns.2 The problem with plastic razors is that they’re good for only about three to 10 shaves, then they’re sent to the landfill where they could potentially spend hundreds of years decomposing. The mixed materials make them difficult if not impossible to recycle, and their sharp nature makes them hazardous…

Algae might show up on your dinner plate in coming years. As the global human population grows and needs protein to nourish it, algae could become a dietary staple. It offers significant nutritional benefits and can be grown in more sustainable ways than existing agricultural systems. These are the findings of a new study published in Frontiers in Nutrition. Led by researchers from the University of California, San Diego, the study makes a case for algae being the “sustainable superfood” of the future. Up until now, it has mainly been studied for its potential as biofuel, but researchers are beginning to view it…

Buying green bananas, or any unripe fruit for that matter, is a test of faith. You assume that they’ll soon ripen and be perfect to eat. But sometimes, when you buy green bananas from the store, they stubbornly refuse to turn, no matter how long you wait. So what should you do? Placing your bananas in a paper bag for a day or two to help the process along is the first trick to try. This usually works with unripe avocados too. When fruit ripens, it gives off ethylene gas. Putting the fruit in a paper bag traps the gas near the…

Whether cats are cute because of their whiskers or whiskers are cute because they come on cats, one thing is certain: The two make an irresistibly adorable combination. Some whiskers are exuberant, like the grand mustache of a Victorian gentleman, while others are demure and flirtatious. Whatever form they take, these feline facial bristles are so much more than vestigial accessories; in fact, cats would be hard-pressed to perform many of their formidable feats without them. Here are some little-known facts about these spectacular, specialized hairs. 1. “Whisker” Is an Old Word The word “whisker” dates back to around 1600. It…

The bobcat (Lynx rufus) is the most common wildcat in North America. The IUCN estimates the bobcat population to be between 2.3 million and 3.5 million.1 They are found in Mexico, five Canadian provinces, and every contiguous U.S. state other than Delaware. However, bobcats are elusive and are rarely seen across their range. This is due to their preference for finding cover wherever they live, whether that’s scrubland, forests, swamps, or even residential areas. Bobcats are most easily identified by the tail that gives them their name. It has a cut or “bobbed” look and only measures 4.3 to 7.5 inches…

Chiggers, along with lice, are some of our least favorite creatures. Imagine there was a tiny monster in the same family as scorpions and spiders. It was so tiny, in fact, that you could barely see it without a microscope. Yet, this tiny creature was capable of causing insanity-inducing itchy skin. These creatures exist and while the name “chigger bites” are a misnomer, these horrific little creatures can certainly cause intense itching with their spit. Read on to find out what you can do to avoid or get rid of them. And the old nail polish trick won’t help! What…