/oss/taxonomy/term/4044/all en /oss/article/health-and-nutrition-general-science/fire-barbecue <p>The word “barbecue” derives from the ancient Caribbean tradition of supporting food over a fire with a scaffolding made from green wood which in Spanish was called "barbacoa." The technique itself was referred to as "boucan." Shipwrecked sailors and runaway servants who found themselves on Caribbean islands picked up the method and came to be called "boucaniers," or in English, "buccaneers."</p> Wed, 20 Jul 2022 15:52:48 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 9184 at /oss /oss/article/did-you-know-health/you-can-catch-salmonella-your-pet-lizards-frogs-turtles-and-hedgehogs <p>Eleven people across eight states were infected with the bacteria <i>Salmonella t</i><em>yphimurium</em>. The cause? <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/science/2019/01/26/dont-kiss-or-snuggle-hedgehogs-because-salmonella-risk-cdc-warns/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.3150d23febe3">Their pet hedgehogs</a>.</p> <p>An infection with salmonella is called salmonellosis and causes fevers, diarrhea, cramps and vomiting. Most humans are exposed when they eat contaminated food, but exposure to infected animal droppings can also cause infection.</p> Fri, 08 Feb 2019 17:00:00 +0000 Ada McVean B.Sc 7578 at /oss /oss/article/did-you-know/its-flour-not-eggs-cookie-dough-makes-you-sick <p>Most of us have been told off by a parent or grandparent for sampling raw cookie dough or cake batter. The adult would usually mutter something about raw eggs making you sick, while whisking away the delicious goop. It turns out that the raw flour in doughs can also put tasters at risk for infection, specifically one by E. coli. <a href="http://www.healthycanadians.gc.ca/recall-alert-rappel-avis/hc-sc/2017/63752a-eng.php">As Health Canada points out</a>, flour grains can come into contact with bacteria while in the field, and need to be cooked to remove risk of illness.</p> Tue, 29 Aug 2017 15:00:53 +0000 Ada McVean B.Sc. 2613 at /oss