The spiciness of foods such as horseradish is perceived through sensory neurons of the pain pathway. The lingering pungency of some such foods results from chemical modification of the channels that trigger these neurons.

The behaviour of water in the atmosphere is a poorly understood part of the hydrological cycle. Applying the principles of isotope chemistry to satellite data provides a powerful approach for improving the situation.

Which end of a fly embryo becomes the head is partly dictated by the accumulation of bicoid RNA at the anterior pole. The protein that amasses the RNA turns out to be an old acquaintance from a different context.