On Killing a Tree
By Gieve Patel It is premeditated murder -- no two ways about it. Stanza 1 “It takes much time to kill a tree, Not a simple jab of the knife I will do it. It…
The mRNA Nobelist
One day in 1997, University of Pennsylvania molecular biologist Katalin (Kati) Karikó met a new hire at the photocopier who would change the trajectory of her research forever. At 42, the scientist had made…
Tampopo
There is a mom-and-pop Japanese basement eatery in a mall near my place. Dad cooks the food; mom takes orders and serves the food. She never smiles. She speaks to customers to tell them…
Red Sox, Blue Fish by Susan Orlean
Used to be, a fella could regale his buddies with endless tales of his bravery and fortitude in the face of adversity — of mettle in battle, for instance, or stamina on a Grand Teton ascent,…
Physician to the Bronze Gods
“Archaeological Chemist, temporary … at a cost of Rs 1,500 for the year 1929–’30 … required for work connected with the treatment of bronze images in the Museum,” read a job description in the…
The Power of Language
At the pediatrician’s clinic, a nurse told Viorica Marian, who is a native speaker of Romanian, to use only English with her American-born daughter. Speaking another language would “confuse” the child and hurt her long-term,…