One small step for man

Posted at 5:33 PM on November 1, 2007 by Bob Collins (0 Comments)

That PC -- or laptop or iPhone or whatever -- you're reading this on, can be traced back to the space program.

But NASA didn't stop there.

It has funded research that has paid off again, working with the University of California Berkley to develop a device to help you avoid the headache you get when you drink red wine. The device can "easily detect chemicals that many scientists believe can turn wine and other beloved indulgences into ingredients for agony."

Oddly, this research came as part of an effort to find new technologies to sustain life on Mars.

The chemicals, called biogenic amines, occur naturally in a wide variety of aged, pickled and fermented foods prized by gourmet palates, including wine, chocolate, cheese, olives, nuts and cured meats.

Prepare for a round of late-night jokes.

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