Have you noticed the phenomenon of puppy dog eyes, the inner eyebrow raising movement of dogs? Do you believe it    41    for dogs to appeal to humans? Researchers dissected dog and wolf heads and found that the facial muscle anatomy of both animals was almost identical --    42    an eyebrow muscle, found only in dogs. The inner eyebrow raising movement makes the dogs’ eyes appear larger and more infant like,   43   prompts a “nurturing” response in humans. When dogs make the movement, it seems to elicit a strong desire in humans to   44   them. This would give the dogs that moved their eyebrows more a selection advantage over others, reinforcing the trait in   45   generations. The findings show how important faces can be in capturing our attention, and how powerful facial expression can be in social interaction.

       Honey is usually described as a sweet food substance. Corbezzolo honey, however, is surprisingly bitter, with notes of leather, liquorice and smoke. Born in the mountains of the Italian island of Sardinia, this extremely rare honey has a history that dates back more than 2,000 years.

       Corbezzolo honey is obtained from the flowering of the broadleaf corbezzolo shrub, known in English as the strawberry tree for its reddish-orange, strawberry-sized fruits. Despite the bitterness, it is often added to coffee to enhance the drink’s bitter aromas. The special taste also makes the honey pair perfectly with seadas, a typical Sardinian dessert, and pecorino sardo, a sweet sheep’s milk cheese. What makes the bitter honey even more special is that it is actually packed with nutrients. Rich in vitamins and minerals, it has been prized by many generations in Sardinia, known for the notably long lifespans of its inhabitants, many of whom live to more than 100 years old. It has been used in traditional medicine to suppress coughing and bring on sleep. What’s more, a 2019 study found that the honey might reduce growth of cancer cells.

      The corbezzolo’s fruits ripen slowly and the flowers’ petals unfold slowly, a delicate process that a heavy rain can easily bring to a halt. And because the flowering takes place in late autumn when the weather can be cold, rainy and windy, the bees sometimes have to struggle to make it out of their hives to collect that precious nectar. The flowers produce about half as much nectar as other flowers, so the bees have to work extra hard to collect enough. These factors make corbezzolo honey so precious that it’s hard to find outside Sardinia.

       This month Cupid takes flight because love is in the air. And this year it smells like grease and salt. A perfume thatsmells like French fries has proven to be as irresistible as the fast-food staple after selling out almost instantly. The IdahoPotato Commission (IPC) released the limited-edition fragrance – "Frites by Idaho" – just in time for Valentine's Day,and fans couldn't wait to get their hands on a bottle. Frites by Idaho is manufactured using distilled homegrown potatoesand essential oils. Whether you and your valentine are planning to have a quiet dinner at home or will be heading outfor a fancy meal on that most romantic of days, you can make sure you crave fast food the entire time with Frites byIdaho.

       Sure this sounds silly, but think of all the words and feelings you associate with both perfume and French fries:desire, alluring, intoxicating, irresistible, tasty. Okay, maybe not that last one, but you get the idea. The great state ofIdaho isn't taking its novelty fragrance too seriously, either. The 1.7 fluid ounce bottle was available for the same priceas a side of fries, just US$1.89. Unfortunately, that's also why it sold out immediately on the IPC website. But don't giveup hope just yet, French fry romantics. You can enter a contest to win one of 10 bottles the state is giving away for free.Just head to the Idaho Potato Instagram page for how to enter.

      Even if you don't end up nabbing one, we have an idea. Just rub some French fries on your neck before your lovedone shows up. Just remember to make sure you let your fries cool down before you do that. Things are heating up thismonth, but hopefully not because of second degree burns.