chemistry
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Science
#AskAChemist: How natural is Astroglide Natural Liquid?
This week on Ask A Chemist, an anonymous inquiring mind asked, “what makes Astroglide’s Natural Liquid ‘natural’?” Well, that’s a short one. Of course not! Allow me to wax chemical… let’s start at Astroglide Natural Liquid website… So… what makes this Astroglide product ‘natural’ is what it doesn’t contain and that it does contain some plant extracts? Okay. Let’s get…
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Science
#AskAChemist: What’s the deal with fabric dyes?
This week on Ask A Chemist… @skepchicks @DrRubidium Why is wool dyed in acid, but cotton dyed in base? #AskAChemist — Robert Coolman (@PrimeViridian) January 14, 2015 Short answer: Longer answer: Wool fibers are basically bundles of protein, specifically the protein alpha-keratin. All proteins are polymers of amino acids, have the general structure shown below. Protein fibers like wool respond really well to…
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Science
#AskAChemist: Does a rose by any other name smell as sweet?
Want to know more about the chemicals that make the Damask Rose (Rosa damascena) smelly? Check out this great post from @PictureItChem, from the University of Bristol’s School of Chemistry. _________ Have a chemistry question? Ask a chemist! _________ featured image made by the author using PowerPoint
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Anti-Science
#AskAChemist: What’s making up my make-up?
This week on Ask A Chemist… I recently purchased bareMinerals’ liquid foundation ‘BARESKIN’ at Sephora. The package insert says it’s “formulated without” water, oil, or silicone. What the hell is in this stuff that makes it a liquid foundation? My first answer to the friend that sent me this text was “unicorn tears”. This is a bad answer for two…
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Anti-Science
#AskAChemist: The LA treatment
This is the first installment of Ask A Chemist. Here’s a question received from LA peep @SurlyAmy… L.A. Valley is switching from chlorine to chloramine to clean up the water system (which will also make tastier water) and of course people are FREAKING OUT. Some people are even sending emails in ALL CAPS. What’s the deal? ‘Tis true, various LA County Waterworks Districts (LACWDs)…
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Science
Clove oil in your sexual lubricant?
I am a big fan of do-it-yourself (DIY) personal care products. Body scrubs, hair conditioners, face masks – just a few things I’ve whipped up at home on the cheap. Why? Perhaps because I’m a chemist. Definitely because I’m cheap. I’m always on the look-out for recipes to review and try. Enter Good‘s tweet from last night… How to make…
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‘All About That Bass’ gets a chemistry make-over!
Since Meghan Trainor‘s ‘All About That Bass’ first broke, chemistry fans everywhere* have been waiting for this tune to get the Brønsted–Lowry treatment. WAIT NO MORE! ___________ *okay, maybe just me? Featured image from funnyjunk
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Activism
Tear gas, CS smoke canisters, and #Ferguson
Over the past week, we’ve seen tear gas and CS smoke canisters used on people of Ferguson, Missouri. On social media – and in the general media – there seems to be confusion as to the difference between tear gas and CS smoke canisters. Is there a difference? The Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) ‘Facts About Riot Control Agents Interim…
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