Chemistry

Mind The (Risk Perception) Gap On BPA

It is commonly perceived that natural chemicals are safe while manmade substances may be harmful.  These perceptions, however, if not supported by scientific evidence, can result in risk perception gaps that can cause us to worry more than warranted by th ...

Article - Steve Hentges - Jul 18 2016 - 9:08am

Toxins In E-Cigarette Vapor Increase With Heat And Frequency Of Use

Electronic cigarettes have grown in popularity as an alternative to traditional cigarette smoking- the idea is that since they are just nicotine vapor, users will not be placed in peril by the 200 toxic chemicals in cigarette smoke. Still, they are contro ...

Article - News Staff - Jul 27 2016 - 4:20pm

Small Study Claims Trace Prenatal BPA Exposure Causes Depression In Boys

 Bisphenol A (BPA) is a component of some plastics and is found in food containers, plastic water bottles, dental sealants, and thermal receipt paper. In the body, BPA is a mild synthetic estrogen, one of the gigantic class of chemicals called "endoc ...

Article - News Staff - Aug 16 2016 - 5:26pm

Chemical Weapons Are Still Being Used In Iraq But The Obama Administration Doesn't Talk About It

The group known as Islamic State (IS) reportedly used a sulpur-mustard gas against US troops in Iraq. ...

Article - News Staff - Sep 27 2016 - 6:00am

Michael Pollan Doesn't Just Hate Agriculture, He Hates All Scientists

Michael Pollan, food activist and journalist, is the proverbial man trapped in the past in his latest piece for the New York Time s, criticizing the Obama administration for not catering to his bizarre beliefs about how food production actually works, and ...

Article - Hank Campbell - Nov 28 2018 - 6:01pm

When Salt Is An Endocrine Disruptor, The Term Is Officially Meaningless

A new environmental claim about endocrine disruptors would seem to be an early Christmas gift for the fundraisers and lawyers at the Environmental Working Group and NRDC but the scientist employed at each of those groups likely feels a little dread. Becau ...

Article - Josh Bloom - Nov 23 2016 - 12:05pm

Chemical Turing Test: Making Artificial Cells Talk With Real Ones

In computer science, the classic Turing test evaluates a machine's ability to mimic human behavior, and therefore is a measure of determining how close a machine can come to artificial intelligence. To pass, a computer must fool the tester into thinki ...

Article - News Staff - Jan 25 2017 - 12:13pm

Metallic Hydrogen: Science Or Fake News?

After being only theorized for 80 years, Harvard scientists claim they have succeeded in creating the rarest- and potentially one of the most valuable- materials on the planet. ...

Article - News Staff - Jan 27 2017 - 11:41am

Nature: The Original Chemist

We frequently see a contrast drawn between what is “natural” and what is “chemical.” Sometimes products are described as “chemical-free” even though every physical object is made of chemicals. As much as this suggests a problem with our science education, ...

Article - Steve Savage - Feb 28 2017 - 9:46pm

IARC Stands Alone Insisting Glyphosate Must Be Dangerous

ECHA, the European Chemicals Agency, has released findings from its Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC) which concluded that glyphosate (e.g. Roundup, by the agriculture company Monsanto, though it's been off-patent for 17 years) is not a carcinogen, ...

Article - News Staff - Mar 16 2017 - 1:55pm