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Sciences > Geology & Geophysics What will happen when we run out of oil: 1 of 10

Recently, I have followed both the petrochemical and biofuel evolving debate in the Chicago region. As a chemist and concerned citizen I have attended lectures on biofuel by leading researchers and toured petroleum refineries. Many of these events are attended by other scientists in the region. The interest in both petroleum...
Sciences > Atmosphere & Weather Removal of excessive carbon from the atmosphere: 1 of 6

How Do We Restore the Balance of CO2? The jury is out on the removal of CO2 from the atmosphere. It has to go. But at the same time we cannot completely get rid of atmospheric carbon dioxide; there has to be a balance. I can think of two main methods to remove it, with biological or chemical means. Biological Remediation of ...
Sciences > Earth Science (Other) Can science save the planet?: 3 of 16

Should Science Save the Planet? We have a choice about saving the planet with Science. When we talk about Science, it is not devoid of human opinion and error. Science is an entity that we created to interpret the behavior of our world. Are we taking on superhuman powers when we attempt to correct our mistakes? In this year ...
Health & Fitness > Health Care Direct-to-consumer genetic testing: 1 of 3

Genetic testing is becoming commonplace. With the advent of new genetic testing companies, what does the future hold for diagnostic testing? Many Direct-to-Customer (DTC) genetics testing companies offer mail-in saliva test kits, similar to the first mail-in AIDS tests offered in 1986. Companies such as 23andme and Navigenic...
Creative Writing > Memoirs Testimonies: The power that comes from beating bipolar disorder: 2 of 4

A Chemist with a Brain Chemistry Problem Chemistry taught me how to balance equations and organize life. Keeping the chemical balancing act is critical. Without a balance, chemistry and life as well, makes no sense. In 1999, I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at the age of 29. My life, which seemed balanced, nearly comple...
Sciences > Physics Lasers and how light and matter interact: 1 of 2

Lasers: How Light and Matter Interact Lasers are a big part of our every day life from the laser pointers used by your professor in class, to the device used to scan the bar code on your groceries, to the many medical applications used to interact human tissues. Light comes in many colors, and lasers can be selected with a v...
Sciences > Physics Contrasting the photoelectric effect and the Compton effect: 1 of 2

The key difference between the Photoelectric effect and the Thompson effect are that the Photoelectric effect is based on kinetic energy of photons and the Compton effect is based on light scattering and momentum. The difference between the Photoelectric Effect and Compton Effect are the nature of the interaction of light wi...
Sciences > Sciences (Other) Finding lead in toys: 1 of 1

The story on lead in toys had seemingly gone away, but recently on NPR it resurfaced again. The Consumer Products Safety Commission has plans to increase regulations on consumer products such as toys. Until the safety issues with toys are cleared up, companies will be continued to be penalized for any lack of vigilance. Curi...
Sciences > Sciences (Other) Nanotechnology and food testing: 1 of 1

In recent years food and consumer testing has been in the news. Recalls of spinach, lettuce, toys and pet food are some examples. Contamination of consumer products can be by microbes or chemicals. The speed of testing and other advances in technology are areas of improvement, but the price of the test is the ultimate determ...
Sciences > Sciences (Other) Nanotechnology explained: 5 of 9

Nanotechnology: A Chemist's Perspective Nano' has been in fashion for a while now. Apple named their iPod Nano for a reason to imply how small it is. But does the general public know what nano' and nanotechnology is? Some of my non-science friends affiliate nanotechnology with computers. Given the 2007 Nobel Prize in Physics...