/oss/taxonomy/term/204/all en /oss/article/videos/right-chemistry-chemistry-shoe-polish <p><div class="media-youtube-video media-element file-default media-youtube-1"> <iframe class="media-youtube-player" id="media-youtube-5qibf3tjed8" width="640" height="390" title="Dr. Joe Schwarcz on the chemistry of shoe polish" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/5QIbF3tjEd8?wmode=opaque&controls=&enablejsapi=1&modestbranding=1&playerapiid=media-youtube-5qibf3tjed8&origin=https%3A//www.mcgill.ca&rel=0" name="Dr. Joe Schwarcz on the chemistry of shoe polish" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen>Video of Dr. Joe Schwarcz on the chemistry of shoe polish</iframe> </div> </p> Fri, 09 Nov 2018 19:18:30 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 7442 at /oss /oss/article/did-you-know-general-science/why-do-tattoos-stay-our-skin <p>Our bodies are pretty good at ridding themselves of unwanted invaders, so why is it that we are able to inject ink into them, and have it stay? Over time, molecules are broken down by white blood cells and transported away. This does occur with dye molecules (that's part of why new tattoos fade quickly at first), but most of the dye molecules are too big to be picked up by white blood cells. Unable to get rid of them, the body sequesters the dyes into fibroblast cells, where it hangs out basically indefinitely.</p> Mon, 22 May 2017 15:57:57 +0000 Ada McVean B.Sc. 2474 at /oss /oss/article/food-health-news/food-dyes-science <p>I’m sure Lisa Leake is a well-meaning young lady and a fine mother. But I think she could use a lesson in chemistry. Lisa and fellow food blogger Vani Hari are the movers and shakers behind a petition to “remove all dangerous artificial food dyes” from Kraft’s classic Macaroni and Cheese and replace them with the natural dyes used in the United Kingdom.</p> Tue, 25 Jun 2013 02:39:26 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 1967 at /oss /oss/article/cosmetics-health-history-quirky-science-toxicity-you-asked/cave-paintings-mms <p>Studies have shown that red is the colour that attracts attention. Its uses are timeless and endless. Since ancient times, the colour red has been involved in fashion, art, food and cosmetics. But how was the colour red extracted or manufactured? Interestingly, throughout the ages, humans have resorted to different minerals and chemicals to successfully produce various shades of red.</p> Fri, 22 Nov 2013 00:21:45 +0000 Alexandra Pires-Ménard, OSS Intern 2035 at /oss