/oss/taxonomy/term/2659/all en /oss/article/health-and-nutrition-you-asked/spanish-fly-really-aphrodisiac <p>The extract contains cantharidin,  a substance that supposedly increases sexual desire. Not only does it not do that, it may eliminate all desire permanently. When ingested, cantharidin can kill. But when used in small doses topically, it can be an effective treatment for warts. </p> Fri, 03 Dec 2021 23:24:20 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 8943 at /oss /oss/article/history/bugs-plastics <p>During the first years of the twentieth century, the demand for shellac outstripped the supply. It wasn’t because people developed a sudden penchant for shiny furniture. Electricity was starting to take the world by storm and electrification required the use of insulating materials and shellac was a very effective insulator! The problem was that it was hard to come by. Shellac is the resinous secretion deposited on some species of Asian trees by Laccifer lacca beetles. Workers scrape off the resin, heat it, and filter it to produce the commercial product.</p> Fri, 20 Aug 2021 20:38:31 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 8813 at /oss /oss/article/environment/do-not-mess-bombardier-beetle <p>Why not? Because you risk being sprayed with a hot solution containing irritant chemicals known as benzoquinones.  In all likelihood it would be a memorable, but unhappy experience.  Based on their ability to discharge “chemical bombs” when threatened, bombardier beetles are aptly named.  </p> Thu, 28 Dec 2017 17:40:18 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 6857 at /oss /oss/article/environment-history-quirky-science/how-asian-bug-led-first-synthetic-plastic <p>During the first years of the twentieth century the demand for shellac outstripped the supply. People did not develop a sudden penchant for shiny furniture, but electricity was starting to take the world by storm and electrification required the use of insulating materials. Shellac was a very effective insulator! The problem was that it was hard to come by. Shellac is the resinous secretion deposited on some species of Asian trees by Laccifer lacca beetles.  Workers scrape off the resin, heat it and filter it to produce the commercial product.</p> Tue, 25 Feb 2014 23:15:08 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 2103 at /oss