/oss/taxonomy/term/28/all en /oss/article/videos/right-chemistry-science-fluids <p><div class="media-youtube-video media-element file-default media-youtube-1"> <iframe class="media-youtube-player" id="media-youtube-jkmo2jhnheq" width="640" height="390" title="Dr. Joe Schwarcz on the science of fluids" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/jkMo2JHNhEQ?wmode=opaque&controls=&enablejsapi=1&modestbranding=1&playerapiid=media-youtube-jkmo2jhnheq&origin=https%3A//www.mcgill.ca&rel=0" name="Dr. Joe Schwarcz on the science of fluids" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen>Video of Dr. Joe Schwarcz on the science of fluids</iframe> </div> </p> Thu, 02 Aug 2018 20:27:07 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 7205 at /oss /oss/article/videos/right-chemistry-title-speaks-volumes <p><div class="media-youtube-video media-element file-default media-youtube-2"> <iframe class="media-youtube-player" id="media-youtube-6owcdrqjnoo" width="640" height="390" title="Dr. Joe Schwarcz: A title speaks volumes" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/6owcDRQjnOo?wmode=opaque&controls=&enablejsapi=1&modestbranding=1&playerapiid=media-youtube-6owcdrqjnoo&origin=https%3A//www.mcgill.ca&rel=0" name="Dr. Joe Schwarcz: A title speaks volumes" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen>Video of Dr. Joe Schwarcz: A title speaks volumes</iframe> </div> </p> Mon, 18 Jun 2018 15:12:20 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 7141 at /oss /oss/article/did-you-know-general-science/stereochemistry <p>Stereochemistry refers to a branch of chemistry that studies the relative spatial arrangement of atoms within molecules. Some drugs are mixtures of different stereoisomers of a molecule in which only one has the ability to perform the desired function, though both forms contain the exact same chemical composition. Celexa, an antidepressant drug, can exist in two different stereoisomeric forms, in which one is 170 times more effective than the other! Some stereoisomers may even perform different activities.</p> Wed, 31 May 2017 14:30:51 +0000 OSS 2508 at /oss /oss/article/did-you-know-history/vital-force <p>A single experiment in 1828 destroyed the theory of Vitalism which held that “organic substances” found in living systems could not be made in the laboratory because they were empowered with a “vital force” that could not be duplicated. Chemistry professor Friedrich Wohler heated ammonium cyanate, a compound that was clearly “inorganic” since it came from a mineral source and converted it to urea, clearly “organic” since it could be isolated from urine. This showed that there was no vital force in organic compounds and that they were amenable to laboratory synthesis.</p> Thu, 11 May 2017 01:06:16 +0000 OSS 2437 at /oss /oss/article/history/music-and-chemistry-living-perfect-harmony <p align="center" style="text-align:justify">Quick now, name some famous scientists. Einstein surely comes to mind, then maybe Newton, Marie Curie, Galileo, Stephen Hawking. Not much of a problem. Next, name some famous composers. I suspect you’ll quickly reel off the names of Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms, Tchaikovsky and Liszt along with a host of others. No problem at all. But now name a scientist who also made major contributions to the world of music! Most people will draw a blank, but a few will come up with Alexander Borodin. Who, you ask?</p> Tue, 13 Aug 2013 01:18:37 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 1997 at /oss /oss/article/controversial-science-history-news/mathematician-alan-turing-great-mind-20th-century <p>Sir Winston Churchill said Alan Turing’s breaking of German codes for secret messages shortened the Second World War by two years. Computer scientists credit Turing with formulating the philosophical principles that power every computer and smartphone today. Researchers in artificial intelligence, meanwhile, label him the founder of their field. Chemists say Turning predicted the existence of reactions that change colour in a periodic fashion before these had ever been observed.</p> Mon, 23 Jun 2014 14:12:14 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 2156 at /oss /oss/article/environment-health-news-toxicity/are-chemists-suffering-chemophobiaphobia <p>Most chemistry conferences these days feature a session on the “public understanding of chemistry.” Usually speakers express frustration about equating the term “chemical” with “toxin” or “poison,” about consumers looking for “chemical-free” products, and about the extent of scientific illiteracy. There tends to be a collective bemoaning of the lack of appreciation of the contributions that chemistry has made to life and of the eyebrows raised when a chemist reveals his profession in some social setting.</p> Sun, 27 Dec 2015 21:23:59 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 2300 at /oss /oss/article/environment-health/colourful-thoughts <p><span>I am no alarmist when it comes to "artificial chemicals" used in food or cosmetic production. But I do question the use of colourants because they have no function other than changing the appearance of a product. Why do we need mouthwash to be blue? It's because somehow people have been conditioned to associate blue with cleanliness, which is why window cleaners, toilet bowl cleaners and mouthwashes are blue.</span></p> Sat, 13 Feb 2016 01:04:34 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 2316 at /oss /oss/article/news/chemistry-vatican <p>The new Pope, Francis, we now learn, has a degree in Chemistry. He received a Master’s from the University of Buenos Aires.  It is interesting then to note that his selection was signaled through some nifty chemistry. The smoke signals used during the conclave are either black, to indicate that the cardinals have failed to elect a pope, or white if they have been successful.  The smoke is produced by burning the ballots used in the voting. In the 2005 conclave there was some confusion as to the color of the smoke that emerged after Pope Benedict was elected.</p> Thu, 14 Mar 2013 13:39:05 +0000 Ariel Fenster 1897 at /oss /oss/channels/news/review-right-chemistry-dr-harriet-hall-225190 <p>Dr. Harriet Hall, also known as the SkepDoc, reviews Dr. Joe Schwarcz' latest book, "The Right Chemistry," and concludes that both him and his book do it just right.</p> <p></p> <p><em>To read the review, please <a href="http://www.skeptic.com/eskeptic/13-02-27/#feature">click here</a>.</em></p> Wed, 27 Feb 2013 17:12:31 +0000 emily.shore@mcgill.ca 1101 at /oss