/oss/taxonomy/term/5284/all en /oss/article/health-general-science/squashing-some-mosquito-myths <p>Guests at the Cypress Cove Nudist Resort in Florida routinely emerge from the swimming pool and walk over to a nearby row of citrosa plants.  They proceed to shake the shrubbery and then rub their hands on their thighs.  No, this is not some sort of bizarre nudist ritual, it is just preparation for a spell of bite-free frolicking in the sun.  The citrosa plants produce two compounds, citronella and citral, which are claimed to have mosquito repellent properties! </p> Fri, 09 Jul 2021 19:04:50 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 8783 at /oss /oss/article/history/henry-ford-stained-american-icon <p>Henry Ford was rich and famous. It is not hard to understand why. After all, he converted the automobile from an expensive novelty into a vehicle affordable for the middle class and in the process sparked Americans’ enduring love affair with their cars. His introduction of the assembly line that churned out the celebrated model T revolutionized transportation. Ford had no formal education but he was a whiz when it came to tinkering with machinery.</p> Fri, 19 Mar 2021 16:00:00 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 8656 at /oss