/oss/taxonomy/term/855/all en /oss/article/some-welcome-relief-treatment-pain <p> </p> <hr /> <p><em>This article was first published in</em><span> </span><a href="https://montrealgazette.com/opinion/columnists/christopher-labos-some-welcome-relief-in-the-treatment-of-pain">The Montreal Gazette<span>.</span></a></p> Thu, 21 Jan 2021 19:14:30 +0000 Christopher Labos MD, MSc 8568 at /oss /oss/article/health/cholesterol-cosmetics <p>Many cosmetics, ranging from lipstick to moisturizing creams, contain ingredients referred to as emollients whose main purpose is to keep the skin hydrated and prevent moisture in the skin from evaporating. This loss of water is responsible for reducing the suppleness and smoothness of skin leaving a dry, scaly texture. Emollients are chemicals that coat the skin and prevent moisture from passing through. Oils are very effective emollients but their slippery feel is undesirable.</p> Wed, 13 Mar 2019 14:00:00 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 7645 at /oss /oss/article/did-you-know/how-does-milk-become-butter <p><span>Cows' milk, as well as that of most other mammals, is a complex mixture of</span><span> proteins, fats, water, carbohydrates, minerals, hormones and various </span><span>other molecules. Some of these components are soluble in water, others are suspended.</span><span> The first step to making butter is to let cow's milk</span><span> rest (or centrifuge it</span><span> to speed up the process) until a lot of the fatty constituents have floated to the top.</span></p> Fri, 22 Sep 2017 17:50:59 +0000 Ada McVean B.Sc. 2639 at /oss /oss/article/aging-cosmetics-health/face-creams-and-skin-aging <p>Let’s face it. Face creams will not “reset the skin’s aging clock.” Nor will they “restructure complexion from within,” “provide repair action to the core of each wrinkle” or “reeducate the skin to look like young skin.” But is the sort of hype we have become accustomed to seeing from cosmetics manufacturers who compete for the close to 300 billion dollars that consumers around the world shell out every year for over-the-counter beauty products. Some fork out more than a thousand dollars for a month’s supply of the latest cream that claims to reverse aging.</p> Wed, 05 Mar 2014 11:12:45 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 2109 at /oss /oss/article/aging-controversial-science-health-toxicity/lets-face-it-creams-deliver-more-hype-evidence <p>In the 1980s, Dr. Albert Kligman, an American dermatologist  made an interesting observation.  Patients being treated for acne with retinoic acid saw an improvement in their wrinkles, an improvement that was eventually traced to enhanced collagen formation. But there was a but. There were hurdles on the road to smooth skin. Retinoic acid treatment resulted in increased sensitivity to sunlight, and initially, in irritated skin. To ensure that patients were properly monitored, retinoic acid was made available only by prescription.</p> Tue, 13 May 2014 12:42:49 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 2144 at /oss /oss/article/cosmetics/how-about-some-snail-cream <p>No, you don’t eat it. Neither is it meant to limber up the arthritic joints of snails. You massage it into your face to improve complexion, reduce wrinkles and improve scar lines. At least that’s the claim. Aren’t the marketers of cosmetics truly talented? They can squeeze a truckload of hope into a tiny jar. The industry tends to produce new products at a frantic pace, but in one special case, it happens at a snail's pace. Literally. Face creams that contain snail slime are a hot item in South America and Korea and are slowly slithering their way to North America.</p> Mon, 21 Jan 2013 16:24:40 +0000 OSS 1863 at /oss /oss/article/science-science-everywhere/good-old-days <p>Surveys show that one of the biggest worries people have is about the safety of our food supply. When asked what they are concerned about, they mention pesticide residues, additives, genetic modification, food irradiation, bacterial contamination and lack of nutrients due to depleted soil. While there are some issues with these, the fact is that it is possible to eat better today than at anytime in history. You just have to know how to make the right choices. Harkening back to the good old days, when food was pure and wholesome, is nothing more than misguided and romanticized nonsense.</p> Fri, 04 Nov 2011 18:44:13 +0000 Joe Schwarcz 1611 at /oss