/oss/taxonomy/term/959/all en /oss/article/medical-critical-thinking/titanium-dioxide-food-europe-says-no-way-canada-disagrees <p>It is in paint, paper, sunscreen, cosmetics, toothpaste and food. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) lists it in its Group 2B, “possibly carcinogenic in humans.” In Europe it is not allowed as a food additive, but in Canada you’ll find it in candies, chewing gum, pastries, cake decorations and coffee creamers. Should you worry about consuming titanium dioxide, TiO<sub>2</sub>?</p> Wed, 21 Feb 2024 11:00:00 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 9839 at /oss /oss/article/history-general-science/tryst-amethyst <p>An attractive amethyst geode sits on my desk. Geodes are rocks with an internal cavity that is filled with crystals of a mineral. In the case of amethyst that mineral is quartz, tainted with iron and manganese impurities that colour it an eye-catching purple. The geode has no function except to satisfy my, some would say peculiar, passion for collecting objects that have stories to tell. With “amethyst” the story is about its name, derived from the Greek for “wine” and traces to an ancient belief that wine-coloured crystals can ward off drunkenness.</p> Tue, 23 Feb 2021 22:47:33 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 8629 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