Drug testing, solar fullerenes, chemicalization

These are my recent science picks, including my latest contributions to spectroscopyNOW.com Drug testing – A simple analytical approach to identifying drugs of abuse would be a boon to forensic scientists and law enforcement agencies. A collaboration between researchers in the US and Europe demonstrates how an assessment of different methods using chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry reveals that multivariate selectivity can take into account the degree of resolution between nominally unresolved peaks due to the presence of various drugs in a forensic sample and so allow quicker identification. Solar fullerenes – Sheffield's David Lidzey working with Athene Donald of the University of Cambridge and experts from Cardiff University and Nick Terrill at the Diamond Light Source, the UK's synchrotron facility in Didcot, have investigated the structure of solar cell materials to help them improve photovoltaic efficiencies

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Drug testing, solar fullerenes, chemicalization

 Gluten-Free Food: 2010’s Hot Trend?

I’ve recently read a few articles describing gluten-free diets as trendy. Heck, The Daily Beast added gluten-free food to its list of Top Ten Biggest Food Trends of 2010 , right alongside coconut, bacon-flavored sweets, and ‘tricked-out popcorn.’ It seemed a bit insensitive to me at first. While I agree that gluten-free diets do fall in line with the general definition of a trend, in that there seems to be a greater prevalence of individuals being diagnosed with celiac’s disease or at least a sensitivity to gluten, describing something as “trendy” also implies that it is a fad- popular, current, and possibly passing

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Gluten-Free Food: 2010’s Hot Trend?

 Daily Roundup: July 30, 2010

Taking A Side: In a three-volume report released yesterday, the EPA strongly defended the the scientific community's position on anthropogenic warming and stated its plans to regulate greenhouse-gas emissions as part of the Clean Air Act. Los Angeles Times Damming Consequnce: Massive catfish in the Mekong River could be driven to extinction due to planned hydropower development.

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Daily Roundup: July 30, 2010

 A "Tree" That Recharges Gadgets With the Sun’s Energy

Solar energy is becoming more mainstream than ever, with the production of solar panels in all forms, including soccer balls and heart-shaped roof toppers . The most recent introduction into the growing variety of sun-collecting gadgets is Greendix ’s solar-powered “fruit tree” that acts as a portable charging station. Its leaf-shaped solar panels charge up “energy apples,” which glow from green to red to show when they are “ripe” – or charged – and ready to use.

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A "Tree" That Recharges Gadgets With the Sun’s Energy

 Risky teams, forged banknotes, frost-proof frogs

An eclectic mix of science snips from Sciencebase: Novel algorithm cuts the risks of choosing ineffectual team members – The risky business of putting together a team Counterfeit spectroscopy – Banknote counterfeiting is a growing problem for fraud investigators across the globe and criminals involved in this highly profitable system are constantly developing their techniques to stay one step ahead of the authorities and their forensic detection methods.

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Risky teams, forged banknotes, frost-proof frogs

 Daily Roundup: July 29, 2010

Smog City: Moscow has a carbon monoxide level that does the same amount of bodily harm as smoking two packs of cigarettes every few hours. BBC Protective Instincts: A plan to ship 16 radioactive generators across the Great Lakes has resulted in a global uproar. Vancouver Sun No Small Thing: Since the 1950s, plankton numbers have decreased 40 percent globally.

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Daily Roundup: July 29, 2010

 Chardonnay and Oak. Together. Why Can’t We Be Happy For Them?

If you’ve read any of my missives on the Foodista blog, you know I like weird, esoteric wines. Bring me your Picpoul, your Gros Manseng; I’ll take a blend of Colombard and Ugni Blanc, thank you

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Chardonnay and Oak. Together. Why Can’t We Be Happy For Them?

 Ice Cream Scoop and Stacker

The traditional spherical scoop is nice, but the Ice Cream Scoop & Stack makes perfect cylinders of ice cream that can be stacked together and arranged for a snazzy looking treat. And for those blocks that are just a little too frozen, this dishwasher-safe tool can cut through even the hardest cartons. $14.99 @ Amazon.com

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Ice Cream Scoop and Stacker

 Cialis in glass and a shortage of helium

Science news links for July 23rd through July 26th: ACS and RSC Sustainability Alliance – The Royal Society of Chemistry and the American Chemical Society have joined forces to launch a sustainability website. Be interesting to know what is the carbon footprint of this endeavour and the server electricity bills… Carcinogen suspects – A new report from the American Cancer Society and other world-leading health groups identifies gaps in research for 20 suspected carcinogens whose potential to cause cancer is as yet unresolved

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Cialis in glass and a shortage of helium

 Inspiration from the Market

As a cook, I go through food ruts. Those times when not even Emeril can convince me that a generous sprinkling of “BAM!” will resuscitate my flat-lining passion for chicken.

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Inspiration from the Market

 Modern Watering Can

This water can was created with ease of use in mind. The ultra-streamlined design features a flexible silicone hose that insures you hit your target every time. A built-in magnet keeps the hose attached to the can when not in use for easier storage

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Modern Watering Can

 The Kids Cook Monday recipe contest

Here at Foodista we’re excited to announce a kid-friendly recipe contest with the group who brought you Meatless Monday! The Monday Campaigns just launched The Kids Cook Monday , a new program which encourages families to start each week cooking, learning and eating healthfully together .

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The Kids Cook Monday recipe contest

 Spanish Verdejo: Patio-Loving Wine

I’ve always been a fan of white wines made from the Verdejo grape. It’s the signature grape of Spain’s Rueda region, located in the northwest part of the country. Most of my experience with Verdejo reminded me of Sauvignon Blanc: a crisp, dry, easy-drinking white without a whole lot of complexity or richness

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Spanish Verdejo: Patio-Loving Wine

 Just say no to sunscreen nanophobia!

Once again we’re at a pivotal point in human development, where a novel technology might allow us to improve the lot of millions, perhaps billions of people across the globe and yet activists are invoking the precautionary principle and informing consumers of the possible dangers therein. As happened with vaccines, nuclear energy, genetically modified crops, stem cells and cloning, and the whole of the chemical and pharmaceuticals industry, they talk of known unknowns, unknown knowns, unknown unknowns and the need to avoid any risk at any price. The latest scare-mongering is in a similar vein and comes just as the Northern summer reaches its sunniest peak.

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Just say no to sunscreen nanophobia!

 Space Invaders Cutting Board

For the nostalgic geek who can’t stay out of the kitchen. Use this 15″ x 10″ x 1.25″ walnut and hard maple board to slice and dice your food like they used to slice and dice space invaders during the 70s.

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Space Invaders Cutting Board

 Spectral science news

These are my links for July 15th from 12:27 to 12:32: Herpes invasion – There are eight herpes viruses that cause human diseases. Depending on how they affect us, they result in oral and genital herpes, the latter of which is present in almost a third of the US population. Currently, there is no cure for herpes viruses.

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Spectral science news

 Meatless Monday: Prepackaged Veggie Burgers Review

Meatless meat – faux beef – mock burgers: it can be confusing. If your experiences as a vegetarian (or pescatarian, or vegan) are anything like mine, sometimes despite your best intentions you end up with an unavoidable craving for a cheeseburger. And veggie burgers?

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Meatless Monday: Prepackaged Veggie Burgers Review

 Get Your Beans Out of My Brownies!

In recent years, I’ve heard quite a bit about the “sneakier” side of cooking and baking. The ways in which chefs add and substitute seemingly odd ingredients into beloved dishes to make them healthier. Sure, you might know applesauce to be a second-rate stand-in for part of the oil in baked goods.

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Get Your Beans Out of My Brownies!

 Science careers, damping and oil

My latest editorial contribution to Materials Today and a little more oily news. Paradigms, peers, and patents – For every paradigm-shifting breakthrough in science there are a plethora of failed experiments, myriad grant applications, patent pressures, and the activation energy barrier that is peer-reviewed publication to overcome. So with all those issues to face is science a good career?

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Science careers, damping and oil

 World Soccer Ball

Celebrate the world’s sport with this globe-print regulation soccer ball. Or celebrate the human spirit with an “I’m Only One” patchwork soccer ball, designed by skilled Pakistani workers encouraged to exercise their creativity.

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World Soccer Ball