The chemical composition of the primordial ooze that many scientists believe life first formed in billions of years ago might have more in common with a bottle of wine than previously thought.
Origins research and wine chemistry pair nicely
U is for Ununoctium and the Island of Stability
Quick, without looking it up: how many elements are there on the periodic table? If I had asked that question before the first hydrogen bomb exploded in 1952, the answer would have been 98.  In that year, humans succeeded in synthesizing the first element that the crucibles of stars and supernovae hadn't supplied to Earth: Einsteinium. Since …
Continue reading "U is for Ununoctium and the Island of Stability"
O is for Ocean Acidification
We all know that CO2 emissions are warming the planet.  Or at least, most of us do.  What often goes unreported is the effect of carbon dioxide on the worlds' oceans.  A lot of the CO2 that we pump into the air makes its way to the water and is making it more difficult for shelled creatures like …
H is for Helium
Say goodbye to foil floating hearts on Valentines, shimmering floating shamrocks on St. Patty's, and the prospect of tying thousands of balloons to your house and abducting a neighbourhood boy scout.  The world's Helium reserve is going to run out, and sooner than you might think. Helium is the universe's second most abundant element and we've never …
Jon Farrow 