Category Archives: Uncategorized

Of all the things that we teach in our chemistry classes, it seems like “the chemistry of plastics” is perhaps one of the most overlooked topics. Most organic chemistry textbooks explain the molecular structures associated with poly-this-and-that, but do little … finish reading How Plastics Poison Our Bodies and Minds

I just received a sad, but inevitable, email from Reed College President Audrey Bilger. Another professor at Reed College from my time (1989-2021) has passed away. This email told me that the latest passing was that of Emeritus Prof. Charles … finish reading Remembering Prof. Charles Wu

As Gary Shteyngart so brilliantly wrote, “Half of us still seem to live in the Before Times and half in the New Truth.” In the Before Times, my family and friends spent way more time on social media than I … finish reading Laughter & Music for the New Truth

Sesame Street is 50 years old. Wow. Those mornings in front of the TV with my children are still so vivid. Happy Birthday, Cookie Monster, Elmo, Big Bird, Grover, Bert & Ernie, The Count, and all the rest! We love … finish reading C is for Carbon (and That’s Good Enough for Me)

I spend a lot of time at tea shops and I’ve noticed that public sharing of words starting in “f” (well, certain f-words) feels more frequent today than in times past. Fantasy? Or fact? According to How farming reshaped our … finish reading Freakin’ Farmers

Was today the first day of Spring? How does one tell? In other parts of the country Spring’s heralds are sunshine, warmth that penetrates to your bones (not yet, Portland, not yet), a second robin, and daffodils in bloom. Portlanders … finish reading The First Day of Spring

C&E News has published an article, 10 years after Sheri Sangji’s death, are academic labs any safer? (Dec. 28, 2018), that is a must-read for all chemists who either go into labs themselves or are responsible for sending others into … finish reading Lab Safety 10 Years After Sheri Sangji

E-cigarettes are often promoted as a “healthy” alternative to cigarettes (“The Promise of Vaping and the Rise of Juul” New Yorker, 14 May 2018). The public health appeal of this is simple: nicotine is notoriously addictive (even without the flavorings … finish reading PSU Chemists May Have Unlocked Juul’s Appeal

Doctors without Borders has mounted a free exhibition, “Forced From Home,” in Pioneer Courthouse Square on the refugee crisis. Hours are 9 am – 5 pm. Days Mon 10/16 (that’s today) through Sun 10/22. Here’s a brief description of what you will … finish reading Forced From Home exhibit – this week only

An Ohio jury has awarded $10.5 million in punitive damages to a man who claimed that his testicular cancer was caused by exposure to water that a Dupont factory had contaminated with perfluorooctanoic acid (also known as PFOA or C-8 … finish reading Jury Says DuPont Must Pay for Harm Caused by Spilled Chemical