Muzyka’s Musings

While I love to read, I don’t usually choose biographies.  My mom gave me Einstein:  His Life and Universe by Walter Isaacson, so I thought I’d give it a chance.  I’ve seen things recently suggesting that Einstein had Asperger Syndrome, and that probably contributed to my interest.  As a chemist and a teacher, I figure [...]

C&EN’s What’s That Stuff? column always has interesting articles.  Or maybe it’s that, as a chemist, I like knowing about the chemicals found in materials that I use every day.  Their article on Oil Paints was enlightening for me, particularly since I have several relatives who are artists.  It sounds like the artists of previous [...]

Science Daily reports that Disinfectants Can Make Bacteria Resistant to Treatment.  Using soaps and other household products that contain triclosan and other biocides creates environments that favor the individual bacteria that are already resistant.  Those bacteria are the only ones that manage to survive and reproduce.  The result is that all the remaining bacteria are [...]

In the September 8 issue, Chemical and Engineering News (article available to subscribers only) reported about a chemistry graduate student who has been arraigned for stealing equipment and chemicals to manufacture methamphetamine.  UC Merced’s Jason West was one of the first students to complete his Ph.D. coursework requirements at Merced’s relatively new campus.  The alleged [...]