/oss/taxonomy/term/294/all en /oss/article/general-science/infatuated-chemistry <p>The fact that virtually everything in our life, be it digesting our food, using medications to treat disease, producing the clothes we wear, and even the grinding of our mental gears can be described in terms of chemical reactions is fascinating enough.  But what has probably enthralled me the most, is that all these chemical reactions that involve various molecules engaging with each other, can be explained and understood without anyone ever having seen a molecule!</p> Wed, 03 Apr 2024 16:45:45 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 9896 at /oss /oss/article/medical-history/tale-benzene-poisoning-and-snake-snaring-its-own-tail <hr /> <p><em>This article was first published in <a href="https://montrealgazette.com/opinion/columnists/the-right-chemistry-a-tale-of-a-snake-snaring-its-tail">The Montreal Gazette.</a></em></p> <hr /> <p>Professor Carl Santesson was intrigued.</p> Fri, 29 Mar 2024 16:38:54 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 9889 at /oss /oss/article/covid-19-general-science/worlds-second-best-molecule-year <p>The COVID-19 pandemic has made visible so many unsung heroes. Essential workers, parents who must work from home and care for their children, healthcare personnel. But there is one hero whose positive impact on the pandemic remains unsung and for good reasons. It doesn’t technically qualify as a hero because it’s not even alive. It’s a molecule but not any molecule, mind you. The prestigious journal <i>Science </i>dedicated<a href="https://science.sciencemag.org/content/246/4937/1543.long"> its Christmas 1989 cover</a> to throwing flowers at it, calling it “the molecule of the year.”</p> Thu, 11 Feb 2021 19:29:57 +0000 Jonathan Jarry M.Sc. 8615 at /oss