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Sylvia Rose
Nov 1, 20245 min read
Sanguine: Red Chalk of Renaissance Masters
Sanguine is a rich, reddish-brown chalk beloved by Renaissance artists such as Michelangelo. Creating flesh-like tones in the human form...
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Sylvia Rose
Oct 31, 20243 min read
Mosaic Gold: Alchemy of a Forgotten Art
Mosaic gold is also known to alchemists as aurum musivum or aurum mosaicum due to its mottled formation. Forgotten in the data fields...
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Sylvia Rose
Oct 30, 20243 min read
Alchemy of Perfumes: Scents, Cologne, Rose Water
Perfumes are prized in ancient civilizations such as Mesopotamia, Egypt, India and China. The word “perfume” comes from Latin per fumum ,...
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Sylvia Rose
Oct 29, 20245 min read
Renaissance Purgatives & Ancient Remedies
The Renaissance brings a unique approach to medicine. Based on the Four Humors theory of health the Galenic way, purging the body of...
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Sylvia Rose
Oct 29, 20244 min read
Powder of Algaroth: Antimony Oxychloride Purgative
Antimony oxychloride or Powder of Algaroth is a compound first appearing in 15th century Europe. During the Renaissance Powder of...
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Sylvia Rose
Oct 29, 20246 min read
Amoebae: Microbial Predators on the Move
Amoebas live in nearly all environments of Earth. Unique adaptations and survival strategies of these canny microorganisms make them...
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Sylvia Rose
Oct 28, 20245 min read
Malevolent Microfungi: Hazards of Health & Home
Microfungi are invisible organisms until they flourish and form colonies. Among these are malevolent microbes dangerous to health, crops,...
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Sylvia Rose
Oct 27, 20248 min read
Scientific Revolution Europe 1543-1687
The Scientific Revolution, from 1543 to 1687, transforms human understanding of the natural world. This period involves events and...
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Sylvia Rose
Oct 26, 20245 min read
Jan Baptist van Helmont: Renaissance Medicine
Jan Baptist van Helmont (1580 - 1644) is a Flemish physician, alchemist / chemist and natural philosopher. A disciple of Paracelsus , he...
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Sylvia Rose
Oct 25, 20246 min read
Biofilm Communities: Metropolitan Microbes
A biofilm is a living community of microorganisms including bacteria, fungi and algae. Comprising over 80% of all microbial life on...
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Sylvia Rose
Oct 24, 20245 min read
Etch Carnelian Beads Like It's Indus Valley 2500 BCE
The Indus Valley Civilization of the Bronze Age is one of the earliest urban societies, famous for trade, inventiveness and extraordinary...
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Sylvia Rose
Oct 23, 20243 min read
Catalase: Unseen Enzymes Essential to Life
Catalase is an enzyme found in carbon life forms, including humans. It's known for its exceptional ability to decompose hydrogen peroxide...
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Sylvia Rose
Oct 23, 20245 min read
Hydrogen Peroxide H2O2 Decomposition
Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a basic disinfectant and bleach of many households. If stored too long it will decompose. The decomposition...
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Sylvia Rose
Oct 23, 20245 min read
Peracetic Acid: Origin, Reactions, Hazards
Peracetic acid is a remarkable compound with powerful benefits and considerable risks. A colorless liquid with a sharp odor similar to...
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Sylvia Rose
Oct 22, 20245 min read
Human Methane: The Microbes of Flatulence
Methane microbes are among trillions of microorganisms who call humans home. In digestion these prokaryotes create colorless, odorless...
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Sylvia Rose
Oct 21, 20244 min read
Arsenic Trioxide: Paris Green Paint Pigment & Pesticide
Arsenic trioxide is a toxic compound with a a long and complex history, known at least by the time of the ancient Romans. Here's a look...
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Sylvia Rose
Oct 20, 20244 min read
Microbial Alchemy: Fermentation, Digestion, Putrefaction
Alchemy uses natural processes, often driven by microbial forces. Unseen biological entities include bacteria, amoeba and flagellates....
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Sylvia Rose
Oct 19, 20244 min read
Microbes: Bacteria, Actinomycetes, Protozoa, Fungi & Viruses
Microbes are invisible and exist everywhere, in air, water and soil. Scientists find microbes living in the charred soil wildfires leave...
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Sylvia Rose
Oct 17, 20246 min read
Paints of the Artist's Palette in Renaissance Europe
Artists of Renaissance Europe cultivate palettes rich in colors sourced from elements both enchanting and lethal. The Renaissance is...
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Sylvia Rose
Oct 17, 20244 min read
Gouache Painting: Artist Essentials & Art Tips
Gouache painting has a unique charm and offers versatility for artists and art appreciators. This unctuous type of paint delivers vibrant...
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