Plants, Trees & Fungi 3/10

Diatoms: Glass-Making Algae Crucial to Life

Sylvia Rose

Nov 14, 20246 min read

Diatoms: Glass-Making Algae Crucial to Life

Diatoms, while invisible to the naked eye, are essential to the ecosystem and human survival. These tiny microalgae prolifically generate...

11 views

Sylvia Rose

Nov 12, 20245 min read

Biometallurgy: Microbes Mining Metals

Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans is only one of the amazing bacteria used in biometallurgy. In an age of environmental concerns,...

14 views

Foodborne Fungi and Mold: Facts & Dangers

Sylvia Rose

Nov 10, 20249 min read

Foodborne Fungi and Mold: Facts & Dangers

Foodborne molds can endanger health, home and family. Hidden in pantry and fridge, these hardy survivors are unnoticed and dormant until...

11 views

Aspergillus Flavus Mold: Origins, Behavior, Dangers

Sylvia Rose

Nov 9, 20245 min read

Aspergillus Flavus Mold: Origins, Behavior, Dangers

Aspergillus flavus is a filamentous mold or fungal organism found in soil, decaying vegetation, grains and nuts, especially peanuts and...

9 views

Vorticella: Mysterious Microscopic Pond Life

Sylvia Rose

Nov 7, 20244 min read

Vorticella: Mysterious Microscopic Pond Life

Vorticella is a genus of single-celled water-loving organisms with specialized cilia. As an adult the microbe attaches to a substrate...

9 views

Lye (NaOH): Caustic Soda for Soap & Glass

Sylvia Rose

Nov 5, 20244 min read

Lye (NaOH): Caustic Soda for Soap & Glass

Lye or sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is a vital part of human history. Also called caustic soda, lye is a white odorless solid. A strong...

7 views

Potash: Agriculture, Plant & Garden Health

Sylvia Rose

Nov 4, 20244 min read

Potash: Agriculture, Plant & Garden Health

Potash is a mineral group prized in agriculture, health and human life though history. Potash covers various potassium-rich salts,...

12 views

Fungal Biofilms: Ecology of Biofilm-Producing Molds & Yeasts

Sylvia Rose

Nov 4, 20245 min read

Fungal Biofilms: Ecology of Biofilm-Producing Molds & Yeasts

Fungal biofilms are integral to ecosystems. Often unnoticed, these living structures exemplify microorganism cooperation in survival,...

22 views

Glycerin (Glycerol): Darling of Cosmetics, Health & Science

Sylvia Rose

Nov 4, 20246 min read

Glycerin (Glycerol): Darling of Cosmetics, Health & Science

Glycerin, also known as glycerol or glycerine, is a simple polyol compound with the chemical formula C3H8O3. This colorless, odorless,...

11 views

Oil-Dwelling Microbes: Bacteria, Yeast & Mold

Sylvia Rose

Nov 3, 20246 min read

Oil-Dwelling Microbes: Bacteria, Yeast & Mold

Culinary oils are teeming with microbial life such as bacteria, molds, yeast and other fungi. Popular oils like olive oil, vegetable oil,...

20 views

Silent Destroyers: Microbial Corrosion of Concrete

Sylvia Rose

Nov 2, 20243 min read

Silent Destroyers: Microbial Corrosion of Concrete

Microbial corrosion of concrete by bacteria, fungi and algae destabilize structures of home and environs. While the impact of weather,...

12 views

Guar Gum: Unique Qualities for Art & Crafts

Sylvia Rose

Nov 1, 20245 min read

Guar Gum: Unique Qualities for Art & Crafts

Guar gum is recognized for its unique natural properties in visual arts and crafting. From enhancing textures to creating custom paints,...

7 views

Aromatic Cold Oil Infusions: DIY Alchemy Perfumes

Sylvia Rose

Oct 31, 20244 min read

Aromatic Cold Oil Infusions: DIY Alchemy Perfumes

Aromatic cold infused oil is a rich artisan tradition of culture and the art of allure. This ancient form of perfume-making connects...

5 views

Artisan Perfumery: Four Degrees of Fragrance

Sylvia Rose

Oct 30, 20243 min read

Artisan Perfumery: Four Degrees of Fragrance

Perfumes are grouped according to their strengths. Every fragrance has a purpose, from a fresh splash of rose or mint to mysterious...

7 views

DIY Perfume Artisans: Top, Middle & Base Notes

Sylvia Rose

Oct 30, 20243 min read

DIY Perfume Artisans: Top, Middle & Base Notes

DIY perfumes are all about crafting a unique signature scent or giving fragrance as a gift, the benefits of aromatherapy and expression...

7 views

Practical Alchemy of DIY Perfumes & Aromas

Sylvia Rose

Oct 30, 20244 min read

Practical Alchemy of DIY Perfumes & Aromas

The alchemy of perfumes goes back thousands of years. Here are the practical aspects of perfumes in ancient and medieval times, how...

7 views

Alchemy of Perfumes: Scents, Cologne, Rose Water

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 ,...

6 views

Science of Alchemy: Alchemical Innovations

Sylvia Rose

Oct 30, 20246 min read

Science of Alchemy: Alchemical Innovations

Alchemy these days is often seen only as a mystical practice purveying the clic hé of turning base metals into gold. Alchemy is in fact...

5 views

Renaissance Purgatives & Ancient Remedies

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...

16 views

Amoebae: Microbial Predators on the Move

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...

14 views