Poisons & Toxins

Binary Fission: Speedy Microbe Reproduction

Sylvia Rose

Dec 28, 20245 min read

Binary Fission: Speedy Microbe Reproduction

Binary fission is the primary method of reproduction for bacteria and other single-celled microbes, commonly explained as a parent cell...

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Bacteria & Archaea: Differences & Similarities

Sylvia Rose

Dec 25, 20246 min read

Bacteria & Archaea: Differences & Similarities

Bacteria and archaea are the oldest life forms on Earth. Both defined as prokaryotes , they are fundamentally different in several ways....

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Vulcano: Child Miners, Gods & Extremophiles

Sylvia Rose

Dec 24, 20245 min read

Vulcano: Child Miners, Gods & Extremophiles

Vulcano is part of the Aeolian Island archipelago of Italy. Named for Vulcan, Roman god of fire and metalworking, Vulcano is a unique...

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Microbe pH Levels: Acidophiles, Neutrophiles & Alkaliphiles

Sylvia Rose

Dec 17, 20245 min read

Microbe pH Levels: Acidophiles, Neutrophiles & Alkaliphiles

Acidophiles, neutrophiles, and alkaliphiles are microbes which prosper at certain pH levels and environmental conditions such as sulfur...

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GI Yeast Hunter: Bacteroides thetaiotomicron

Sylvia Rose

Dec 16, 20245 min read

GI Yeast Hunter: Bacteroides thetaiotomicron

Bacteroides thetaiotomicron is found in the human gastrointestinal tract (GI) as part of the normal digestive system biota, along with...

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Bdellovibrio: Lifestyles of Predatory Bacteria

Sylvia Rose

Dec 11, 20245 min read

Bdellovibrio: Lifestyles of Predatory Bacteria

Bdellovibrio predatory bacteria are gram-negative , obligate aerobic bacteria who hunt other gram-negative bacteria to feed on their...

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Killer Yeast: Assassins of the Microworld

Sylvia Rose

Dec 10, 20246 min read

Killer Yeast: Assassins of the Microworld

Killer yeasts secrete toxic proteins. Known as killer toxins, the proteins can eliminate susceptible cells within their own species or...

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Difference Between Gram-Positive & Gram-Negative Bacteria

Sylvia Rose

Dec 9, 20243 min read

Difference Between Gram-Positive & Gram-Negative Bacteria

Differences between Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria are fairly straightforward, related to cell membrane structure. Knowing...

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Predators of the Microworld: Vampirovibrio & Lysobacter

Sylvia Rose

Dec 9, 20245 min read

Predators of the Microworld: Vampirovibrio & Lysobacter

Vampirovibrio and Lysobacter are types of bacteria known to attack, kill and eat other bacteria. Hunting tactics are similar to the...

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Silicon (Si): Fueling the Robot Apocalypse

Sylvia Rose

Dec 1, 20245 min read

Silicon (Si): Fueling the Robot Apocalypse

Silicon (Si) is one of the most abundant elements on Earth, a ductile metal important to industry and natural processes. Silicon is in...

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Zaffre: Vintage Cobalt Blue Glass & Artists' Pigment

Sylvia Rose

Nov 27, 20246 min read

Zaffre: Vintage Cobalt Blue Glass & Artists' Pigment

Zaffre (zaffer) is a vibrant deep blue pigment developed by alchemists, major pigment creators, by c. 1550 AD. Characterized by brilliant...

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Flowers of Antimony: Pure Medieval Purgative

Sylvia Rose

Nov 25, 20244 min read

Flowers of Antimony: Pure Medieval Purgative

Flowers of antimony are a purified form of antimony trioxide (Sb2O3). Created through sublimation, they have chemical and medical...

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Uric Acid: Inner Works of the Human Body

Sylvia Rose

Nov 21, 20244 min read

Uric Acid: Inner Works of the Human Body

Uric acid is formed in humans during breakdown of purines. Purines are naturally produced in the body, and found in some foods and...

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Mercury II Oxide: Red & White of Alchemy

Sylvia Rose

Nov 18, 20247 min read

Mercury II Oxide: Red & White of Alchemy

In practical alchemy, mercury II oxide (HgO) is often called the "Red Precipitate," with its compound Mercuric Amidochloride (Hg(NH2)Cl),...

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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,...

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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...

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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...

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Sylvia Rose

Nov 9, 20243 min read

Food Pathogens: Family Health & Safety

Pathogens of food include Bacillus cereus , Salmonella typhimurium , Aeromonas hydrophila , and Pseudomonas fragi . Each of these...

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Scheele's Green: History's Most Toxic Pigment

Sylvia Rose

Nov 9, 20245 min read

Scheele's Green: History's Most Toxic Pigment

Scheele's Green is a rich, vibrant green. Its color appeal surpasses that of the copper carbonate paints of the late 18th century and...

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Chlorine (Cl): Properties, Hazards & Uses

Sylvia Rose

Nov 8, 20245 min read

Chlorine (Cl): Properties, Hazards & Uses

Chlorine (Cl) is a vital element in nature, used in industry as a disinfectant. Characterized by its highly reactive habits, chlorine is...

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