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Organic Polymers: Ecology & Natural Health
Polymers are large molecules made of repeating units called monomers. They're integral to the structure of matter, and occur in synthetic...

Sylvia Rose
Jan 282 min read
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Tannins: Complex Astringents of Nature
Tannins are phenol compounds found in a variety of plants. Their survival strategies in nature produce benefits in wine, food, health...

Sylvia Rose
Jan 235 min read
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Esters: Nature's Fragrance & Flavor Makers
Esters are organic compounds yielding countless flavors and scents. Their intriguing aromas make them valuable in cooking, perfumery,...

Sylvia Rose
Jan 185 min read
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Ethyl Acetate: Scent of Flowers, Wine & Fruits
Ethyl acetate is an aromatic compound produced by yeast in beverage brewing, bestowing sweet fruity scents and complex flavor profiles....

Sylvia Rose
Jan 184 min read
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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...

Sylvia Rose
Dec 28, 20245 min read
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Silvanus: Roman God of Wild Lands & Fields
Silvanus is a rustic Roman god of wilderness, fields, livestock, boundaries, music and fertility. His name comes from the Latin silva ...

Sylvia Rose
Dec 24, 20243 min read
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Wild Yeast: Microbes Acting Naturally
Wild yeast is a fascinating part of the natural world. Ubiquitous and often overlooked, it's a coveted organism of science, well-known by...

Sylvia Rose
Dec 20, 20248 min read
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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,...

Sylvia Rose
Nov 4, 20244 min read
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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...

Sylvia Rose
Oct 30, 20244 min read
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Scientific Revolution Europe 1543-1687
The Scientific Revolution, from 1543 to 1687, transforms human understanding of the natural world. This period involves events and...

Sylvia Rose
Oct 27, 20248 min read
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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...

Sylvia Rose
Oct 25, 20246 min read
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Bacteria: Unseen Driving Force Behind All Life
Bacteria are responsible for millions of vital processes hidden from our everyday perception. These single-celled organisms are essential...

Sylvia Rose
Oct 17, 20245 min read
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Gum Arabic (Acacia Gum) Art, Food & Medicine
Gum arabic, also known as acacia gum, is a natural substance derived from sap of Acacia trees, especially Acacia senegal . This sticky,...

Sylvia Rose
Oct 15, 20244 min read
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Ammonia: Formation, Hazards & Reactions
Ammonia is a simple versatile compound vital to life on Earth. Here's the info on its formation, historical significance, potential...

Sylvia Rose
Oct 1, 20245 min read
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Natural Colors: How to Extract Plant Pigments
Artists and craftspeople have used plant pigments as a source of color for millennia. Works of art and textile dyes using vegetable...

Sylvia Rose
Sep 20, 20244 min read
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Galls & Gall Nuts: Black Ink, Dye, Medicine
Galls and gall nuts are growths on plants, particularly oak trees, used for a number of purposes throughout history. They form due to...

Sylvia Rose
Sep 12, 20243 min read
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Science of Rust Earth Pigments & Colors
Rust is a complex chemical reaction from the interaction of iron, oxygen, and moisture. This common phenomenon produces striking colors...

Sylvia Rose
Sep 1, 20243 min read
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How to Make Iron Oxide Pigment at Home
Make non-toxic iron oxide pigments for painting, dyes, glazes, artistic to industrial uses. Iron oxide (Fe2O3) or rust exists on Earth...

Sylvia Rose
Sep 1, 20245 min read
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How to Make Copperas Red: Simply Science
Copperas, iron(II) sulfate or green ferrous sulfate, is a versatile compound in various applications, from agriculture to water...

Sylvia Rose
Aug 31, 20244 min read
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Natural Purple Dyes: Ancient & Medieval
Dyers, coloring professionals, metal workers and gemologists seek vibrant colors and tones since early civilization. The first use of...

Sylvia Rose
Aug 31, 20245 min read
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