Gern Blanzden
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Gern Blanzden
@gernblanzden.bsky.social
240 followers 140 following 39 posts
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Reposted by Gern Blanzden
compoundchem.com
Why does scum sometimes form on the surface of a cup of tea, and how does tea's stimulant effect differ from that of coffee? On #NationalHotTeaDay here are the chemical explanations! www.compoundchem.com/2023/04/21/tea

#ChemSky 🧪
An infographic titled "Tea polyphenols, stimulants, and tea scum". It explains that tea contains 180–240 mg of polyphenols, like theaflavins, which provide its red-orange color. It features molecular structures for stimulants: theobromine, theophylline, and caffeine (35 mg per 200 ml). It notes L-theanine may balance caffeine's effects. A section on "tea scum" shows it is formed by calcium and bicarbonate ions in hard water.
January 12, 2026 at 12:35 PM
Reposted by Gern Blanzden
compoundchem.com
Today is #NationalMilkDay 🥛 Why is milk white, and what makes it go sour over time? This graphic explains: www.compoundchem.com/2018/06/02/milk

#ChemSky 🧪
An infographic titled "The Chemistry of Cow’s Milk". It details milk’s composition: 87.5% water, 3.9% fat, 3.4% proteins, and 5.2% lactose/minerals. It explains milk is white because casein protein micelles scatter light. Diagrams show the chemical structure of triglycerides (fats like palmitic and oleic acid) and the breakdown of lactose into galactose and glucose via digestion, or into lactic acid via fermentation, which causes souring.
January 11, 2026 at 10:06 AM
Reposted by Gern Blanzden
compoundchem.com
January is #InternationalBloodDonorMonth. What makes blood types different and which are compatible with which? Learn more with this graphic: www.compoundchem.com/2018/01/12/b...
An infographic titled Blood Type Compatibilities explains how antigens and antibodies determine donor-recipient matches. Eight columns represent blood types (O-, O+, A-, A+, B-, B+, AB-, AB+). Each shows its specific antigens and antibodies, followed by lists of compatible donors and recipients. For example, O- is the universal donor, able to give to all types but only receive from O-. Conversely, AB+ is the universal recipient, able to receive from all types but only donate to AB+.
January 10, 2026 at 1:15 PM
Reposted by Gern Blanzden
universityofga.bsky.social
Higher temperatures may make monarch butterflies more vulnerable to parasites, according to new research from Dr. Sonia Altizer at UGA!
https://t.uga.edu/4qNzDgB
A monarch butterfly perched on a vibrant pink zinnia flower, with a softly blurred background. Portrait of Dr. Sonia Altizer, smiling and standing with arms crossed against a gray background.
January 10, 2026 at 2:17 PM
Reposted by Gern Blanzden
compoundchem.com
In winter weather we all know salt makes icy roads less slippery, but how does that work? This edition of #PeriodicGraphics in @cenmag.bsky.social explains and looks at the range of different deicers used: cen.acs.org/articles/93/...

#Chemsky 🧪
Infographic titled “Deicers & Antifreeze” explains how chemicals lower water’s freezing point via eutectic points. A vertical thermometer shows freezing points from 0 to −60 °C. Listed chemicals with formulas, concentrations, and minimum temperatures include urea (−11.9 °C), sodium chloride (−21 °C), calcium magnesium acetate (−27.5 °C), magnesium chloride (−33 °C), glycerol (−37.8 °C), ethylene glycol (−50 °C), calcium chloride (−51 °C), potassium acetate (−60 °C), and propylene glycol (−60 °C). Side panels describe road deicers, airplane deicers, and antifreeze uses, noting corrosion and toxicity concerns.
January 9, 2026 at 3:43 PM
Reposted by Gern Blanzden
npr.org
Far-Flung Postcards is a weekly series in which NPR's international team shares moments from their lives and work around the world. n.pr/4jxCLe6
Greetings from a Paris park, where a lone sequoia tree is a marvel to behold
Far-Flung Postcards is a weekly series in which NPR's international team shares moments from their lives and work around the world.
n.pr
January 8, 2026 at 1:37 PM
Reposted by Gern Blanzden
compoundchem.com
A prison closed after high levels of radon gas were detected is in the UK news today: www.theguardian.com/society/2026...

Where does radon come from and why is it dangerous? This edition of #PeriodicGraphics in @cenmag.bsky.social explains: cen.acs.org/environment/...

#ChemSky 🧪
Infographic titled “What Are the Risks of Radon?” explaining sources, health effects, and detection of radon gas. It shows radon forming from uranium decay in soil and entering homes, especially basements. Health impacts include lung cancer risk, with statistics such as 1 in 15 U.S. homes having high radon and about 21,000 U.S. lung cancer deaths per year. Diagrams explain radioactive decay chains, indoor radon levels, and common detection methods including track detectors, activated carbon, electret chambers, and continuous monitors.
January 7, 2026 at 10:25 AM
Reposted by Gern Blanzden
physicsworld.bsky.social
Researchers have created an organic LED that can generate left- or right-handed circularly polarized light from the same form of light-emitting molecule. 🧪⚛️ physicsworld.com/a/organic-le...
Organic LED can electrically switch the handedness of emitted light – Physics World
A new type of OLED can generate left- or right-handed circularly polarized light from just one form of light-emitting molecule
physicsworld.com
January 7, 2026 at 1:39 PM
Reposted by Gern Blanzden
compoundchem.com
Today is Three Kings Day! Here's a look at why gold is gold, what gives frankincense its distinctive smell, and what on earth myrrh is: www.compoundchem.com/2014/12/23/g...

#ChemSky 🧪
Infographic titled “Gold, Frankincense & Myrrh” examining the chemistry and uses of the three biblical gifts. Top images show gold bars, frankincense resin, and myrrh resin. The Gold section explains metallic bonding, electron configuration, and why gold appears yellow. The Frankincense section shows chemical structures of aroma compounds used in incense and perfumes, with notes on mood effects. The Myrrh section shows sesquiterpene structures, describing its use in incense, fragrance, and traditional medicine with possible analgesic properties.
January 6, 2026 at 11:15 AM
Reposted by Gern Blanzden
bianchiweather.bsky.social
Good news: All evacuations lifted on this fire.
bianchiweather.bsky.social Chris Bianchi @bianchiweather.bsky.social · 7d
Winds are generally gusting 20-40 mph in the area near the grass fire near 104th St./Northwest Parkway (near Lafayette and Broomfield)

#COwx
January 5, 2026 at 11:35 PM
Reposted by Gern Blanzden
kylec.bsky.social
NEW: Mandatory evacuation order for the South Pointe neighborhood in Boulder County. Wildfire at 287 and Dillion (SE of Louisville)
January 5, 2026 at 10:34 PM
Reposted by Gern Blanzden
compoundchem.com
Icy weather is hitting here this week ❄️ If you've ever wondered why snowflakes are six-sided, why ice floats on water, and what ice cores can tell us about the past climate, then check out this edition of #PeriodicGraphics in @cenmag.bsky.social: cen.acs.org/environment/...

#ChemSky 🧪
Infographic titled “The Chemistry of Snow and Ice” explaining why snowflakes have six sides, why ice floats, and how ice affects atmospheric chemistry. Sections show snowflake formation via hydrogen bonding creating hexagonal crystals; types of snowflakes varying with temperature and humidity; a graph comparing ice and water density showing ice is less dense; Antarctic icy chemistry illustrating ozone-depleting reactions on ice crystals; and ice cores revealing past climate data from oxygen isotopes and carbon dioxide.
January 5, 2026 at 12:35 PM
Reposted by Gern Blanzden
frwildflowers.bsky.social
My reaction to 2026 so far…
From the pluribustv community on Reddit: Compilation of Rhea Seehorn doing the meep
Explore this post and more from the pluribustv community
www.reddit.com
January 4, 2026 at 9:33 PM
Reposted by Gern Blanzden
compoundchem.com
Planning on seeing in 2026 in with Champagne? Here's the science behind the celebratory bubbles! www.compoundchem.com/2014/12/30/c...

#ChemSky 🧪
Infographic titled “The Chemistry of Champagne” showing facts about carbonation and aroma compounds. It notes that a 0.75 L bottle releases about 5 L of CO₂, a glass contains around 20 million bubbles, bottle pressure is 5–6 atmospheres, and 20% of CO₂ escapes via bubbles. A central champagne flute is surrounded by chemical structures of aroma-contributing compounds: γ-decalactone, methyl dihydrojasmonate, dodecanoic acid, decanoic acid, 7,8-dihydrovomifoliol, ethyl myristate, palmitic acid, and palmitoleic acid.
December 31, 2025 at 10:15 AM
Reposted by Gern Blanzden
byteseu.bsky.social
5 lessons about misinformation from ancient Greek and Roman scientists

https://www.byteseu.com/1667903/

Ancient scientists can be easy to dismiss. Greek philosopher Thales of Miletus, often described as the West’s first scientist, believed the whole Earth was suspended on water. Roman …
5 lessons about misinformation from ancient Greek and Roman scientists - Bytes Europe
Ancient scientists can be easy to dismiss.
www.byteseu.com
December 28, 2025 at 10:13 PM
Reposted by Gern Blanzden
queenmab99.bsky.social
As the rest of the world leaves the U.S. behind.
December 27, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Reposted by Gern Blanzden
compoundchem.com
Cracking chemistry for day 20 of #ChemAdvent!

First up are Christmas crackers, taking advantage of friction-sensitive silver fulminate to deliver a big bang 💥

For tamales, preventing cracking of the corn husk wrapping is the aim, so they're soaked in water to make them flexible 🌽

#ChemSky 🧪
Infographic on Christmas crackers, showing the structure of silver fulminate and explaining how this friction-sensitive compound is placed on the ends of the two strips of card that form the cracker snap and detonates when the snap is pulled. Infographic on tamales, made from a corn-based dough and steamed inside a corn husk. Nixtamalisation is the process of cooking and steeping corn kernels in an alkaline solution to degrade the outer layer of the corn kernel and soften the corn, making it easier to grind into flour.
December 20, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Reposted by Gern Blanzden
compoundchem.com
Mulled wine and tangyuan for day 19 of #ChemAdvent!

Both wine and tangyuan contain long, chainlike molecules. In wine, it's the polymeric tannins that influence astringency and mouthfeel.

In tangyuan, made from glutinous rice flour, branched chains of amylopectin make the rice sticky.

#ChemSky 🧪
Infographic on mulled wine, showing the structures of two key flavour compenents: eugenol from cloves and cinnamaldehyde from cinnamon. Infographic on tangyuan, Chinese dumplings made from glutinous rice flour. Low amylose content and higher amylopectin content makes glutinous rice sticky. Simplified structures of amylose and amylopectin are shown.
December 19, 2025 at 9:15 AM
Reposted by Gern Blanzden
compoundchem.com
For the final #PeriodicGraphics of 2025, we look at @cenmag.bsky.social's most-read stories of 2025: from lead in protein shakes, through underground hydrogen reserves, to chemistry peer review concerns.

Find links to each of the individual stories here: cen.acs.org/policy/publi...

#ChemSky 🧪
Infographic titled “C&EN Most-read stories of 2025,” listing the top 10 Chemical & Engineering News articles as of Nov. 5, 2025. Items are numbered 1–10 with brief summaries and icons. #1 reports that 1 in 5 chemists admitted adding errors to papers to get published. #2 explains why lead was found in protein powders. #3 covers concerns over NIH policy changes and alleged “banned words.” #4 features expert predictions for the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. #5 highlights how chemists with disabilities solve problems and advocate for inclusion. #6 discusses underground hydrogen as a climate solution. #7 presents C&EN’s Global Top 50 chemical firms for 2025. #8 reports Ethiopia having the highest scientific paper retraction rate. #9 describes bacteria converting plastic waste into paracetamol. #10 covers a study retracted over genetics ethics concerns. Branding and credits appear at the bottom.
December 18, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Reposted by Gern Blanzden
compoundchem.com
Very contrasting smells for day 18 of #ChemAdvent!

Olibanic acid isomers contribute to the fragrance of Frankincense, traditionally associated with Christmas.

The aroma of hákarl, fermented Greenland shark, is a much less welcome one, dominated by ammonia and other pungent compounds.

#ChemSky 🧪
Infographic on frankincense, showing the chemical structure of olibanic acid isomers, the key compounds responsible for the characteristic aroma of frankincense. Infographic on harkal, fermented Greenland shark, traditionally eaten ad part of the mid-winter festival Þorrablót. It contains urea, trimethylamine oxide and ammonia, which dominate the pungent smell and taste of the fish.
December 18, 2025 at 12:15 PM
Reposted by Gern Blanzden
physicsworld.bsky.social
An aerogel material that is more than 99% transparent to light and is an excellent thermal insulator has been developed by Ivan Smalyukh and colleagues at the University of Colorado Boulder. 🧪⚛️ ow.ly/jEuk50XLnzN
Transparent and insulating aerogel could boost energy efficiency of windows – Physics World
Tiny pores block heat while transmitting light
ow.ly
December 18, 2025 at 12:28 PM
Reposted by Gern Blanzden
mluckovich.bsky.social
December 17, 2025 at 9:20 PM
Reposted by Gern Blanzden
compoundchem.com
Decorations and wrapping for day 17 of #ChemAdvent!

Baubles were traditionally silvered using the reduction of silver nitrate with glucose - a chemical test used in classrooms to detect aldehydes.

Wrapping paper and tape are both cellulose-based 🎁

#ChemSky 🧪
Infographic on how baubles are silvered using silver nitrate solution, concentrated ammonia and glucose solution. Glucose reduces the silver ions to silver metal. The chemical structures of silver nitrate and glucose are shown. Infographic on wrapping paper and tape. Both are based on cellulose, with tape also containing a pressure-sensitive acrylic or rubber-based adhesive. The structure of cellulose is shown.
December 17, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Reposted by Gern Blanzden
bianchiweather.bsky.social
Seeing this floating around, and want to say this directly:

Tomorrow's fire conditions are NOT comparable with Marshall Fire (12/30/21). Wind speeds, longevity, soil moisture, RH: not the same.

We should be vigilant tomorrow. But stop with the Marshall Fire comparisons.

#COwx
December 17, 2025 at 12:42 AM
Reposted by Gern Blanzden
bianchiweather.bsky.social
Xcel just significantly narrowed the PSPS zones for tomorrow to include mostly the west metro area and a few areas southeast of Fort Collins and between Loveland and Longmont. Xcel says 52k customers affected.

Detailed map here: co.my.xcelenergy.com/s/outage-saf...

#COwx
Xcel Energy
co.my.xcelenergy.com
December 17, 2025 at 12:08 AM