Crystals And Catalysts

Even though Facebook pages can seem to be split into two groups — brands trying to advertise and people trying to socialize — there are other pages on Facebook that deserve some attention. The dedicated science pages. In fact, some of my favourite pages on Facebook are science blogs / magazines and pages that utilize the social media giant to spread the love of science and how majestic science can be. Whether they're making us laugh, enlightening us with the latest science news or teaching us new things, these five Facebook pages provide an excellent break from all those baby pictures and engagement announcements. Here's a list of my top 5 Science Facebook Pages... Chemistry World Compound Interest Fake Science I F****** Love Science Science Lovers Only What are your favourite science Facebook pages? Share them in the comments below. Images: Facebook

Hand sanitizer is everywhere, you find it in almost every store you go to and it’s widely available in hospitals. Hand sanitizing is beneficial to protect ourselves from harmful bacteria and viruses that can make us ill. Most people carry a bottle of hand sanitizer in their bag, especially when travelling (and especially on the London underground).  I was surprised to see that there is a video , scaring people from using hand sanitizer; featured in IF******LoveScience and DNews.  Recently new research has been published which tries to oppose the use of hand sanitizer by blaming its use on increased absorption of BPA levels in the body. Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical that is used in a variety of consumer products, such as water bottles, dental composites and resins used to line metal food and beverage containers, and also is used in thermal paper cash register receipts. First data has emerged that BPA from thermal paper used in cash register receipts accounts for high levels of

Personally, I love instagram. Its great for sharing images be it in the lab or personal interests. Here's a list of my favourite science Instragram accounts, hope you like them and if there's someone I've missed out, comment below and tell me about them. 1- From the Lab Bench The account of Paige Brown Jarreau - She's recently completed a PhD in science communication and she blogs about science communication & her research. But Paige's instagram is filled with her beautiful photography such as this blue bird here. 2- PopSci This is the account of the popular science website: Popular Science, who post about the "latest science, tech and futuristic nerdery" 3- WIRED This is the account of the popular science blog: WIRED, who post about the science, technology and everything in between. 4- CellPress This account goes by the saying "Science is Art" and their instagrm is full of colourful images, such as this one of ne

In today's favourites I will be listing my favourite twitter accounts to follow. Some of them are bloggers and some just lovers of science.  1 Sci Art #sciart : there's an MSc for that! Finished a BioSciences degree? Check out Bio Photo & Imaging @UniofNottingham http://t.co/rqRjVhRtLK — SciArt (@Sci_Art) March 26, 2015 2- RealTimeChem Kids, this is why you titrate BuLi: sometimes the concentration is half what it says on the bottle! #RealTimeChem pic.twitter.com/CFeIcbpwOx — Matthew Katcher (@katmatcher) May 28, 2015 3- Chemjobber @UnstableIsotope It's the thrill of potential serious injury that makes them want to understand the universe better. — Chemjobber (@Chemjobber) May 27, 2015 4- ASAP Science We all have fantasies... Even sharks. (via @elclimo ) pic.twitter.com/Cbmp5GR0pW — AsapSCIENCE (@AsapSCIENCE) May 28, 2015 5- Psy Post Hallucinations and delusions more common than thought http://t.co/kXe5mGyt2S pic

Just as I love writing on my science blog, I also love reading other science blogs and seeing what science looks like through other peoples eyes.  Here's a small list of my favourite science blogs which I recommend you go and check out! Compound Interest The Chemical Blog Pictures from an Organic Chemistry Lab Just Like Cooking From the Lab bench IFL Science The Chronical Flask Chemistry Blog New Scientist Guardian Science SciCurious

Science Blogging Problems... There are two main problems that some science bloggers may come across: closed access articles a smaller audience The first and main problem I  have as a science blogger is closed-access articles. Usually I find a really good topic / idea for a blog post and I try and research suitable journals to support my article, but the one that would perfectly match my post is ...you guessed it... closed access! So I cant use that one and I'll have to go back and search for open access journals that fit the topic I wanted to discuss, or try and make do with all the information I can get out of the abstract. The other problem is reaching a smaller audience. Not everyone who reads, likes to read about science or health related posts most the time, at least that's my opinion. Mainly those who are fascinated by science and love to read about it will read science articles and science blogs. When I started science blogging I was convinced I would

What do you think about the future of science blogging? more people / scientists will start blogging science blogs will become like lab books / diaries  as science blogs become more popular, audience will grow & spread science education More people / scientists will start blogging In the near future science blogging will become more popular and science blogging will become popular between scientists. It could be a great way to communicate their research and write about other research.  Science blogs will become like lab books / diaries  Already, science bloggers utilise their platforms to blog lab work and lab photography. Science blogs could soon become a replacement for the standard lab book and all work will be documented on-line instead of on paper.         As science blogs become more popular, audience will grow & spread science  Currently the audience for science blogs consists of people who study / have studied science. In the futur

This weeks science news: how being creative may make you prone to certain psychological disorders; sleeping brain cells, and killer nanoparticles.

If you can't explain it to a six year old, you don't understand it yourself. - Albert Einstein I love writing. And I have always loved journalism & science. If I didn't have a career in science, I would have definitely had a career in journalism. Science communication is the best mix between science and journalism. I aspire to be a good, professional science writer. A good science writer is able to write a post that caters to different tastes and they can also explain scientific concepts well via written communication to someone who lacks the understanding. I hope my posts convey this. However I do enjoy working in the laboratory, and I wish I had started my blog during my studies at university so I could have written and posted photos of my progress in the lab during my project. I love reading and seeing other scientists "lab diaries".

There are loads of tips on how to go about science blogging all over the internet. A simple Google search will lead you to so many different pages. After reading hundreds of pages about science writing & blogging (before I even started writing Crystals & Catalysts)  I have come up with a list that covers the top tips of science blogging: Number One: Don't Start  a blog until you have aimed and completed writing over 10 posts, and making sure that this is not just a phase and you will be able to keep on writing on your blog. Number Two: Read, Read and read again. Go through scientific journals, other science blogs and read as much as you can. The more you read the more you learn. Number Three: Choose your blog name carefully as it will become like your "brand name". You could choose to write under your name publicly or under a pseudonym.  Number Four: Pick a blog host for the blog you want to start ... Such as Wordpress / Blogger

A book I will start reading soon is:  That's the Way the Cookie Crumbles:  Fascinating Chemistry of Everyday Life By Dr Joe Schwarcz  Dr Schwarcz, through his book, gives 62 commentaries of chemistry of everyday life.  The book has recieved many 5-star and mixed reviews, which is interesting. Most of the reviews portray that this book communicates chemistry in a light, and engaging manner to the reader, making it seem like a relaxing read, probably lighter than Bad Pharma by Ben Goldacre (also an awesome book).  When I complete this book I will be writing a review for it in the near future.  One 5-star review on Goodreads states: After reading That’s the Way the Cookie Crumbles: 62 all-new commentaries on the fascinating chemistry of everyday life by Dr. Joe Schwarcz, I have found chemistry to be a more appealing subject to study. Schwarcz expertly incorporates humor, relevant anecdotes and fun facts in his essays to explain the chemistry behind things such as arsen