How Do Antiviral Drugs Work?
Antiviral drugs could help us fight the new coronavirus, but we don’t currently have a highly potent and effective antiviral that cures COVID-19. Why not? We called a few virologists to find out.
The Early Plan to Fight COVID with the Polio Vaccine
The COVID-19 pandemic has scientists considering a few less-conventional options while vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 are being developed. One option might be the oral polio vaccine. We chatted with one of the researchers proposing the idea—Dr. Robert Gallo—to understand why a vaccine that hasn’t been used in the US for two decades might provide short-term protection against this coronavirus.
Do Masks Stop COVID-19? (Yes! Here's Why)
The CDC is recommending that the general public wear cloth face masks to help decrease everyone’s chances of getting COVID-19. So how does the virus that causes COVID-19—SARS-CoV-2—spread? And how much could cloth face masks help stop it? We contacted some experts to find out, and to learn what materials work best if you’re making your own.
How Did We Get COVID Vaccines So Quickly?
What exactly is being tested? How much longer will these tests take? And when can we expect a vaccine against the novel coronavirus? We chat with Dr. Benjamin Neuman, one of the world’s experts on coronavirus, and Daniel Wrapp, one of the scientists who mapped the structure of the protein coronavirus uses to infect your cells, to help us answer these questions.
Can Soap Really "Kill" the Coronavirus?
Constantly being told to wash your hands? Us too. So we’re diving into the chemistry behind why soap is so effective against viruses like the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.
The US Military Gave Out Shark Repellent For Years
People have been developing different forms of shark repellent for decades--the military even issued a chemical shark repellent called “Shark Chaser” to pilots, sailors, and astronauts(!) from the end of World War II through the start of the Vietnam War. Thing is… it didn’t really work. Learn why they bothered passing it out--or even created it in the first place.
Which of These Mushrooms Could Kill You?
There are tens of thousands of mushroom species out there, and some of them could kill you. Today we’re going to test how well you can separate the perfectly safe from the perilously poisonous, and dive into the chemistry behind what makes seemingly identical species so different.
11 Things You Can Do With Your Dead Body
After you die, your body has quite a few options –– from being turned into a diamond to helping solve a murder. So, let us break down the possibilities so you can rest easy.
Cartoon Chemistry!
Are bananas actually that slippery? Could spinach give you superhuman strength? And what the heck is Toon Acid? This week, watch some cartoons alongside our writer and host, Sam Jones, and learn whether their chemistry checks out.
How Miracle Berries Alter Your Taste Buds
We gave Physics Girl, Space Time, Above the Noise, and Two Cents some miracle berry pills and lemons, tabasco sauce, tomatoes, and a bunch of other random foods, to figure out if this miraculous taste-modifying protein has any limits. Also, we needed a good excuse to make Eon's host Kallie Moore eat a tomato.
Yule Log Chemistry Trivia - 4 Hours of Cozy Fireplace
Ready to kick back and relax by the fire this holiday season? We’ve got you covered. Enjoy our chemistry-themed yule log trivia with a cup of hot cocoa at home, in the background at work, or at this year’s annual ugly sweater party.
Can You Cryogenically Freeze Your Body and Come Back to Life
When you die, there are a lot of things you can do with your dead body--embalm it, cremate it, donate it to science (the list goes on…), but some people will choose to have their dead bodies, or body parts, frozen until the technology of the future has (hopefully) advanced enough to bring them back to life.
The Science of J. Kenji López-Alt's Roasted Potato Recipe
Making delicious roasted potatoes is all about finding the right texture and consistency. Here at Reactions, we were inspired to give it a go after seeing J. Kenji Lopez-Alt’s delicious recipe on Serious Eats. So, we’ll use chemistry (are you surprised?!) to create the roasted potatoes of your dreams. Get ready to wow your family and friends this holiday season.
World’s Deadliest (& Cutest) Animals
Don’t let their cuteness fool you--these animals are not to be messed with. We break down the chemistry behind what makes these adorable critters deadly.
Where Did the Vampire Lore Come From?
When you think “vampire” some of today’s most popular vampires might come to mind. But in the 18th and 19th centuries, when European vampire lore first really took off, they were a bit more...morose and, instead of that crystal-clear skin, they appeared kind of sickly with a reddish complexion. We unpack the chemistry that may have inspired one of our favorites: the vampire!
How Do Blacksmiths Make Swords?
On this episode of Reactions, we head to Portland, Oregon, and learn how blacksmithing is just as much chemistry as it is an artform.
How to Make Magnetic Slime
On this episode, our writer, Sam, skips work to make some slime! Check it out to learn how you, too, can use easy-to-get items to make magnetic and colored slime.
Space Mirrors and Other Weird Ways to Fight Climate Change
There are things you can do right now to help our climate--like investing in renewable energy. But on this Reactions, we're digging into a few of the weirdest climate change-combating ideas out there.
We Tested Google’s Tips for Getting Stains Out
Stained your shirt but don’t have time for a spin cycle? Your first impulse is probably to whip out your phone and start Googling. But how reliable are the quick stain removal tips you come across? Let's try out a bunch of those tips and consider the chemistry behind why some are more effective than others.
Is Superhero Strength Real?
You’ve probably heard stories about mothers lifting cars to save their baby trapped underneath--but is that just an urban myth? We talk about “superhero strength” and the chemistry behind what’s possible.
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