There are thousands of species of birds and with great numbers come great biodiversity. Birds are among the most colorful animals on the planet so today we're taking a look at how birds use science to employ a wide range of chemical and physical tricks when it comes to feathers.

To honor women’s history month in the international year of the periodic table, today we wanted to share the story of two of chemistry’s most brilliant and bold women and their paths of elemental discovery -- because what they brought to the table changed the world as we know it.

Did you realize that just like certain animals here on Earth, there are endangered elements too? For example, we’re constantly losing helium, a gas that defies gravity and escapes our atmosphere into space. This incredible element is in high demand all over the globe. It’s also way too expensive to create in the laboratory and that’s bad news for more than just your birthday party!

Have you ever thought about how strange it is that dogs eat these dry, weird smelling bits of food for their entire lives and never get sick of them? This truly is a scientific puzzle and there are many different types of dog food formulas on the market. Some are designed for weight loss, long shelf life and making sure that your dog eats a balanced diet.

When things start looking grimy in the bathroom, and it’s time to whip out yellow gloves, the only thing that matters is getting the job done as soon as possible. So you open the cabinet, see a bunch of bottles and think “Hey, this cleans and that cleans, why not mix them all together? That’ll kill dirt and grime faster!” Think again - your all purpose cleaning cocktail could kill you.

The 80s was a decade full of neon leg warmers, power ballads, and big hair. But how did we get that big hair so bad it’s good? A little bit of teasing and a lot of chemistry. This week Ms. Beautyphile helps us tackle the science behind perms and crimping and overall big 80s hair.

Today we’re showing our love for the redheaded stepchild of the chocolate world, white chocolate. It may lack the rich flavor of milk chocolate and the glossy brown color of dark chocolate. Many people even argue it’s not really chocolate at all. What is it about this creamy candy that sets it apart from the darker chocolates we know and love so well?

Whether you rock sideburns or baby-smooth legs, all shavers share one concern –– the threat of razor-sharp metal. But luckily, shaving cream packs the right chemistry to keep us looking good while protecting our sensitive skin. What is this fantastic foam in a can? Today, with the help of Ms. Beautyphile, Reactions gets up close and personal with the chemistry of your bathroom's most magical soap.

Flamingos may be synonymous with tacky lawn ornaments, but they’re one of the most hardcore animals on the planet. They survive where almost nothing else can. And they’re pink too.

So we really messed up on this one. Even we can have a difficult time with R and S Limonene! We appreciate your patience with this video and here it is for the final time. Rest assured everything in here is accurate and correct.

Thanks to the demands of eco-conscious consumers, biodegradable and compostable plastics are cropping up everywhere. Are these green plastics the solution to our throwaway lifestyle? Well -- it’s complicated

You ever see those commercials suggesting people take a tiny dose of aspirin every day? It’s an amount so small it doesn’t really work for pain relief, yet taking low-dose aspirin is fairly common, among those at risk for heart attacks or stroke. Here’s why aspirin works in a baby-sized dose

It’s the fermented food most requested by you, the viewers! What makes kimchi sour and spicy, yet also surprisingly rich and buttery?

Flame-retardant chemicals can slow the spread of fire in homes and garments. But are these compounds naughty or nice? This week on Reactions, we ask whether old Saint Nick might want a flame-retardant suit...or choose to opt out.

Fish living in the oceans around Antarctica seem like they should freeze to death. But notothenioids have it all figured out, thanks to the antifreeze proteins in their blood!

Relative humidity, dew point, heat index... trying to figure out what to wear from all these buzzy weather words is enough to make you sweat! But fear not, today we're giving you a break down on how to use the local weather report to your advantage, and hopefully equip you with enough knowledge to avoid that annoying humidity fueled puddle of back sweat...

How does animal hide become leather? We still don’t fully understand the chemistry of tanning, but the basic steps are thousands of years old. In this week’s episode of Reactions, learn how leather is made.

You may have heard that throwing rice at weddings will hurt wild birds. But we’re here to say that myth isn’t backed up by the science -- and we can prove it with chemistry.

How do astronauts survive the deadly radiation of deep space? NASA is still figuring out how to protect astronauts from cosmic radiation -- like plastic shielding and magnetic deflectors.

You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar--or do you? This week on Reactions, we explain the chemistry behind why fruit flies love vinegar so much, some entomologists call them “vinegar flies.”