Science Questions Answered By Experts in the Field

Are Credit Cards Flammable?

December 2, 2012 by Clara Piccirillo, PhD Leave a Comment

Credit cards are made of PVC. Photo by Andres Rueda.

Have you ever wondered whether a credit card would burn if you lit it on fire? Now you’ll know – hint: it’s not a very good idea to burn rigid PVC.

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Filed Under: Ask the Expert, Headlines, Materials Science Tagged With: credit cards, dioxins, oxygen index, Polyvinyl chloride

“Obama Money”: Don’t Look a Gift President in the Mouth

November 30, 2012 by Walter McLaughlin 24 Comments

Redistribution is the politically-correct term, but some believe “Obama money” is out there for those who need it. Can you get cash from President Obama?

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Filed Under: Ask the Expert, Economics, Headlines Tagged With: American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Obama money, obamacare, redistribution, Small Business Jobs Act of 2010, stimulus

Are Peach Seeds Dangerous? Cyanide and Color Change Near Pit

November 1, 2012 by Clara Piccirillo, PhD Leave a Comment

Amygdalin can lead to the formation of HCN. Photo by Clara Piccirillo.

Peach stones contain amygdalin, that can form cyanide. Are peach seeds, and the red-colored flesh next to them, dangerous?

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Filed Under: Ask the Expert, Chemistry Tagged With: amygdalin, anthocyanines, cyanide, peach pit, peach stone

What Causes a Sudden Web Page Drop or Outage?

September 28, 2012 by Victoria Nicks Leave a Comment

When a web page drops, it may be your computer, or it may be the website. Image by VLN

When a website drops suddenly, you may wonder whether the page is up or down, and if it’s your computer or the site. The problem could be very simple, or very complex, depending on the situation.

Filed Under: Ask the Expert, Featured Posts, Headlines, Technology Tagged With: dropped web page, web page drop, website up or down

What Makes Some Earthquakes Feel Different From Others?

September 10, 2012 by Jennifer Young Leave a Comment

Different waves contribute to the characteristic patterm of a seismogram (image courtesy USGS)

Why do some earthquakes feel like side-to-side shaking, while others have a rolling motion? Jennifer Young explains the different seismic waves and factors responsible for quake motions.

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Filed Under: Ask the Expert Tagged With: earthquake damage, Earthquake movements, seismic waves

Decoded Science Ebooks

Using Social Science to Improve Your Health. Image by Gina Barrett Putt

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The Hunter and the Scorpion: In an endless cosmic chase the scorpion pursues the hunter, his intended victim, as they run across the sky. The Hunter and the Scorpion begins with the mythological lore behind two prominent easy to locate constellations: Orion, the Hunter, and Scorpius, the Scorpion. The Hunter and the Scorpion however encompasses much more than a constellation guidebook. Integrating ancient mythology, constellation lore, and modern astrophysics it tells the life story of stars an…The Hunter and the Scorpion

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Are Credit Cards Flammable?

“Obama Money”: Don’t Look a Gift President in the Mouth

Are Peach Seeds Dangerous? Cyanide and Color Change Near Pit

What Causes a Sudden Web Page Drop or Outage?

What Makes Some Earthquakes Feel Different From Others?

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