Fun With Chemistry

One of the more fun classes in high school was chemistry lab, especially on the days when you made things explode or catch fire...on purpose.

Relive those good old days with our videos of exploding chemistry experiments.

Stock Videos of Exploding Chemical Reactions

The Barking Dog experiment and the Rainbow Clock were very popular. But it's hard to beat the surprisingly loud explosion of a nitrogen triiodide explosion when it's touched lightly by a feather. 

And no one expects a tiny piece of metal dropped into water to steam, hiss, dance about and eventually explode, but lithium (Li), sodium (Na), potassium (K), rubidium (Rb), and caesium (Cs) do exactly that.

Gifts for the Chemistry Geeks

Here's what happens in each reaction:

Let's check what happens if we would drop a pea-size piece of metal in water.

• Lithium just sizzles on top of the water, but doesn't explode.

• Sodium floats on top of the water, then ignites with a yellow-orange flame and also doesn't explode.

• Potassium floats and skitters around violently, then ignites with a violet flame, and explodes.

• Rubidium sinks, reacts very violently and then explodes.

• Caesium explodes on impact with the water giving off a huge cloud of smoke.

Kinda makes you want to go back to school and study chemistry again.

The Energy Revolution

Renewable energy is sweeping the globe, changing our economies and the way we impact the environment.

Wind farms and solar panels now power large parts of developed countries and hydropower is constantly innovating, becoming more efficient and cost-effective. Tesla's SolarCity recently released a new solar power roof, and there is talk that one-day solar panels might replace household windows, potentially reducing electric bills and carbon footprints to zero.

Stock Images and Stock Video of Renewable Energy

Since 2014, both the United States and the European Union have reduced their CO2 emissions, and many other developed nations have seen their emission rates decline or stabilize. Although some of this is due to stagnating economies worldwide, officials confirm that much of it is a result of the rise of natural gas, solar energy, and wind power.

Nature Prints, Cell Phone Cases and Hand Bags

The cost of renewable energy has also decreased, outpacing even the decline in gas prices, making it an effective solution for developing nations and new economies. Globally there are about 7.7 million jobs associated with renewable energy, and worldwide investment for renewables reached US$286 billion in 2015.

Nature Cell Phone Case

Despite the good news, it's still unclear whether the world will reach the energy goals set by the Paris Agreement of 2016. The International Energy Agency estimates that renewable energy will only increase by 3% by 2021. The U.S.'s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and the U.K.'s defunding of local renewable projects are both setbacks for the Agreement but not necessarily fatal.

For the energy revolution to succeed, public support and private investment are essential.  See swell.com to find out how you can put your money towards a sustainable future.

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• www.theguardian.com
• www.nytimes.com

Summertime: Rising Both Temperatures and Skin Cancer Concerns

Beach weather gives us the opportunity to get outdoors, enjoy the fresh air, and soak up some Vitamin D, but also brings concerns about excessive sun exposure. With stronger and more frequent sun comes a higher risk for skin to be damaged by UV rays, making the body more susceptible to skin cancer.

Skin cancer is one of the most common types of cancer. The Skin Cancer Foundation states that more people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year in the U.S. than all other cancers combined. The cause is most often UV rays from the sun or tanning beds. Skin cancer is generally categorized into two groups, melanoma, and nonmelanoma.

Melanoma cancer begins in melanocytes, which are cells that produce skin pigment (melanin) and reside deep within the epidermis (the outer layer of the skin). Melanoma is known to often be more serious than nonmelanoma cancer because it has the tendency to advance and spread rapidly. The number of new melanoma cases are also on the rise. That being said, the earlier the detection of melanoma, the higher the chances are of it being curable. Skin affected by melanoma can look similar to a normal mole, but there are a few qualities that differentiate these growths from benign (noncancerous) growths. If the growth shows an unusually dark color or multiple colors, has uneven and unclear borders or is larger than other moles, it would be a good idea to see a doctor.

Nonmelanoma skin cancer is more common, and there are many different types of skin cancer that fall under this category. Basal cell and squamous cell cancers are diagnosed most frequently. Unlike melanoma, basal cell cancer rarely spreads to other sites in the body and is not commonly life-threatening. Other nonmelanoma cancers can be very deadly, so the spectrum of severity is large within this classification. Nonmelanoma cancers also house a large range of physical appearances from open sores, to reddish patches, to scaly growths.

A staple warning sign for all types of skin cancer is a growth or abnormality that is becoming bigger or changing over time. Make sure to get to know your skin and look out for any changes, especially in the months that have stronger sun.

There are many misconceptions about skin cancer prevention, so it’s important to keep up-to-date on trustworthy prevention guidelines from credible sites such as skincancer.org or cancer.gov. Tanning beds and sunburns do increase your risk of skin cancer, and you are still susceptible to skin cancer even if your skin doesn’t typically burn. Always using a sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher is essential, and make sure to apply 30 minutes before sun exposure. It’s also a good idea to cover up with clothing and seek shade when possible.

Although skin cancer is such a common disease, education on how to reduce the risk and ensure early detection can help us decrease the number of deaths from the disease as well as the billions of dollars that are being spent on skin cancer treatments annually.

Stock Images & Stock Video of Melanoma

• cancer.gov
• skincancer.org

Animal Mimicry and Camouflage

s it a twig or an insect? A harmless moth or a scary owl? Animals have amazing tricks up their sleeves to protect themselves, take advantage of looking like another creature or looking like their environment.

There are many types of animal mimicry. One example is an animal that pretends to be a totally different animal, usually much larger and stronger one, to scare off predators. The pattern on the wings of an Owl Moth (photo above) resemble the eyes and face of an owl. 

Stock Images of Mimicry in Nature

Camouflage, where an animal resembles it's surrounding to hide from predators, is a much-studied type of mimicry. The Dead Leaf Katydid is a beautiful example. It looks just like the dead leaves it lives on. Other animals look like rocks, thorns, twigs, flowers and even bird droppings.

The King Snake, which is non-poisonous, has a scale pattern like that of the Coral Snake, a type of venomous snake. It tricks predators into thinking they have encountered its very dangerous relative.

Animal mimicry is found through the animal and even the plant world. One of the most amazing examples is the octopus, which can change not only its color but also its skin texture within seconds to hide in a variety of underwater environments.

Additionally, the mimicking species may smell, sound or act like the creature or object it is copying. 

Greeting Cards, Mugs, and Other Mimicry Custom Gifts

• allyouneedisbiology.wordpress.com
• bbc.co.uk
• wikipedia.com

Lower Back Pain? You're in Good Company

If you have lower back pain, you are in good company. According to researchers, more than 80% of all Americans will suffer from lower back pain at some point in their life. One of the reasons it is so widespread is that this pain can be caused by many conditions, some not even related to your back.

The back is a complex framework of joints, bone, muscles, and ligaments, that must coordinate to do their work. The lower back supports your upper body and provides sensation and power for movement of hips, legs, and feet. Your back also houses and protects your spinal cord.

Stock Images & Video About Lower Back Pain

This complexity makes your back susceptible to injury and disease if not properly cared for. Muscles can be pulled, sprained, become inflamed or even torn. Bones can fracture or break. The nerves protected inside your spine may swell or get pinched. There are numerous medical conditions that may contribute as well, such as arthritis, lumbar spinal stenosis, sciatica, osteoporosis, scoliosis or herniated discs. 

Your lower back may be perfectly healthy, but you may give yourself lower back pain through your actions. Take a fall, slouch, lift a heavy object, or carry too much weight and your back may be in pain.

Most frustrating of all is that lower back pain may be caused by something other than your back; this is called referred pain. Tumors, kidney infections, endometriosis, fibromyalgia are likely medical culprits.

Tote Bags, Mugs, Blankets and Other Lower Back Pain Gifts

But do not fear, there are a number of things you can do to prevent or minimize the odds of suffering from lower back pain. Exercise and maintaining a healthy weight are at the top of the list. Don't smoke because it restricts blood flow to your spine. Practice proper posture when sitting, standing and lifting.

If you do get lower back pain, it often clears up after a few days or weeks. To be on the safe side, always check with your doctor.

• Lower Back Pain, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment, spine-health.com
• Tips for Pain Relief, webmd.com
• Chronic Low Back Pain on the Rise, med.unc.edu

Alzheimer's Disease, a Tragic Future for Our Aging Population

An estimated 82 million people will have dementia by 2030, according to the World Health Organization. By 2050, the number of people with dementia in the U.S. will be double what it is today, and 80% of these individuals will have Alzheimer's Disease.

Alzheimer's is a noncurable condition that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. A person can have the beginnings of Alzheimer's for years without any visible symptoms. It progressively worsens over time and never improves.

Most people develop Alzheimer's after age 65, although some people may get Early-Onset Alzheimer's decades earlier. 

The greatest factors in getting Alzheimer's is aging and having Alzheimer's in your family. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes also increase the odds. Head injuries and not sleeping regularly contribute to a lesser degree as well.

At first, symptoms may not be very noticeable. Misplaced keys, a lost book, a missed appointment. After all, everyone forgets things on occasion. However, with those suffering from Alzheimer's Disease, memory loss and confusion become more frequent, eventually interfering with daily living. They will also exhibit bouts of unexplained anger, depression and mood swings. Usually, close family and friends are the first to notice that something is not right.

In the long run, a patient suffering from Alzheimer's will need care 24 hours a day. They will not recognize family, will forget basic vocabulary, and not know how to feed themselves or accomplish even the most basic day-to-day tasks without assistance.

The brain of an Alzheimer's patient deteriorates due to the development of a type of plaque in brain cells called beta-amyloid, as well as tangles in nerve cells called tau. 

Treatment is limited, as there are only 5 drugs available that slow the progression of memory loss but do not stop it. Sleep drugs, anti-depressants and other mood enhancing drugs are usually prescribed to deal with common symptoms.

We have no way to cure Alzheimer's, nor to restore parts of the brain that have been lost. 

Luckily, there are many new drugs in development. Researchers are working on drugs to slow the deterioration of brain cells. Some hope to develop drugs that may one day even prevent Alzheimer's altogether. 

If pharmaceutical companies are successful, there may be a much brighter future for the elderly and the world may never reach the 82 million patients currently expected to develop this terrible disease.

Stock Images & Stock Video About Alzheimer's Disease

• alz,org
• webmd.com

Plastic Pollution in Our Oceans: Stock Photography

While plastic has given much to modern society, like inexpensive products and durable packaging, it's also had disastrous consequences.

A recent study from Georgia University found that 18 billion pounds of plastic are dropped into the ocean each year. This has resulted in massive islands of waste forming at sea that destroy aquatic life and poison the water. One such island in the Pacific now equals the size of Texas.

Stock Images of Our Polluted Oceans

The chemicals in plastic often enter into fish's stomachs, making them potentially harmful to the animals that eat them, including people. "I don’t think we should be waiting for a key finding of whether or not fish are hazardous to eat,” says biologist Richard Thompson. “We have enough evidence to act.”

Georgia University reports that only a fifth of all plastic is ever recycled. The problem lies mostly in developing nations but extends globally. Major cities often create landfills by waterways where plastic blows out onto the water and eventually out to sea.

Ocean Wall Art

“Everyone is looking for a sexy answer," Ted Siegler, a resource economist, remarks. “The reality is, we need to just collect the trash."

Hope lies ahead, as countries develop more efficient systems of recycling, but in the meantime, Mother Nature is left paying the lofty price.

Find out how you can help at Earthday

• nationalgeographic.com
• earthday.org