Chemistry For Your Life

Ask a Chemist #64

Melissa and Jam delve into intriguing chemistry questions posed by their listeners. They explore whether all salts are salty, the chemistry of gunshot residue and fingerprinting, and the reactions between chemicals and sound waves. Special guest Maison, Melissa's husband, joins to discuss sourdough starter cultures and answer sourdough-related queries. The episode concludes with insightful comments from their Chemmunity members and reassurances about their well-being amid late-night recordings.

00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview

01:45 First Listener Question: Gunshot Residue and Fingerprinting

02:46 Is All Salt Salty?

15:28 Chemistry and Sound Waves

18:28 Sourdough Questions Begin

21:32 Sourdough Myths: Stainless Steel Debate

23:36 Acidity and Metal Reactions

27:47 Sourdough and Gluten-Free Misconceptions

29:40 Starting a Sourdough Business

31:22 Sourdough Starter Names and Maintenance

33:39 Maison's Sourdough Journey

42:06 Late Night Recording Concerns

44:41 Community Shoutouts and Closing Remarks

References from this episode:

1. https://pubs-acs-org.libproxy.library.unt.edu/doi/full/10.1021/acs.joc.1c00805


2. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7919833/

Thanks to our monthly supporters

• Julie S


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• Chelsea M


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• Erica B


• Elizabeth P


• Sarah M


• Rachel R


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• Venus R


• Lyn S


• Jacob T


• Brian K


• Emerson W


• Kristina G


• Timothy P


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• Chris and Claire S


• Chelsea B


• Avishai B


• Hunter R

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#205

Jam and Melissa discuss the complexities and consequences of recent executive orders surrounding science funding. Melissa provides insight into how these changes impact university research, faculty positions, and broader society. The duo also highlights the historical context and importance of DEI in academia, emphasizing the broader implications of funding uncertainties on current and future science initiatives.

00:00 Introduction and Special Occasions

00:20 Current Issues in Science Funding

01:10 Host Background and Experience

02:19 Impact of Executive Orders on Science

04:21 Broader Impacts and DEI in Grants

14:03 Indirect Costs and University Funding

16:44 Trickle-Down Effects on Academia

27:03 Importance of DEI Initiatives

40:16 Conclusion and Further Reading

References from this episode:

1. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-00365-z


2. https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:42%20section:1862p-14%20edition:prelim)


3. https://cen.acs.org/education/Racial-ethnic-diversity-US-chemistry/98/i43

Thanks to our monthly supporters

• Julie S


• Heather R


• Autoclave


• Chelsea M


• Dorien V


• Scott B


• Jessie R


• Ciara L


• J0HNTR0Y


• Jeannette N


• Cullyn R


• Erica B


• Elizabeth P


• Sarah M


• Rachel R


• Letila


• Katrina B


• Suzanne P


• Venus R


• Lyn S


• Jacob T


• Brian K


• Emerson W


• Kristina G


• Timothy P


• Steven B


• Chris and Claire S


• Chelsea B


• Avishai B


• Hunter R

Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com

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#047 Rebroadcast

This week, Melissa and Jam explore the chemistry of rust. What even is it? Where does it come from? Is it bad? Is it reversible? Let's get into it.

References from this episode

1. Turning Back Time: Watching Rust Transform into Iron - National Institute of Standards and Technology


2. The Color of Soil - United States Department of Agriculture


3. Why does metal rust? - American Chemical Society


4. Ultra-Pure Water - National Geographic
   
   

Thanks to our monthly supporters

• Julie S


• Heather R


• Autoclave


• Chelsea M


• Dorien V


• Scott B


• Jessie R


• Ciara L


• J0HNTR0Y


• Jeannette N


• Cullyn R


• Erica B


• Elizabeth P


• Sarah M


• Rachel R


• Letila


• Katrina B


• Suzanne P


• Venus R


• Lyn S


• Jacob T


• Brian K


• Emerson W


• Kristina G


• Timothy P


• Steven B


• Chris and Claire S


• Chelsea B


• Avishai B


• Hunter R

Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com

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#114 Rebroadcast

Tums, alka seltzer, and other antacids: they're simple, they've been around for a long time, but they're a tried and true method for helping our stomachs. But how do they work? What's the chemistry behind these unsung heroes?

References from this episode

1. Chemistry Julia Burdge


2. Biochemistry 4th edition by Garret & Grisham


3. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/bring-science-home-carbonation-time/


4. http://websites.umich.edu/~chemstu/content_weeks/F_06_Week10/p848.pdf


5. https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/education/outreach/celebrating-chemistry-editions/2021-ncw/fizz-race.html


6. https://youtu.be/7VJ4cRWCpDw?t=1s

Thanks to our monthly supporters

• Julie S


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• Cullyn R


• Erica B


• Elizabeth P


• Sarah M


• Rachel R


• Letila


• Katrina B


• Suzanne P


• Venus R


• Lyn S


• Jacob T


• Brian K


• Emerson W


• Kristina G


• Timothy P


• Steven B


• Chris and Claire S


• Chelsea B


• Avishai B


• Hunter R

Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com

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#204

In this episode Melissa and Jam delve into the fascinating biochemistry behind sourdough bread. They explore the role of microorganisms, including different strains of yeast and bacteria, in the fermentation process. The discussion covers how these organisms contribute to the unique flavors and textures of sourdough, and addresses common questions from listeners about its health benefits, the impact of tap water, and the variability of sourdough starters. The episode combines scientific insights with personal anecdotes about sourdough baking, shedding light on why this bread is so special and why it has gained popularity.

00:00 Introduction to Sourdough Curiosities

00:50 Meet the Hosts and Episode Inspiration

01:16 Listener Questions and Sourdough Popularity

02:48 The Science Behind Sourdough

03:18 Microorganisms in Bread Making

03:43 The Role of Yeast and Fermentation

07:33 Sourdough Starters and Fermentation Process

13:02 The Symbiotic Relationship in Sourdough

16:00 Recap and Listener Questions

20:18 The Art and Chemistry of Sourdough

22:02 Challenges and Rewards of Sourdough Baking

24:46 Sourdough Microbiome and Health Benefits

31:24 Impact of Water on Sourdough

32:55 Sourdough Preservation and Final Thoughts

36:39 Community Engagement and Support

References from this episode:

1. https://www.acs.org/pressroom/reactions/library/the-ultimate-donut-battle-cake-vs-yeast.html


2. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/single-celled-science-yeasty-beasties/


3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK8125/


4. https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/british-journal-of-nutrition/article/acute-impact-of-ingestion-of-breads-of-varying-composition-on-blood-glucose-insulin-and-incretins-following-first-and-second-meals/A4C860D917A29E4C784B4B2E16C8D0CB


5. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3317179/#B18https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/aem.68.2.623-633.2002


6. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3317179/


7. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10103004/


8. https://www-sciencedirect-com.libproxy.library.unt.edu/science/article/pii/S2161831322013023


9. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2023.1230043/full?trk=public_post_comment-text


10. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2022.989421/full


11. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6345887/


12. https://journals.asm.org/doi/full/10.1128/spectrum.01121-23


13. https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/nutrition-technology/science-sourdough-and-how-jar-microbes-could-help-keep-your-bread-fresher-longer


14. https://youtu.be/C_mU2slhltI


15. https://youtu.be/yp_iaxtLCZs


16. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-science-of-sourdough-how-microbes-enabled-a-pandemic-pastime/

Thanks to our monthly supporters

• Julie S


• Heather R


• Autoclave


• Chelsea M


• Dorien V


• Scott B


• Jessie R


• Ciara L


• J0HNTR0Y


• Jeannette N


• Cullyn R


• Erica B


• Elizabeth P


• Sarah M


• Rachel R


• Letila


• Katrina B


• Suzanne P


• Venus R


• Lyn S


• Jacob T


• Brian K


• Emerson W


• Kristina G


• Timothy P


• Steven B


• Chris and Claire S


• Chelsea B


• Avishai B


• Hunter R

Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com

Watch our episodes on YouTube

Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife