John

Infographic detailing the chemistry behind four kitchen chemistry hacks. The first is slowing fruit browning. Fruits brown due to the oxidation and polymerization of phenols. Adding acids, such as lemon juice, wrapping the fruit in cling film or otherwise blocking oxygen slows browning by reducing the activity of the polyphenol oxidase enzyme.

Today is #NationalCornChipDay! The secret to a smooth nacho cheese sauce to accompany them is a compound with an appropriate chemical formula – one of four kitchen chemistry tricks highlighted in this edition of #PeriodicGraphics in @cenmag.bsky.social: cen.acs.org/food/food-sc...

Greetings from Kyiv,
that survived another russian night attack.

2,600 high-rise buildings are now without heating
(in addition to the 1,100 that will remain without it this season).
We still have some.

In a few days, frosts will return.
I don’t know how to make the world listen.

Ukrainian Olympian Vladyslav Heraskevych has expressed gratitude to his fellow Ukrainians for their words of support.

1/2

Did you know you can visit both Chambers and more at Parliament?

Get well soon, Lindsey Vonn. #Olympics #Cortina #Vonn

Super Sunday

I'm busting at the seams with sciencey Football posts. Half will spill out over the next five hours. The other half during the @SuperBowl itself. Just a head's up.

Winter Olympics 2026 - Colin Furze – The Science of the Winter Olympics YouTuber and inventor Colin Furze explains the fascinating science of Bobsleigh, Ski Jumping, Curling, Freestyle Halfpipe, Skeleton and Figure Skating.

#winterolympics
How is driving a bobsleigh like flying a fighter jet?
What aerodynamics are involved with the skeleton and why do the curlers brush the ice.
It’s all explained here in Colin Furze “The Science of the Winter Olympics”

www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...

Photo from the bottom of green grassy bank looking up toward the sun which appears to be floating on a white cloud in a clear blue sky. Black handrails show the path up the bank to the summit.

Haven’t seen much sunny weather lately in the north east of England so here is a glimpse of Saltburn Sunlight to keep us going. #BlueSkyArtShow #sunlight #photography

🇸🇪🇺🇦 PM Kristersson:
 
I spoke with President Zelenskyy today and informed him that Sweden will provide approx. 95 million euro to meet immediate needs, such as provision of generators and heating equipment. Sweden stands firmly by Ukraine’s side.

R.I.P. John Virgo.

White and grey geese at the side of a pond which also contains Canadian geese, coots and mallards with a few gulls. Foreground is muddy. Background has a few trees on small island.

Geese in Stewart park yesterday enquiring whether I was carrying any birdseed that I would perhaps like to share! #photography #birds

White and grey geese at the side of a dark pond. Muddy foreground and trees in background. On the pond are Canadian geese, coots, mallards and seagulls.

Geese in Stewart Park Middlesbrough yesterday.

Scotland seems to be ahead of the UK in actually valuing students who work hard to improve their knowledge and skills. Makes you wonder in whose interest it was to undermine England’s, Wales’ & NI educational systems.

This is absolutely shocking. Something has to be done about this appalling situation in which so many now find themselves. The government needs to act

Foggy day Trees shrouded in mist on green fields. White dot in sky is the sun

Misty Middlesbrough at midday today #photography #weather

Grey cloudy day, hedge and tree in foreground , Green field with a distant hill in the background.

It’s a cloudy grey January day when even Roseberry Topping is lost in the mist but the freshly cut hedge and buds on the trees hint at a distant Springtime in Great Ayton North Yorkshire. #photography #countryside

If you want to understand what is happening right now & what’s at stake, please listen to this conversation I had with historian Robert Kagan.

Europe has to wake up FAST.

BREAKING: Prime Minister Keir Starmer mocks the idea of Trumps board of peace

“Putin being on a board of peace? He is waging war on a European country"

Beautifully written memories, this really resonated with me, thanks .

BBC Two - Chris McCausland: Seeing into the Future Chris McCausland explores the future of technology and what it holds for him personally.

From driverless cars to AI and smart glasses, comedian Chris McCausland discovers what new technology could mean for him and others living with disabilities.

Missed 'Seeing into the Future' on BBC 2 last night? You can catch up on this fascinating documentary here:

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...

NASA rolls giant SLS rocket to launchpad for second Artemis moon mission NASA rolled its massive Space Launch System rocket toward its launchpad in Florida on Saturday, kicking off a final phase of preparations for the agency's Artemis II mission that is poised to send four astronauts around the moon and back as soon as next month.

NASA rolls giant SLS rocket to launchpad for second Artemis moon mission reut.rs/4b0FYkb

I think this is the most mind-boggling form of NHS privatisation right now - and hardly anyone knows about it🚨
jujuliagrace.substack.com

Greetings from Kyiv,
where the situation remains difficult after the attack
(especially on the left bank, where we live).

We had power for about four hours, enough to charge everything before it went off again.
Heating is minimal.
Yes, I got sick.

Thank you for your care. Everything will be fine.

Vibrant Pink petalled rose in close up against green leafy background.

On a wintry day, this is a reminder of the warm vibrant colour that will return with the roses in the summer
#Blueskyartshow #vibrant #photography

Snow covered footpath between hedgerows pale sun shining through the trees

Snowy walk to the shops this morning in North Yorkshire
#photography #snow

A cartoon with text 'map of procrastination' above an image of an island with different areas such as 'lake coffee break' and 'napland' hills

Gemma Correll, British cartoonist who currently lives and works in California #WomensArt #Backtowork

YouTube video by Northumberland Astro Meteor Cam LIVE Stream - Geminid Meteor Shower 2025

I've just uploaded some clips of 2025 Geminid meteors to YouTube. These were taken from the Meteor Cam LIVE stream recording.

You can view the live Sky Cameras here...

www.youtube.com/@Northumberl...

#Meteors #MeteorShower #Astronomy #Geminids @imometeors.bsky.social

Robin closeup up on garden feeder. Pear shaped bird with red breast. House windows in background left. Red cedar wooden fence background right

Ready for your close up now Mr Robin on this cold frosty January day in North Yorkshire. #photography #birds #robin

Foaming waves breaking on sandy beach. Ship on the horizon is heading toward a rainbow. Dark brooding clouds.

This is my picture of hope for 2026 .
Sometimes on a rough sea you can’t see the rainbow yourself, but you’re intuitively steering toward it bit by bit.
Happy new year #photography #hope #happynewyear

🇺🇦☺️