Jim Carrey and the long slow death of the antivaccine movement

California governor Jerry Brown recently signed into law a bill that eliminates religious or philosophical exemptions for childhood vaccines. Under the new law, parents may only opt out of vaccinating their child if a doctor signs off on a medical exemption. The new law was controversial for a while, especially among California’s small but vocal […]

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From Roman candles to Catherine wheels: the chemistry of fireworks

Nearly everyone likes fireworks, with the exception of cats. (Cats hate them with a fiery passion like the cuddly little haters they are.) Something about the bright colors against a black sky appeals to our imagination. For me as a chemistry-type person, I love fireworks shows for an additional reason — because fireworks are a […]

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