Spex Speaks Science

The science and art of gardening and agriculture is part passion, part luck and a lot of chemistry.

In this podcast, will take a look at the science of soil and how chemistry can affect the growth and health of plants. We will also take a look at sources of potential contamination in gardens and how those contaminants can be tested and remediated. 

Hosted by Patricia Atkins, Spex's Senior Applications Scientist 

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Chemical and elemental species are important in many fields of science and health. Human health and nutrition can be influenced by the presence or absence of certain chemical species such as iron, selenium, arsenic, and mercury. Some chemical species are potentially toxic and are targets of concern.

In this podcast, learn about the importance and role of chemical species.

Hosted by Patricia Atkins, Spex's Senior Applications Scientist 

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Terpenes are the common term for a large group of compounds that contribute to flavor and smell of botanical products. Flavonoids are botanical compounds, similar to terpenes, responsible for different processes for defense and metabolic processes in plants. These compounds are responsible for many colors observed in botanical materials and plants.

In this podcast, we discuss Terpenes and Flavonoids. 

Hosted by Patricia Atkins, Spex's Senior Applications Scientist 

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A normal part of laboratory operations is the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Most laboratory personnel are familiar with common PPE such as gloves, safety glasses and lab coats. Now in the time of the pandemic laboratories are reassessing and adding to their PPE protocols with the addition of face masks, face shields and further protections.

In this podcast, we discuss the wide spectrum of disinfectants, sanitizers and additional PPE we are all adding to our laboratory operations.

View our PPE products

Hosted by Patricia Atkins, Spex's Senior Applications Scientist 

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When Laboratories receive material for testing, it is often not in a state where it can be directly tested. It requires sample preparation techniques to expose or make possible the extraction of the desired analytes. For many samples, this can be a difficult process as their composition and physical properties make it hard to grind/mill/crush or otherwise reduce particle size and expose surface area. In this podcast, Patti and Tristan introduce the equipment and techniques for cryogenic grinding applications and discuss the fundamentals, methodology and versatility of the SPEX SamplePrep Freezer/Mill.

Hosted by Patricia Atkins of SPEX CertiPrep and Tristan DeBona of SPEX SamplePrep.

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As businesses begin to return to operation, laboratories which may have been forced to shut down during the pandemic, are now being asked to reopen with a new level of concern for not only chemical contamination but viral contamination. During this time of heightened anxiety, it is good to know most common laboratory procedures used to keep scientists safe from chemical exposures also work well for limiting biological exposures. It is important to keep in mind all of the advice given by governmental agencies for our protection, but also develop a plan and set of resources to return to business in the office and in the laboratory.

View Back to the Bench: A Chemist's Guide to Returning to the Laboratory

Hosted by Patricia Atkins and Rebekah Biermann of Spex

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In this podcast episode, we cover sample preparation challenges in today's labs, cannabis testing and sample preparation, the emerging hemp market, and we highlight SPEX SamplePrep products and how they can benefit you.

Hosted by Tim Osborn-Jones and Sandy Mangan of SPEX SamplePrep.

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In this podcast episode, we cover how borate fusion is used for XRF and ICP sample preparation using SPEX SamplePrep and Katanax products.

Hosted by Dan Kline of SPEX SamplePrep.

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Many chemists and scientists are considered essential personnel during the COVID-19 outbreak. While many chemists understand the nature of clean lab techniques, they might not be aware of how these techniques will protect them from a biological contamination risk. This podcast will talk about the fundamentals of a biological viral outbreak and discuss common and uncommon laboratory techniques that will limit spread and combat contamination. We will discuss additional points of protection and laboratory practices that can be enacted to ensure a higher degree of cleanliness. We will also talk about the inevitable result of potential chemical contamination, which can result, with the increased application of chemicals for biological protection.

Key Learning Objectives

• Review of common laboratory cleanliness practices and how they can be increased or changed to also combat biological agents.
• Discussion of the biology and virology involved of the current outbreak to the chemical community which has some knowledge of the process but does not see biology as part of their expertise.
• Highlight where biological controls may contribute unfortunate chemical contamination to their analysis so that the community can be aware and minimize disruption to their work.

Hosted by Patricia Atkins and Rebekah Biermann of SPEX CertiPrep.

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In this episode, SPEX Speaks Science discusses the growth of cannabis. From it's early uses in ancient rituals to modern medicine, it is safe to say cannabis has been perceived many different ways throughout history. We touch on new emerging markets where cannabis is breaking through and where the market currently stands today. Also included, testing information regarding cannabis and how SPEX can help with your lab's analysis.

Hosted by Tristan DeBona of SPEX SamplePrep and Jeff Akers of SPEX CertiPrep.

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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/SPEXCertiPrep
Blog: https://spexcertiprepblog.wordpress.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spexcertiprep/

Sources:
https://www.recovery.org/marijuana/history/

https://thefreshtoast.com/cannabis/why-you-maybe-should-say-cannabis-and-not-marijuana/

https://www.leafly.com/news/cannabis-101/cannabis-entourage-effect-why-thc-and-cbd-only-medicines-arent-g

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/myrcene

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2019/mar/01/why-terpenes/

https://merryjane.com/culture/wtf-is-skunk-weed-and-why-does-it-smell-that-way

https://www.healthmj.com/cannabis/thcp-tetrahydrocannabiphorol-cbdp-cannabidiphorol/

https://sf-asset-manager.s3.amazonaws.com/96708/480/773.pdf

https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/doi/full/10.1289/EHP5265