Bassam Shakhashiri, professor of chemistry at the University of WisconsinMadison, performs before an audience filled with children and their parents during his annual Once Upon a Christmas Cheery in the Lab of Shakhashiri demonstration program in the Chemistry Building on Dec. 5, 2009. Photo: Bryce Richter University of WisconsinMadison professor of chemistry Bassam Z. Shakhashiri is the recipient of the 2018 Grady-Stack Award for Interpreting Chemistry for the Public. The American Chemical Society announced the award Monday, adding Shakhashiris name to a list of recipients that includes Nobel laureates and renowned journalists and authors. Shakhashiri, a past president of ACS, may be best known for his live chemistry shows such as the annual Once Upon a Christmas Cheery in the Lab of Shakhashiri, now 47 years old and televised around the country that delight curious minds of all ages. Alongside more than 1,500 presentations and lectures, he has put in decades of tireless advocacy for quality science education in formal and informal settings. Bassam Shakhashiri Named to the first William T. Evjue Distinguished Chair for theWisconsin Ideaat UWMadison in 2001, Shakhashiri has won awards for teaching at his first faculty home, the University of Illinois, and UWMadison, where he has … Continue reading →

Remember when the biggest criticism or question mark of Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott during a sensational rookie season of a year ago was an alleged inability to throw the deep ball and a supposed lack of chemistry with star receiver Dez Bryant. Never mind that Bryant missed much of training camp last year with injuries when Prescott was not yet named the starter. Or that Bryant was sidelined for three games early in with the season with a fracture in his knee. His season-ending numbers of 50 catches for 796 and eight touchdowns were somehow linked to a shortcoming of Prescott's in what was otherwise considered the best rookie season of any quarterback in NFL history. It took only one series against in the Cowboys 24-19 preseason victory against the Indianapolis Colts for those concerns to disappear. It was the first action of the preseason for Prescott and Bryant and they showed the world what close observers have been seeing for the last four weeks of training camp. Bryant caught two passes for 55 yards, a 23-yarder to open the game and a 32-yard touchdown reception to cap the opening drive. Yeah, you know theyve played a lot of … Continue reading →

Rams rookie wide receiver Cooper Kupp has been much talked about coming out of camp. On Saturday night in Oakland, he showed why with six catches for 70 yards and a touchdown. Kupp has demonstrated dynamic route running capabilities to go along with hands that are impressively secure, especially for a rookie. He quickly found himself working alongside Rams starters, with his level of production that will not be changing anytime soon. His relationship with quarterback Jared Goff is likely his reason for his rapid production. The two have shown very strong chemistry in the offseason program and preseason games. Kupp holds many all-time receiving records in the FBS from his college career at Eastern Washington University. Kupp was a third round pick, going 69th overall to the Rams. Many teams did not value Kupps statistics as highly as the Rams did due to the strength of his competition. However, even when facing high profile corners such as Sidney Jones, Kupp fared quite well. AROUND COVER32 NFL Pregaming: Tips for throwing the ultimate tailgate experience Around the NFL: Giants add WR depth, sign Canaan Severin and Ed Eagan Whats Trending: Rams DE, Aaron Donalds holdout, could continue into regular season … Continue reading →

In 1972, George Gray, professor at the University of Hull in the U.K., revolutionized the world we live in by synthesizing a molecule called 5CB, also known as 4-cyano-4-pentylbiphenyl. For the first time, this liquid crystal produced a bright, clear color display at room temperature. Eventually, it led to modern display screens found on many of our home products and appliances: televisions, refrigerators, clock radios, microwaves, thermostats, streaming music players, e-readers, phones, tablets, and laptops. If youre reading this on a flat-screen device, in a sense, youre staring at Grays chemical ingenuity. This is just one of many scientific innovations that have influenced the course of everyday events since the Age of Enlightenment. Chemistry has significantly shaped the world, right into our very dwellings. All we have to do is walk around our homes to see its effects. Chemistrys creations have transformed American homes. From the Industrial Revolution to the Digital Age, the chemical industry has not only adapted to lifestyle transitions and shifting consumer demands but also helped shape them. The world is on the brink of another paradigm shift, and innovations such as 5G telecommunications and the Internet of Things may usher in an unprecedented invention revolution. Cheaper, … Continue reading →

By Kevin Taylor Times Recordktaylor@swtimes.com Van Buren volleyball coach Brent Reeves has the best of two worlds heading into Tuesday's 2017 opener with Southside: four returning starters and a young roster. The Lady Pointers, who beat Northside last season to reach the second round of the 7A state playoffs, also have good team chemistry. "I've coached a lot of sports, but I think volleyball needs more chemistry than any other sport," Reeves said. "You've got to have everybody pulling for each other. If you can do that, you can win a lot of games." Van Buren finished 14-15 last season and 6-8 in the ultra competitive 7A-West. Reeves, who enjoyed great coaching success at Mansfield prior to taking the reigns at Van Buren last fall, has two good hitters back in the form of Bekah Olienyk and Alex Dupree. Just a junior, Dupree was a big surprise in Reeves' first season. Senior setter Caroline Davis and junior setter Mikelle Porter are also back in the fold. "We're very excited about this year," Reeves said. "At this level, it seems like everybody can play, so you have to be ready every night to play. We've gelled really well. Every time we … Continue reading →

PHILADELPHIA Five years Alshon Jeffery and Jay Cutler played together in Chicago. The receiver and quarterback are no longer teammates, but they will play catch-up this week when the Eagles host the Dolphins for practices on Monday and Tuesday. Its going to be great, Jeffery said after Sundays practice. Im pretty sure well catch up. Im always rooting for him so Im sure itll be great. What would be great is if Jeffery and his new quarterback, Carson Wentz, could find the same page. Receivers coach Mike Groh told reporters on Saturday that he believes Jeffery is behind in his play-study, citing a route that Jeffery turned into an out route that was supposed to go to the corner during Thursdays game against Buffalo. It was where Wentz threw the ball, but Jeffery was nowhere in the vicinity. Alshon is not behind on anything, receiver Torrey Smith said. Weve been here all offseason. Its the same offense. Obviously youd like to get more reps on the field, but hes a pro, hes been there. Theyll be on the same page right before you know it. Head coach Doug Pederson also jumped to Jefferys defense. Alshon is doing fine, he said. … Continue reading →