Articles, News & Events

Staffing shortages can be felt in a multitude of industries, and laboratories are not immune. In fact, the number of active laboratory professionals overall has decreased. Laboratory staff are the backbone of scientific research, and their expertise and experience are vital to ensuring accurate and reliable results. However, shortages in laboratory staff can significantly impact the efficiency, effectiveness, and quality…

Download PDF Upon completing my undergraduate degree, I worked in an analytical research and development R&D laboratory. Its role was to conduct the routine testing of polymers, devise methods of analysis, provide support to production-based quality control labs, support pilot plant R&D, and carry out special projects. Those special projects could range from analyzing competitive materials to analyzing unusual samples…

Before the 1970s, hard rock mine operators could dig for profitable hard rock minerals like gold or copper before abandoning the mining location and moving onward to find other prospective lands. About 140,000 relics of these hard rock mines, including unprotected tunnels and toxic waste dumps, have been found in areas under the control of federal agencies. Remedies to address…

One question that might have crossed your mind as a consumer as you reach in the fridge towards that questionable half gallon of milk to accompany your freshly poured cereal bowl is, “do these dates really matter?” The same can be said for over-the-counter medications, pharmaceuticals, and numerous other consumer items. One common misinterpretation is determining if expiration dates refer…

Forensic science is the basis of criminal investigations, helping to solve crimes, find missing persons, and locate dangerous perpetrators. The forensic science discipline is constantly expanding and changing as this science pushes the boundaries of what is achievable in the lab and increases with technological innovation. In forensics, technology has advanced in significant ways, and these advancements can be furthered…

During most back-to-school sales you can pick up a basic college-ruled composition notebook for $1.00, or maybe even $0.50 if you shop around. Those 8” x 10” paperboard-covered, 100-page pads of paper are great for third-grade math homework and work exceptionally well as a teenage girl’s diary. But paper notebooks should have no place in a modern laboratory environment. Yet…

The American architect, inventor, and futurist R. Buckminster Fuller said, “You never change things fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.” We no longer write with quills and ink, instead using a ballpoint pen. When we need to find the phone number for the bakery down the street, we use…

Starting and operating a laboratory is a vast and challenging undertaking. While securing the funding for a new lab represents progress and positivity, some intricacies exist in purchasing, hiring, and performing daily operations that are crucial for success. More than just a depth of scientific understanding is needed to set up a lab to guarantee years of fruitful and efficient…

Women in science, particularly in lab management roles, are reshaping the landscape of research and innovation. Yet, their journey is often met with unique challenges. From navigating gender biases to overcoming systemic barriers in lab operations, female scientists bring resilience and expertise to the table while facing obstacles that can impede their success. This article delves into the challenges faced…

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that each year, food-borne illnesses sicken 48 million people (or 1 in 6), send 128,000 people to the hospital, and cause 3,000 fatalities in the United States alone.1 With these kinds of figures, it is evident that being ready for a recall or other potential catastrophe is crucial when a…