Last update:

Break the mold: Who defines the 'real' chemist?

The perception of a chemist varies. Some might imagine the "mad scientist" from old cartoons—a white-haired older man working with beakers in his lab—but as that cliche fades, the reality of what constitutes a chemist's job ...

Conclave: The chemistry behind the black and white smoke

This week, 133 cardinals have gathered in the Vatican to elect a new leader of the Catholic church. During their deliberations, the only indications of their progress are the regular plumes of smoke wafting from a freshly ...

Corpse flower's rare bloom aids forensic chemistry research

A corpse flower, aptly named Putricia, recently bloomed at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney for the first time in 15 years. For forensic scientist Bridget Thurn, it was a unique opportunity to investigate the intersection ...

More news

Other
Testing used cars for drug traces to investigate third-hand contamination risk from methamphetamine use
Other
Video: Preventing Christmas tree fires, with science
Other
Video: The strange chemistry of Mexican Coke
Other
What's the difference between liquid and powder laundry detergent? It's not just the obvious
Materials Science
Pushing the boundaries of traditional ceramic techniques by merging art and science
Other
Finally, a video that really explains how color works
Analytical Chemistry
How do heat protectants for hair work? A chemistry expert explains
Other
Nobel chemistry winner sees engineered proteins solving tough problems
Other
Nobel Prize in chemistry honors 3 scientists who used AI to design proteins—life's building blocks
Other
What are proteins again? Nobel-winning chemistry explained
Other
Demis Hassabis, from chess prodigy to Nobel-winning AI pioneer
Other
AI-aided research, new materials eyed for Nobel Chemistry Prize
Other
Nobel winners hope protein work will spur 'incredible' breakthroughs
Other
Video: Why Canadian trash costs $30,000 per gram
Analytical Chemistry
What's the difference between MSG and table salt? A chemist explains
Other
Grenfell victims were 'overcome by toxic gases' after construction loophole
Analytical Chemistry
Evidence stacks up for poisonous books containing toxic dyes
Biochemistry
Researchers develop an instant version of trendy, golden turmeric milk
Other
Video: Don't drink raw milk. But what about raw milk cheese?
Other
Improving cat food flavors with the help of feline taste-testers

Other news

Nanophysics
Controlled cracking technique prints quantum dots into tiny pixels for sharper displays
Space Exploration
How to spot the Perseid meteor shower, a summer light show that promises to dazzle
Evolution
Early snakes explored life underground, on land and at sea
Archaeology
Oldest known giant rock scallop bead suggests California coastal trade began millennia earlier
Astronomy
Cosmic filaments help set first limits on dark matter's decay into gravitons
Analytical Chemistry
New catalyst with 75% less platinum promises to reduce the cost of hydrogen fuel cells
Biotechnology
Charge-based strategy improves controlled delivery of therapeutic peptides from gelatin-based materials
General Physics
Tiny particles defy action-reaction symmetry to stay in motion
Planetary Sciences
Rare Mars meteorite preserves 1.27-billion-year-old clues to planet's deep interior
Optics & Photonics
'Flying focus' laser overcomes key limitation in plasma-based particle accelerators
Plants & Animals
Pulsed radiofrequency magnetic fields may disorient migratory birds, experiments suggest
Environment
Swarms of tiny robots remove microplastics from soil and water
Space Exploration
Reduced gravity pushes people toward simpler movement patterns, experiments suggest
Plants & Animals
Butterfly ranges shift worldwide amid climate change, with most species expanding their reach
Ecology
Dodo birds more clever than we thought
Social Sciences
Mega-study analyzes the impact of gratitude interventions
Cell & Microbiology
Gut cells may measure hunger by how watery their insides become
Ecology
Nocturnal 'coffee frog' discovered in Costa Rica
Materials Science
Silver nanocatalysts switch reaction sites between power generation and hydrogen production
General Physics
XENONnT detector narrows the hunt for dark matter

Video: Why Canadian trash costs $30,000 per gram

How do you turn nuclear waste into a $30,000-per-gram commodity? Tritium, once discarded as a by-product of Canadian nuclear reactors, is now one of the most expensive materials on Earth. This rare isotope of hydrogen powers ...

Evidence stacks up for poisonous books containing toxic dyes

If you come across brightly colored, cloth-bound books from the Victorian era, you might want to handle them gently, or even steer clear altogether. Some of their attractive hues come from dyes that could pose a health risk ...