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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 ...

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Video: Preventing Christmas tree fires, with science
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Video: The strange chemistry of Mexican Coke
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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
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Finally, a video that really explains how color works
Analytical Chemistry
How do heat protectants for hair work? A chemistry expert explains
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Nobel chemistry winner sees engineered proteins solving tough problems
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Nobel Prize in chemistry honors 3 scientists who used AI to design proteins—life's building blocks
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What are proteins again? Nobel-winning chemistry explained
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Demis Hassabis, from chess prodigy to Nobel-winning AI pioneer
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AI-aided research, new materials eyed for Nobel Chemistry Prize
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Nobel winners hope protein work will spur 'incredible' breakthroughs
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Video: Why Canadian trash costs $30,000 per gram
Analytical Chemistry
What's the difference between MSG and table salt? A chemist explains
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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
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Video: Don't drink raw milk. But what about raw milk cheese?
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Improving cat food flavors with the help of feline taste-testers
Analytical Chemistry
Retaining flavor while removing caffeine—a chemist explains the chemistry behind decaf coffee

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Ecology
Baby bugs must play 'game of roulette' to find survival partners before time runs out
Social Sciences
These computer voices sound human enough to mislead, but one layer of speech still breaks the illusion
Archaeology
Neanderthal dentists used stone drills to treat cavities nearly 60,000 years ago, ancient molar suggests
Archaeology
A history of containers, an ancient technology hundreds of thousands of years in the making
Nanophysics
Researchers identify stability range for piezoelectric glycine using nanoconfinement
Astronomy
Recreating dying stars reveals hydrogen's key role in cosmic dust formation
General Physics
Mostly empty foam overturns assumptions of electron beam stopping
Nanophysics
Optical meta‑conveyors enable programmable nanomanipulation along arbitrary open paths
Ecology
Rice plants observed trapping and killing fall armyworm caterpillars
Astronomy
A twinkling pulsar reveals invisible structures in space
Evolution
Strange 500-million-year-old marine fossils reveal a feeding strategy that still shapes oceans today
Earth Sciences
Ancient iceberg scratches reveal reverse Great Lakes snowbelt
Environment
The dam dilemma: How to build anew without repeating old harms
Condensed Matter
Atomic bands in two transition metal dichalcogenides hint at long-theorized quantum state
Plants & Animals
Rivalry with neighboring groups may be a key driver of male size in primates
Archaeology
The first domesticated horses: 6,000 years of a complex story
Analytical Chemistry
Chemists discover and isolate a new boron–oxygen molecule
Plants & Animals
How flies dodge so fast: Brain map reveals rare synapses behind split-second escapes
Astronomy
Statistical technique could uncover secrets of 'ringing' black holes
Environment
Rising seasonal sea-level swings are under-reported, but could have a major impact

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 ...