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
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
Analytical Chemistry
Retaining flavor while removing caffeine—a chemist explains the chemistry behind decaf coffee
Other
Deep learning model overcomes the challenge of real-world measurements of isotope production target cooling systems
Analytical Chemistry
First chemist in history may have been a female perfumer—how the science of scents has changed since

Other news

Optics & Photonics
Single-shot imaging captures more information about ultrafast microscopic processes than previously possible
Earth Sciences
Why treelines don't simply rise with the climate
Soft Matter
New AI method flags fluid flow tipping points before simulations break down
Astronomy
What if dark matter came in two states?
Molecular & Computational biology
One DNA letter can trigger complete sex reversal
Space Exploration
Houston, we have a problem ... with the toilet
Ecology
Soundscapes from nearby forests are more uplifting than those from faraway places, research suggests
Plants & Animals
The lengths male octopuses go to protect the arm they need to mate
General Physics
Physicists zero in on the mass of the fundamental W boson particle
Archaeology
Unique double baptistery and mysterious marble block uncovered at Byzantine cathedral in Israel
Cell & Microbiology
AI uncovers hidden immune defenses inside bacteria
Plants & Animals
Ecuador study finds tropical rainforest biodiversity rebounds over 90% in 30 years
Earth Sciences
AMOC collapse could turn Southern Ocean into carbon source, adding 0.2°C to global warming
General Physics
AI trained like a Rubik's Cube solver simplifies particle physics equations
Bio & Medicine
Sound-sensing hair bundles in our ears act as tiny thermodynamic machines
Archaeology
DNA evidence reveals a Stone Age population collapse in France
Cell & Microbiology
A 'stemness checkpoint' helps control stem cell identity
Environment
Satellites capture the volatile human–luminescence relationship
Earth Sciences
Uncharted island will soon appear on nautical charts
Earth Sciences
Summer is getting longer, and it's happening faster than we thought

Warm milk makes you sleepy—peptides could explain why

According to time-honored advice, drinking a glass of warm milk at bedtime will encourage a good night's rest. Milk's sleep-enhancing properties are commonly ascribed to tryptophan, but scientists have also discovered a mixture ...

Nobel in chemistry honors 'greener' way to build molecules

Two scientists won the Nobel Prize in chemistry Wednesday for finding an ingenious and environmentally cleaner way to build molecules—an approach now used to make a variety of compounds, including medicines and pesticides.

Modern simulations could improve MRIs

Gadolinium-based contrast agents, the gold standard in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to determine the health of a patient, can be improved, according to Rice University engineers who are refining models they first used ...

Taking Australia's homegrown superfood mainstream

Lupins have long been touted as the next superfood, combatting heart disease, diabetes and obesity and new research from Edith Cowan University (ECU) has taken an important step to make that a reality.

Understanding coronavirus variants

With the emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 variants such as beta and delta, people are not only getting a refresher course on the Greek alphabet, but also experiencing confusion and anxiety about what the variants mean for public ...