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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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Testing used cars for drug traces to investigate third-hand contamination risk from methamphetamine use
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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

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Plants & Animals
Caffeine pollution could disrupt crustacean defenses against predators
Mathematics
Mathematician challenges a 2,000-year-old legend about the Parthenon's optical illusions
Plants & Animals
New species of egg-eating snake discovered in Ethiopia's Harenna Forest
Optics & Photonics
Dual findings reveal how to control coherence in plasmonic nanolasers
Astronomy
Webb measures extreme gas outflows from distant 'dead' galaxies
Plants & Animals
Weeping whales: Stillborn humpback whale grieving documented
Astronomy
Nearly 50 'ghost galaxies' emerge around three hosts, challenging dwarf galaxy counts
Earth Sciences
Beach-burrowing beasties may shovel more sand than any other animal on Earth
Biochemistry
Microbes can produce adhesive materials from glucose instead of petroleum
Planetary Sciences
A 16-minute train delay shows how a solar storm disrupted Victorian technology
Earth Sciences
The Mediterranean is getting warmer and saltier at an ever-faster pace—even thousands of meters below the surface
General Physics
Heating mica to 200°C reveals friction independent of sliding speed
Agriculture
New breeding approach targets crop rotations, not yield alone
Earth Sciences
Australia's ancient rainfall patterns more complex than previously believed
Cell & Microbiology
First-of-its-kind preventive phage therapy provides promising results against Salmonella
Earth Sciences
Speeding glaciers drive half a century of polar ice loss
Astronomy
'Born-again' star offers rare chance to watch stellar evolution in real time
Environment
The local costs of remote sensing: Examining the ethics of laser scanning in tropical forests
Space Exploration
SpaceX prepares for first orbital flight of Starship rocket
Paleontology & Fossils
Well-preserved tooth from Pacific mastodon found in a creek in San Francisco Bay Area

Fighting 'forever chemicals' with microbes

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are some of the most persistent environmental pollutants, earning them the moniker "forever chemicals." Increasing concern about the adverse health effects of PFAS exposure has researchers ...

Clarity needed in classification systems for processed foods

Current food classification systems for processed foods lack consistency and consensus often leading to confusion and debate even amongst scientists, a new study in the journal Trends in Food Science & Technology, reports.

Video: What is life? And will we find it on other planets?

Chemistry is helping us figure out how life got started on Earth and is giving us molecules to look for on other planets. In this episode of Reactions, we break down what "life" is and how likely we are to find it out in ...