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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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Earth Sciences
Greenland meltwater adds to AMOC weakening, but updated model finds no tipping point in sight
Astronomy
Astronomers may have caught an early galaxy in the process of dying
Condensed Matter
Optical writing of antiferromagnets points toward new storage devices and energy efficient information systems
Plants & Animals
A young gull's mottled brown plumage acts as a 'not a threat' signal to territorial adults
Nanophysics
Common nanostructures may explain shared photoproperties in two widespread dark materials
Cell & Microbiology
Bacterial protein reveals a hidden rule for controlling calcium
Environment
One for the history books: What we know about the European heat wave
Plants & Animals
New species of ghost shark may have been found in Costa Rica
Earth Sciences
Antarctic ozone loss drove unexpected Southern Ocean cooling, climate model shows
Astronomy
JWST discovers a new barred spiral galaxy
Archaeology
Researchers recreate a lost Ming Dynasty goldworking technique to make replica royal jewelry
Cell & Microbiology
Natural born killers—tracking immune cells as they cluster around cancer
Evolution
Songs play a greater role than plumage color in limiting bird hybridization, study suggests
Plants & Animals
Mammals use the same underlying system—preserved through evolution—to process smells
Optics & Photonics
Ultrafast scanning tunneling microscopy reaches the quantum mechanical space-time limit for the first time
Ecology
Insect-borne diseases in the Amazon linked to land use and rural economies
Archaeology
Newfound family ties link Scythian elite burials across the Eurasian steppe
Astronomy
Long-lived radio outburst from black hole exhibits properties of the early universe
Biotechnology
Giant wheat starch granules—a leap forward in biological engineering with potential benefits for diet, manufacturing
Mathematics
Free-text answers and LLMs reveal hidden reasons behind human choices

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 ...