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
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
Analytical Chemistry
Retaining flavor while removing caffeine—a chemist explains the chemistry behind decaf coffee

Other news

Astronomy
New millisecond pulsar discovered with the Murchison Widefield Array
Evolution
Primate evolution kept aging rates stable for 25 million years despite lifespan gaps
Plants & Animals
The bond between humans and dogs remains remarkably consistent across societies, cross-cultural study reveals
Earth Sciences
Coastal and estuarine carbon removal technique may backfire when pushed too far
General Physics
World's largest particle smasher halts for upgrade to boost hunt for dark matter
Cell & Microbiology
Peptide alternative to antibiotics could combat antimicrobial resistance crisis
Environment
Burned-home soils showed uneven lead, arsenic contamination after Los Angeles wildfires
Evolution
Newly identified fossil sheds light on evolutionary history of saber-toothed cats
General Physics
Non-Hermitian geometry reveals when quantum amplification depends only on start and end points
Biochemistry
New workflow transforms nonfunctional protein scaffolds into active enzymes
Evolution
Lamprey brain atlas reveals 450-million-year blueprint of vertebrate brains
Other
Saturday Citations: Predicting earthquakes; two types of water; observing event horizons
Planetary Sciences
A large, harmless asteroid will zip past Earth this weekend
Plants & Animals
Two humpback whales set records swimming between Australia and Brazil
Earth Sciences
Coal pollution reaches one of Earth's most remote mountain regions
Astronomy
May 2024 superstorm drew most ring current ions from Earth, not solar wind, research reveals
General Physics
Metal hydride molecule trapped with laser light opens path to ultracold hydrogen
Ecology
An iron-driven chain reaction may trigger mass death of harmful algae blooms
Astronomy
A single origin story for the Milky Way's most mysterious stars
Astronomy
Ultraluminous X-ray source in Whale galaxy investigated for spectral and timing variability

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 ...