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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 ...

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Corpse flower's rare bloom aids forensic chemistry research
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Your fuzzy flannel pajamas could be incredibly flammable—here's what to know
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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
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

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Biochemistry
Embedded enzymes help plastics break down faster in the deep sea
Plants & Animals
Bonobo females hunt more than males, decade-long study reveals
Analytical Chemistry
Metal-free magnetic sensor can be safely implanted for wireless monitoring
Paleontology & Fossils
121-million-year-old fossils suggest Longipteryx had no tail feathers
Plants & Animals
Scientists reveal the staggering number of bat deaths at wind turbines
Materials Science
Technician cracks 1,600-year-old mystery to replicate color-changing effect of Roman glass masterpiece
Plasma Physics
Radio waves drive a fusion plasma current that could help reactors run continuously
Evolution
What makes us human? Researchers compare brain development in humans and great apes
Environment
Climate health harms outpace action, prompting calls for global health emergency
Optics & Photonics
New converter could bridge light wavelength gap in quantum communications
Nanophysics
Computational model extends the study of nanostructures beyond classic layered systems
Environment
Urban infrastructure grows more slowly than population, global analysis finds
Space Exploration
Autonomous rendezvous system overcomes simulated spacecraft failures in lab tests
Social Sciences
How we rewrite memories of fallen artists—but not their art
Polymers
Tiny droplets use pressure to unlock new routes to degradable plastics
Plants & Animals
Same species, different climate risks: Why plant conservation needs regional strategies
General Physics
SPINE: A machine-learning program is on the trail of ghost particles
Biotechnology
Rice plants can fight off devastating disease after gene editing with AI-designed tool
General Physics
Decoding the loopy physics of hula hooping with high-tech earthquake sensors
Analytical Chemistry
Reusable palladium catalyst enables more direct chemical synthesis

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 ...

The battle against hard-to-treat fungal infections

Systemic fungal infections are much rarer than other illnesses, but they are potentially deadly, with limited options for treatment. In fact, fungi are becoming increasingly resistant to the few drugs that are available, ...

Creating more sustainable fragrances with biotech

In the face of a changing climate and crop diseases, manufacturers of products containing natural flavors and fragrances are pivoting to a new way to source ingredients. Companies have been partnering with biotechnology firms ...

Video: Why banana candy doesn't taste like banana

Have you ever eaten a Laffy Taffy and thought, "Wow, that tastes just like a banana!" We didn't think so. But apparently, there's one variety of banana that's not far off from its candy counterpart.