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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
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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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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Condensed Matter
Hot electrons reveal electronic collisions may raise resistance in twisted graphene
Biochemistry
Thinking outside the binding site: Drug molecule makes a square peg fit a round hole
Plants & Animals
Long-term oyster reef restoration shows clear success in murky waters
Bio & Medicine
Building big with DNA gets a software upgrade
Archaeology
Henry VIII's dissolution enforcer stashed Catholic manuscript—its lost pages have just been rediscovered
Archaeology
Insect remains reveal Indigenous burial practices in the Canary Islands
Cell & Microbiology
Global database reveals hidden diversity and potential of deep-sea microbes
Archaeology
Iron Age seeds reveal the origins of Iberian wine
Plants & Animals
Brazilian sedge reproduces sexually but without DNA reshuffling, producing genetic clones
General Physics
How some cyclists paradoxically start 'from rest' with a non-zero velocity
Paleontology & Fossils
Tyrannosaurus rex teeth reveal a body temperature close to the human average
Cell & Microbiology
Tendon cells can rebound from stiffness when returned to softer tissue-like surroundings
General Physics
Mobile trap transports 92 antiprotons by road and stores them for over a month in world first
Planetary Sciences
Snow, monsoons and oceans shift Earth's center of mass each year, satellite tracking shows
Biochemistry
Why you really shouldn't overcook your proteins
Plants & Animals
Tiny oyster larvae rely on gravity to feed
Ecology
Fungi neutralize spruce defense mechanisms with sugar
Mathematics
Mathematician challenges a 2,000-year-old legend about the Parthenon's optical illusions
Planetary Sciences
Newfound 'baby' planet smashes record for youngest known world
Nanophysics
Light lets microswimmers switch between bacteria-like and algae-like propulsion

Detecting aromas in aged cognac

For connoisseurs of wines and spirits, part of the enjoyment is noting the various flavors and scents that are revealed with each sip. Aging transforms alcohol's aroma further, especially in cognac, a type of twice-distilled ...

New technology helps reduce salt, keep flavor

Eating too much salt can have significant negative health implications, and modern processed food typically contains high levels of salt to improve taste and preservation.

Discovering what makes durian stink

Researchers at the Leibniz-Institute for Food Systems Biology at the Technical University of Munich (Leibniz-LSB@TUM) have confirmed the presence of the rare amino acid ethionine in a plant—or more precisely, in the fruit ...

Tax rule for industry rewards carbon capture

When it comes to encouraging manufacturers to reduce their carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, a carrot might be more effective than a stick. That's the approach taken by a recent U.S. tax code rule that offers credits to companies ...

One drug, many diseases

It seems too good to be true: a single drug that could treat humanity's worst afflictions, including atherosclerosis, cancer, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and arthritis. All of these diseases have one thing in common—they involve ...

Principles for a green chemistry future

In the most recent issue of the academic journal Science, the case is made for a future where the materials and chemicals that make up the basis of our society and our economy are healthful rather than toxic, renewable rather ...

Predicting the year in chemistry

With 2020 just starting, scientists around the world are wondering what the year has in store for them. To help steer them straight, Chemical & Engineering News (C&EN), the weekly newsmagazine of the American Chemical Society, ...