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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
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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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Earth Sciences
As ancient oceans warmed, carbon export and fish productivity surged
Plants & Animals
Scientists count more than 2 million eels on one underwater mountain
Plants & Animals
Chornobyl dog population shows genetic signatures of directional selection
Planetary Sciences
Supersonic waves could explain the strange orbits of hot Jupiters and Neptunes
Plants & Animals
Rarely seen deep-sea barreleye fish filmed in 4K
General Physics
Can gravitational fields break and reconnect? Einstein's equations suggest they can
General Physics
Against all expectations, researchers control the magnetic core of a single atom
Mathematics
The phantom lighthouse: New research explains one of Australia's strangest illusions
General Physics
Sound-levitated particles reveal how static charge builds up
Plants & Animals
A spider named for Stephen Colbert has a genome about 50% larger than ours
Condensed Matter
Ultrathin metal layer boosts spin-related signals, opening a door to ultralow-power electronics
Analytical Chemistry
Atomic magnetism reveals why iron, but not chromium, can produce ammonia using sunlight
Cell & Microbiology
Macromolecular crowding could help build artificial cell systems
Paleontology & Fossils
150-year-old mystery about the identity of an 'extinct' giant crane solved
Molecular & Computational biology
Molecular architecture determines tomato plant resistance to its main pest
Space Exploration
Could next-gen artificial intelligence help map out future space outposts?
Archaeology
UV scans uncover natural varnish that may have preserved ancient Chauvet Cave drawings
Soft Matter
Explaining the difference between brittle and ductile behavior in polymer glasses
Astronomy
Sun's outer magnetic field mapped in 3D for the first time
Cell & Microbiology
New tissue atlas aims to help AI understand cancer

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 ...