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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
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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

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AI helps microscopes find the most informative nanoscale features in a sample
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Luminescence dating pushes age of South Dakota's Mammoth Site back by more than 100,000 years
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Gravitational-wave analysis narrows the search for black hole impostors
Cell & Microbiology
AI automates 3D membrane mapping, matching manual results in a fraction of time
Astronomy
Researchers pinpoint key early-universe measurement with record precision
Analytical Chemistry
A 1,000-fold longer charge lifetime helps organic catalyst produce solar hydrogen faster
Astronomy
Why are the stars around our galaxy's black hole missing their companions?
Earth Sciences
Southern Ocean may flip from carbon sink to carbon source under mitigation scenarios
Nanomaterials
Silicon nanosphere coatings deliver glossy, nonfading color on 3D surfaces
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A brief history of the hangover and its remedies—from cabbages to cloves and the lungs of a goat
Cell & Microbiology
Human embryo base editing can reach all cells but causes unpredictable genetic changes
Optics & Photonics
Physicists turn classical light into a quantum machine for information processing
Plants & Animals
Brain's ability to hear a musical beat remains distinctly human, study suggests
Planetary Sciences
Scientists discover a strange new form of ice that could help explain the interiors of Neptune and Uranus
Evolution
New analysis reconstructs the dawn of dinosaurs and other reptiles
Biochemistry
Blue light breaks long-standing chemistry rule, unlocking 3D drug building blocks
Earth Sciences
Giant volcanic blanket reveals hidden 'Pompeii' of Andean landscapes
Education
Low-cost phone lessons keep children learning during emergency school closures across five countries
Biochemistry
How one RNA nucleotide switch activates fluorescent dyes
Economics & Business
Healthy checkout policy shows promise for reducing soda sales and increasing healthy snack purchases

Why doesn't water help with spicy food? What about milk or beer?

Spicy foods taste spicy because they contain a family of compounds called capsaicinoids. Capsaicin is the major culprit. It's found in chilies, jalapeños, cayenne pepper, and is even the active ingredient in pepper spray.