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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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Plants & Animals
Smaller ants devote more of their resting energy budget to their brains
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
General Physics
Can gravitational fields break and reconnect? Einstein's equations suggest they can
Plants & Animals
Rarely seen deep-sea barreleye fish filmed in 4K
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
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

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, ...

Egg-based flu vaccines: Not all they're cracked up to be?

Flu season is underway in the Northern Hemisphere, sickening millions of people and in rare cases, causing hospitalization or death. The best prevention is a flu shot, but it's not unusual for these vaccines to be less effective ...

Extending food shelf life with nanomaterials

When was the last time you were tempted by luscious cherries at your supermarket or saw that your favorite brand of packaged bread was on sale and you greedily bought too much? You likely had to throw away most of them because ...

Rapid DNA identifies conception boat fire victims

Thirty-four people died in a tragic boat fire on September 2, 2019, off the coast of Santa Cruz Island, California. Five crew members escaped with injuries after calling for help, but the intense fire aboard the Conception ...

Brewing beer that tastes fresh longer

Unlike wine, which generally improves with time, beer does not age well. Usually within a year of bottling, the beverage starts to develop an unpleasant papery or cardboard-like flavor that drinkers describe as "stale." Now, ...