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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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Cell & Microbiology
How chromosomes find their partners
Astronomy
LST-1 and MAGIC telescopes shatter distance record for the very high-energy blazar OP 313
Plants & Animals
Tiny ocean plankton hold clues to the future of Maine lobster
Materials Science
Scientists identify design rules for the best thermoelectric materials
Astronomy
A 4-star system caught eclipsing itself in a way never seen before
Plants & Animals
How to CT scan a 400-pound crocodile
Optics & Photonics
New free-space optical link adds a wireless component to the nation's longest quantum network
Ecology
Dry landscapes and newly fallowed fields may raise California Valley fever risk
Cell & Microbiology
Engineered yeasts help turn PET plastic and crop waste into protein-rich cookies
Bio & Medicine
Nanoparticle flu vaccine protects against three influenza strains in mice
Molecular & Computational biology
Oldest human brain cells grown in lab 'recorded passage of time'
Cell & Microbiology
Protein degradation rate helps explain why humans develop more slowly than mice
Social Sciences
Collaborative drawing offers new insights into how strangers become friends
Condensed Matter
The superconducting gap of an ultrathin nickelate defies expectations
Quantum Physics
Quantum computer microscope is set to significantly improve electron microscopy
Plants & Animals
Hot temperatures can dull blue morpho butterflies' iridescent scales
Materials Science
Blowing in the wind, humble balloon gets green makeover
Archaeology
A museum-shelf mystery reveals 6,500-year-old human tooth pendant in Serbia
Biotechnology
AI decodes DNA initiator sequence found in about 60% of human genes
Analytical Chemistry
Computer models pinpoint catalysts for replacing fossil-fueled ammonia production

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, ...

The good side of carbon monoxide

Most people think of carbon monoxide as harmful, and with good reason—the colorless, odorless gas sends 50,000 people in the U.S. to hospitals each year when their furnaces malfunction or car engines run in poorly ventilated ...

A new way to create pumpkin spice products, drugs, cosmetics

"Like oil and water" doesn't apply just to personal relationships that aren't working. It also applies to the challenges scientists face when combining spices and other products that conventionally do not mix well in producing ...