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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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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
Analytical Chemistry
Retaining flavor while removing caffeine—a chemist explains the chemistry behind decaf coffee

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Superconductivity
Cloud-tested quantum noise model predicts superconducting qubit errors with sevenfold better accuracy
Environment
Satellites reveal cities' 'urban pulse,' tracking neighborhood growth in near real time
Earth Sciences
Rocket launches and reentries harm Earth's ozone layer
Molecular & Computational biology
Peptide blocks DNA breaks tied to treatment-induced leukemia, offering new prevention route
Biochemistry
Chemists unlock first total synthesis of rare plant alkaloid tied to anticancer activity
Environment
Aerosols may warm or cool the climate depending on timing, new study finds
Earth Sciences
California's tectonic stress has reached record level, earthquake model reveals
Molecular & Computational biology
Magnesium transporter discovery could improve rice nutrition and taste
Plants & Animals
Elusive Cozumel dwarf fox reappears in first confirmed photos after two decades
Earth Sciences
Brazilian breadbasket's aquifers are falling, and new satellite maps show where water stress is growing
Archaeology
Ancient hominins selected basalt sources for specific tools nearly 800,000 years ago, study reveals
Bio & Medicine
Medicinal plants yield carbon nanoparticles that glow red and flag toxic metals
General Physics
Newfound sound wave scattering rule may lead to less bulky, more effective soundproofing
Mathematics
Hidden geometry explains why kernel methods separate complex data so well
Bio & Medicine
DNA design unlocks nanometer-scale catalyst control for cleaner hydrogen production
Cell & Microbiology
Frozen rat chromosome springs back to life inside a mouse embryo
Plants & Animals
How wax moth larvae can help reduce animal testing in research
Optics & Photonics
Why this $10 spectrometer chip could bring real-time chemical sensing to wearables
Nanophysics
Twisted stacking lets 2D conductor keep single-layer performance in bulk form
Space Exploration
Plants could be used to grow medicines in space, study shows

Can going nuclear combat climate change?

To mitigate climate change, the proportion of low-carbon electricity generation must increase from today's 36% to 85% by 2040, the International Energy Agency (IEA) says. IEA and other advocates argue that nuclear power could ...

Getting mac and cheese to Mars

Washington State University scientists have developed a way to triple the shelf life of ready-to-eat macaroni and cheese, a development that could have benefits for everything from space travel to military use.

The rise, fall and resurgence of gene therapy

Twenty years ago, scientists and investors were giddy over the promise of gene therapy to cure a host of deadly diseases. But the tragic death of a young man from an experimental treatment in 1999 nearly ended a scientist's ...

Cutting acrylamide in fried and baked snacks

In 2002, the discovery of acrylamide in certain snacks rattled consumers and the food industry. Acrylamide, a probable human carcinogen, forms by a chemical reaction during baking or frying. Although experts say it's impossible ...