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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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General Physics
How some cyclists paradoxically start 'from rest' with a non-zero velocity
Archaeology
Iron Age seeds reveal the origins of Iberian wine
Condensed Matter
Hot electrons reveal electronic collisions may raise resistance in twisted graphene
Plants & Animals
Long-term oyster reef restoration shows clear success in murky waters
Bio & Medicine
Building big with DNA gets a software upgrade
Archaeology
Henry VIII's dissolution enforcer stashed Catholic manuscript—its lost pages have just been rediscovered
Cell & Microbiology
Tendon cells can rebound from stiffness when returned to softer tissue-like surroundings
Cell & Microbiology
Global database reveals hidden diversity and potential of deep-sea microbes
Paleontology & Fossils
Tyrannosaurus rex teeth reveal a body temperature close to the human average
Mathematics
Mathematician challenges a 2,000-year-old legend about the Parthenon's optical illusions
General Physics
Mobile trap transports 92 antiprotons by road and stores them for over a month in world first
Archaeology
Insect remains reveal Indigenous burial practices in the Canary Islands
Biochemistry
Thinking outside the binding site: Drug molecule makes a square peg fit a round hole
Bio & Medicine
New method reveals how virus particles can build themselves, molecule by molecule
Plants & Animals
Brazilian sedge reproduces sexually but without DNA reshuffling, producing genetic clones
Archaeology
A sharper picture of a pandemic: Uncovering the complex history of the plague after the Black Death
Plants & Animals
Tiny oyster larvae rely on gravity to feed
Quantum Physics
Circular Rydberg atoms set three records, staying stable for 11 milliseconds
Analytical Chemistry
Iron, sulfur and purple light unlock greener carbon-carbon bond formation
Nanophysics
Compact optical screen could pave the way for cheaper infrared cameras

Fifty years after the Cuyahoga conflagration

On June 22, 1969, the Cuyahoga River, which flows through Cleveland, Ohio, caught fire. Although firefighters extinguished the blaze within 30 minutes, the shocking event helped galvanize the U.S. environmental movement. ...

Video: Could you fail a drug test by taking CBD?

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a non-psychoactive compound produced by the marijuana plant that seems to be everywhere these days. Maybe you've even been asked if you'd like it added to your morning cup of joe! Interestingly, the ...

US struggles to keep up as hemp industry grows

U.S. hemp production is soaring, but government oversight hasn't kept up, according to an article in Chemical & Engineering News (C&EN), the weekly newsmagazine of the American Chemical Society. The industry is scrambling ...

Verifying 'organic' foods

Organic foods are increasingly popular—and pricey. Organic fruits and vegetables are grown without synthetic pesticides, and because of that, they are often perceived to be more healthful than those grown with these substances. ...

Farmers and food companies hit the dirt to improve soil health

Big food brands, such as Kellogg, Campbell, Mars Wrigley and General Mills, have started investing in their ingredients by helping farmers improve soil health and sustainability. Not only do these programs enable companies ...

Ancient proteins offer clues to the past

Archeologists once relied solely on artifacts, such as skeletal remains, fossils and pottery sherds, to learn about past species and cultures. Today's scientists can also study ancient proteins to paint a more complete picture ...