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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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Space Exploration
NASA spacecraft discovers a huge new crater on the moon
General Physics
How some cyclists paradoxically start 'from rest' with a non-zero velocity
Archaeology
Iron Age seeds reveal the origins of Iberian wine
Mathematics
Mathematician challenges a 2,000-year-old legend about the Parthenon's optical illusions
Paleontology & Fossils
Tyrannosaurus rex teeth reveal a body temperature close to the human average
Cell & Microbiology
Tendon cells can rebound from stiffness when returned to softer tissue-like surroundings
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
Global database reveals hidden diversity and potential of deep-sea microbes
Astronomy
Webb measures extreme gas outflows from distant 'dead' galaxies
Bio & Medicine
New method reveals how virus particles can build themselves, molecule by molecule
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
Plants & Animals
Caffeine pollution could disrupt crustacean defenses against predators
Quantum Physics
Circular Rydberg atoms set three records, staying stable for 11 milliseconds
Archaeology
A sharper picture of a pandemic: Uncovering the complex history of the plague after the Black Death
Plants & Animals
Brazilian sedge reproduces sexually but without DNA reshuffling, producing genetic clones
Biochemistry
Thinking outside the binding site: Drug molecule makes a square peg fit a round hole

Video: What is white chocolate?

Today, we're showing our love for white chocolate. Sure, it lacks the rich flavor of milk chocolate and the glossy brown color of dark chocolate.

Research shows hidden fire risk of emollients

New research carried out by forensic scientists at Anglia Ruskin University has shown that commonly-used emollients can pose a significant fire risk once they have dried on fabric such as clothing and bedding.

Video: How shaving cream works

Whether you rock sideburns or baby-smooth legs, all shavers share one concern—the threat of razor-sharp metal. But luckily, shaving cream packs the right chemistry to keep us looking good while protecting our sensitive skin.

Bitter rapeseed

Rapeseed doesn't just contain oil but high-quality protein, too. However, protein extracts from rapeseed have an intense, bitter off-taste. A team led by food chemist Thomas Hofmann has now identified the substance that is ...

Taking the bite out of snake venom

According to the World Health Organization, about 100,000 people die from venomous snakebites every year. Many of these fatalities occur in rural areas of developing countries that lack access to antivenoms. That's why researchers ...

A 'greener' way to take the bitterness out of olives

Olives are staples of the Mediterranean diet, which has been linked to a reduced incidence of cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer's disease and other conditions. However, freshly picked olives are very bitter and require curing ...

Video: Why flamingos are cooler than you think

To many people, flamingos are synonymous with Florida, tacky lawn ornaments and cocktails on the beach. But their silly reputation belies their incredible survival skills.

Chemists warm up to preprint servers

Preprint servers—online sites that post scientific manuscripts for free, prior to peer review—are well-established in fields such as physics and biology. More recently, two chemistry preprint servers, ChemRxiv and ChemRN, ...