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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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Other
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
Other
Finally, a video that really explains how color works
Analytical Chemistry
How do heat protectants for hair work? A chemistry expert explains
Other
Nobel chemistry winner sees engineered proteins solving tough problems
Other
Nobel Prize in chemistry honors 3 scientists who used AI to design proteins—life's building blocks
Other
What are proteins again? Nobel-winning chemistry explained
Other
Demis Hassabis, from chess prodigy to Nobel-winning AI pioneer
Other
AI-aided research, new materials eyed for Nobel Chemistry Prize
Other
Nobel winners hope protein work will spur 'incredible' breakthroughs
Other
Video: Why Canadian trash costs $30,000 per gram
Analytical Chemistry
What's the difference between MSG and table salt? A chemist explains
Other
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
Other
Video: Don't drink raw milk. But what about raw milk cheese?
Other
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
Other
Deep learning model overcomes the challenge of real-world measurements of isotope production target cooling systems
Analytical Chemistry
First chemist in history may have been a female perfumer—how the science of scents has changed since

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Archaeology
No more giants, no more heavy handaxes: Why early humans downsized their stone tools
Biochemistry
How surface chemistry impacts the performance of malaria nets
Mathematics
Mathematical signature spots when competition is fair, winner-take-all, or too soft
Plants & Animals
Ant larvae control parental care by using odor signals
Evolution
Great apes mirror facial expressions with surprising precision, study shows
Cell & Microbiology
Examining embryo model ethics beyond box-checking
Earth Sciences
Rock bonding changes understanding of earthquake mechanics
Environment
High levels of forever chemicals found in Svalbard reindeer
Evolution
From Asgard to Earth: Tiny tubes may reveal the moment complex life began
Soft Matter
New AI method flags fluid flow tipping points before simulations break down
Astronomy
What if dark matter came in two states?
Archaeology
Ancient Māori remains point to largely plant-based diets before colonization
Evolution
Dragonflies share humans' red-light sensing trick, detecting wavelengths near 720 nm
Optics & Photonics
Single-shot imaging captures more information about ultrafast microscopic processes than previously possible
Molecular & Computational biology
One DNA letter can trigger complete sex reversal
Earth Sciences
Why treelines don't simply rise with the climate
Space Exploration
Houston, we have a problem ... with the toilet
Ecology
Soundscapes from nearby forests are more uplifting than those from faraway places, research suggests
Plants & Animals
The lengths male octopuses go to protect the arm they need to mate
Archaeology
Unique double baptistery and mysterious marble block uncovered at Byzantine cathedral in Israel

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, ...

What makes the deadly pufferfish so delectable

Some people consider pufferfish, also known as fugu, a delicacy because of its unique and exquisite flavor, which is perhaps seasoned by knowledge that consumption of the fish could be deadly. Now, researchers have identified ...

Video: The limonene myth

Limonene, a compound found in citrus fruits, has two enantiomers: mirror-image molecules that cannot be superimposed, like a left and right hand.