Chemistry

Chemistry

A fungus makes a chemical that neutralizes the stench of skunk spray

A compound produced by fungi reacts with skunk spray to form residues that aren’t offensive to the nose and can be more easily washed away.

Tech

Tiny magnetic coils could help break down microplastic pollution

Carbon nanotubes designed to release plastic-eroding chemicals could clear the long-lasting trash from waterways.

Chemistry

Droplets of these simple molecules may have helped kick-start life on Earth

Simple molecules called alpha hydroxy acids form cell-sized structures in conditions mimicking early Earth chemistry.

Chemistry

How seafood shells could help solve the plastic waste problem

Chitin and chitosan from crustacean shells could put a dent in the world’s plastic waste problem.

Chemistry

Carbon plays a starring role in the new book ‘Symphony in C’

In Symphony in C, geophysicist Robert Hazen explores carbon’s ancient origins, its role in life and its importance in the modern world.

Chemistry

Vaping the sweetener sucralose may produce toxic chemicals

Sucralose in e-liquids can break down, increasing toxic aldehydes in vapors and producing harmful organochlorines, including a potential carcinogen.

Chemistry

Sweaty, vinegary and sweet odors mingle to make dark chocolate’s smell

Scientists have worked out the chemistry of dark chocolate’s smell and reconstructed the aroma.

Environment

Emissions of a banned ozone-destroying chemical have been traced to China

Since 2013, eastern China has increased its annual emissions of a banned chlorofluorocarbon by about 7,000 metric tons, a study finds.

Chemistry

50 years ago, scientists fought over element 104’s discovery

A conflict known as the Transfermium Wars marked a contentious struggle over the search for new elements beginning in the 1960s.

Particle Physics

This is the slowest radioactive decay ever spotted

Scientists have made the first direct observations of an exotic type of radioactive decay called two-neutrino double electron capture.

Chemistry

The first type of molecule to form in the universe has been seen in space

The chemistry of the universe began with helium hydride. Scientists have just seen it in outer space for the first time.

Materials Science

Bacteria can be coaxed into making the toughest kind of spider silk

Lab-altered bacteria have made a copy of a spider’s strongest silk strands, which could one day be used to make more sturdy materials.