Chemistry

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We summarize the week's science breakthroughs every Thursday.

  1. Physics

    Symmetry found hidden in supercold atoms

    Scientists have detected an elusive, complex symmetry in the frequencies of resonating particles

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  2. Chemistry

    Climate deal reached, importance debated

    “Finally, we sealed the deal. And it is a real deal,” said United Nations Secretary General Ban ki-Moon this morning at an 11:15 press briefing. He was referring to a new climate accord – one aimed at reducing global greenhouse-gas emissions and setting up a green trust fund for mitigation and adaptation programs in the world’s poorest countries, ones that are already being hammered by a changing climate.

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  3. Chemistry

    2009 Science News of the Year: Molecules

    Tangles of collagen IV chains link at globules via sulfur-nitrogen bonding (illustrated above). Credit: Courtesy of Science/AAAS New bond in the basementBasements house hidden treasures — including a chemical bond never before seen in living things. Scientists have discovered that collagen fibers in the basement membrane — a tough, structural layer of cells that surrounds […]

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  4. Chemistry

    Batteries made from nanotubes … and paper

    Scientists have made batteries and supercapacitors with little more than ordinary office paper and some carbon and silver nanomaterials.

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  5. Chemistry

    Pollutants: Up in flames

    Forest fires have the potential to release toxic industrial and agricultural pollutants previously trapped on soil. After glomming onto smoke particles, these chemicals can hitch long-distance rides — sometimes across oceans — before they’re grounded and contaminate some new region, scientists report.

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  6. Chemistry

    Elusive triangular snowflakes explained

    Dust particles,wind and aerodynamics could steer some snowflakes toward a three-sided fate

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  7. Chemistry

    Metal gives pigment the blues

    Researchers studying manganese oxides unexpectedly discover a new way to achieve blue hue.

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  8. Earth

    Toxic playgrounds

    No kid should ever play in arsenic. Especially at school. Yet many probably do, according to findings of a study presented today.

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  9. Chemistry

    PCBs: When green paint isn’t ‘green’

    It seems we're literally painting the air -- from the Great Lakes to Antarctica -- with persistent pollutants. Including at least one whose safety has never been studied.

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  10. Chemistry

    Case of the toxic gingerbread man

    Featured blog: A search for the source of some indoor-air anomalies turns up a surprising culprit.

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  11. Life

    Hormones give lantern sharks the glow

    In a first, a study shows that bioluminescence can be controlled by slow-acting hormones, not rapid-fire nerve cells.

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  12. Earth

    Nanoparticles’ indirect threat to DNA

    Tiny metal nanoparticles can damage DNA, essentially by triggering toxic gossip.

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