Chemistry
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We summarize the week's science breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Astronomy
Comet dust harbors life’s building blocks
Samples collected from a comet’s halo suggest comets could have carried amino acids to the early Earth
- Health & Medicine
Better BBQ through chemistry
Food chemists reveal their secrets to juicier, tastier barbecue.
By Sid Perkins - Health & Medicine
Worm-inspired superglue
Researchers create a material that may one day be used to paste together bones in the body.
- Chemistry
Drugged money
U.S. greenbacks are especially effective at pocketing tiny traces of cocaine.
By Janet Raloff - Tech
Isotope crisis threatens medical care
Global production of the feedstock for the leading medical-imaging isotope is low and erratic, putting health care in jeopardy.
By Janet Raloff - Computing
Minifridge makes quantum computers last
A new study shows that if ions are kept cool, then the information they hold can be repeatedly manipulated.
- Health & Medicine
When BPA-free isn’t
A type of plastic that shouldn't contain a hormone-mimicking ingredient may have it anyway, Canadian government scientist find.
By Janet Raloff - Chemistry
Beehive extract: Coming to the Tour de France?
Bees may have a performance-enhancing answer for hot blooded pursuits.
By Janet Raloff - Chemistry
Brilliant blue for the spine
A study in rats suggests the blue dye similar to that found in popsicles and sports drinks may prevent cell death after spinal cord injury.
- Chemistry
CO2 sponge
Macromolecule that was accidentally discovered seems to trap carbon dioxide from the air.
By Sid Perkins - Chemistry
A new low for nano ice
A new study shows that nanoparticles of frozen water melt at drastically lower temperatures than water in bulk.
- Chemistry
Concerns over bisphenol A continue to grow
Recent research finds that the hormone mimic may be more prevalent and more harmful than previously thought, highlighting why BPA is a growing worry for policy makers.
By Janet Raloff