Chemistry

  1. Chemistry

    Birth control for male cockroaches

    Scientists have discovered a gene in German cockroaches that may lead to a new type of insect control—contraception for male cockroaches.

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  2. Chemistry

    Coming up roses in scent research

    Aroma chemists have discovered a carotenoid-processing enzyme that makes the chemicals that give rose oil its smell.

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  3. Chemistry

    Nutty and fungi-ble taxol sources

    The active ingredient in the anticancer drug taxol has turned up in hazelnuts and fungi.

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  4. Chemistry

    Unsung benefits of darker, tasty oils

    Processing to erase the distinctive flavors and colors in cooking oils also removes or deactivates compounds that can defuse biologically damaging chemical reactions in the body.

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  5. Chemistry

    The power of caffeine and pale tea

    The relatively rare brew known as white tea offers more caffeine than green tea—and perhaps more anticancer activity.

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  6. Chemistry

    Toxin in absinthe makes neurons run wild

    The alpha-thujone in absinthe—Vincent Van Gogh's favorite drink—blocks brain receptors for a natural inhibitor of nerve impulses, causing brain cells to fire uncontrollably.

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  7. Chemistry

    Sensor sniffs out spoiled fish

    A new electronic nose detects amine compounds produced when fish decay.

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  8. Chemistry

    Air knocks the wind out of nanotubes

    Carbon nanotubes are very sensitive to oxygen, an effect that could limit their use in open-air applications.

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  9. Chemistry

    Heat spurs growth of tiny carbon trees

    Microscopic carbon forests can grow on a graphite surface without the help of catalysts.

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  10. Chemistry

    Buckyballs Can Come from Outer Space

    A new analysis settles the question of whether carbon molecules found in meteorites have an extraterrestrial origin.

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  11. Chemistry

    The Dirt on Art: Chemists test laser cleanup of paintings

    A new experiment shows that lasers can be a safe tool for cleaning paintings.

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  12. Chemistry

    Molecules Leave Their Mark

    A material etched with tiny, carefully shaped pores can act like an artificial enzyme, cell membrane, or receptor.

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