All articles by Philip Ball – Page 8
-
OpinionShould we allow 'genetic vaccination' with Crispr?
Gene editing could wipe out diseases such as AIDS – but the risks can’t be ignored
-
OpinionSolving the riddle of the glowing stones
The mysterious luminescence of the Bologna Stone was the wonder of the 17th century
-
ResearchMicroscopy reveals secret of beryl’s iron heart
Discovery of metal stuffed channels in mineral family that includes emerald and aquamarine points way to tuning the material’s colour
-
OpinionTime to revolt against impact factors
Perverse incentives hurt science – the top universities need to fight back
-
OpinionHow Frankenstein left chemistry with a monstrous reputation
Shelley’s masterpiece was inspired by the cutting-edge science of her time
-
ResearchBond activation probed using x-ray laser
Observations of the oxygen–ruthenium bond could help improve catalyst design
-
OpinionGeneral dietary advice should be taken with a pinch of salt
We must move away from labeling foods as universally good or bad and start talking about dose
-
ResearchQuantum computer simulates hydrogen molecule
Prototype shows potential for more complex electronic structure calculations
-
-
OpinionWhat's the point of synthesising the human genome?
A plan to build our genome from scratch should be challenged on its scientific merit, not whether it is creating life, argues Philip Ball
-
OpinionHow game theory could explain complex life
Philip Ball asks if the building blocks of life benefit from cooperation
-
ResearchScientists claim to have seen ‘new state’ of water
Scepticism that water molecules with delocalised protons can be described as an unknown phase of water
-
OpinionHoming pigeons should thank quantum chemistry
Philip Ball asks whether quantum biology holds the secret to how birds navigate
-
OpinionWhy salty water foams
Philip Ball seeks the answer to a question more complex than it appears
-
ResearchBonding accurately predicted in diatomics by new scheme
Hopes that simple theoretical framework can be extended to tackle polyatomic molecules
-
ResearchNew buzz around vibrational smell theory
Controversial theory bolstered by discovery that ordinary and deuterated odour compounds elicit different responses in honeybee brains
-
OpinionWhat is a molecule?
Despite being a standard scientific concept, it’s virtually impossible to agree a satisfactory definition, says Philip Ball
-
ResearchChemical reaction flipped back and forth under scanning probe microscope
Work demonstrated on Bergman cyclisation offers route to valuable new reactions
-
OpinionThe periodic table name game
Proposed new rules on how elements are named save confusion but sacrifice romance, argues Philip Ball
-
ResearchFreezing oil droplets put on a show
Drops of hexadecane adopt geometric shapes more appropriate to crystals