All articles by Philip Ball – Page 9
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ResearchNew buzz around vibrational smell theory
Controversial theory bolstered by discovery that ordinary and deuterated odour compounds elicit different responses in honeybee brains
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OpinionWhat is a molecule?
Despite being a standard scientific concept, it’s virtually impossible to agree a satisfactory definition, says Philip Ball
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ResearchChemical reaction flipped back and forth under scanning probe microscope
Work demonstrated on Bergman cyclisation offers route to valuable new reactions
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OpinionThe periodic table name game
Proposed new rules on how elements are named save confusion but sacrifice romance, argues Philip Ball
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ResearchFreezing oil droplets put on a show
Drops of hexadecane adopt geometric shapes more appropriate to crystals
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OpinionWhy we need more research risks
Scientists are playing it too safe when choosing topics for investigation, warns Philip Ball
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OpinionWeapons of mass discussion
A chemistry opera gives reason to face up to the role of scientists in war, says Philip Ball
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OpinionSpeaking of chemistry
Richard Feynman’s mischievous genius shone discussing chemistry, says Philip Ball
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ResearchNanotube desalination could be put back on track
Simulations reveal what may have been holding up this promising technology
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Research
Drawn out proteins make self-healing scaffolds
Self-assembling protein tubes can be shaped into a flexible, branching network that can support growing cells
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FeatureNavigating chemical space
Fully exploring the ocean of possible compounds – even computationally – is impossible, finds Philip Ball
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OpinionA shared secret?
Do chemistry and alchemy have a common ancestor, or are they separated by science, asks Philip Ball
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ResearchFirst snapshot of elusive intermediate supplies surprise
Atomic force microscopy images reveal aryne possesses three consecutive carbon–carbon double bonds, rather than a single triple bond
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ResearchSimple reaction shows quantum interference
Chemical reactions can show interference patterns similar to those seen in the classic double-slit experiment
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Research
Ultra-bright x-rays film molecular reaction
‘Molecular movie’ provides new insight into classic ring-opening reaction
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OpinionA coat of many colours
Just how did lab couture settle on that little white number, asks Philip Ball
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OpinionHow do we solve a problem like Marie?
Women in science’s history deserve better treatment than myths and martyrdom, says Philip Ball