Quick test could catch fatal tick fever before it’s too late
Lateral flow test diagnosed fatal disease in animal model before symptoms appeared
Life’s ingredients discovered in samples Nasa probe returned from an asteroid
Asteroid Bennu found to contain nucleobases, amino acids and ammonia
Computer simulations shed light on how material can shrink when heated
New theory offers insights into the origin of the very low and negative thermal expansion observed in cordierite
How AI is transforming chemistry research
Artificial intelligence is revolutionising everything from workflows to networking - so how can you bring AI into your research practice?
Superheavy element half-life measurements push back the limits of stability
Tuning polymer microstructure produces adhesive stickier than super glue
Simulations suggest why highly unsaturated molecules are so abundant in the interstellar medium
Mutant moulds threaten newest antifungal drugs putting immunocompromised patients at risk
Designer proteins to treat deadly snake bites could save thousands of lives
Computer simulation of carbonless DNA prompt researchers to consider alternative biochemistries
Highlights
Low concentration chemicals spur toxicological debate
Improved analytical techniques mean tiny amounts of endocrine disrupting compounds or PFAS can be found in many places. But is it a problem? Anthony King talks to the scientists on both sides of the fence
On the trail of the male contraceptive pill
As multiple novel male contraception compounds enter clinical trials, is family planning about to undergo a second revolution? James Mitchell Crow reports
The promise of drugs that send proteins to the shredder
Andy Extance charts how research into revolutionary targeted protein degradation therapies is moving from serendipity to strategic discovery
A mouthful of mouthfeel
Andy Extance learns how the chemicals in food and drink create sensual culinary experiences
Life on ice
We may be able to freeze embryos, but challenges remain for larger organs. Hayley Bennett talks to the scientists trying to push the boundaries of cryopreservation
Topics
Computer simulations shed light on how material can shrink when heated
New theory offers insights into the origin of the very low and negative thermal expansion observed in cordierite
Simulations suggest why highly unsaturated molecules are so abundant in the interstellar medium
Shocks, cosmic rays and x-rays seem to ionise and fragment saturated molecules via mechanisms that result in structures with the highest possible number of π bonds
Computer simulation of carbonless DNA prompt researchers to consider alternative biochemistries
Researchers swap nitrogen and boron into DNA to create analogues that are geometrically and electrostatically equivalent to conventional DNA
Chemists use AI to uncover pigments used on Berlin Wall murals
GPT-based AI tool predicts inorganic crystal structures
AI tool learns to build molecules fragment by fragment
Large language models are better than humans at answering chemistry questions
AI robots work together to perform autonomous synthesis and analysis
After-school club students in Chicago discover promising bioactive compound via goose droppings
Chicago antibiotic discovery lab engages middle school students from underrepresented communities in hands-on research
Computer program ‘paints’ porphyrin structures in the style of famous artist
Algorithm turns molecules’ structure into Mondrian-inspired representations
Pioneering preservative removal from ancient Greek ship allows accurate dating
Extraction of polyethylene glycol from ship’s wood enables radiocarbon recalibration
Lead found in Beethoven’s hair reveals new insight into his ailing health
Kidney and liver problems that killed the composer, as well as hearing loss, are associated with high lead levels
Paul Anastas: ‘I’m proudest of being part of a global green chemistry community’
The father of green chemistry on his love of the environment, striving for unattainable perfection and breathing life into an old town library
Science needs to get its house in order when it comes to energy use and waste
Labs have an outsized environmental footprint but solutions are within reach
Redox reactions ‘mine’ old fluorescent light bulbs for europium
In just three simple steps rare earth element can be recovered, avoiding ‘ecologically devastating’ mining
Chemists funded to cut the environmental footprint of their labs
The Royal Society of Chemistry to support 33 projects in 11 countries aiming to make chemistry research greener
Analysis of three French chemistry labs shows how they could halve their carbon footprint by 2030
Open-source tool helps researchers evaluate a series of carbon mitigation strategies
There’s a world of chemistry in water
Managing our most precious resource
MRC funding changes spark opposition from researchers concerned by unit closures
Nobel prize winners and the Astronomer Royal are among 600 scientists warning that specialist medical research units will shut
Peer review frozen, meetings cancelled: Trump administration leaves its mark on NIH
Chaos ensues following suspension of grant reviews, travel, meetings and public communications at funder
The right level of trust in the scientific literature
An overreliance on what’s gone before can hinder innovation
High profile chemistry journal removed from Web of Science index
Elsevier journal delisted over editorial quality concerns
New year honours recognise chemists’ services to inclusion and diversity
Services to biogeochemistry, science in government, and science and technology also rewarded in annual list