Space organics

The surprising organic chemistry in interstellar space

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Even in the bleak wastelands of interstellar space complex organic molecules seem to find a way to form. Anna Demming finds out how

Copying sections spreading through documents

Why is plagiarism apparently more common in research funded by the NSF than the NIH?

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Figures just out reveal that the US National Science Foundation (NSF) received 54 allegations of research misconduct in the 2022–23 financial year 

Man carrying potted plant with leaves that look like pills

Harnessing biodiversity through natural products research in the Philippines

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Collaborative projects aim to produce cheaper and more effective medicines

A scientist giving instructions to two other scientists in a lab

Doctoral training receives £1 billion but student numbers to fall by 5%

2024-03-18T14:30:00+00:00

Backing for CDTs will see more than 4000 students trained over the next nine years

A ticking clock

Chemistry organisations call for clarity over government’s long-delayed chemicals strategy

2024-03-15T09:30:00+00:00

Royal Society of Chemistry among bodies asking after government policy promised six years ago

Destroyed Ukrainian university

Rebuilding Ukraine’s science infrastructure will cost at least $1.26 billion

2024-03-12T14:30:00+00:00

Over 1400 research buildings have sustained damage during the war with Russia

Benzoyl peroxide product

Explainer: is the discovery of benzene in benzoyl peroxide acne products a cause for concern?

2024-03-12T14:30:00+00:00

Lab testing claims that the carcinogen benzene forms at potentially dangerous levels but there are doubts about the research

Javier Milei

Nobel laureates urge Argentina’s new president to reverse science cuts

2024-03-11T14:30:00+00:00

68 Nobel laureates, including more than 20 who won the chemistry prize, warn that Javier Milei’s policies will hurt the country

A hand filling a sample tube with water from a domestic tap

Lateral flow PFAS sensor could enable at-home water testing

2024-03-18T14:30:00+00:00

New device offers fast and cheap way to monitor PFAS in drinking water

Orange

Why oranges taste like oranges

2024-03-14T14:30:00+00:00

Orange or mandarin? Seven esters make the difference

Takeaway plastic container

Concerns raised over health effects of chemicals leaching from food packaging

2024-03-14T09:30:00+00:00

Gene assays reveal disruption to cell receptors crucial for hormonal and metabolic control

Porphyrin ribbon electric current

Porphyrin ribbons transport charge with no resistance

2024-03-13T14:30:00+00:00

Molecules could form the basis of ‘perfectly transmissive’ molecular wires

Round bottomed flask

Bad habits obscuring thermodynamic reality of photocatalytic reactions

2024-03-13T13:38:00+00:00

Dubious assumptions and contentious nomenclature muddying the literature

Voice of the Royal Society of Chemistry

  • Biocatalysis – A cross-RSC collection

  • Biocatalysis Faraday Discussion

  • Myth busting: Chemists, the public and the media

  • Innovating for the future of sustainable labs

Brain-gut

How microbes influence our brain health

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Our gut microbiome has been linked to conditions such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Anthony King reports on the connections

High entropy alloys

Marvellous mixtures of metals

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High entropy alloys, with anywhere from five or more different metals, have unusual properties and could find use in a variety of high-tech applications. Clare Sansom reports

Cell reprogramming

Small molecules that switch up cell development could transform medicine

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Turning mature somatic cells back into flexible stem cells using small molecules could revolutionise medicine, especially for regeneration and cancer. Philip Ball reports

Different aspects of romantic love

The chemistry of love

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There’s chemistry behind every step of a romantic relationship, from the initial spark to the pain of break up, as Zahra Khan discovers

  • Workshop: Making better data-based decisions with statistical modelling techniques

  • Culinary chemistry: Exploring the science of baking with Josh Smalley

  • Investigating the behaviour of water at material interfaces

  • Clean water innovations: Addressing global challenges