Anthony King
I am a freelance science journalist based in Dublin, Ireland. I cover a variety of topics in chemical and biological sciences, as well as science policy, health and innovation.
My articles have appeared in Nature, Science, Cell, Chemistry World, New Scientist, the Irish Times, New York Times, EMBO Reports, Chemistry & Industry and more.
I enjoy writing on a wide breadth of subjects, from antibiotics to petrochemicals, bumblebees to asteroid composition, palaeontology to brain development. Previously I worked for a publishing company as a science editor.
My primary degree in science is from Trinity College Dublin and I hold a Master’s degree in science communications from Dublin City University.
BusinessPharma sector jolted by unpredictable US tariffs policy
Firms face tough decisions amid Trump’s threatened taxes on pharmaceutical imports and ‘capricious’ approach to tariffs
ResearchLow lithium levels linked to Alzheimer’s
Immune cells’ ability to degrade amyloid-beta peptides restored in mice treated with lithium salt
NewsAs AI-designed drug looks to pass final hurdle, will this tech change drug discovery forever?
AI-led drug for chronic lung disease set to enter phase 3 clinical trials, though experts remain divided on AI’s impact in pharma
BusinessTwo more European crackers to close
Sabic will not reopen UK plant and Dow will close another in Germany
BusinessUS approves twice yearly injection to prevent HIV
Yeztugo (lenacapavir) provided near-total protection against infection in clinical trials
NewsGene-edited crops set to arrive in England, but EU remains divided on them
Crops poised to be grown in England but renegotiation of trade agreement with EU could complicate matters
BusinessMilitary demand strains metal supply chains
Conflict and trade disputes have disrupted global supplies of specialist metals like hafnium, antimony and rare earths
FeatureHibernation awakens interest for drug discovery
With many different species entering torpor for a variety of reasons, scientists are looking to their sleepy secrets for ways to treat human diseases. Anthony King reports
ResearchAn overlooked bonding motif appears in many more proteins than was previously realised
Covalent nitrogen–oxygen–sulfur linkages could be a new target for potential drugs
BusinessTrade deals stave off Trump’s tariffs temporarily
Initial agreements with China and UK have paused trade war, but uncertainty reigns
NewsMaterials scientist’s death at 47 from brain haemorrhage highlights long hours culture in China
Liu Yongfeng’s death isn’t the first instance of a Chinese academic with a heavy workload dying young
BusinessEnding of US weight-loss drug shortages prompts compounder complaints
Decision ends pharmacies’ permission to prepare versions of GLP-1 hormone mimics
BusinessChevron and BP cutting thousands of jobs
Oil industry is broadly looking to cut costs, increase oil and gas production and cut renewable investments
ResearchFlea treatment-tainted pet fur lining songbird nests may be killing chicks
Multiple insecticides in blue tit and great tit nests linked to unhatched eggs, chick deaths
BusinessNew type of painkiller approved in US
Sodium channel blocker prevents nerves transmitting pain signals
ResearchMapping metabolite disturbances by drugs
High-throughput metabolomic profiling gives insight into unpredictable drug effects
ResearchLife’s ingredients discovered in samples Nasa probe returned from an asteroid
Asteroid Bennu found to contain nucleobases, amino acids and ammonia
FeatureLow 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
BusinessJ&J’s Intra-Cellular deal could signal more mega-mergers for 2025
£15 billion deal for neuroscience biotech aims to replace revenues from patent expiries
ResearchMutant moulds threaten newest antifungal drugs putting immunocompromised patients at risk
Agrichemical antifungal use is leading to fungi that can evolve resistance to novel drugs faster – even those not even on the market yet