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.
FeatureCone snail venom peptides offer new hope for pain relief
Cone snails deploy sophisticated venom cocktails to paralyse prey. Anthony King talks to the researchers harnessing these peptides to develop new pain medications
BusinessIran conflict cuts off gulf oil and chemicals trade
Effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz has stranded exports from Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Qatar
NewsIreland’s five-year plan for research aims to boost PhD numbers and spin-outs
Strategy wants 3800 PhDs and 2000 postdoctoral researchers trained to support economy
NewsChinese Academy of Sciences proposes capping pay-to-publish fees for high-profile journals
Journals charging article processing charges for open access in excess of $5000 are likely to be hit
BusinessExplainer: Why is the US eliminating synthetic food dyes?
What’s the evidence for harm, and how does the US approach compare internationally
NewsExplainer: What is epibatidine?
The science behind the dart frog toxin that was allegedly used to kill the Russian politician Alexei Navalny
BusinessEU adds hefty anti-dumping duties to 1,4-butanediol
Imports from China, US and Saudi Arabia will see tariffs of 52–143%
BusinessDow to cut 4500 jobs in productivity drive
Firm claims AI and automation will help revive growth during sustained industrial downturn
BusinessSabic offloads petrochemicals and plastics plants in Europe and Americas
German private equity firms Aequita and Mutares aim to return struggling plants to profitability
ResearchRomans’ hot recipe for self-healing concrete unravelled in Pompeii
Discovery of building materials abandoned at construction site reveals secrets of ancient concrete that can set underwater
BusinessUK agrees higher drug prices to secure zero-tariff deal with US
NHS could pay up to 25% more for innovative drugs, but exports will be tariff free for three years
NewsSwiss researchers glad to have rejoined EU science schemes but ponder damage of exclusion
The country officially rejoined Horizon Europe and a range of other programmes in November but what did it cost its science base?
BusinessAkzoNobel-Axalta merger gives coatings firm extra layers
Pursuit of scale drives continued consolidation across coatings sector
BusinessIneos asks EU to intervene over ‘unfair’ chemical imports
Group says 10 key chemicals are being dumped cheaply, harming domestic industry
FeatureNitrous oxide emissions accelerate as agriculture drives climate threat
With N2O emissions up 40% in four decades, scientists are searching for answers. Anthony King looks at potential solutions to keep fertiliser nitrogen in the soil
ResearchBeer yeast leftovers spun into a promising sustainable yarn 50% stronger than wool
Brewery waste can be turned into a cheap, environmentally-friendly textile
BusinessNovartis spends on deals to offset patent losses
$12 billion Avidity acquisition is the latest pipeline-pumping transaction
BusinessBASF sells coatings business to Carlyle in €7.7 billion deal
Deal covers automotive and surface treatment businesses and follows earlier sale of decorative paints
BusinessNovo Nordisk’s new chief cuts 9000 jobs
Danish firm shifts strategy after struggling to capitalise on its weight loss drugs
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