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The future of analytical chemistry
We’re looking ahead to the future of analytical chemistry, from monitoring the planet from satellites, diagnosing cancer quickly and easily from small blood samples, to where the discipline itself is heading. And with a century and half passing since the Society of Public Analysts was founded, what does the future hold for this important role?
How satellite remote sensing is enhancing our understanding of Earth
Instruments in space have studied the planet’s atmosphere and surface, and are now being joined by powerful new ones, finds Andy Extance
Blood biopsies for cancer
Testing small amounts of blood for the presence of disease markers could revolutionise how we detect cancer. Clare Sansom reports
Analysing a chemist’s wish-list
Analytical techniques have come a long way, but what does the future hold? Rachel Brazil asks the experts what they’d like to see
Opinion
Why we need public analysts
As the Association of Public Analysts winds up, Duncan Campbell reflects on the continued importance of the profession
Opinion
Analytical chemistry is never far from the frontiers of science
New and better tools are pushing back boundaries and changing the world
PodcastThermo Fisher data manipulation & the shrinking chemical recycling industry
We discuss fabricated images in Thermo Fisher’s online catalogue. And, what barriers are preventing chemical plastic recycling from taking off?
FeatureHow AI is transforming the world of analytical chemistry
Analytical chemists have been using machine learning long before ChatGPT made headlines. Now, as generative AI enters the laboratory, the discipline faces both opportunities and risks
OpinionDNA on the Shroud of Turin reveals plant, animal and human contaminants
Peanuts, chickens and a researcher are among those who have left their mark on the cloth
ResearchChemical analysis of limpet shells reveals mechanism behind deep-sea migrations
Concentrations of barium, manganese and oxygen isotopes in shell layers provide evidence of where limpets live at different life stages
OpinionTrust is easily broken and hard to rebuild
Thermo Fisher needs to be open and honest about data manipulation to reassure researchers
BusinessThermo Fisher antibody data manipulation is a breach of trust, say researchers
Science sleuths say the problem is impacting research progress and Thermo’s response falls short
OpinionHow the UK’s defence laboratory keeps the world safe from the threat of chemical weapons
DSTL has been supporting investigations into the use of chemical weapons for over 25 years - here’s how it does its job
NewsUK’s defence research site unveils new NMR lab to protect against evolving chemical and biological threats
The new lab at Porton Down, Salisbury, will allow scientists to ‘crack on’ analysing a range of samples
ResearchElusive crystal structure of borylnitrenes finally captured
In situ crystallography reveals a snapshot of a boron-bound nitrene
ResearchWatching unpaired electrons at work
From building the Centre for Pulse EPR at Imperial to probing electron transfer in real time, Maxie Rößler is pushing an overlooked technique into the spotlight
OpinionStrands of investigation
LC–MS/MS techniques applied to hair can provide some answers when other analytical techniques aren’t possible
WhitepaperChoosing the right benchtop NMR spectrometer: a practical buyer’s guide
Make the right investment in benchtop NMR
ResearchMolecular labels streamline high throughput mass spec analysis by rapidly ranking reactions
Electrophilicity at heart of technique that overcomes key bottleneck to speed sample evaluation over 60 times
PodcastQuantum computing & a mysterious microplastic contaminant
How close are we to using quantum computers in our own labs? Plus, an unexpected source of contamination affecting microplastics research results.
ResearchLondon’s tap water contains PFAS, but at surprisingly low levels
Data from homes and public fountains across the UK’s capital show that treatment and dilution keep PFAS levels below current safety limits
ResearchThree-in-one sensor detects multiple chemical warfare agents
Coumarin-based molecule can pick up sarin, sulfur mustard and cyanide in seconds
ResearchLab glove deposits drive false microplastic signatures in atmospheric pollution samples
Researchers uncover contamination pathway that’s complicating efforts to understand how much plastic is in the air
ResearchStudy points to ammonia contamination in water microdroplets saga
Replication effort attributes mass spectrometry peaks to ammonium not hydroxyl species
ResearchStructure-led search tool set to refine how scientists explore metabolomics data
Platform can find molecules and substructures across massive public datasets
BusinessDetecting airborne pathogens by DNA sequencing
UK spin-out Agnos Biosciences turned a ‘wacky idea’ into a sensor with applications from agriculture to hospitals
NewsPaint manufacturers still putting consumers at risk in Mexico with sale of toxic lead paints
Over half of paints sold in the country contain unsafe levels of lead pigments, with some reaching up to 29% lead