Heat waves that push up atmospheric nanoparticle levels might explain higher death tolls
Counter-intuitive finding suggests particle formation from natural and anthropogenic organic compounds might increase during extreme heat events
Mixed-material microrobots created from 3D-printed templates
Precision and flexibility combined in alternative nano fabrication approach
Engineered enzymes could boost amide bond-forming efficiency for drug synthesis
Approach offers greener route to amide-containing drugs via aldehydes
Gluten-based vegan leather gains strength with heat and UV treatment
Process triggers protein denaturation and crosslinking to create material that gets close to imitating the strength, pliability and texture of natural leather
‘Almost impossible to destroy’: material captures CO2 and frees it at the flick of a photoswitch
Covid pandemic’s disruption of industrial activity drove surge in methane in early 2020s
World first for clinical trial of skin patch to monitor therapeutic drugs in real time
Embodying polymer chemistry with a purpose by upcycling plastics and trapping PFAS
Mapping tool delivers quantitative visualisations of steric interactions
‘Inverted metallocenes’ turn organometallic definition on its head
Highlights
Unlocking the power of plasma for chemistry
Scientists are using non-thermal plasma to produce fertiliser and long-chain hydrocarbons. Mason Wakley talks to the chemists harnessing the fourth state of matter
New separation methods aim to improve global rare earth supply
Rare earth elements are essential for modern technology, but their similar chemistry makes separation difficult and expensive. Now researchers are exploring new technologies to streamline processing and bring down costs.
How RNA reveals clues to life’s origins on Earth
The discovery of catalytic RNA transformed our understanding of life’s beginnings. Clare Sansom explores how the RNA world hypothesis bridges the gap between non-living chemistry and the first cells
How soft electronics are transforming medical devices
Degradable pacemakers and artificial neurons showcase how flexible, tissue-compatible electronics are revolutionising medicine. But translating these materials from lab bench to clinic requires solving complex structure–function relationships
The toxic chemistry behind skin bleaching products
The global skin-lightening market is worth over $10 billion and growing, but the unregulated products driving it contain dangerous chemicals linked to serious health risks. Zahra Khan speaks to the scientists and advocates trying to fix the problem
Topics
Mapping tool delivers quantitative visualisations of steric interactions
Technique uncovers subtle interactions that previous methods have missed
Google’s AlphaGenome wants to do for DNA what AlphaFold did for proteins
Model predicts effect of mutations on sequences up to 1 million base pairs in length and is adept at tackling complex non-coding regions
AI tool dramatically reduces computing power needed to find protein-binding molecules
New protocol is up to 10 million times faster than current docking-based methods
Purer silicon lets robust quantum computing get started on a new medium
Anomeric effect cannot be explained by hyperconjugation alone
AI agents set to democratise computational chemistry
AI flexes its protein design muscles for harsh environments
Protein design takes big leap forward as model produces enzymes almost as effective as nature’s
Embodying polymer chemistry with a purpose by upcycling plastics and trapping PFAS
For Frank Leibfarth, focussing on reactivity and selectivity helps him bridge the gap between fundamental and applied research
Roman-era ink reveals surprising chemical complexity
2000-year-old residue indicates the Romans wrote with iron-gall inks hundreds of years earlier than expected
The chemist using curry to understand indoor air pollution
Ashish Kumar’s research reveals how cooking shapes the air we breathe indoors
Traditional yoghurt recipe reveals ants’ fermentation power
Rebecca Trager meets a cross-disciplinary team investigating an ancient way to make yoghurt, which involved a trip to a tiny Bulgarian village
Unlocking the power of plasma for chemistry
Scientists are using non-thermal plasma to produce fertiliser and long-chain hydrocarbons. Mason Wakley talks to the chemists harnessing the fourth state of matter
Rethinking hydrogen peroxide production
Hydro-Oxy and Addible both aim to transform how industry produces and uses a ubiquitous oxidant.
Textiles in the age of sustainability: alternative methods for fabric dying and treatment
Learn about advances in sustainability of textile production – join us on 31 March
Exploring the frontiers of the periodic table: bismuth catalysis and its applications
Learn about state-of-the-art synthesis coming from one of the world’s leading catalysis research groups
US charity launches $100 million green chemistry initiative
Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation to fund seven year project headed by sustainable chemistry pioneer Paul Anastas
Pitfalls in cytotoxicity studies could be tripping up chemists
Team proposes how to broaden and standardise biological testing in sustainable chemical research
‘We’re in the rupture’: AAAS leadership reflects on past year under Trump
Sudip Parikh, head of largest US science organisation, describes how the nation’s research community has gone from ‘turmoil’ upon Trump’s re-election to ‘rupture’ today
Is work polygamy a new trend or the daily norm for researchers?
While many academics balance more than one role, some take on entirely separate jobs that allow them to explore different careers
Australia closes one beamline at national synchrotron, with another saved
Agency backtracks on closure of one beamline but asks user community to chip in
Dramatic reductions proposed for US science agencies by Trump administration evaporate
Final 2026 budget figures, passed by Congress and signed into law, reject significant cuts that the White House had proposed
Bid to resurrect US government’s controversial ‘China Initiative’ fails
Programme that targeted academics affiliated with China won’t be reestablished after groundswell of university opposition