Frances Addison
I studied medicinal and biological chemistry at the University of Nottingham, graduating in 2016. Before joining Chemistry World in March 2019, I was a staff writer on Front Line Genomics.
PodcastAzidoazide azide
A compound so explosively unstable that nobody has been able to measure how sensitive it is without it, well, exploding
- Podcast
Book club – Written in Bone
From the horrific to the absurd, forensic anthropologist Sue Black’s new book is a true pageturner
- Review
The End of Everything (Astrophysically Speaking)
Universe-ending scenarios made to fit our tiny human minds
- Podcast
Book club – The End of Everything
It’s the end times for our universe with five scenarios that of how it might meet its ultimate demise
- Review
Death By Shakespeare: Snakebites, Stabbings and Broken Hearts
A book for anyone with an interest in science, death, Elizabethan literature and British history – or all of the above
- Podcast
2AP (2-acetyl-1-pyrroline)
Frances Addison on the aromatic compound found in both buttered popcorn and the bearcat’s scent glands, and responsible for the distinctive smell of both
- Review
Letters from an Astrophysicist
A collection of two decades-worth of correspondences, this book reveals humanity’s fascination with the stars
- Review
Say Why to Drugs: Everything You Need to Know About the Drugs We Take and Why We Get High
From discussing short- and long-term effects to drug mythbusting, this book is rich with easy-to-follow information about the effects recreational drugs can have on us and the risks associated with each of them
- Podcast
Book Club – Say Why to Drugs by Suzi Gage
We discuss Suzi Gage’s comprehensive look at the science behind recreational drugs – from caffeine to ketamine
- Research
Chernobyl’s intensely radioactive ‘elephant’s foot’ lava recreated in the lab
Mimic of the lava produced by a reactor meltdown is far safer to work with
- Review
Will My Cat Eat My Eyeballs? Big Questions from Tiny Mortals About Death
A book for ‘future corpses of all ages’ as the author – a mortician – answers questions about death asked by children
- Podcast
Oxycodone and hydrocodone
Frances Addison examines how our quest to control and manage pain has led to a modern medical crisis, as opioids oxycodone and hydrocodone are among the most abused prescription medications in the US
- Podcast
Book Club – How to by Randall Munroe
We discuss xkcd comic creator Randall Munroe’s new book that deals out absurd – but scientifically accurate – advice for everyday problems
- Research
’Blackest black’ ever made is 10 times darker than previous record holder
Serendipitous discovery produces darkest material in existence using carbon nanotubes
- News
Fourth UK science minister appointed in just two years as Chris Skidmore returns
Post has been hit by resignations over handling of Brexit
- Research
Biomolecular analysis unpicks human story of Himalayan skeleton lake
Archaeological deposits subject to ancient DNA analysis, stable isotope dietary reconstruction, radiocarbon dating and osteological analysis
- Research
Turbo-charged Crispr gene-editor can make 25 alterations in one go
Theoretically thousands of changes could be made at once using new technique
- Research
Moon may be millions of years older than previously calculated
Analysis of hafnium and tungsten in Apollo 17 samples suggests the moon formed 50 million years after the solar system
- Research
New ligand removes uranium from bones
A treatment that mops up uranium in the bones and kidneys of mice could help humans exposed to radiation
- Research
2D synthetic clay sheets could create easy to recycle crisp packets
Alternative to metal-coated plastics possible thanks to new environmentally-friendly synthesis
