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  • Women in medical waiting room
    Feature

    Fixing medicine’s gender gap

    2025-05-20T13:31:00Z

    For centuries, the default subject in medicine research and training has been the male. Julia Robinson talks to the scientists and clinicians trying to improve things for the other 51% of humanity

  • Women shopping for period products
    Feature

    How safe and sustainable are period products?

    2025-05-20T13:30:00Z

    Millions of people around the world use period products every month. Bárbara Pinho finds out what their environmental footprint is and whether they carry chemicals harmful to human health

  • Woman moving from one table to another in a restaurant
    Feature

    Managing the menopause

    2025-05-20T13:30:00Z

    The end of ovulation will affect almost all women, but current treatments could be improved. Rachel Brazil reports on the efforts to find a better solution

  • Flowers on grave
    Feature

    What happens to our bodies after we die?

    2025-04-28T08:58:00Z

    The decay and decomposition of a human body may be unpleasant to consider, but it can be crucial in criminal justice. Rupali Dabas talks to the forensic scientists developing techniques that can sniff out the truth 

  • Crystal structure prediction
    Feature

    Crystal clear structure prediction

    2025-04-15T14:39:00Z

    As the clouds clear on computational crystal structure prediction, is the technique ready to empower mainstream materials research? James Mitchell Crow reports

  • Mustard leaf salad
    Feature

    Making genetically engineered food palatable

    2025-04-07T08:05:00Z

    The next generation of genetically altered food is forging ahead, aiming to be attractive to consumers rather than producers. Katrina Megget finds out whether Crispr means crisper salads

  • Circular DNA
    Feature

    The circles of DNA that cause cancer

    2025-03-24T10:37:00Z

    Ring-shaped extrachromosomal DNA is implicated in many cancers. Rachel Brazil talks to the scientists trying to uncover their secrets

  • Tractor spraying glyphosate at sunset
    Feature

    The glyphosate debate

    2025-03-17T10:25:00Z

    The EU has recently approved the use of glyphosate for another decade. Bárbara Pinho examines the controversial pesticide’s presence in British farming and considers the possibility of a ban in the UK

  • COFs
    Feature

    COFs head for the big time

    2025-03-10T09:03:00Z

    Two decades on from the first reported covalent organic frameworks, Nina Notman investigates what their future holds

  • Melanie Sanford with a green chalkboard and chemistry symbols
    Feature

    Melanie Sanford’s route from college gymnast to groundbreaking researcher

    2025-02-24T14:28:00Z

    One-time gymnast Melanie Sanford has made a name for herself in catalysis and organometallic chemistry. Rebecca Trager charts her path to success, from her mentors to her mentoring

  • Illustration of a scientist lighting the interior of a battery with a torch/flashlight
    Feature

    Studying materials in action

    2025-02-17T09:49:00Z

    Experiments on battery electrodes and fuel cell catalysts while they’re being used – operando spectroscopy – can revolutionise our understanding of these crucial materials. Clare Sansom reports

  • Graphic with large F and several bottles of pills
    Feature

    Putting the F in pharma

    2025-02-10T10:30:00Z

    Adding fluorine to drug molecules can be tricky, but is often worthwhile. Rachel Brazil talks to the chemists trying to tame the ninth element

  • Round table discussion
    Feature

    Low concentration chemicals spur toxicological debate

    2025-01-27T11:21:00Z

    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

  • Closeup on a blister pack with male contraceptive pills
    Feature

    On the trail of the male contraceptive pill

    2025-01-20T09:25:00Z

    As multiple novel male contraception compounds enter clinical trials, is family planning about to undergo a second revolution? James Mitchell Crow reports

  • Paper shredder shredding a protein structure
    Feature

    The promise of drugs that send proteins to the shredder

    2025-01-13T09:12:00Z

    Andy Extance charts how research into revolutionary targeted protein degradation therapies is moving from serendipity to strategic discovery

  • A collage of photos of red wine, strawberry ice cream, lemon sorbet, dark chocolate, white chocolate and several mouths showing differing emotions, such as disgust and pleasure
    Feature

    A mouthful of mouthfeel

    2024-12-18T09:48:00Z

    Andy Extance learns how the chemicals in food and drink create sensual culinary experiences

  • A drawing of gloved hands sorting through a hospital freezer shelf containing frozen organs
    Feature

    Life on ice

    2024-12-16T10:00:00Z

    We may be able to freeze embryos, but challenges remain for larger organs. Hayley Bennett talks to the scientists trying to push the boundaries of cryopreservation

  • Car tyre
    Feature

    How tyres are turning green

    2024-12-09T09:39:00Z

    As the shift to using renewable and recycled materials in car tyres accelerates, Nina Notman talks to the manufacturers driving the change

  • All 20 people
    Feature

    20 years. 20 chemists. 20 stories. Part 2

    2024-12-02T10:30:00Z

    How has chemistry changed in the last two decades?

  • Sign language in chemistry
    Feature

    The new signs bringing greater understanding to organic chemistry

    2024-11-25T13:37:00Z

    Rebecca Trager speaks to a US team developing a sign language lexicon for chemistry concepts that combines form with meaning to make the field more accessible for everyone