Nobel medals

Pioneers in synthetic biology and next-generation DNA sequencing among predictions for chemistry Nobel prize

2023-09-21T09:29:00+01:00

Data science divinations and community chatter pick favourites for chemistry’s top prize

Scientists in the lab

New Royal Society fellowship to support Black researchers

2023-09-21T09:28:00+01:00

Scheme may be expanded to other underrepresented groups if it’s successful

MDMA

Positive trial sets stage for therapeutic use of MDMA in US

2023-09-21T08:24:00+01:00

Hallucinogen-assisted psychiatric treatment heads to regulators, amid cost and other concerns

Aerial image of a large white warehouse that has been flattened surrounded by debris and upturned containers

Tornado at Pfizer plant accentuates US drug shortage issues

2023-09-20T05:00:00+01:00

Perennial problem will not be addressed without major reforms to drug market

Binned paper

Retraction Watch database bought by Crossref

2023-09-18T13:30:00+01:00

Deal aims to make retractions easier for researchers to spot

Research Gate

Publishers settle copyright infringement lawsuit with ResearchGate

2023-09-18T13:30:00+01:00

Elsevier and the American Chemical Society resolve ongoing claims with an automated check on papers’ copyright status

Bear licking a rock

Work on why scientists seem to enjoy licking rocks scoops chemistry Ig Nobel

2023-09-15T13:44:00+01:00

Necrobotics, defecation analysis and boring lectures among other topics honoured in spoof annual award ceremony

Exoplanet K2-18 b

Explainer: has life been discovered on an exoplanet?

2023-09-15T08:30:00+01:00

Potential detection of dimethyl sulfide on K2-18 b has excited the scientific community but it’s still much too early to reach any conclusions   

Mussel

Sustainable glue made from soy oil and tannin outperforms best commercial adhesives

2023-09-20T13:30:00+01:00

Mussel inspired plant-based adhesive still requires optimisation but shows promise

Two large glass bottles holding a dark yellow-ish clear liquid.

Electrochemical conversion of acids to alkenes achieved on kilogram scale

2023-09-19T08:39:00+01:00

Efficient production of valuable alkenes achieved under mild conditions by reversing hydrocarboxylation reaction

Oscillating reaction

Chemical oscillator’s tick-tock action catalyses reaction regular as clockwork

2023-09-18T10:00:00+01:00

Small molecule oscillator can catalyse Knoevenagel condensation periodically without affecting the oscillation

In depth

  • Artificial sweeteners face more bad press – but is it unfair?

  • Strikes spread across US as postdocs and other researchers fight for better pay and conditions

  • The subterranean chemistry that explains India’s groundwater contamination

  • Drones take flight to go where scientists dare not

  • The UK has rejoined Horizon Europe, but the delays have been costly

  • The end of chemical warfare