All articles by Rachel Brazil – Page 2
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NewsExplainer: what is tear gas?
Accusations of the use of tear gas as a weapon of war in Ukraine have put these agents in the spotlight once more
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FeatureConserving Barbie from degradation
Although she is a cultural icon, conserving Barbie has its challenges: as with most plastic toys and dolls, she was not made to last. Rachel Brazil investigates how conservation scientists are approaching this sticky problem
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FeatureMore than a mirror-image: left-handed nucleic acids
Now a biological reality, researchers are starting to figure out the many roles of left-handed nucleic acids such as Z-DNA – from immunity to controlling our genetics. Rachel Brazil reports
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FeatureThe perchlorate Martian mystery
Rachel Brazil looks at how the compounds might have formed on our neighbouring planet and whether they could be useful for future exploration
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FeatureAre hair relaxers damaging to health?
Different chemistries have been designed to turn curly hair straight, but in all cases questions remain about their safety, finds Rachel Brazil
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CareersGiving technicians the recognition they deserve
Schemes such as the Technician Commitment are starting to address problems with authorship and career development
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FeatureThe long-term energy storage challenge
In a renewably powered future, how will the grid cope when the sun isn’t shining and the wind isn’t blowing? Rachel Brazil looks at the options
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FeatureThe messy chemistry that led to life
To understand how chemistry became biology, some chemists are eschewing simple reactions to study complex systems with many reactants and products. Rachel Brazil peers through the tangle
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CareersAdvising on science policy at the House of Commons Library
Xameerah Malik helps MPs to navigate the science that influences policy
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ResearchResidues from embalming vessels cast new light on ancient Egyptian mummification
Chemists reveal the compounds and sources of embalming treatments
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CareersThe importance of mentoring networks for female scientists
Networks for female chemists are providing the missing mentorship that many hope will help women flourish in chemistry careers
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FeatureUnwrapping ancient Egyptian chemistry
From mummification to metallurgy, Rachel Brazil looks at the impressive chemistry used by this ancient civilisation
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CareersWork or study… or work and study?
How employers are helping employees to gain new qualifications, including PhDs
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CareersBaking to perfection, with a pinch of chemistry
Katarina Cermelj’s training in synthesis informs how she develops new gluten-free recipes
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FeatureSoil searching
Rachel Brazil talks to the scientists trying to understand – and improve – the health of the planet’s soil
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NewsWellcome Trust’s anti-racism initiatives a failure
UK’s largest non-governmental science funder is ‘still an institutionally racist organisation’, admits director Jeremy Farrar
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CareersThe many career benefits of apprenticeships
On-the-job training combined with a qualification provides apprentices with a solid first step on the scientific career ladder
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NewsFears that the war in east of Ukraine could lead to deadly chemical disaster
Fierce fighting in the Donbas region has already resulted in the destruction of a number of chemical plants
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FeatureIs synthetic petroleum the missing link in the route to net zero?
Weaning our economy off liquid fuels could be impossible, so can we make them without the carbon emissions? Rachel Brazil surveys the scene