Rebecca Trager
Senior US correspondent, Chemistry World
I became the US Correspondent for Chemistry World in September 2014, based out of Washington, DC, after writing for the magazine on a freelance basis since 2007. With a background in policy, and a passion for journalism, I have found my niche covering the world of science policy since 1997. The interest was sparked after spending summers during college as a press intern for the National Institutes of Health. Before joining Chemistry World, I was the US Editor for Research Europe, covering the White House, as well as government departments and US agencies, and am also the former managing editor of The Blue Sheet, an Elsevier biomedical research and health policy publication. I studied philosophy and political theory at Haverford College in Pennsylvania.
NewsThe promise and pitfalls of generative AI for research
As ChatGPT co-authorship on research paper climbs, there are new concerns about the impact such AI tools could have on science
- News
US finally set for nationwide regulation of PFAS in drinking water
EPA proposes standards for six PFAS compounds, and four will have limits based on cumulative effects
- News
Biden’s latest budget gets a mixed reaction from the science community
White House has proposed 2% funding increase for basic research and the NIH, but NSF and others would fare very well
- Research
Woodcock feathers’ nanostructure makes them the whitest ever found
The Eurasian woodcock’s white tail feathers reflect up to 55% of light –30% more than those of any other bird
- News
US researcher entanglements continue post-China Initiative as worries over IP theft linger
National Science Foundation official reveals new, questionable contract between US researcher and Chinese government-linked entity
- Research
Electrochemistry offers new way to tackle rising carbon dioxide – extract it from seawater
New method has advantages over existing direct air capture systems
- Business
US government sues chemical firm over chloroprene emissions
Denka disputes claims of ‘unacceptably high’ releases from neoprene manufacturing facility
- News
Record-high carbon dioxide emissions from boreal fires
Boreal fires usually produce about 10% of global carbon dioxide emissions from wildfires worldwide, but the figure peaked at one quarter in 2021
- News
AAAS head wants ‘closer’ link between US and Horizon Europe
Sudip Parikh says he wants the US and Europe to fund projects together more seamlessly, rather than in parallel
- Research
A safer, coral-friendly sunscreen is on the horizon
Polymeric UV filter doesn’t harm algae, coral or mice in tests
- Research
Wood that traps carbon dioxide could make buildings cleaner and greener
Integral metal–organic framework could let wood in construction sequester greenhouse gas
- News
Nobel laureate and recombinant DNA pioneer Paul Berg dies
Winner of the 1980 chemistry Nobel prize has passed away in his home on Stanford’s campus at 96
- News
Warnings that US national standards facilities are in ‘alarming physical condition’
Leaks, power outages and repeated equipment repairs mean Nist needs as much as $6.6bn in upgrades, National Academies analysis says
- News
University of Delaware labs reopen after explosive accidentally synthesised by student
The shock-sensitive material was destroyed in a controlled detonation
- News
EU floats plan that would ban virtually every PFAS currently on the market
Members states will examine proposal to prohibit production, use, sale and import of PFAS into Europe in 2025
- Business
J&J subsidiary claims key talc research is fraudulent
Complaint alleges study that helped link talc to cancer contained false information
- Research
Bacterium may help answer mystery of ‘missing’ plastic in the seas
Plastic-eating bacteria and sunlight may partly explain why there’s less plastic waste in the oceans than predicted
- News
Tensions between University of California and unions flare up again over possible cuts to PhDs
Academic unions are concerned by potential enrolment cuts to graduate programmes to offset the cost of pay rises
- News
George Olah’s chemistry Nobel prize the latest to be auctioned off
Medal awarded almost three decades ago for work on carbocation chemistry sold for $250,000
- News
The most complete list ever of Martian organic compounds compiled
Catalogue includes organic compounds from the five Martian meteorites that have been found on Earth
