Enzyme-inspired ligand distinguishes between simple alkyl groups
Designer ligand creates active site-like pocket for asymmetric radical reaction
Digital workflow for electroanalytical technique is Fair data exemplar
Case study illustrates how to collect data, convert it into a standardised format then deposit it in an accessible repository
One of the biggest questions in Mars science may have been answered by the Curiosity rover
Mystery of where all the carbon dioxide went that once made the red planet far more hospitable has puzzled scientists for years
Less than 10% of plastics are produced using recycled materials
Size of the world’s plastic problem laid out
Graphene-enhanced supramolecular gels direct how drug molecules crystallise
Cascade reaction brings a new dimension to amine synthesis
Catenane with tuneable mechanical chirality created
Simple blood test could enable detection of Parkinson’s disease before symptoms emerge
Fullerenes help explain why there’s so much molecular hydrogen in space
Microwaves’ non-thermal effects on a chemical reaction demonstrated for first time
Highlights
What happens to our bodies after we die?
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 clear structure prediction
As the clouds clear on computational crystal structure prediction, is the technique ready to empower mainstream materials research? James Mitchell Crow reports
Making genetically engineered food palatable
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
The circles of DNA that cause cancer
Ring-shaped extrachromosomal DNA is implicated in many cancers. Rachel Brazil talks to the scientists trying to uncover their secrets
The glyphosate debate
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
Topics
AI inspired by AlphaFold can predict chromatin structures found in chromosomes
System could help unravel how genome folding influences genes
Computational study says nucleophile finds σ-holes more attractive than π-holes
A σ-hole leads to a stronger bond with NH3 than a π-hole on the same atom
Computer simulations shed light on how material can shrink when heated
New theory offers insights into the origin of the very low and negative thermal expansion observed in cordierite
Simulations suggest why highly unsaturated molecules are so abundant in the interstellar medium
Computer simulation of carbonless DNA prompt researchers to consider alternative biochemistries
Chemists use AI to uncover pigments used on Berlin Wall murals
GPT-based AI tool predicts inorganic crystal structures
AI tool learns to build molecules fragment by fragment
Iron from single meteorite found in ancient Polish artefacts
Discoveries indicate meteoritic iron was falling out of fashion in the late iron age
Chemists use AI to uncover pigments used on Berlin Wall murals
Researchers hope work will help to preserve this art
Teaching enzymes new reactions through genetic code expansion and directed evolution
Anthony Green’s research group at the University of Manchester, UK, reengineers enzymes to have catalytic functions beyond those found in nature
Reading into the dangers of poison paint in Victorian-era books
Brightly coloured fabric covers hide poisonous dye legacy
Seed oil-based polymer should survive a day in the rain but degrade within years in the sea
Researchers create polyesteramides from brassylic acid and explore their potential as a replacement for polyethylene
Paul Anastas: ‘I’m proudest of being part of a global green chemistry community’
The father of green chemistry on his love of the environment, striving for unattainable perfection and breathing life into an old town library
Science needs to get its house in order when it comes to energy use and waste
Labs have an outsized environmental footprint but solutions are within reach
Biomass, plastic waste and carbon dioxide feedstocks key to cutting chemical industry’s emissions
Royal Society report warns that without intervention defossilisation of the chemicals sector will take many decades
Science unions call on immigration authorities to grant visas to scientists
Chemistry and physics unions among those calling for fairer treatment for scientists
‘Exodus will require action’: chemistry laureates warn young researchers will desert US
Trump administration’s targeting of grants, funding and visas creating hostile environment for scientists
Egypt set to join Horizon Europe
Egypt will be the second African nation to fully associate to the EU’s flagship research programme
Chemical engineering graduate student in US has visa cancelled without warning
Two Saudi graduate students at NCSU, including one studying chemical engineering, self-deported rather than be detained by immigration officials
Is chemistry really dying in the US and Europe? Not so fast
Chinese universities completely dominated one recent ranking of the chemical sciences but that’s not the whole picture