Morphine analogues kill pain with fewer negative side effects
Redesign of the potent painkiller’s core prevents breathing suppression and reduces addiction-related behaviours in mice
AI model links consumer ratings to white wines’ chemical profiles
Machine learning offers insight into how chemical markers influence perceptions of wine quality
‘CrystalGPT’ set to enhance how chemists design crystals in silico
Model for predicting molecular crystal properties is readily adaptable to specific tasks, even with limited data
Unique Iron Age kohl from Iran differs from that of ancient Egypt
Eye makeup found to contain graphite and manganese but not organic ingredients
Organometallic compound found to break textbook principle
Boron building block assembles tetra-substituted alkenes like Lego
Silicon-based ‘ladder molecules’ take a step up in complexity
Lichen sunscreen blocks extreme UV radiation and might enhance cosmetics, materials
Microwaves make sustainable sticky adhesive easy to recycle
Seventy-year search for simpler route to valuable reactive intermediate ends
Highlights
Carbon in an ice world
Antarctica may seem pristine and almost devoid of life, but there’s plenty of chemistry going on. Victoria Atkinson explains what it can tell us about the climate and pollution across the globe
The young female astronomer who worked out what the sun is made of
100 years ago, Cecilia Payne deduced that the sun is mainly made of hydrogen – but was encouraged to downplay her findings by her PhD supervisor. Mike Sutton takes up the story
Hibernation awakens interest for drug discovery
With many different species entering torpor for a variety of reasons, scientists are looking to their sleepy secrets for ways to treat human diseases. Anthony King reports
How decarbonisation will help the UK’s last refineries survive
Carbon capture and low-carbon hydrogen are central to any possibility of supplying liquid fuels compatible with net zero, reports Andy Extance
Fixing medicine’s gender gap
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
Topics
‘CrystalGPT’ set to enhance how chemists design crystals in silico
Model for predicting molecular crystal properties is readily adaptable to specific tasks, even with limited data
Unprecedented pentacoordinate oxygen cluster isn’t so new after all
Scientists design a star-shaped dianion only to discover it had probably been synthesised nearly two decades ago
An overlooked bonding motif appears in many more proteins than was previously realised
Covalent nitrogen–oxygen–sulfur linkages could be a new target for potential drugs
Fluorine surprises by becoming heaviest atom ever to quantum tunnel
Strain can unlock electron-donating orbital in tetravalent carbon atoms
Bridging the gap between Hammett parameters and the electronic structure of aromatic systems
AI predicts transition states with exceptional precision
Accelerating chemical discovery through high-throughput experimentation: in conversation with Matthew Gaunt
Unique Iron Age kohl from Iran differs from that of ancient Egypt
Eye makeup found to contain graphite and manganese but not organic ingredients
Iron from single meteorite found in ancient Polish artefacts
Discoveries indicate meteoritic iron was falling out of fashion in the late iron age
Ancient Vesuvius victim’s brain contains first natural organic glass ever seen
Extreme heating followed by rapid cooling formed unique material in a Herculaneum man
This nanotechnology expert works with both plant and brain cells
Could Markita Landry’s research group be any more interdisciplinary?
US charity launches $100 million green chemistry initiative
Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation to fund seven year project headed by sustainable chemistry pioneer Paul Anastas
Pitfalls in cytotoxicity studies could be tripping up chemists
Team proposes how to broaden and standardise biological testing in sustainable chemical research
Light-driven catalytic system makes ammonia from nitrogen and water
Dual catalyst system operates under ambient conditions, offering a way to reduce ammonia production’s environmental impact
Chemists urged to build a greener future by Stockholm declaration document
‘Father of green chemistry’ Paul Anastas among those spearheading call to action
Filter paper simplifies squaramide synthesis
Capillary-driven flow distributes reagents evenly
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
Chemistry ‘deserts’ threaten to push poorer undergraduates out
Course and departmental closures in the UK are creating ‘cold spots’, leaving students high and dry
Chemistry ‘cold spots’ emerging across the UK, RSC warns
Some regions face a future with fewer chemists
Wellcome backing gets project to recreate human genome from scratch off the ground
Effort to synthesise human genome will likely take decades but should provide insight into disease
How do you rebuild your lab after it is hit by an Iranian missile?
Milko van der Boom talks to Chemistry World about dealing with destruction at the Weizmann Institute, saving samples and people coming together
Royal Society of Chemistry changes direction on open access rollout following community feedback
In place of open access across the board, the society will adopt regional publishing models