All The crucible articles – Page 5
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Opinion
Did life emerge from hell on Earth?
Why our origins may lie in the Hadean era, 4 billion years ago
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Opinion
Polymer amphiphiles could help reveal the origins of life
Spontaneous shapes and reactions to light may explain how protocells form
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Opinion
Science communication in the post-truth era
Do popular science articles make the public overconfident about their own expertise?
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Opinion
Should we allow 'genetic vaccination' with Crispr?
Gene editing could wipe out diseases such as AIDS – but the risks can’t be ignored
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Opinion
Solving the riddle of the glowing stones
The mysterious luminescence of the Bologna Stone was the wonder of the 17th century
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Opinion
Time to revolt against impact factors
Perverse incentives hurt science – the top universities need to fight back
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Opinion
How Frankenstein left chemistry with a monstrous reputation
Shelley’s masterpiece was inspired by the cutting-edge science of her time
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Opinion
General dietary advice should be taken with a pinch of salt
We must move away from labeling foods as universally good or bad and start talking about dose
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Opinion
What's the point of synthesising the human genome?
A plan to build our genome from scratch should be challenged on its scientific merit, not whether it is creating life, argues Philip Ball
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Opinion
How game theory could explain complex life
Philip Ball asks if the building blocks of life benefit from cooperation
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Opinion
Homing pigeons should thank quantum chemistry
Philip Ball asks whether quantum biology holds the secret to how birds navigate
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Opinion
Why salty water foams
Philip Ball seeks the answer to a question more complex than it appears
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Opinion
What is a molecule?
Despite being a standard scientific concept, it’s virtually impossible to agree a satisfactory definition, says Philip Ball
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Opinion
The periodic table name game
Proposed new rules on how elements are named save confusion but sacrifice romance, argues Philip Ball
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Opinion
Why we need more research risks
Scientists are playing it too safe when choosing topics for investigation, warns Philip Ball
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Opinion
Weapons of mass discussion
A chemistry opera gives reason to face up to the role of scientists in war, says Philip Ball
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Opinion
Speaking of chemistry
Richard Feynman’s mischievous genius shone discussing chemistry, says Philip Ball