Tim Wogan
After initially planning to study English at university, I decided that, just in case I turned out not to be the next Hillary Mantel, it might be better to devote my life to my other great love – science, where I believed I was sure to make great discoveries. Three years studying physics at Cambridge University disabused me thoroughly of that notion, and, having learned that I was never going to make a notable discovery of my own in a world full of infinitely better scientists than I was, I decided to return to plan A and make my living writing about theirs instead. I studied science communication at Imperial College London and, after a brief internship as a reporter on the European news desk of Science, I’ve been writing freelance. Since 2019, I’ve been living in the US.
ResearchCopper chains more than 4000 atoms long are the longest ever produced
Carbon-sheathed copper wires produced under extreme pressure
ResearchChiral phenomenon previously thought impossible discovered in metal sulfide crystal
First instance of piezochiral effect where strain induces a changes in chirality
ResearchChemists reveal just how much angle – and proximity – matters for molecules to react when they collide
Discovery could one day allow chemists to create more efficient reactions that require less energy
ResearchRelativity rewrites the textbook take on triple bonds, experiments on carbon–bismuth ion prove
Results show how bonding in heavy elements mixes up molecular orbitals
ResearchProtein wrappers designed by AI solve membrane proteins’ solubility problem
Protein sheaths encapsulate membrane proteins while preserving their structure and function making them easier to study
ResearchClever chemistry turns antibiotic-resistant bacteria’s own defences against them
Photosensitiser is activated by enzyme linked to resistance, making bacteria vulnerable to light therapy
ResearchSurprising oxidising power of carbon dioxide freed by photochemistry
Iron-based photocatalyst enabled a range of useful organic molecules to be synthesised from alkenes
ResearchClimate change driving extreme acidification of North American streams that threatens life in them
Oxidation of sulfides in melting permafrost acidifies stream and leaches toxic metals from minerals
ResearchNeat and uniform five-metal nanoparticle synthesis surprises scientists
Multimetallic particles could aid hydrogen economy, breaking down ammonia four times faster than ruthenium catalyst
ResearchStripped down bacterium functions with one less amino acid than the rest of life on Earth
Deep learning models used to understand how isoleucine could be replaced in proteins without disrupting their structures
ResearchDopant boosts carbon nanotubes’ conductivity tenfold
Doped nanotubes could enable stronger, lighter electricity cables
ResearchLow-cost, energy-efficient process shows potential for electrochemical propene production
Reaction makes use of specially designed metal oxide–ionic liquid catalyst
ResearchQuantum tunnelling harnessed to radically improve efficiency of separation of deuterium from water
Electrochemical approach counterintuitively relies on making water’s bonds stronger
ResearchRising carbon dioxide levels leave conifer forests struggling to get enough nitrogen
Discovery implies boreal forests will grow slower and sequester less carbon
ResearchHeat waves that push up atmospheric nanoparticle levels might explain higher death tolls
Counter-intuitive finding suggests particle formation from natural and anthropogenic organic compounds might increase during extreme heat events
Research‘Almost impossible to destroy’: material captures CO2 and frees it at the flick of a photoswitch
New class of porous materials can trap gases and release them on command
ResearchPurer silicon lets robust quantum computing get started on a new medium
System is highly accurate and amenable to scaling without compromising quality
ResearchAI tool dramatically reduces computing power needed to find protein-binding molecules
New protocol is up to 10 million times faster than current docking-based methods
ResearchInsulating window material prevents heat loss while allowing more light through than glass
Easy to make polymer could be used for energy efficient buildings
ResearchInorganic homologous series forms solids with predictable structures
Newly uncovered structure–composition relationship could help to improve AI’s ability to predict new inorganic materials