Chemistry

Chemistry

Three take home chemistry Nobel for harnessing protein ‘evolution’

New ways to create customized proteins for use in biofuels and medicines earned three researchers the 2018 Nobel Prize in chemistry.

Chemistry

Scientists Say: Kelvin

Kelvin is a temperature scale. It’s based around the concept of “absolute zero,” a temperature so cold that molecules stop moving.

Chemistry

Scientists find an easier way to trap carbon dioxide in rock

Scientists have found a much faster and easier way to trap CO2 in minerals. If they can scale it up, it might one day help to slow climate change.

Earth

Explainer: CO₂ and other greenhouse gases

Carbon dioxide is just one of several chemicals that contribute to the greenhouse effect. Nitrous oxide, methane and CFCs are other big contributors.

Chemistry

Scientists Say: Peptide

Peptides are short chains made of smaller molecules called amino acids. These chains can form proteins, and they can also do work on their own.

Chemistry

Rare blue diamonds form deep, deep, deep inside Earth

The recipe for rare blue diamonds may include boron, seawater and massive rock collisions.

Animals

Here’s how a clam can hide within a rock

Old boring clam research has been upended after 82 years.

Chemistry

‘Thirdhand’ smoke can hitchhike to non-smoking sites

Harmful “thirdhand” smoke — the type that attaches to surfaces — can hitch a ride on airborne particles or clothes and travel into non-smoking buildings.

Chemistry

Analyze This: Beauty products are big sources of urban air pollution

In cities, a larger share of urban air pollution comes from the use of bath products, cleansers and more than does the burning of fossil fuels.

Chemistry

Nom, nom! These bacteria eat antibiotics for lunch

Some soil microbes don’t just break down antibiotics, they can eat them too. Scientists have found one way they do it.

Chemistry

Ouch! Lemons and other plants can cause a special sunburn

These are among a host of plants (many found in the refrigerator vegetable drawer) that produce chemicals that will kill skin cells when activated by sunlight. The result can be a serious, localized sunburn — sometimes with blistering.

Chemistry

Electronic noses might replace search-and-rescue dogs

A new type of sensor can sniff out scents that people emit. That might one day help rescuers find people buried under collapsed buildings.