https://phys.org/chemistry-news/chemistry-other en-us The latest science news on composition, structure, and properties of matter Last year on a Friday evening, chemical biology researcher Josh Smalley was in the lab when he received a call inviting him to appear on the 14th and latest season of "The Great British Bake Off." Starting as one of a group of 12 amateur bakers, Smalley made it all the way to the final round, where the top three contestants compete for the winning spot. https://phys.org/news/2024-06-great-british-finalist-discusses-parallels.html Analytical Chemistry Other Thu, 20 Jun 2024 11:00:01 EDT news638093581 L-DOPA is the best drug we have for Parkinson's disease, but its molecular mirror image, D-DOPA, causes dangerous side effects. https://phys.org/news/2024-06-video-parkinson-drug-turtles.html Other Mon, 17 Jun 2024 10:18:03 EDT news637838278 Spicy foods taste spicy because they contain a family of compounds called capsaicinoids. Capsaicin is the major culprit. It's found in chilies, jalapeños, cayenne pepper, and is even the active ingredient in pepper spray. https://phys.org/news/2024-06-doesnt-spicy-food-beer.html Analytical Chemistry Other Thu, 13 Jun 2024 12:18:03 EDT news637499882 Japanese biochemist Akira Endo, who discovered cholesterol-lowering statins, has died aged 90, his former student and colleague said on Tuesday. https://phys.org/news/2024-06-japan-biochemist-statins-akira-endo.html Other Tue, 11 Jun 2024 04:22:47 EDT news637298555 Morels are one of the most commonly eaten wild mushrooms. So how did two people die from eating them at a single restaurant in Bozeman, Montana? https://phys.org/news/2024-05-video-edible-mushroom.html Other Tue, 28 May 2024 11:38:27 EDT news636115098 The chemical industry is a cornerstone of global development, driving innovation, and providing essential products that support our modern way of life. https://phys.org/news/2024-05-catalysts-chemical-industry-revolutionizes-circular.html Materials Science Other Fri, 17 May 2024 11:00:01 EDT news635157336 A professor at the University of Warwick is exploring the chemistry of the galaxy far, far away this Star Wars Day, May the 4th. https://phys.org/news/2024-05-chemist-explores-real-world-science.html Analytical Chemistry Other Fri, 03 May 2024 11:25:18 EDT news633954316 In our modern society, we rarely consider books to be dangerous items. However, certain books contain elements so hazardous that they require scrutiny before being placed on the shelves of public libraries, bookstores or even private homes. https://phys.org/news/2024-04-toxic-chemicals.html Analytical Chemistry Other Tue, 30 Apr 2024 13:09:01 EDT news633701336 Many plant-based meats have seemingly done the impossible by recreating animal products ranging from beef to seafood. But beyond just the taste and texture, how do these products compare to the real thing in nutritional value? A small-scale study published in Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry shows that while some "plant steaks" and "plant cold cuts" might be comparable to meats on some fronts, their amino acid content and protein digestibility fall short. https://phys.org/news/2024-04-based-steaks-cold-lacking-protein.html Biochemistry Other Fri, 19 Apr 2024 13:37:08 EDT news632752625 Acidification is threatening the ocean's ability to pull carbon dioxide out of our atmosphere, so scientists and startups are looking to ocean-sized antacids to raise its pH. https://phys.org/news/2024-04-video-quick-ocean-acidification.html Other Mon, 15 Apr 2024 13:48:56 EDT news632407731 Sure, cooking our food can make it safer to eat and more digestible. But let's be honest. We mainly cook to create something we enjoy—something delicious. https://phys.org/news/2024-04-flavors-food-good.html Biochemistry Other Mon, 08 Apr 2024 12:54:04 EDT news631799641 A diverse group of computational chemists is encouraging the research community to embrace a sustainable software ecosystem. That's the message behind a perspective article published in the Journal of Chemical Theory and Computation. The authors discuss possible scenarios of how to develop software in the face of a changing computational landscape. https://phys.org/news/2024-04-chemistry-sustainable.html Analytical Chemistry Other Thu, 04 Apr 2024 15:41:38 EDT news631464094 Adding milk to an alcoholic drink and then curdling that milk is a 300-year-old preservation technique that was used by none other than Ben Franklin. https://phys.org/news/2024-04-video-chemistry-year-technique-reinvent.html Other Wed, 03 Apr 2024 05:32:21 EDT news631341138 Orbiting 400 kilometers above Earth's surface, the astronauts on the International Space Station live a pretty normal social life, if not for one thing: they happily wear their unwashed clothes for days and weeks at a time. They can't do their laundry just yet because water is scarce up there. https://phys.org/news/2024-03-machine-longer.html Other Sat, 16 Mar 2024 21:50:01 EDT news629727740 Vinegar and baking soda are staples in the kitchen. Many of us have combined them in childhood scientific experiments: think fizzy volcanoes and geysers. https://phys.org/news/2024-03-vinegar-soda-hack-bunch-fizz.html Analytical Chemistry Other Thu, 14 Mar 2024 12:10:05 EDT news629637001 For years, scientists thought some complex molecules could only be formed on Earth. https://phys.org/news/2024-03-video-complex-chemistry-cold-depths.html Other Tue, 12 Mar 2024 12:10:02 EDT news629464134 Researchers from Carnegie Mellon University and Los Alamos National Laboratory have used machine learning to create a model that can simulate reactive processes in a diverse set of organic materials and conditions. https://phys.org/news/2024-03-scientists-machine-method-chemical-reactions.html Analytical Chemistry Other Thu, 07 Mar 2024 05:00:01 EST news628965310 Scientists have discovered a more robust way of grouping chemicals and using read-across for toxicological data to meet regulatory requirements, which could greatly reduce animal testing. https://phys.org/news/2024-02-metabolomics-safety-chemicals-lab-rats.html Materials Science Other Tue, 20 Feb 2024 14:37:18 EST news627662233 Chemistry in a relationship refers to the intense feelings of connection, passion, and romance that people share. This Valentine's Day, Dr. Alex Baker, a chemistry professor at the University of Warwick, explores the real chemistry behind chemistry. He explains how flowers and chocolates are as good as any love potion you could create to induce feelings of love. https://phys.org/news/2024-02-exploring-chemistry-valentine-day.html Other Tue, 13 Feb 2024 15:09:02 EST news627059341 Could ammonia engines power the cars of the future? Carmakers like Toyota are working to make this a reality. https://phys.org/news/2024-02-video-ammonia-future.html Other Tue, 13 Feb 2024 07:04:03 EST news627030238 Micellar water, a product found in supermarkets, chemists and bathroom cabinets around the world, is commonly used to remove make-up. It's a very effective cleanser and many people swear by it as part of their skincare routine. https://phys.org/news/2024-02-micellar.html Materials Science Other Sun, 11 Feb 2024 15:10:01 EST news626706218 Counterfeit detector pens use a starch-iodine reaction to identify fake bills. https://phys.org/news/2024-01-video-science-counterfeit-detector-pens.html Other Mon, 29 Jan 2024 13:50:01 EST news625757470 The next time you pick up balloons for your big party, remember the helium gas in those balloons is destined for the stars. Helium is so light that it easily escapes Earth's gravity, and all helium will eventually make its way into space. Like fossil fuels, helium is a limited resource. https://phys.org/news/2024-01-helium-essential-medical-equipment-nonrenewable.html Other Thu, 18 Jan 2024 13:20:01 EST news624805619 The crystal sponge technology is a revolutionary technique, which enables the direct and precise determination of the molecular structure of liquid and gas targets. The technique uses a special network complex to selectively absorb liquid or gas target molecules and order them over long distances, thus achieving a breakthrough in determining the precise structure of liquid or even gas molecules by conventional single-crystal X-ray diffraction technology. https://phys.org/news/2024-01-crystalline-sponge-method-undergraduate-courses.html Analytical Chemistry Other Tue, 02 Jan 2024 10:31:12 EST news623413870 The holiday season for me includes socializing over drinks with friends and family. But all the celebrating tends to catch up with my waistline, and by New Year's Day, it's time to get back in shape. Besides vowing to hit the gym more, my approach involves a "Dry January." But as someone who teaches brewing science, spends a lot of time around breweries and bars, and thoroughly loves beer, abstaining is no easy task. https://phys.org/news/2023-12-nonalcoholic-beer-techniques-craft-flavorful.html Other Wed, 13 Dec 2023 10:49:34 EST news621686971 Within the bread, rolls and baked goods on many tables this holiday season is an extraordinary substance—gluten. Gluten's unique chemistry makes foods airy and stretchy. https://phys.org/news/2023-11-gluten-complex-chemistry-fluffy-goods.html Other Tue, 21 Nov 2023 12:10:01 EST news619788289 Coffee is one of the most popular drinks in the world, and its high levels of caffeine are among the main reasons why. It's a natural stimulant that provides an energy buzz, and we just can't get enough. https://phys.org/news/2023-11-decaf-coffee-caffeine-free.html Analytical Chemistry Other Wed, 01 Nov 2023 11:32:07 EDT news618057126 Forensic fibers can survive underwater for much longer than previously thought—which could help criminal investigators uncover vital evidence. https://phys.org/news/2023-10-forensic-evidence-survive-underwater-weeks.html Analytical Chemistry Other Mon, 16 Oct 2023 16:44:43 EDT news616693476 Talk about bouncing back. MIT professor Moungi Bawendi is a co-winner of this year's Nobel chemistry prize for helping develop "quantum dots"—nanoparticles that are now found in next generation TV screens and help illuminate tumors within the body. https://phys.org/news/2023-10-nobel-chemistry-winner-flunked-college.html Other Wed, 04 Oct 2023 12:48:57 EDT news615642532 Have you ever actually recycled a pair of pants or an old T-shirt? https://phys.org/news/2023-10-video-recycle-pantsuntil.html Other Wed, 04 Oct 2023 10:07:41 EDT news615632856