The Chemical Menace Inside Glaciers and Icebergs
Ice can trap pollutants and accelerate their breakdown, with troubling environmental consequences......»»
Harvesting microbes for growth: A soybean success story in acidic soils
Acidic soils, characterized by low pH and poor phosphorus availability, pose significant challenges to leguminous plant growth and productivity. Traditional methods to improve soil phosphorus involve chemical fertilization, which can have environment.....»»
Secrets of salt drop stains unveiled: New research decodes chemical composition from simple photos
Imagine zooming in on a dried drop of salt solution—each pattern a unique masterpiece, reminiscent of abstract art, yet no larger than the size of a penny......»»
Whistleblower claims to have nearly died because of illegal chemical exposure from Apple
An ex-employee has accused Apple of exposing her to gaseous organic chemicals from a secret chip fabrication plant located near her home.Apple's Santa Clara operation was visited by the EPA (Source: Apple Maps)Apple fired whistleblower Ashley Gjovik.....»»
A simple, fast, and versatile method for selective bromination of indole alkaloids
The development of drugs through chemical modifications of naturally occurring indole alkaloids has emerged as an attractive research area. However, due to their reactivity, the selective functionalization at the C5 position of the indole ring has be.....»»
Hidden partners: Symbiodolus bacteria found in various insect orders
Scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology report the discovery of at least six orders of endosymbiont Symbiodolus clandestinus, which lives inside insect cells. Using fluorescence in situ hybridization, they showed that Symbiodolus.....»»
How glacier algae are challenging the way we think about evolution
People often underestimate tiny beings. But microscopic algal cells not only evolved to thrive in one of the most extreme habitats on Earth—glaciers—but are also shaping them......»»
Ohio train derailment caused chemical pollution falling to Earth"s surface across the US and beyond, study reveals
A new study published in the journal Environmental Research Letters reveals that the environmental impact of the February 3, 2023, Norfolk Southern train accident in East Palestine, Ohio covered a very large geographical area. Inorganic pollutants re.....»»
New biocatalytic method eliminates cyanide in nitrile production
If the household cleaner emits a lemon-like odor, this may be due to a nitrile called citronellyl nitrile. These versatile chemical nitrile groups are also used in the manufacture of active pharmaceutical ingredients, superglue and chemical-resistant.....»»
Odors are encoded in rings in the brains of migratory locusts, finds study
In a study published in the journal Cell, a team of researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology in Jena, Germany, describes for the first time how odors are encoded in the antennal lobe, the olfactory center in the brain of migrato.....»»
A novel method for measuring nano/microplastic concentrations in soil using spectroscopy
Nano and microplastics are a well-known menace, found practically everywhere in nature, including soil, oceans, drinking water, air, and even the human body. Studies show that soils in particular hold a significant portion of N/MPs......»»
Exploring self-healing mechanisms for stable photoelectrochemical water splitting
Achieving stability poses a significant challenge in the practical implementation of photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting. The main factors affecting the long-term stability of PEC devices are chemical- and photo-corrosion of the semiconductor.....»»
Novel photocatalyst enables efficient ester reduction with blue light
The sweet smell of strawberries and other fruits is thanks to a chemical compound called ester, which is also found in many fats and polyesters. The ubiquitous compound can be broken down to produce desirable alcohols and other chemicals for use acro.....»»
Decoding reactive species in molten salts
By unraveling vibrational signatures and observing ion exchanges, an Oak Ridge National Laboratory team revealed how chemical species form in a highly reactive molten salt mixture of aluminum chloride and potassium chloride. The findings are publishe.....»»
Is magnesium the sleeping potion that enables sandhoppers to survive cold winters?
Magnesium compounds are a common ingredient of many remedies designed to help people wind down and escape the stresses of modern life. However, a new study has shown it is not only humans that are using forms of the chemical as a way to help them sur.....»»
Researchers discover honeybees can detect lung cancer
Michigan State University researchers have discovered that honeybees can detect biomarkers or chemical concentrations associated with lung cancer in human breath. The researchers have also shown that the honeybees can distinguish between different lu.....»»
How a single atomic sensor can help track Earth"s glaciers
Earth observations are one of the most essential functions of our current fleet of satellites. Typically, each satellite specializes in one kind of remote sensing—monitoring ocean levels, for example, or watching clouds develop and move. That is pr.....»»
"Synthetic" cell shown to follow chemical directions and change shape, a vital biological function
In a feat aimed at understanding how cells move and creating new ways to shuttle drugs through the body, scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine say they have built a minimal synthetic cell that follows an external chemical cue and demonstrates a govern.....»»
Transparent organic–inorganic hybrid photoresist enables precision machining of optical microstructures
Researchers at Beijing University of Chemical Technology (BUCT) and BOE Technology Group Co., Ltd. (BOE) have developed a novel type of transparent organic–inorganic hybrid photoresist with highly tunable refractive index......»»
Glass beads indicate Indigenous Americans shaped early transatlantic trade
Archaeologists have analyzed the chemical makeup of glass beads from across the Great Lakes region of North America, revealing the extent of Indigenous influence on transatlantic exchange networks during the 17th century AD......»»
Researchers find higher levels of dangerous chemical than expected in southeast Louisiana
Researchers using high-tech air monitoring equipment rolled through an industrialized stretch of southeast Louisiana in mobile labs and found levels of a carcinogen in concentrations as much as 10 times higher than previously estimated, according to.....»»