A new way to evaluate molecules offers a finer-grained picture of which ones could become drugs.

Munched by a manipulated microbe, ocean algae readily yield ethanol.

Bruce Banner isn’t the only scientist who could crush you with one mighty squeeze. These days, the Hulk’s superhuman strength is matched by researchers who squish all kinds of stuff in superscience experiments. The goal isn’t to save the world from baddies, but to explore new frontiers in the nature of matter. After all, most material in the universe exists at bone-crushing pressures. Think massive stars and planetary cores — realms no comic book fan or other Earth dweller has ever seen. Deep within the planet, rock experiences pressures more than 1 million times as great as the “1... (p. 26)

Chemists synthesize a five-crossing structure centered on chloride. (p. 12)

Europe’s LHC collider finds traces of what could be the Higgs boson, a theoretical entity that explains why matter has mass. (p. 10)

A tough new form of the 20th century’s signature polymer could extend its usefulness and make it more recyclable. (p. 8)