Chemistry

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We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.

  1. Chemistry

    Molecules for making nanomachines snare chemistry Nobel

    Nanochemists win Nobel prize for devising molecular machines

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  2. Chemistry

    Minuscule machines earn trio 2016 chemistry Nobel

    The creators of mini machines including chains, axles and motors have earned the 2016 Nobel Prize in chemistry.

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  3. Planetary Science

    Rock hounds are on the hunt for new carbon minerals

    The race is on to find about 140 predicted carbon-based minerals in locations around the world. Map included.

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  4. Health & Medicine

    Phil Baran finds simple recipes for complex molecules

    Chemist Phil Baran draws on artistry and creativity to efficiently synthesize molecules that could improve people's lives.

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  5. Materials Science

    Qian Chen makes matter come alive

    Materials scientist Qian Chen is coaxing nanomaterials to self-assemble in new and unexpected ways.

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  6. Archaeology

    Oldest indigo-dyed fabric found

    South American society was first known to use complex dye process on fabrics.

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  7. Earth

    Where the young hot Earth cached its gold

    A simulation of the infant Earth provides a new view of how the iron-loving precious metals ended up buried deep in the planet’s core.

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  8. Chemistry

    FDA bans chemicals in antibacterial soaps

    The U.S. Food and Drug Administration ruled against 19 antibacterial soap ingredients, citing insufficient evidence of bacteria-killing and safety problems.

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  9. Chemistry

    X-rays reveal portrait hiding beneath Degas masterpiece

    X-ray technique reveals an additional painting hiding behind Edgar Degas’ "Portrait of a Woman."

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  10. Chemistry

    Vaping’s toxic vapors come mainly from e-liquid solvents

    New study homes in on a primary source of toxic vaping compounds: the thermal breakdown of solvents used to dissolve flavorings in e-liquids. And older, dirtier e-cigs generate more of these toxicants, study shows.

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  11. Earth

    Iron-loving elements tell stories of Earth’s history

    By studying geochemical footprints of rare elements, researchers get a glimpse of the planet’s evolution.

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  12. Earth

    Ancient air bubbles could revise history of Earth’s oxygen

    Pockets of ancient air trapped in rock salt for around 815 million years suggest that oxygen was abundant well before the first animals appear in the fossil record.

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