Chemistry
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Chemistry
Decay of Leonardo da Vinci drawing reflected in light
Light that bounces off a Leonardo da Vinci drawing, widely considered a self-portrait, has revealed extensive chemical damage that causes yellowing.
- Chemistry
Bacteria take plants to biofuel in one step
Engineered bacterium singlehandedly dismantles tough switchgrass molecules, making sugars that it ferments to make ethanol.
- Materials Science
Jets of salty water make cellulose strands stronger
When blasted by jets of water, nanoscale fibers of cellulose align to form ultra-tough strands that rival the strength of steel, a new study shows.
- Paleontology
Dinosaurs could take tough breaks
Meat-eating dinosaurs may have survived some extremely bad bone breaks, according to detailed chemical maps of the fossils.
- Chemistry
Element 117 earns spot on periodic table
Atoms jam-packed with 117 protons have been produced at a particle collider in Germany, confirming the discovery of a new element.
- Microbes
Viruses buoy life at hydrothermal vents
Using hijacked genes, deep-sea viruses help sulfur-eating bacteria generate power in the plumes of hydrothermal vents.
- Chemistry
Color-changing polymer maps fingerprints
Tiny beads of sweat may offer new way to identify people’s fingerprints.
- Chemistry
How urine will get us to Mars
A new recycling system turns pee into drinking water and energy, a small step toward really long-term space travel.
- Chemistry
This is what happens when you pee in the pool
Swimming pools are basically chemical toilets, but here’s why I’ll keep swimming.
- Science & Society
Stone throwers might toss fingerprints into police hands
An Israeli police lab is studying methods to develop fingerprints on rock to identify stone throwers.
- Chemistry
Milk protein a potential flame retardant
Protein found in milk offers a nontoxic way to extinguish fabric fires.
- Earth
Age of Earth’s crust confirmed
Decaying atoms traced in zircon uphold dating of Earth's crust at about 4.374 billion years old.
