Chemistry
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Tech
Degradable devices vanish after use
Technique combines silicon, magnesium and silk for medical implants, transistors and digital cameras that can melt away.
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- Chemistry
Water boils sans bubbles
Insulating steam keeps a superhot object from splattering the soup.
- Chemistry
Too-young caterpillars like scent of sex
Larvae respond to mate-attracting pheromones, raising evolutionary questions about what a very grown-up chemical signal could mean to them.
- Chemistry
Big jobs go to loyal proteins
Cells offload much of their nonessential work on enzymes that juggle a number of tasks.
- Tech
Unmixing oil and water
A new filter that separates the two substances only using gravity could help clean oil spills.
- Chemistry
Supersmall lab-on-a-chip is superfast
Two-chamber nanowire device that quickly finds diagnostic molecules in blood could be a lifesaver.
- Tech
Camera hack can spot cleaned-up crimes
Exploiting a standard tool of art conservation can help police find painted-over bloodstains.
- Chemistry
Method puts wrinkles in neat little rows
MIT researchers have discovered how to create perfect patterns of microscopic wrinkles.
- Chemistry
Scaffolding props up failing hearts
Hydrogel treatment stimulates cell repair and blood vessel regrowth in pig experiments.
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- Chemistry
Terminator termites have unique technique
Age intensifies likelihood of workers turning into tiny suicide bombers.
