Chemistry
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Humans
Study recalibrates trees’ carbon uptake
Photosynthesis appears to be somewhat speedier than conventional wisdom had suggested, a new study finds. If true, this suggests computer projections are at risk of overestimating the potential for trees to sop up carbon dioxide, a major greenhouse gas.
- Chemistry
Unusual crystal patterns win chemistry Nobel
First rejected as impossible, the discovery that atoms can pack in subtly varied patterns forced revisions of fundamental concepts.
- Chemistry
Miracle fruit secret revealed
Bizarre berry works by sensitizing the tongue's sweet sensors to acidic flavors.
- Chemistry
Molecules/Matter & Energy
An atom steps in as a mirror, ladybug chemical weapons and more in this week's news.
- Chemistry
Science gets the deets on DEET
New research demonstrates how insect repellent may mix up mosquitoes’ smelling machinery.
- Chemistry
Molecular muscle gets the job done
Chemists solve a stubborn problem by resorting to strong-arm tactics.
- Chemistry
HIPPO reveals climate surprises
A major pollution-mapping program that ends September 9 has turned up startling trends in climate-warming gases and soot.
- Chemistry
Explosive goes boom, but not too soon
Leavening a volatile new material with good old TNT yields a substance that’s safer to handle and easily reverted into a highly potent form.
- Chemistry
If that’s a TV, this must be the den
In some situations, the brain identifies a location based on a checklist of objects.
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- Chemistry
Fighting flames with greener materials
New, nano-thin coatings for fabrics and plastics are relatively nontoxic flame retardants.
- Chemistry
Pooping pandas may make better biofuels
Gut microbes break down bamboo efficiently, inspiring new approaches to process raw plant materials for fuel.
