Chemistry
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Humans
Record ‘Arctic’ ozone minimum expands beyond Arctic
In mid-March, our online story about the thinning of stratospheric ozone over the Arctic noted that conditions appeared primed for regional ozone losses to post an all-time record. On April 5, World Meteorological Organization Secretary-General Michel Jarraud announced that Arctic ozone had indeed suffered an unprecedented thinning. And these air masses are on the move to mid-latitudes.
- Chemistry
Molecules/Matter & Energy
A new way to fold a paper bag, plus good apples and designer silk in this week’s news.
- Humans
Hidden dalliance revealed by X-rays
A high-tech analysis uncovers a 19th century painter’s do-over.
- Humans
Just breathing in Iraq can be hazardous
Poor air quality is an added danger for troops, testing indicates.
- Chemistry
Japan nuke accident seen from Seattle
Radioactive particles retrieved in the Pacific Northwest offer clues to events inside the crippled Fukushima Daiichi plant.
- Chemistry
Molecules/Matter & Energy
Sulfur found in life's possible early building blocks, plus fingerprint clues and frozen blood in this week's news
- Chemistry
Silicene: It could be the new graphene
Single-layer sheets of silicon might have electronic applications.
- Chemistry
Molecules/Matter & Energy
Particles found surfing on hot plasma, plus spinning atoms and a new deep-Earth mineral in this week’s news.
- Chemistry
A bit of fiber makes for sudsier beer
An understanding of bubbly beginnings points to a new way to foam up slow-pouring stout brews.
- Humans
Record ozone thinning looms in Arctic
Depletion could expose the northern midlatitudes to higher-than-normal ultraviolet radiation in coming weeks.
- Chemistry
Molecules/Matter & Energy
Anthrax used in 2001 attacks have been genetically decoded, plus booze-soaked superconductors and an inverse Doppler effect in this week’s news.
- Chemistry
Light-sensor pulls perplexing double duty
A long-studied eye pigment appears to also detect temperature, a study in fruit flies shows.
