How do pheromones travel from one insect to another? Humidity may change the answer to this question.
Boiling mulberry juice increases its anti-cancer properties
Black mulberry juice is a known antioxidant – compounds that can consume free radicals before they can harm your cells. Researchers at Guangdong University also show that boiling mulberries increases its ability to treat colon cancer in cell culture, but not through antioxidant mechanisms.
#BlackInChem: The Unstoppable Ashley Walker
Ashley Walker, founder of #BlackInAstro and co-founder of #BlackInChem, explores her experiences and motivations. Having overcome many barriers and obstacles, she shares her unique journey as a Black woman in physical chemistry, what she’s learned, and her advice to others.
#BlackInChem: Chemistry should be as diverse as the world we live in
Armed with the belief that chemistry should be as diversified as the world that we all live in, Joy Rutherford tells us how this motivates her to overcome the odds that come with being a PoC PhD student. However, these challenges don’t stop her from becoming a multi-faceted academic success!
Revolutionize energy, agriculture, and the environment—in the most ap-peel-ing way
Biochar may be one of the most multi-talented materials in existence—do you know what your leftover orange peels are capable of?
#BlackinChem: Finding your feet as an international student
Zweli Hlatshwayo shares his experiences as a Black international student at Ohio State University, and his struggles with impostor syndrome after he started his PhD.
When art meets science; something to scream about
The Scream is one of the most famous paintings in the world, but it’s bright colours are fading! The worlds of art and science team up to help solve this mystery.
#BlackInChem: Science & Equity go hand in hand – Ayanna Jones
Ayanna Jones, a PhD student and passionate advocate for representation in science, shares her story and advice on making chemistry more inclusive
#BlackInChem: Creating Support and Community for Black Women in STEM
Devin Swiner, one of the founders for #BlackInChem, shares what’s she’s learned, the hard-won wisdom she has earned as a Black woman in analytical chemistry.
Safer Hair Dyes
A new synthetic method to produce melanin, the natural molecule that leads to hair color, shows promise as a safer hair dye.
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Biochemical Circuits: Modular Systems for Disease Detection
Instead of the wires, batteries, and light bulbs used in electric circuits, biochemical circuits use DNA and enzymes to get the job done.
Combating Viral Infection with Shape-Matching
Researchers developed a new way of tackling viral infection by designing nanostructures similar in shape to the virus particle.
An alternative to isolating plant drugs
Discovery of the biosynthesis of a FDA-approved plant drug
Scientists find a new noncovalent interaction: the spodium bond
The new bond occurs between elements of Group XII of the periodic table in (pseudo)tetrahedral geometry and electron donors.
No charge, no problem: self-charging batteries
When batteries run out of charge, you need to plug them into electricity to recharge them. New research has created a battery that can recharge itself without needing electricity.
Melanin nanoparticles to better protect our cells
How does melanin protect cells from damaging radiation? How can this ability be improved?
Monitoring Vital Signs with Temporary Tattoos
Skin-conforming, ultra-thin wearable medical sensors could make going to the doctor less invasive than ever before. This newly developed, “tattooable” sensor uses a newly developed material to create one of the thinnest yet.
Copycat: Mimicking Enzymes with Supramolecular Catalysts
Researchers meld ideas from biology and chemistry to generate hybrid catalysts that can catalyze natural reactions at even faster rates.
Mapping the Targets of Antibodies against SARS-CoV-2
The worldwide death toll from the pandemic disease COVID-19 has now surpassed half a million people, sparking global vaccine development efforts. One of the most important elements in the immune system’s response to a vaccine is the antibody response, but antibodies to different parts of the invader can have different effects. In order to better understand which parts of SARS-CoV-2 are targeted by antibodies from the human immune system, Hongye Wang and colleagues developed a SARS-CoV-2 peptide array. By observing which peptides were targeted by antibodies from patients with COVID-19, the authors were able to profile which of these regions were responsible for raising antibodies. Their technology will also be useful in future vaccine development efforts.
Using Deep Learning to Expedite Drug Discovery
Let’s find out how researchers are using ‘artificial intelligence’ as a tool to the advancement of drug discovery.
Life in the Hot Springs: Bacterial Tricks for Thermal Stability
When cooking an egg, heat denatures proteins in the egg. How does a thermophilic bacteria prevent its proteins from denaturing too?
No More Burnt Bridges: DNA Nanoengines Designed to Perform Multiple Cycles
The authors here present the next step in artificial nanoengines – an engine that can perform multiple cycles over the same path.
Eating Spices could Boost Your Immune System
An interesting correlation has been discovered between consumption of spices and a lower fatality rate from COVID-19.
Release the molecule! Photolabile protecting groups
How do you design a “cage” for a molecule? And how do you release it again, selectively? Find out about a rationally designed red-light labile protecting group.