Category: Chemistry in the News

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Chemistry in the News Year in Review

The year in chemistry: 2021’s biggest chemistry stories

In 2020, science news was dominated by COVID and vaccine development. In many ways, 2021 has been little different, but away from the virus we’re now overly familiar with there were plenty of other chemistry-related news stories. This graphic highlights a selection of them – see below for more details as well as links to […]

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Biochemistry ChemVsCOVID

#ChemVsCOVID: How variant tracking and sequence sharing help the fight against the virus

On this day a year ago, the Alpha variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus was designated a variant of concern. The final graphic in the #ChemVsCOVID series with the Royal Society of Chemistry looks at how variants are tracked and what causes the differences between them.

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ChemVsCOVID

#ChemVsCOVID: How lateral flow tests for COVID-19 work

On this day a year ago, the UK started its piloting of mass testing in the city of Liverpool using lateral flow tests. The latest graphic in the #ChemVsCOVID series with the Royal Society of Chemistry looks at how these tests work, and how accurate are they compared to the standard PCR tests that are […]

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ChemVsCOVID Medicinal Chemistry

#ChemVsCOVID: How nucleoside analogue antivirals combat COVID

One year ago, in October 2020, the US FDA approved remdesivir: the first antiviral drug approved for COVID-19. While it’s not as effective as was first thought, similar drugs look like they could be more successful. The latest graphic in the #ChemVsCOVID series with the Royal Society of Chemistry examines how they work.

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Biochemistry Chemistry in the News

What is folic acid, and why is it important during pregnancy?

Infographic titled 'Why is folic acid important during pregnancy?'. Folic acid is a human-made form of folate, vitamin B9. We have to get it from our diet. It's converted into folate in the body. Folate is found naturally in a number of foods, particularly leafy vegetables, seeds, and nuts. It can also be added to some foods including flour, a process known as fortification. Low levels of folate have been linked to neural tube defects (NTDs). These happen when the neural tube, which forms the brain and spinal cord, doesn't develop or close properly, leading to conditions like spina bifida. Taking folic acid before and during early pregnancy reduces the risk of NTDs by about 70%. The mechanism by which folate reduces NTDs isn't known, but folate is important for building nucleic acids, the building blocks of DNA. Large quantities of nucleic acids are required by the developing neural tube for DNA replication, and folic acid deficiency may impact this.

This week, the UK has confirmed it plans to fortify non-wholemeal flour with folic acid. It’s not the first country to do so: the United States has been fortifying flour with folic acid since 1998. Most countries in South America and a number in Asia also have mandatory fortification programs. This graphic looks at the […]

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ChemVsCOVID Coronavirus

#ChemVsCOVID: How chemistry is helping with understanding and combatting virus transmission

An infographic in the Chem vs COVID timeline series. On 6 July 2020, scientists called for greater recognition of the airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2. People infected with COVID-19 expel droplets when they talk, cough, sneeze, or even breathe. Large droplets travel short distances and can contaminate surfaces, though research has suggested this is a less significant mode of transmission than initially thought. Very small droplets dry and form aerosols (particles suspended in air) which can travel greater distances and spread the virus through the air. Chemists have produced antiviral coatings, containing metals or polymers, to reduce surface transmission. Ventilation and air purification technologies such as air filters, UVC light and photocatalytic devices can destroy the virus in the air in buildings. Overall, understanding of transmission and preventative technologies have helped limit infections, make activities safer, and improved technology to combat viruses in the future.

How does COVID spread? Of all the questions about the pandemic, this seems like it would be a fairly simple one to answer. But, even several months into the pandemic, the guidance from public health organisations did not recognise the potential for COVID to be transmitted through the air. The latest edition of the Chem […]