Here’s the monthly summary of chemistry stories that have hit the news. This month features news on the identification of proteins that help us hear, an exoplanet with an atmosphere of titanium and iron, and more! Larger summary images for each item are provided below, along with links to articles and studies for all the featured stories. […]
To breathe underwater, divers need an air supply. But this air doesn’t always have the same composition as that we breathe above water. This month’s edition of Periodic Graphics in Chemical & Engineering News looks at the reasons why. Click through to the C&EN site to view the full graphic. […]
The aubergine (or eggplant) is a fascinating fruit. And yes, you read that correctly – the aubergine is technically a fruit, not a vegetable. If you’ve ever wondered why they soak up oil like a sponge, and rapidly brown when cut, read on!
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Asbestos has been in the news recently, along with the health concerns surrounding it. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the U.S. has proposed a framework that opens the door to new uses of asbestos. With many other countries already banning all types of asbestos, what are the risks, and is there cause for concern?
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Today, we take contraception for granted to a certain extent. It’s easy to forget that, less than 200 years ago, the only condom available was one made from a length of sheep gut that you had to wash and re-use. Today, they’re made from a handful of different materials. This post looks at their recent material history, and some of the other chemistry modern condoms utilise.
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On this day back in 1802, Germain Hess was born in Switzerland. Hess would go on to do important work in the field of thermochemistry, the part of chemistry concerned with energy changes in chemical reactions. His work led to the eponymous Hess’s law, explained in the graphic above. Hess also analysed the mineral silver telluride, which was named Hessite in his honour. […]