Biomedical
One of the dirty secrets of medical chemistry is the naughty over-simplification of primary assays leading to erroneous interpretations of data from them. In a milestone study, Rubin and co-workers, from UC Santa Cruz, UC San Francisco, and Roswell Park, NY, have exposed one of these skeletons in the closet (Science, 2019, 366, 1330).
All eyes on atoms
New technology makes it easier for researchers to observe and manipulate individual atoms and molecules as they engage in fundamental processes like the making and breaking of chemical bonds. Michael Gross reports
Pandemic by choice
We’re at war with nature. We’re fighting the environment to stop natural disasters. Or so the rhetoric goes. Yet what is really happening when a hurricane slashes through Puerto Rico, an earthquake razes an Iranian city, and a new virus shuts down the world?
Active cleaning
The coronavirus pandemic has focused attention on deep cleaning, especially long-lasting hard surface cleaners. But other cleaning product research is also looking at using probiotics and reducing water and energy usage. Neil Eisberg reports
Organic chemistry
In studies exploring the scope of aromaticity, swapping two adjacent carbons in a benzene ring for a B=N unit is an approach that is only reliable when a high level of aromatic stabilisation is retained. Extending the concept to non-linear fused-ring structures such as phenanthrenes has presented many problems when a B=N link is desired at the central -HC=CH- section of the molecule, a position (Scheme 1, box), which has substantial alkene-like reactivity.
Applied chemistry
Light driven molecular motors possess immense potential as central driving units for future nanotechnology. Integration into larger molecular setups and transduction of their mechanical motions represents the current frontier of research.
Smart phone detectives
As modern analytical instrumentation boasts ever-more impressive capabilities, there is a counter trend emerging – for smaller, faster, and cheaper detection devices. Many of these take advantage of the instruments most of us carry around in our pocket – smartphones. Anthony King reports
Routes to net-zero
Luke Gibbs from Syngenta looks at routes to achieving net-zero emissions in agriculture
Hydrogen economy
As the world looks for ways to keep global warming in check, hydrogen is in the spotlight as a green energy option. Maria Burke explores whether hydrogen’s time has come
Achilles’ heel poked
An antibody from a SARS patient back in 2003 is shedding light on how antibodies might bind to Covid-19. A group in California showed precisely where the antibody – CR3022 – attached to SARS-CoV-2, highlighting a possible vulnerability.