Soil may be key to childhood allergies
The unique blend of fungi and bacteria in a region’s soil may be the strongest factor explaining its rates of childhood allergic disease, with certain assemblages of soil organisms appearing linked with better health outcomes, according to new research presented at AGU’s 2025 Annual Meeting in New Orleans, US. Although a causative connection has yet to be established, the researchers say the pattern appears with remarkable consistency across the globe.
The future of agri-food skills
SCI’s Agri-food Early Careers Committee takes a look at the future of agri-food and agri-tech skills, from the perspective of higher education.
Water molecules ‘walk’ on 2D material
Individual water molecules interact with 2D materials in unexpected ways, according to new research, and this could have implications for innovative coatings that could control wetting or resist icing.
Comment: Updating EU CLP
In 2025, recognition of widespread ‘hidden hazards’, from PFAS to dust, led experts to emphasise that a ‘bare minimum’ approach to chemical management is more than reckless, it’s a fatal oversight.
Chemistry in 2026: The global outlook
The importance of the chemical industry cannot be underestimated. A few numbers illustrate the scale involved: in the US there are around 547,000 workers across the industry generating $637bn in value, while Europe’s chemical industry has a turnover of €635bn and employs 1.2m people. In the UK alone, the industry directly accounts for 155,000 highly-skilled jobs and £21.8bn gross value added to the economy.
Made better by nature
In this book, chemist and science writer Michael Freemantle collects 25 examples of nature’s proficiency in chemistry encountered during his career, in retirement and on leisurely walks in the countryside.