China’s struggle to balance energy and environment
China, the world’s largest producer of greenhouse gases, appears to be struggling to balance economic growth with its environmental goals. It did not meet its targets for reducing carbon emissions in 2024, blaming rapid growth in energy consumption as well as extreme weather.
Microplastics ratchet up antibiotic resistance
Bacteria grown on microplastics are more likely to develop antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a study has shown. Microbes exposed to various types of plastic also had a greater propensity to develop biofilms in a lab.
Canada proposes PFAS solution
The Government of Canada has proposed a risk management approach to mitigate the health and environmental impact of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The proposal follows an investigation into these so-called ‘forever chemicals’ and their impact on human and environmental health
Encouraging a US brain drain
The cost-cutting activities of the US Trump administration have created an opportunity for Europe to reverse what has previously been seen as an Atlantic ‘brain drain’ of scientific talent. The cutbacks in research grants, particularly by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), have encouraged several European countries to look at ways of attracting US researchers who are either disillusioned or have lost their jobs.
New scissors for gene editing
A new promising molecular scissor for gene editing has been discovered in the US. It was identified in a type of bacteria, Streptococcus uberis, that is commonly found in dairy cows and adds to the toolkit for genome editing.
Tackling the chemical industry crisis in Europe
Europe’s chemical industry is looking to find a way out of its ongoing crisis, with governments and industry groups proposing plans to help a sector struggling with rising costs and tough competition.
Top innovators in 2025
Seven organisations in the Chemical & Materials industry are in the Top 100 Global Innovators 2025 list compiled by Clarivate, which describes itself as a provider of transformative intelligence.
Cannabis compound tackles pain
A synthetic cannabinoid molecule has shown remarkable promise in pain relief in mouse experiments, an international team reports. The scientists succeeded in keeping the compound out of the brain and limiting tolerance to the drug.
Antarctic ozone hole is closing
Global efforts to reduce ozone-depleting substances, specifically the Montreal Protocol, have helped to heal the Antarctic ozone hole, a new study has confirmed with high statistical confidence for the first time.
Herbs and potential Alzheimer’s therapy
An antioxidant compound found in garden herbs shows promise as a potential treatment for Alzheimer’s. The study by the Scripps Research Institute in California, US, tapped a phenolic diterpene found in rosemary and sage, called carnosic acid. ‘It targets an anti-inflammatory pathway that your body uses to try protect itself,’ says Stuart Lipton, a neurologist who led the research.