Science
RAF base chemical contamination worst in UK, report says
Testing at RAF Upper Heyford finds "unacceptable" levels of polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
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World
Massive chemical plant fire triggers mass evacuations in Mexico
An explosive fire erupted on Friday at a chemical plant in Leon, Mexico.
Science
AI reveals a hidden chemical shortcut that could turn CO2 into fuel
Scientists used artificial intelligence to uncover nearly 10,000 chemical reactions involved in transforming carbon dioxide into fuels and chemicals, revealing crucial pathways that traditional models had missed. The discovery dramatically improved predictions of CO2 conversion and uncovered a surprising hydrogen reaction that could inspire more efficient catalysts.
Science
One tiny chemical difference between RNA and DNA may help explain how life began
Scientists may have found a clue to one of the biggest mysteries surrounding the origin of life: how fragile RNA molecules could gather and survive before cells existed. New research shows that RNA is unusually good at assembling into tiny liquid-like droplets that concentrate molecules and can harden into protective, gel-like structures. Remarkably, much of this behavior may come down to a single oxygen-containing chemical group that RNA has but DNA lacks.
Science
A 66-million-year-old tooth reveals T. rex was nearly as warm as a human
Chemical clues preserved inside fossilized T. rex teeth reveal that the dinosaur maintained a body temperature of about 97 degrees Fahrenheit, almost identical to humans. The finding provides direct evidence that the giant predator was warm-blooded, helping explain how it stayed active and survived in chilly environments as far north as Alaska.
Science
New nanoparticles make hidden chemical differences light up
Scientists have developed ultra-bright nanoparticles that can detect tiny amounts of chemicals and distinguish between molecules that look almost identical. The technology could one day provide a cheaper way to catch dangerous drug impurities or trace pollutants using simple low-cost lasers.
Science
New chemical wipes out 95% of termites without harming humans
A chemical that stops drywood termites from building new exoskeletons killed about 95% of colonies in testing, offering a potentially safer alternative to traditional fumigation. Because termites eventually have no choice but to molt, the treatment turns a normal stage of their life cycle into a fatal weakness.