chemistry

The day Marie Curie got snubbed by the French science world

By Dr. Howard Markel

One hundred and ten years ago, Marie Sklodowska Curie was formally rejected for membership by the French Academy of Sciences.

This new ‘battery’ aims to spark a carbon capture revolution

By Nsikan Akpan

Inventors claim their carbon capture “battery” could return CO2 to preindustrial levels within 40 years, but first it has some economic hurdles to overcome.

This new nanotech could help clean up Earth’s microplastics

By Berly McCoy

Chemists have adapted emerging technology -- called nanocoils -- to dissolve microplastics and turn the pollution into food for algae.

This everyday chemical was cast aside. Its replacement might be making cats sick

By Berly McCoy

Manufacturers phased out flame retardants called PBDEs because of health concerns in pets and humans. New research suggests their replacements may be just as bad.

4 scientific tips to make your holiday cookies burst with flavor

By Jamie Leventhal

By using some chemistry and physics when baking, you can unlock a completely new range of delicious flavors in your holiday cookies.

How to cook the perfect Thanksgiving turkey, according to science

By Jamie Leventhal

Thanksgiving turkeys often come out dry and tasteless, but not this year. Here's how you can use basic chemistry to make a stunning main dish for you and your guests to gobble down.

What if we could put our plastic trash to good use?

By Jamie Leventhal

Humans produce 420 million tons of plastic annually, most of which lands in the environment. With these two innovations, plastic could have a useful second life.

Why red tide isn’t red and other myths about algae blooms

By Nsikan Akpan

The question as to why they make toxins in the first place is one of the great mysteries of marine science.

From drugged oysters to birds full of plastic, oceans are feeling the burden of pollution

By Danielle Venton, KQED

Scientists are finding a growing presence of pharmaceuticals, small pieces of plastic and household chemicals in the bodies of Pacific razor clams, Pacific oysters and remote seabirds.

Study confirms how lead got into Flint’s water

By Roni Dengler

The absence of a water treatment -- called orthophosphate -- was a major contributor to lead contamination in Flint, University of Michigan chemists confirmed.