Researchers in China have synthesised planar boron-doped olympicenes via a simple one-pot reaction. These boraolympicene compounds exhibit surprising chemical stability and electronic properties that could see them find use within organic electronics. Polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have extended π-networks that are responsible for their unique physiochemical properties. Olympicene, a PAH whose shape resembles the Olympic rings, […]

Acoustic waves can be used to separate microplastics from contaminated water, and could be a new way to tackle this ubiquitous pollutant. Researchers at the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology in the US who carried out the research discussed it at the spring meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS) on 28 March. […]

A new law will allow the planting and creation of crops and animals in England that were made using gene-editing techniques – but this won’t apply to the rest of the UK yet. The move unshackles researchers and companies from onerous EU regulations for genetically modified organisms (GMOs), which has so far stymied advanced breeding […]

A new reservoir of water has been discovered on the surface of the moon hosted within beads of glass in lunar soil. This water was most likely formed by the solar wind, with the glass beads thought to be storing billions of tonnes of water. This discovery has important implications for a water cycle on […]

An international treaty to cut mercury in gold mining isn’t working because the reported estimates of the heavy metal’s use are inaccurate, according to a six-year study. New research into mercury use in gold mining in 25 countries – many of them in Africa, South America and Asia – found the figures they report under […]

Legislation under consideration by the Italian government would prohibit the production, export or import of synthetic ‘meat’ grown from animal cells. If approved, the bill would introduce a fine of €10,000–€60,000 (£8800–£53,000) for any violation of the proposed ban, which would reportedly include other food and drink products similarly derived from cells in a laboratory, […]

The legendary soul singer, James Brown, was often referred to as “the Hardest Working Man in Show Business.” In analogy, one could refer to Philip Ball as “the Hardest Working Man in Science Communication.” He churns out books at a higher rate than most other science writers articles, as well as a constant stream of articles […]

New measurements have revealed rising levels of five potent ozone-depleting gases, despite rigorous international controls over their production. A cross-disciplinary team reported a 2.6-fold increase in the emissions of five regulated chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) between 2010 and 2020, which could undermine the progress of current environmental targets. CFCs are the fully-halogenated derivatives of simple hydrocarbons and […]

Researchers have developed a way of converting molecular structures into musical sequences, allowing them to be compared, contrasted and combined using a sense that isn’t a common part of chemistry. Their software, Samples, takes a molecule’s properties and its text representation and creates a unique tune – or vice versa. [embedded content] To sonicate a […]

The recreational drug nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, will be banned under government plans to clamp down on anti-social behaviour. Possessing nitrous oxide for consumption will be made a criminal offence, a move that goes against the advice of the government’s advisory committee. Nitrous oxide is used as an analgesic and in catering. […]