# **Increasing Apprehensions Surround NIH Inquiry into mRNA Vaccine Funding** The US National Institutes of Health (NIH) has recently sought comprehensive details on all research grants it provides for messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine technology. Although the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which supervises the NIH, claims that no funding cuts are occurring, skepticism […]

# **Serendipitous Discovery: Remarkable Microscopic Patterns Engraved on Germanium Surface** An astonishing revelation in materials science has arisen from a minor overnight mistake. Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) discovered a captivating array of microscopic patterns—spirals, radial motifs, and complex disordered formations—engraved on the surface of a germanium wafer. This unanticipated occurrence […]

# Training for the Unthinkable: How Chemists Assist Emergency Services with Chemical Spills On **10 December 2024**, a striking situation occurred on the **Humber Bridge** in northern England. An overturned tanker released a dangerous chemical mixture onto the roadway and slip road, while a group of fun-runners assembled at a nearby country park. The potential […]

# The Blue Plaque Initiative in London: Honoring the Contributions of Chemists Established in 1866, London’s **blue plaque initiative** aims to recognize significant historical figures by marking the locations of their residences or workplaces. Currently managed by **English Heritage**, potential plaque recipients must have passed away at least **20 years ago** and have a relevant […]

# Robert Warington Recognized with Blue Plaque for His Contributions to Chemistry Robert Warington, the trailblazer of the Chemical Society, which eventually evolved into the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), has been celebrated with a distinguished blue plaque by the [Otter Valley Association](https://www.ova.org.uk/otter-valley-blue-plaques). The plaque was revealed on **16 March** at Warington’s previous residence in […]

# **Exploring the Power of Spider Silk: How Stretching Amplifies Its Qualities** Spider silk has captivated researchers for ages due to its remarkable strength, flexibility, and resilience. Its mechanical characteristics are frequently likened to those of steel and advanced synthetic substances like Kevlar. Nevertheless, large-scale extraction of natural spider silk is not feasible, prompting scientists […]

# **Researchers Create Ultra-Thin Metallic Layers, Opening Up New 2D Material Opportunities** A pioneering method has been established by a team of researchers in China, enabling the fabrication of ultra-thin metallic layers, measuring just a few angstroms in thickness. This advancement allows scientists to delve into a novel and extraordinary category of two-dimensional (2D) materials, […]