After working together for over two decades on photomechanical crystals, chemists in the US and Saudi Arabia have built molecular crystal motors that are completely powered by light. When exposed to light, these tiny machines perform coordinated movements and exhibit the unique ability to sustain continuous motion through a feedback loop. With further development, the […]

Micro- and nanoplastics taken up by gastric cancer cells are passed on during cell division, according to new research by researchers in Austria and Germany. Particles around 0.25μm in size also increased the rate of migration in these cells and are thought to have pro-metastatic effects. ‘It was very surprising that cells are not only […]

Many drugs that are normally used to treat non-infectious diseases like cancer, diabetes and depression can kill bacteria through modes of action that are different from those of standard antibiotics. The US-based researchers behind this finding say that it opens up new possibilities in the battle against antibiotic resistance. ‘Our findings uncover molecules that can […]

Women working in higher education continued to earn, on average, 11.9% less than men across all roles in 2022, a report by the Higher Education Policy Institute (Hepi) has revealed. Although this is smaller than the national median gender pay gap of 14.4%, the data, which covers 2017 to 2022, shows significant variation between institutions […]

Two researchers in the US have developed a simple, cheap and effective method for recycling catalytic organoiridium waste into a synthetically important iridium precursor. This is the first lab-scale example of such a recycling process, which could be a practical and cost-effective option for many of the academic research groups working with this rare element. […]

Swiss researchers can once again apply for European Research Council (ERC) grants. The European Commission opened up ERC funding calls to Swiss applicants this week as European and Swiss negotiators sat down to discuss measures that would deepen the EU–Swiss relationship. The talks cover a broad range of measures on trade, energy and related issues, […]

Some of you will remember that back in November I announced that I would be taking a break from writing my blog in order  to get some medical rehabilitation for my fucked spine (official medical terminology). You might also remember that this turned into a farce when on entering the clinic I almost immediately acquired a […]

One of the first composite materials whose production actually cuts carbon dioxide emissions over its life cycle has been created by researchers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), US. The work was presented at the spring meeting of the American Chemical Society on 17 March. Decking boards made from wood–plastic composite, instead of lumber, are […]

Chemists have used 3D printing to produce plastic capsules that store and isolate chemicals for organic synthesis. Soluble in common organic solvents, the capsules release compounds directly within a reaction mixture, offering a safer system for handling volatile, toxic and flammable reagents in the lab. Synthetic chemists often work with hazardous chemicals. For example, many […]

The EU is pushing ahead with legislation to ensure a secure and sustainable supply of critical raw materials such as lithium for batteries and rare earth elements, used in electronics. The Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) announced by European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, in September 2022, aims to reduce the EU’s reliance on […]