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New Elements Fl, Lv Named

Heavy elements flerovium and livermorium closer to joining the club

(Newser) - You can pencil two new elements onto your periodic table, because prospective elements 114 and 116 have finally gotten names. The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry today dubbed the two elements flerovium (Fl) and livermorium (Lv) respectively, MSNBC reports. But do use pencil, because the names aren’t... More »

Chemical Reaction Brought Down Twin Towers: Scientist

Melted aluminum, sprinkler water caused secondary explosions

(Newser) - The melting aluminum hulls of the jetliners that smashed into the twin towers may have combined with sprinkler water to set off the explosions that ultimately brought down the towers, according to a new report from a technology research group in Norway. “If my theory is correct, tons of... More »

Periodic Table Gets 2 New Elements

Still unnamed, numbers 114 and 116 have been approved as chemical elements

(Newser) - Two new chemical elements have been officially added to the periodic-table torment of high school kids everywhere. But as-yet-unnamed Nos. 114 and 116 aren’t like their new buddies carbon, gold, or zinc—they were created by slamming two lighter elements together in the hopes they’d stick, said a... More »

Why Van Gogh's Yellows Are Turning Brown

Chemists seek to save 19th-century works

(Newser) - Vincent van Gogh's paintings of sunflowers aren't as vivid as they used to be and the sun is to blame, say researchers who have solved a problem that has long stumped art conservationists. A team of chemists experimenting with ultraviolet light and tubes of paint belonging to 19th-century artists found... More »

Self-Healing 'Smart Mud' Could Replace Plastic

Researchers excited about new substance's potential

(Newser) - Japanese researchers have developed a clay-based substance they believe has the potential to become an environmentally friendly alternative to plastic. The team mixed small amounts of clay with water, a thickening agent called sodium polyacrylate, and a specially designed molecular glue, producing a gel strong enough to hold its own... More »

Map of Cell's Machinery Wins Chemistry Nobel

Trio of laureates includes first woman to win prize in 45 years

(Newser) - The Nobel Prize in chemistry was awarded today to three scientists who mapped the structure of the ribosome, the part of the cell that reads DNA and uses its information to  create proteins. All three chemists constructed three-dimensional models of the ribosome, using X-ray crystallography to chart hundreds of thousands... More »

New Chocolate Has 90% Fewer Calories, Doesn't Melt

(Newser) - A mistake in the labs of the world's largest chocolate producer inadvertently led researchers to the ultimate in confectionery: a recipe that's not only heat-resistant, but that contains 90% fewer calories than normal chocolate. Food engineers fooling around at Barry Callebaut, which makes products for Nestlé and Cadbury, ended up... More »

New Element Joins Periodic Table

Experiments confirm existence of super-heavy Element 112

(Newser) - The periodic table of elements will soon gain a new—and the heaviest known—element, the BBC reports. Element 112 was first discovered over a decade ago and its existence has now been confirmed after extensive experiments. Authorities have temporarily named it "ununbium," and its German discoverers have... More »

In NASCAR, the Secret Weapon Is Motor Oil

Forget the engine; ex-NASA techs search for perfect lubricant

(Newser) - How do you make a race car go faster? For NASCAR teams, one of the only options is to attempt to concoct the perfect motor oil. With technology restricted across the sport, engineers can't tinker too much with the hardware, but better oil actually helps. The Wall Street Journal looks... More »

Drive Past the Body Shop: Sun Will Repair Scratches

New self-healing coating will save you money, time

(Newser) - The sun will soon be able to help repair the scratches on everything from iPods to cars. Researchers have developed a polyurethane coating that heals itself when exposed to UV radiation, Wired reports. The coating, which should be available in a few months, could save consumers money and reduce waste... More »

Chemistry Nobel Goes to 3 Who Found Glowing Protein

Compound vital to Alzheimer's research

(Newser) - The Nobel Prize in chemistry was awarded today to three scientists who discovered green fluorescent protein, a compound that allows biochemists to study cellular processes. The glowing protein, first found in jellyfish more than 40 years ago, can be attached to other structures and has been critical in research on... More »

Chemists Sniff Out Household Stinks

Smell squad recreates odors to wipe them out

(Newser) - Chemists are trying to replicate the odors of stale smoke and rotting garbage in a quest to make America a better-smelling place, the Wall Street Journal reports. A specialist squad working for the International Flavors and Fragrances company captures common bad household smells, brings them back to the lab, and... More »

'Magnet Molecule' May Guide Bird Migration

Inner compass guides journeys, researchers believe

(Newser) - Migrating birds may rely on a special molecule discovered in their eyes that allows them to  perceive the Earth’s magnetic field lines as a kind of road map, new research shows. The molecule may help birds navigate much the same way humans follow lines to stay on a highway... More »

Absinthe's Secret Revealed

Mind-altering effect is really just the booze talking

(Newser) - Absinthe's "Green Fairy,” which spurred the likes of van Gogh and Picasso to creative heights, may have been more of a drunken sprite than psychedelic pixie. A study of century-old bottles of the green liqueur revealed that its potency most likely stems from its 70% alcohol content—making... More »

Scientist Makes Wonder Material from Rice Husks

Cheap 'aerogel' would slash electricity needs, bomb-proof buildings

(Newser) - Rice husks might be the key to lowering electricity use, bomb-proofing buildings and making products—from airplanes to tennis rackets—lighter. A Malaysian scientist says she’s found a cheap way to create aerogel, the world’s lightest solid, from discarded rice husks. The material combines incredible insulating power and... More »

Long-Term Pairs Flunk Chemistry

Cuddle hormones that replace initial sizzle aren't so bad, says study

(Newser) - Romeo and Juliet may have been the greatest lovers of all time, but that may have had more to do with the romance's brevity than that star-crossed-lovers thing, according to an Italian study that says sex chemistry fizzles after 2 years. "Love molecules" like neutrophins are sky high in... More »

US Schools Not in Dire Decline, Study Says

Report blasts myth of kids lagging in math, science, reading

(Newser) - Despite dire warnings, US students rank well against worldwide peers in math, science, and reading, according to a new study. In fact US scores are rising, and students are graduating with more science and engineering diplomas than the US market can sustain. So why all of the hullabaloo about US... More »

German Scores Chemistry Nobel

Research paved way to cleaner car emissions, explained ozone depletion

(Newser) - A German who fathered a vast field called surface chemistry—responsible for everything from cleaner car emissions to identifying ozone declines—was awarded the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize for Chemistry today, his 71st birthday. Gerhard Ertl's work examined how molecules interact with solid surfaces, and has been influential in both... More »

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