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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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NEWS ABOUT: chemistry

chemistry stories: 13 news summaries

Map of Cell's Machinery Wins Chemistry Nobel

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

Oct 7, 09 5:51 AM CDT
(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 »

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DNA • bacteria • antibiotics • cell • Nobel Prize • chemistry

(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 »

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food • nutrition • diet • heat • calories • chocolate • candy • Nestle • chemistry • food science

 New Element 
 Joins Periodic Table 

Experiments confirm existence of super-heavy Element 112

Jun 11, 09 3:01 AM CDT
(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 »

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science • particle accelerator • chemistry

In NASCAR, the Secret Weapon Is Motor Oil

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

Apr 10, 09 9:12 AM CDT
(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 »

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NASCAR • auto racing • Joe Gibbs Racing • chemistry • auto technology • motor oil

Drive Past the Body Shop: Sun Will Repair Scratches

New self-healing coating will save you money, time

Mar 13, 09 12:30 PM CDT
(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 »

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waste • iPod • sun • consumer spending • chemistry • ultraviolet light • cars • automobile

Chemistry Nobel Goes to 3 Who Found Glowing Protein

Compound vital to Alzheimer's research

Oct 8, 08 7:25 AM CDT
(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 »

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disease • science • cell • Nobel Prize • chemistry • Alzheimer's Disease • biochemistry

Chemists Sniff Out
Household Stinks

Smell squad recreates odors to wipe them out

Sep 6, 08 9:46 AM CDT
(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 »

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smell • odor • air freshener • chemistry • cleaning • fragrance

 'Magnet Molecule'
 May Guide Bird Migration 

Inner compass guides journeys, researchers believe

May 5, 08 8:22 AM CDT
(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 »

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birds • migration • chemistry • Journal Nature • magnetic field • scientific research

 Absinthe's Secret Revealed 

Mind-altering effect is really just the booze talking

Apr 30, 08 3:11 PM CDT
(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 »

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alcohol • Germany • France • science • chemistry • liquor • absinthe

Scientist Makes Wonder Material from Rice Husks

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

Feb 29, 08 5:10 PM CST
(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 »

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electricity • Malaysia • chemistry • airplane • aerogel • insulation • bomb-proofing • soundproofing • scientific breakthroughs • tennis rackets

Long-Term Pairs Flunk Chemistry

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

Feb 11, 08 10:45 AM CST
(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 »

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sex • hormones • love • romance • chemistry • neutrophins • sexual chemistry • Cupid

US Schools Not in Dire Decline, Study Says

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

Oct 27, 07 5:37 PM CDT
(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 »

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education • Bill Gates • SAT • science • higher education • chemistry • engineering • Urban Institute • National Academy of Sciences • humanities • mathematics

German Scores Chemistry Nobel

Research paved way to cleaner car emissions, explained ozone depletion

Oct 10, 07 9:31 AM CDT
(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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Nobel Prize • Fritz Haber Institut der Max Planck Gesellschaft • Gerhard Ertl • Ertl • chemistry • Nobel Peace Prize

13 Stories


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