Ever wondered what makes ginger so special? It's all about the gingerols and shogaols. These are the compounds that give ginger its unique kick and health benefits. But how do we study them? Enter HPLC, a cool technique that can separate and analyze these compounds with ease. Traditional methods have had a tough time with this task. They struggle with separation and...
Baijiu, a popular Chinese liquor, has a big impact on how good the final drink tastes. To check its quality, scientists have come up with a new idea. They made a special sensor that uses colors and tiny particles to test baijiu. This sensor can tell the difference between eight different things that make baijiu what it is. The sensor works fast, in just 60 seconds. ...
Crime scene investigations just got a high-tech makeover. Scientists have found a clever way to detect blood using a smartphone and a special glowing chemical called luminol. When luminol meets blood, it lights up, and a smartphone can record the whole process in a video. This new method is not just cool; it's also eco-friendly. It uses a tiny amount of luminol comp...
Microplastics are tiny plastic pieces that can be found in water. They can carry harmful chemicals like PCBs. A study looked at the Langat River in Malaysia. They checked six spots from the river mouth to areas further inland. The study found different amounts of microplastics at each spot. The highest number was at station S6. This area has more homes and factories...
Clerodendrum infortunatum, a plant deeply rooted in Assam's traditional medicine, is making waves in the scientific community. This plant, known locally for its healing properties, has been studied for its potential to combat malaria. Eight unique compounds have been extracted from its leaves and roots, each with its own story to tell. Scientists used advanced techn...
Glyphosate, a widely used herbicide, has been a topic of debate for years. It has been found in various water sources, often accompanied by its harmful byproduct, aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA). This is a big deal because the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) labeled glyphosate as "probably carcinogenic to humans" back in 2015. This means it could...
Michelia Alba, a tree native to Southeast Asia, is more than just a pretty face. It's packed with unique chemicals called sesquiterpenoids. Scientists recently found two new ones in its branches and leaves. These are part of a larger group of eleven known sesquiterpenoids. The new ones are quite different from each other. One is a germacrane type, and the other is a ...
Chemical tests often rely on precise measurements. One such test is coulometric titration. This method measures the amount of a substance in a solution by using electricity. The time it takes to complete this test can vary. One factor that influences this time is stack pressure. Stack pressure is the force exerted by a stack of materials. In coulometric titration, t...
Imagine living near a chemical plant. You might think the biggest worry is the main chemical being made, but what about the hidden byproducts? Scientists found something surprising near a plant that makes tetrabromobisphenol A, or TBBPA for short. They discovered new pollutants that aren't usually looked for. These pollutants are created when TBBPA breaks down or cha...
Copper-based metal-organic frameworks, or MOFs, are special because they can change their structure when exposed to different things. This is because they are flexible and have a long-range order. This is different from other inorganic materials. Imagine a Lego structure that can change shape when you add or remove certain pieces. That's similar to what these MOFs do...