CHEMISTRY

May 25 2026SCIENCE

Light‑Driven Copper Trick Makes Fancy Sulfur Molecules

A new way to build special sulfur compounds uses light and copper. Instead of the usual method, chemists now link a sulfur atom to a carbon that is already part of a simple hydrocarbon. This process happens when the copper catalyst, fed with light energy, pulls electrons from the hydrocarbon.

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May 25 2026SCIENCE

New molecule fights aggressive breast cancer by hijacking cell cleanup routines

Scientists tested a new molecule called WK-13-3D on one of the toughest breast cancers to treat. Instead of trying to poison the cancer cells directly, it tricks them into breaking their own cleanup system. Every cell normally recycles old parts through a process called autophagy. In triple-negative

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May 20 2026TECHNOLOGY

Choosing Between Closed and Open UV Printers

Modern UV printers are becoming common in homes and small studios, but people now ask why many of them use closed ink systems. Closed systems keep the ink sealed from light, air and dust, which helps the printer run smoothly without constant user care. Open or refillable systems let users save

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May 17 2026SCIENCE

Iridium Complexes That Break Bonds and Add Oxygen

A new set of iridium compounds was made by removing a methyl group from older ionic versions. These neutral pieces, called 3 and 4, have a big ring of carbon atoms and a side group that can be chlorine or iodine. Scientists used them to build strange mixed‑metal structures that combine iridium

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May 11 2026SCIENCE

How Ice Cages Change Chemicals Under UV Light

Scientists recently found that tiny cages made of ice can dramatically alter chemical reactions when exposed to ultraviolet light. These cages, called clathrate hydrates, act like microscopic labs where chemicals get trapped and behave differently than they would in open space. Researchers tested ac

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May 10 2026SCIENCE

Why some grassland plants use different chemical tricks to survive

In the wide grasslands of northern China, two types of plants often compete for space: tough perennial grasses and colorful flowering forbs. Scientists have long noticed that these plants don’t just look different—they also affect the soil and nutrients in contrasting ways. Leaves from grasses and f

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May 09 2026ENVIRONMENT

Tracking War’s Hidden Damage to the Black Sea’s Waters

Since Russia invaded Ukraine, the Black Sea’s northwest coast has faced pollution it wasn’t ready for. Before the war, this area already dealt with natural shifts and years of human impact from farming and industry. Now, the fighting has added sudden bursts of harmful substances while making it hard

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May 04 2026CRIME

Uncovering the hidden science behind testing drug-laced foods

Food isn’t always what it seems. In crime labs worldwide, scientists regularly examine foods for hidden drugs after crimes or seizures. But testing isn’t straightforward—chocolate, drinks, or even gummy candies behave differently when mixed with substances like cannabis, painkillers, or sedatives. E

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May 01 2026SCIENCE

Wastewater Reveals What People Eat and Drink

Scientists have found a new way to learn about the habits of city residents by looking at their sewage. The technique, called wastewater‑based epidemiology, usually tracks drug use but now also measures food and drink markers. A fresh laboratory test can spot more than 40 different substances in raw

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Apr 30 2026SCIENCE

Urban Growth Fuels Hidden Air Chemistry in China

Land use has changed a lot between 2001 and 2020 in China, especially as cities grew and forests were planted. Scientists wanted to see how these changes affect the way certain chemicals form on surfaces and later in the air. They used a computer model that simulates air quality, keeping weather and

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