Rotund rodents revolutionised our understanding of the biological role of fat. Now, as Katrina Krämer discovers, the hormones created by fats could redefine obesity.
Rotund rodents revolutionised our understanding of the biological role of fat. Now, as Katrina Krämer discovers, the hormones created by fats could redefine obesity.
Ben Valsler on vitamin K – the blood clotting factor that is likely to be the first supplement you ever receive
Ben Valsler on vitamin K – the blood clotting factor that is likely to be the first supplement you ever receive
Brian Clegg on the enzymes make life a little sweeter by breaking down starch into sugars, helping to make bread and beer
Brian Clegg on the enzymes make life a little sweeter by breaking down starch into sugars, helping to make bread and beer
Georgia Mills on a compound that explodes from a beetle's bum, and has a controversial role in skin depigmentation
Georgia Mills on a compound that explodes from a beetle's bum, and has a controversial role in skin depigmentation
This week marks the 20th anniversary of the Baia Mare disaster, when toxic sodium cyanide spilled from a gold processing plant led to ecological damage on a huge scale. Mike Freemantle tells the tragic tale and explores the poison's place in precious metal processing.
This week marks the 20th anniversary of the Baia Mare disaster, when toxic sodium cyanide spilled from a gold processing plant led to ecological damage on a huge scale. Mike Freemantle tells the tragic tale and explores the poison's place in precious metal processing.
Once thought of as an interesting – but useless – turpentine derivative, this oddly-named acid became the precursor to one of the world's most widely used plastics
Once thought of as an interesting – but useless – turpentine derivative, this oddly-named acid became the precursor to one of the world's most widely used plastics
From ancient Egyptian pottery to distinctive blue bottles, cobalt oxide has been providing 'chemically and artistically perfect' pigments for centuries
From ancient Egyptian pottery to distinctive blue bottles, cobalt oxide has been providing 'chemically and artistically perfect' pigments for centuries
If you're trying out a vegan diet, you're likely to be told to make sure you get enough vitamin B12. Ben Valsler asks what B12 does, where we get it from, and how can we be sure we're getting enough?
If you're trying out a vegan diet, you're likely to be told to make sure you get enough vitamin B12. Ben Valsler asks what B12 does, where we get it from, and how can we be sure we're getting enough?
To celebrate 2019 – the International Year of the Periodic Table – we're joined by Helen Arney and the Waterbeach Brass Band with an updated version of Tom Lehrer's elements song. See the video, featuring contributions from chemists around the world, here: https://www.chemistryworld.com/IYPT Happy New Year!
To celebrate 2019 – the International Year of the Periodic Table – we're joined by Helen Arney and the Waterbeach Brass Band with an updated version of Tom Lehrer's elements song. See the video, featuring contributions from chemists around the world, here: https://www.chemistryworld.com/IYPT Happy New Year!
After promising results treating ill pets, some researchers think iminosugars could become treatments for infection and even cancer. Mike Freemantle explores the buzz about iminohoney.
After promising results treating ill pets, some researchers think iminosugars could become treatments for infection and even cancer. Mike Freemantle explores the buzz about iminohoney.
Frances Addison examines how our quest to control and manage pain has led to a modern medical crisis, as opioids oxycodone and hydrocodone are among the most abused prescription medications in the US
Frances Addison examines how our quest to control and manage pain has led to a modern medical crisis, as opioids oxycodone and hydrocodone are among the most abused prescription medications in the US
Ben Valsler tackles 'zombie facts' and the tenuous connection between tryptophan in turkey and your post-Thanksgiving dinner doze
Ben Valsler tackles 'zombie facts' and the tenuous connection between tryptophan in turkey and your post-Thanksgiving dinner doze
Brian Clegg introduces the class of materials where the holes are more important than the whole – the super-porous zeolites
Brian Clegg introduces the class of materials where the holes are more important than the whole – the super-porous zeolites
It helps prevent garlic plants from marauding insects and should have prevented the Hindenburg disaster – Mike Freemantle on allicin and the smell of freshly crushed garlic
It helps prevent garlic plants from marauding insects and should have prevented the Hindenburg disaster – Mike Freemantle on allicin and the smell of freshly crushed garlic
Louise Crane explains how a series of happy accidents led to the discovery of this rose-scented compound, found in rose oil, beer, apple pie and Kentucky bourbon.
Louise Crane explains how a series of happy accidents led to the discovery of this rose-scented compound, found in rose oil, beer, apple pie and Kentucky bourbon.
Brian Clegg introduces gallium arsenide – the supercar of the semiconductor scene
Brian Clegg introduces gallium arsenide – the supercar of the semiconductor scene
Georgia Mills introduces the malleable mixture of gold and silver that minted some of the world's oldest coins
Georgia Mills introduces the malleable mixture of gold and silver that minted some of the world's oldest coins
Ben Valsler introduces the oxygen sensors that help life react to changing conditions, and were key to the 2019 Nobel prize in physiology or medicine
Ben Valsler introduces the oxygen sensors that help life react to changing conditions, and were key to the 2019 Nobel prize in physiology or medicine
Enna Guadalupe investigates the toxin found in reef fish that leads to food poisoning so bad it can cause life-long symptoms.
Enna Guadalupe investigates the toxin found in reef fish that leads to food poisoning so bad it can cause life-long symptoms.
How a Brazilian scientist's knowledge of viper venom led to the discovery of a whole class of medication for high blood pressure. With Mike Freemantle.
How a Brazilian scientist's knowledge of viper venom led to the discovery of a whole class of medication for high blood pressure. With Mike Freemantle.
Louise Crane investigates a jasmine-derived synthetic scent with supposed sex appeal
Louise Crane investigates a jasmine-derived synthetic scent with supposed sex appeal
Georgia Mills examines a controversial killer: Sodium fluoroacetate or 1080
Georgia Mills examines a controversial killer: Sodium fluoroacetate or 1080
Sold as a 'sports supplement', methylhexaneamine – or DMAA – is implicated in the deaths of otherwise fit & healthy people. Enna Guadalupe investigates.
Sold as a 'sports supplement', methylhexaneamine – or DMAA – is implicated in the deaths of otherwise fit & healthy people. Enna Guadalupe investigates.
Katrina Krämer investigates a marine toxin that drives animals crazy and might have inspired one of Alfred Hitchcock's most famous films
Katrina Krämer investigates a marine toxin that drives animals crazy and might have inspired one of Alfred Hitchcock's most famous films
Mike Freemantle revisits battlefield surgery to investigate boric acid, a key part of Dakin's antiseptic solution used extensively in the first world war
Mike Freemantle revisits battlefield surgery to investigate boric acid, a key part of Dakin's antiseptic solution used extensively in the first world war
Patrick Hughes delves into the molecule at the centre of a decades-old cancer treatment conspiracy theory
Patrick Hughes delves into the molecule at the centre of a decades-old cancer treatment conspiracy theory
Georgia Mills tackles the feel-good neurotransmitter and hormone behind thrill seeking, addiction and mobile gaming
Georgia Mills tackles the feel-good neurotransmitter and hormone behind thrill seeking, addiction and mobile gaming
Mike Freemantle finds the connection between Land of Hope and Glory and the noxious, corrosive, flammable gas that stinks of rotten eggs
Mike Freemantle finds the connection between Land of Hope and Glory and the noxious, corrosive, flammable gas that stinks of rotten eggs
One doctor's battle with alcoholism and self-experimentation with baclofen led to a rush of people desperate to try the drug to curb their addictions. But are we simply replacing one problem with another, asks Enna Guadalupe
One doctor's battle with alcoholism and self-experimentation with baclofen led to a rush of people desperate to try the drug to curb their addictions. But are we simply replacing one problem with another, asks Enna Guadalupe
Microplastics, including polypropylene, are present in our oceans, on our beaches and even in bottled water. Ian Robertson from PerkinElmer investigates the scale and some solutions
Microplastics, including polypropylene, are present in our oceans, on our beaches and even in bottled water. Ian Robertson from PerkinElmer investigates the scale and some solutions
Lay back in the chair and say 'Ahh', as Mike Freemantle introduces zinc polycarboxylate dental cement
Lay back in the chair and say 'Ahh', as Mike Freemantle introduces zinc polycarboxylate dental cement
The versatile gemstones that give scientists insights into the chemistry of the early Earth, introduced by Brian Clegg
The versatile gemstones that give scientists insights into the chemistry of the early Earth, introduced by Brian Clegg
Chemistry's tastiest bonds for an explosive anaesthetic that was as useful as it was dangerous
Chemistry's tastiest bonds for an explosive anaesthetic that was as useful as it was dangerous
Ben Valsler introduces a class of hallucinogenic phenethylamines, explored by the 'godfather of psychedelics' Alexander Shulgin and sadly implicated in a tragedy at a 2017 music festival
Ben Valsler introduces a class of hallucinogenic phenethylamines, explored by the 'godfather of psychedelics' Alexander Shulgin and sadly implicated in a tragedy at a 2017 music festival
The first drug approved in the US to treat Aids required a completely new approach to clinical trials – Frances Addison explores the history of azidothymidine
The first drug approved in the US to treat Aids required a completely new approach to clinical trials – Frances Addison explores the history of azidothymidine
How the compound that ushered in a photographic revolution has taken to the skies to try to control the weather
How the compound that ushered in a photographic revolution has taken to the skies to try to control the weather
Katrina Krämer investigates how one of the smallest small-molecule drugs around saved Jeanna Giese's life
Katrina Krämer investigates how one of the smallest small-molecule drugs around saved Jeanna Giese's life
Kat Arney investigates a potent chemical that might explain the brain-bending powers of bacteria
Kat Arney investigates a potent chemical that might explain the brain-bending powers of bacteria
Mike Freemantle introduces amber – the valuable organic gemstone that invests unwary insects in a durable tomb
Mike Freemantle introduces amber – the valuable organic gemstone that invests unwary insects in a durable tomb
Brian Clegg examines the duality that makes beryllium oxide so valuable to the electronics industry
Brian Clegg examines the duality that makes beryllium oxide so valuable to the electronics industry
Jamie Durrani diverts his attention to the rise of Ritalin, a drug first identified as a way of improving tennis performance
Jamie Durrani diverts his attention to the rise of Ritalin, a drug first identified as a way of improving tennis performance
Frances Addison takes a look at the discovery that brought horseshoe crabs to the heart of the pharmaceutical industry
Frances Addison takes a look at the discovery that brought horseshoe crabs to the heart of the pharmaceutical industry
Kit Chapman investigates the drug that has been one of the top five prescription medications in the UK every year for the last two decades
Kit Chapman investigates the drug that has been one of the top five prescription medications in the UK every year for the last two decades
Inspired by a mention of arrowroot in Jane Austen's Emma, Mike Freemantle investigates how subtle differences in composition mean starch can be resistant dietary fibre or easily-digested nourishment.
Inspired by a mention of arrowroot in Jane Austen's Emma, Mike Freemantle investigates how subtle differences in composition mean starch can be resistant dietary fibre or easily-digested nourishment.
How an early synthetic dye chemical came to play a role in a mysterious disease outbreak in 1980s Spain
How an early synthetic dye chemical came to play a role in a mysterious disease outbreak in 1980s Spain
Coating your naked body with powdered magnesium silicate may sound strange, but it's an important part of many bathtime rituals
Coating your naked body with powdered magnesium silicate may sound strange, but it's an important part of many bathtime rituals
Mike Freemantle discovers sea buckthorns, also called 'beauty berries' because of their high concentration of tocopherols and tocotrienols, collectively known as vitamin E.
Mike Freemantle discovers sea buckthorns, also called 'beauty berries' because of their high concentration of tocopherols and tocotrienols, collectively known as vitamin E.
If you've ever been unlucky enough to experience 'corked' wine, then 2,4,6-trichloroanisole, or TCA was likely the chemical culprit
If you've ever been unlucky enough to experience 'corked' wine, then 2,4,6-trichloroanisole, or TCA was likely the chemical culprit
Kat Arney unearths the story of a truly international effort to develop new drugs for cancer, and the female researcher whose key role went overlooked
Kat Arney unearths the story of a truly international effort to develop new drugs for cancer, and the female researcher whose key role went overlooked
Kit Chapman on the simple polymer that preserves and protects ancient artifacts, and saved a historical Swedish shipwreck from complete collapse
Kit Chapman on the simple polymer that preserves and protects ancient artifacts, and saved a historical Swedish shipwreck from complete collapse
