News
Chemists Solved the Ultimate Ghost Ship Mystery of the Mary Celeste. The Science Is Wilder Than The Legends
3+ hour, 36+ min ago (1186+ words) Home " Science " Chemistry A replica ship, heated ethanol, and a spark finally explain a 150-year-old maritime mystery. In December 1872, sailors spotted a ship drifting aimlessly in the open Atlantic, some 400 miles off the coast of the Azores. The Mary Celeste,…...
Researchers use sunlight to turn plastic waste into vinegar
3+ week, 3+ day ago (998+ words) Plastic is one of the most durable materials humans have ever made. That durability has made it indispensable in medicine, food packaging and transport. But it's also created one of the defining environmental problems we have faced. Hundreds of millions…...
The War on Foam Has Begun'and Biobased Bubbles Want to Win It
1+ mon, 2+ week ago (1126+ words) Foam isn't just trash; it's engineered air. Now scientists want it to compost. A cardboard box arrives at your door. You slice the tape, fold back the flaps, and meet the usual culprit: a nest of protective foam. It's light…...
Engineers Make Plastic Capacitor Out of "Impossible" Polymer Alloy that Handles Extreme Heat and Holds Much More Energy
1+ mon, 2+ week ago (722+ words) A novel polymer blend withstands extreme heat, promising smaller, more powerful electronics. If you have ever tried to run a high-performance computer in a hot room, or pushed an electric vehicle to its limit on a scorching summer highway, you…...
Scientists Find Cancer Linked Chemicals In Nearly All Hair Extensions
1+ mon, 2+ week ago (654+ words) Home " Science " Chemistry You'll find glossy packets of hair extensions in most beauty supply stores. They promise a new look for a few dollars, but behind the glitter, scientists have found a cocktail of industrial chemicals linked to cancer, hormone…...
Computer in a Thread: A Fiber Chip as Thin as Human Hair Could Turn Clothes Into Smart Devices
2+ mon, 1+ week ago (664+ words) "Sushi-rolled" fiber chips are turning ordinary clothing into powerful, durable computers capable of image recognition and health monitoring. Your next computer might not be a phone or a watch, it could be the shirt on your back. A team of…...
Elephant "poop coffee" is a thing. Now, researchers hade an idea about what makes it so delicious
2+ mon, 1+ week ago (602+ words) Maybe you've heard of kopi luwak; but have you heard about elephant coffee? Coffee beans that pass through the digestive system of Asian elephants produce an unusually smooth and low-bitterness brew. It's one of the most expensive and unique coffees…...
Scientists use battery chemistry to finally break down forever chemicals
2+ mon, 1+ week ago (575+ words) Home " Environment " Environmental Issues Scientists may have found an unexpected way to break down "forever chemicals'by borrowing chemistry from failing lithium-ion batteries. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are the ultimate environmental villains. They're designed to shrug off heat, water, and…...
France Just Banned "Forever Chemicals" From Cosmetics and Clothes
3+ mon, 4+ day ago (607+ words) Au revoir, forever chemicals. In a landmark move, France has officially enforced Law 2025-188: as of January 1, 2026, it is illegal to manufacture or sell clothing, cosmetics, or wax made with Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), widely known as "forever chemicals." These…...
How Life Solved Its "Impossible" Problem: Leading Chemist Explains Life Doesn't Need a Miracle to Appear
3+ mon, 2+ week ago (1782+ words) Life may have emerged from a surprisingly simple network of chemical reactions long before cells or genes existed. The origin of life is one big chemical Catch-22. It always has been. It's a biochemical ouroboros: everything needs everything else to…...