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Oak silkworm eggs use a natural chemical defence to keep parasitic wasps away

Research reveals that naturally laid oak silkworm eggs produce a volatile compound called 2-ethyl-1-hexanol (2EH) that acts as a natural repellent, reducing parasitism. This discovery provides a new perspective on how insects protect their offspring and could have practical applications for optimizing biological control programmes.

SourceInsect Science, Chinese Academy of Science·JournalInsect Science·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 22, 2026

From signal fluctuations to concentration fingerprints: Statistical SERS intensity distributions enable reliable quantitation

Researchers developed a statistical SERS strategy to turn signal fluctuations into concentration fingerprints, enabling more reliable ultrasensitive quantitation. By analyzing the full continuous SERS intensity distribution, the team achieved 100% identification accuracy across diverse chemical and biological applications.

SourceEditorial Office of Opto-Electronic Journals Group·JournalOpto-Electronic Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 15, 2026

New high-temperature, high-pressure isotope ratio analysis method for halogenated compounds

Researchers have developed a custom liquid chromatography–isotope ratio mass spectrometry device capable of high-temperature, high-pressure combustion to analyze halogenated compounds. The method provides a new tool for source identification and fate analysis, contributing to effective management strategies.

SourceShibaura Institute of Technology·JournalAnalytica Chimica Acta·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 1, 2026

A heat sensor for living cells

Researchers at Harvard's SEAS have developed a highly sensitive calorimeter that can detect metabolic heat signals on the order of 100 picowatts in living cells. The device tracks the growth of small populations of bacteria in real-time, including monitoring how bacterial growth changes in response to different antibiotics.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 16, 2026

First optical microneedle device in the world enabling glucose quantification in ultra-trace samples

A novel optical microneedle device developed by researchers can quantify glucose levels in ultra-trace samples with high precision, offering a potential solution for blood-sampling-free clinical testing. The device features a functional hydrogel at its tip that reversibly binds to glucose, enabling accurate analysis without consuming t...

SourceInnovation Center of NanoMedicine·JournalJournal of Materials Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 7, 2026

Dual-mode optical imaging system offers new noninvasive approach to skin cancer diagnosis

Researchers develop compact, noninvasive imaging system combining LC-OCT and Raman microspectroscopy to examine skin cancer structures and chemical composition. The AI model achieves high classification accuracy for basal cell carcinoma and other types, offering new insights into cancer development and behavior.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Biomedical Optics·DateJul 30, 2025

Allergy-triggering proteins in barley measured precisely for the first time—new basis for more tolerable foods

Researchers have developed a new measurement method to accurately quantify allergy-triggering proteins (ATIs) in barley. Analyzing over 180 barley accessions from around the world, they identified ten barley-specific ATI types for the first time, revealing varying content between 1.1 and 5.2 milligrams per gram of flour.

SourceLeibniz-Institut für Lebensmittel-Systembiologie an der TU München·JournalFood Research International·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 29, 2025

Identifying chemicals of concern in plastics – and pathways towards safer polymers

A recent study published in Nature reveals that over 16,000 chemicals are present in plastics, with at least 4,200 posing health and environmental hazards. The research outlines three key strategies for making plastics safer: removing hazardous chemicals, increasing transparency, and designing simpler chemically assessed plastics.

SourceSwiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa)·JournalNature·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 10, 2025

Simultaneous analysis of 21 chemical reactions... AI to transform new drug development​

Researchers developed a technology that precisely analyzes 21 types of reactants simultaneously using high-resolution fluorine nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. This breakthrough contributes to new drug development and catalyst optimization in AI-driven autonomous synthesis.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeObservational study·DateJun 19, 2025

Unlocking precise composition analysis of nanomedicines

Researchers developed a technique to separate and quantify ions, nanoparticles, and aggregates in nanomedicines, improving quality control for advanced pharmaceutical products. This method ensures the safe use of metal-based nanomedicines by distinguishing between their different forms.

SourceChiba University·JournalTalanta·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 29, 2025

A comparative review of magnesium isotope analysis methods for emerging geological applications: Double-spike vs. standard-sample-bracketing

The DS method demonstrates superior precision in measuring inter-mineral isotope fractionation, improving temperature determination results. The SSB method achieves sufficient precision but struggles with concentration matching, leading to potential discrepancies in δ26Mg data.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Earth Sciences·TypeLiterature review·DateApr 17, 2025

Comprehensive chemical analysis of codonopsis lanceolata roots and the vasodilatory effects of its major compound, lancemaside A

Researchers analyzed Codonopsis lanceolata roots using LC-MS and identified 27 chemical compounds, including lancemaside A, which showed significant vasodilatory effects in rat aortic ring specimens. The study provides valuable insights into the plant's potential health-promoting properties.

SourceToho University·JournalChemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 23, 2025

‘Democratizing chemical analysis’: FSU chemists use machine learning and robotics to identify chemical compositions from images

Researchers developed a simple, inexpensive tool using robotics and artificial intelligence to analyze dried salt solutions from images. The method increases the accuracy of chemical analysis in scenarios where large samples are difficult to obtain, making it valuable for space exploration, law enforcement, and hospital use.

SourceFlorida State University·JournalDigital Discovery·DateMar 18, 2025

Innovations in core-shell nanoparticles advancing drug delivery and precision medicine

Core-shell nanoparticles offer effective drug encapsulation, shielding from degradation, and controlled release. This innovation enables targeted drug delivery, improving treatment outcomes and reducing side effects. The versatility of these nanoparticles allows for tailored materials to suit different therapeutic needs.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalOMICS A Journal of Integrative Biology·TypeLiterature review·DateMar 5, 2025

Researchers develop new in-cell ultraviolet photodissociation top-down mass spectrometry method

A new in-cell characterization method allows for the direct analysis of protein structures and conformations within living cells. The study reveals three main conformational forms of calmodulin, with the extended form being significantly more abundant than in purified form.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateMar 3, 2025

Illinois researchers develop next-generation organic nanozymes and point-of-use system for food and agricultural uses

The University of Illinois researchers have developed organic-material-based nanozymes that can detect histamine in food products with an affordable analytic performance profile. An integrated point-of-use platform allows for rapid detection of agricultural and biological molecules without laboratory equipment.

New insights into efficient water splitting

A recent study reveals three distinct mechanisms of recombination in photocatalytic water splitting, including over-penetration induced recombination and excess hole induced recombination. The discovery of a previously unknown slow reaction, called the 'satellite peak,' is crucial for pinpointing the rate-limiting step in water splitting.

SourceJapan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateFeb 25, 2025

Researchers develop a five-minute quality test for sustainable cement industry materials

Researchers developed a five-minute quality test for sustainable cement industry materials, reducing testing time from seven days to just five minutes. The test uses colorimetry and camera technology for real-time quality control of calcined clays, which can partially replace ordinary Portland cement.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalCement and Concrete Research·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 14, 2025

Ancient Egyptian mummified bodies smell ‘woody,’ ‘spicy’ and ‘sweet’

Researchers from UCL and the University of Ljubljana conducted a systematic study on the smells of nine ancient Egyptian mummified bodies, identifying materials used in mumification and evolution of practices. The study also provides insights into how museums conserve remains and preserves their olfactory heritage.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 13, 2025

Texas A&M chemist wins NSF CAREER Award

Dr. Alison Altman, a Texas A&M chemist, has received the NSF CAREER Award to support her research on underexplored elements of the periodic table and their applications in technology. She aims to expand chemistry education at all levels, emphasizing its impact on everyday life.

Anomaly in the deep sea

Researchers have found an unexpected accumulation of rare beryllium-10 isotopes in Pacific seabed samples, which could serve as a global time marker for dating geological archives spanning millions of years. The team proposes two possible explanations for the anomaly: changes in ocean currents or astrophysical events 10 million years ago.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 10, 2025

Food: Cracking the method for the ‘perfect’ boiled egg

A new method called periodic cooking optimally cooks both the yolk and white of a boiled egg, resulting in an evenly-cooked egg with higher nutritional content. The approach involves alternating the egg between boiling water and a cooler temperature, yielding soft yolks similar to sous vide eggs.

SourceSpringer·JournalCommunications Engineering·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 6, 2025

Life’s building blocks in Bennu samples

The OSIRIS-REx mission returned a large sample from asteroid Bennu, which Japanese collaborators detected includes all five nucleobases required for life. The analysis revealed high concentrations of ammonia and nitrogen-rich organic matter.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalNature Astronomy·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 29, 2025