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Dangerous synthetic opioids and animal sedatives found in wastewater

Researchers have developed a highly sensitive method to detect nitazenes – highly potent synthetic opioids – and xylazine, an animal sedative not approved for human use, in Australian wastewater. The method achieved up to 1000-fold enrichment and detected trace levels of these substances, posing significant risks of overdose.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalEnvironmental Science and Pollution Research·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 27, 2025

How calcium may have unlocked the origins of life’s molecular asymmetry

A new study by researchers at the Institute of Science Tokyo hints that calcium ions played a crucial role in shaping life's earliest molecular structures. The team discovered that calcium dramatically alters how tartaric acid molecules link together, favoring homochiral polymers and potentially influencing the emergence of life.

SourceInstitute of Science Tokyo·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 27, 2025

New sensor could help prevent lithium-ion battery fires and explosions

Researchers have developed a new sensor to detect hazardous gas leaks in lithium-ion batteries, which could prevent catastrophic failures and enhance the reliability of battery-powered technologies. The sensor detects trace amounts of ethylene carbonate vapour, targeting potential battery failures before they escalate into disasters.

SourceXi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 20, 2025

A research-corporate collaboration for green hydrogen production

Research teams at Alcal'Hylab joint laboratory are working on designing next-generation materials for boosting green hydrogen production, combining the benefits of alkaline water electrolysis and polymer membrane technology. The goal is to produce ultra-pure gas with high yield while minimizing carbon footprint and pollutants.

SourceCNRS·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 17, 2025

How life's building blocks took shape on early Earth: the limits of membraneless polyester protocell formation

A recent study found that polyester microdroplets can form in salt-rich environments, at low alpha-hydroxy acid concentrations, and in small reaction volumes. This expands on previous research and suggests that polyester protocells were likely more common on early Earth than previously thought.

SourceInstitute of Science Tokyo·JournalACS Bio & Med Chem Au·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 6, 2025

Unveiling unknown chemicals in human serum samples

A study by Chiba University researchers has identified 106 compounds in pregnant women's serum samples, including phthalates, nitrogenous compounds, and parabens, which may impact biological pathways. The study proposes a non-targeted approach for detecting foreign chemicals and evaluating their potential health effects.

SourceChiba University·JournalEcotoxicology and Environmental Safety·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 5, 2024

NYU Abu Dhabi researchers develop a new material that removes a dangerous “forever chemical,” from drinking water

Researchers at NYU Abu Dhabi have developed a new material that efficiently detects and removes perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) from drinking water, potentially revolutionizing water purification efforts worldwide. The breakthrough addresses global concerns over PFAS, or 'forever chemicals', which pose severe health risks.

SourceNew York University·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 4, 2024

Scientists design new drug to fight malaria

A team of researchers has designed a new antimalarial drug called MED6-189, which is effective against both drug-sensitive and drug-resistant strains of human malaria parasites. The compound works by targeting the apicoplast organelle and vesicular trafficking pathways, making it a promising lead in the fight against malaria.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 26, 2024

New method in the fight against forever chemicals

Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a new method to degrade perfluorooctane sulfonates (PFOS), a subgroup of forever chemicals. Using piezocatalysis, the team was able to break down 90.5% of PFOS molecules in water samples, offering a potential solution to environmental pollution.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalSmall Science·DateSep 13, 2024

New filter removes chemical contaminants from water even at very low concentrations

A team of researchers has developed a new membrane material that can detect and remove pharmaceutical chemicals from water at trace levels. The new approach uses a polymer membrane with an interconnected network of pores, which are designed to capture larger molecules, allowing for more effective filtration.

Moffitt researchers develop new chemical method to enhance drug discovery

Researchers have developed a novel sulfur fluoride exchange (SuFEx) reagent that enables highly controlled production of crucial sulfur-based molecules. This innovation has resulted in the creation of over 70 new chemical compounds with immediate applications in medicinal chemistry and pharmaceutical development.

SourceH. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 16, 2024

Planting some tree species may worsen, not improve, NYC air, says new study

A new study found that certain tree species in NYC, such as oaks and sweetgums, produce high levels of isoprene, which interacts with nitrogen oxides to form ground-level ozone. This could lead to increased respiratory problems if current efforts to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions are not accelerated.

SourceColumbia Climate School·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 5, 2024

Researchers create ADP- or ATP-containing molecules with improved yield and consistency

A team of researchers developed a new chemical reaction to synthesize ADP- and ATP-containing molecules with high yields, overcoming limitations of traditional methods. The reaction uses a hydrolysis-stable reagent and achieves reproducible access to these molecules.

SourceInstitute for Glyco-core Research (iGCORE), Tokai National Higher Education and Research System·JournalChemistry - A European Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 28, 2024

Moffitt researchers develop synthesis method to enhance access to cancer-fighting withanolides

Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center have developed a groundbreaking synthesis method for producing withanolides, a class of compounds that inhibit cancer cell growth and induce cell death. The scalable production of these compounds will advance cancer research and treatment development, offering new hope for patients.

SourceH. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 28, 2024

Choosing outcomes: new switchable process for synthesizing 3-aminoindolines and 2’-aminoarylacetic acids from same substrate

Researchers at Okayama University developed a switchable process to synthesize 3-aminoindolines and 2'-aminoaryl acetic acids from a common substrate using Grignard reagents and azide compounds. The new protocol utilizes tautomerism to control chemoselectivity and achieves efficient synthesis with good yields.

SourceOkayama University·JournalChemical Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 24, 2024

Exploring interface phenomena for more durable and effective nickel–tungsten alloys

Scientists studied the nickel-tungsten alloy interface to understand its properties and behavior. The research revealed the formation of intermetallic compounds and diffusion-induced recrystallization regions, which significantly impact the material's mechanical, thermal, and chemical properties.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of Alloys and Compounds·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 14, 2024

Research warns of hazardous health risks from flavored vapes

A new study published in Scientific Reports predicts the potential formation of 127 acutely toxic chemicals in flavored vapes. The research highlights the urgent need for comprehensive regulation of vaping products, particularly among non-smoking teenagers and young adults.

SourceRCSI·JournalScientific Reports·DateMay 8, 2024

Great strides in the development of high refractive index polymers for optoelectronics

A research team at Waseda University has discovered a family of poly(thiourea)s (PTUs) with exceptional optical properties, including transparency over 92% and a refractive index of 1.81. The polymers can be easily degraded into simpler molecules, making them suitable for sustainable optoelectronic applications.

SourceWaseda University·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 30, 2024

Retention ponds can deliver a substantial reduction in tire particle pollution, study suggests

A new study reveals that retention ponds and wetlands can significantly reduce the amount of tyre particles entering aquatic environments, with an average reduction of 75%. The research found that tyre wear particles outweigh other forms of microplastics, but are also removed in greater quantities.

SourceUniversity of Plymouth·JournalEnvironmental Science and Pollution Research·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 12, 2024

Generative AI develops potential new drugs for antibiotic-resistant bacteria

Researchers at Stanford Medicine and McMaster University developed a generative AI model called SyntheMol that creates recipes for chemists to synthesize novel antibiotics. The model generated six compounds with high potential to kill antibiotic-resistant bacteria, including Acinetobacter baumannii, E. coli, and MRSA.

SourceStanford Medicine·JournalNature Machine Intelligence·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 28, 2024

Fast folding for synthetic peptides and microproteins

Researchers at Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University developed a new method that enables the efficient production of cysteine-rich peptides and microproteins in their naturally folded 3D structure. The approach uses organic solvents to mimic nature's oxidative folding process, resulting in speeds of over 100,000 times faster than aqueous...

SourceXi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University·JournalAngewandte Chemie·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 21, 2024

The next antioxidant superfood? Canadian sea buckthorn berries offer diabetes and obesity potential

Researchers have identified the unique nutritional profile of Canadian sea buckthorn berries, which are rich in polyphenols with potential health benefits for cardiovascular protection and anti-inflammatory properties. The study found that geographical factors influence the polyphenolic profile of the berries, making them a promising s...

SourceSociety of Chemical Industry·JournalJournal of the Science of Food and Agriculture·DateMar 21, 2024

Connecting computers so they can think faster

Researchers at NTNU's Department of Chemistry have developed a method to increase the calculation speed of chemical reactions by 30-40 times. By connecting 20 computers and optimizing data exchange, they achieved this significant improvement, enabling previously impractical calculations to be performed.

SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 21, 2024

Exploring the therapeutic potential of natural mushroom compounds to address psychiatric disorders

A new study suggests that mushroom extract containing psilocybin demonstrates superior efficacy in stimulating neuroplasticity and promoting new connections between nerve cells. The research found that the extract had a more potent and prolonged impact on synaptic plasticity compared to chemically synthesized psilocybin.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 11, 2024

New habitats affect plant defense

Research found that introduced ribwort plantain populations have higher concentrations of chemical defense compounds than native populations, despite showing slightly greater feeding damage. Climatic conditions also play a role in the accumulation of volatile compounds and the plants' ability to cope with environmental stresses.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology·JournalFunctional Ecology·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 7, 2024

Mapping chemical footprints in European streams

A study analyzing 610 chemicals found in European watercourses detected 504 substances, including pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and PFAS, with 74% of samples exceeding scientific limit values. The chemical footprint concept quantifies the impact of mixtures on aquatic organisms, highlighting the need for further monitoring and evaluation.

SourceHelmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ·JournalEnvironment International·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 7, 2024