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Toward tougher, longer-lasting, more sustainable tires

Harvard engineers develop new method to preserve long molecular chains in natural rubber, resulting in composite materials that are both stiff and tough. The innovation has the potential to cut waste, reduce tire dust pollution, and open new avenues for high-performance elastomers.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 28, 2026

Lignin nanoparticles enable recyclable paper to rival plastic packaging

Researchers develop a coating strategy using lignin nanoparticles to stabilize an oil-in-water emulsion, forming a multifunctional coating that enhances paper performance while maintaining environmental compatibility. The coated paper exhibits improved barrier properties, mechanical strength, and biodegradability.

SourceJournal of Bioresources and Bioproducts·JournalJournal of Bioresources and Bioproducts·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 29, 2026

Exposure to PFAS and PCBs linked to higher odds of MS

Research analyzed blood samples from 1,800 individuals in Sweden, finding links between PFAS and PCB exposure and increased odds of multiple sclerosis. The study also highlighted genetic vulnerability and complex interactions between environmental contaminants and hereditary factors.

SourceUppsala University·JournalEnvironment International·TypeObservational study·DateDec 17, 2025

Hidden catalysis: Abrasion transforms common chemistry equipment into reagents

A study from OIST shows that abrasion from common additives can lead to efficient reactions under mechanochemical conditions. Abrasive materials like tungsten carbide or diamond powder activate catalysts and drive coupling reactions. This finding changes the way researchers think about mechanochemical catalysts.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 10, 2025

Researchers uncover potential biosignatures on Mars

A new study has revealed chemical signatures of ancient Martian microbial life in the Bright Angel formation, a region of Jezero Crater known for its fine-grained mudstones rich in oxidized iron and organic carbon. The findings suggest that early microorganisms may have played a role in shaping these rocks through redox reactions.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalNature·DateSep 10, 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

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

AI-driven approach reveals hidden hazards of chemical mixtures in rivers

A new AI-driven approach identifies potentially harmful chemical substances in rivers by monitoring their effects on tiny water fleas, providing insights into complex mixtures and aquatic life. The study enables more comprehensive environmental monitoring and supports better-informed regulations for chemical discharge into waterways.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 20, 2024

Honeybees: Combinations of pesticides can be dangerous

Research found that combining neonicotinoids with fungicides significantly increased mortality of bee larvae, while also affecting adult honeybee survival rates and lifespan. The study suggests that solitary wild bees may be more vulnerable to pesticide effects due to their smaller colony size.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalEnvironmental Pollution·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 9, 2024

New technology uses light to engrave erasable 3D images

Researchers at Dartmouth College developed a technique using light to imprint 2D and 3D images inside any polymer containing a photosensitive chemical additive. The technology enables the creation of erasable 3D displays with high resolution, applicable in surgeries, architectural designs, education, and art.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalChem·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 9, 2024

Exposure to mixtures of endocrine-disrupting chemicals during pregnancy is associated with higher odds of metabolic syndrome in children

A new study found that prenatal exposure to a combination of endocrine-disrupting chemicals is associated with poorer metabolic health in childhood, increasing the risk of metabolic syndrome in adulthood. Mixtures of metals, PFAS, and organochlorine pesticides were linked to higher risks.

How scientists are accelerating chemistry discoveries with automation

A new statistical-modeling workflow can quickly identify molecular structures of products formed by chemical reactions, accelerating drug discovery and synthetic chemistry. The workflow also enables the analysis of unpurified reaction mixtures, reducing time spent on purification and characterization.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalJournal of Chemical Information and Modeling·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 8, 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

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

Prenatal exposure to environmental chemicals linked to childhood growth changes

A new study reveals that prenatal exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals is linked to accelerated BMI gain in children from birth to nine years old. The study found that certain mixtures of these chemicals increase the risk of childhood obesity and its related health consequences.

SourceBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)·JournalEnvironmental Health Perspectives·TypeObservational study·DateOct 18, 2023

Better together against cancer

Researchers combined three highly potent cancer drugs in a single prodrug that is activated in tumor cells, resulting in improved efficacy and reduced side effects. The new approach has shown promise as a potential solution to reduce the burden on patients' bodies during cancer treatment.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 26, 2023

Scaling up the power of nanotechnology

The team created a proof-of-concept nanocapsule capable of delivering specific payloads to targeted locations, with potential applications in drug delivery, nutrient transport, and other fields. By using calcium metal ions as building blocks, they can generate identical reservoirs for different substances.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalChemical Science·DateSep 21, 2023