Highlights
C&EN: Silicon insertion methods join skeletal-editing toolbox
06 May 2026Two teams take different approaches to squeeze silicon atoms into molecular scaffolds.
ACS Central Science: Pharm to Table Podcast Duo Bridges the Academia–Industry Divide
29 April 2026The Merck colleagues and cohosts advocate closer collaboration between academic and industry chemists.
New Scientist: We need more radioactive drugs. Can we make them from nuclear waste?
22 April 2026The rise of a new generation of radiotherapies means we will soon need much greater quantities of radioactive atoms. That’s why companies are scrambling to refine them from all manner of radioactive waste.
Science: Whistleblower alleges Finnish startup’s vaunted solid-state battery isn’t what it claims
22 April 2026Donut Lab’s assertions of lightning-fast charging and high energy storage have led to a criminal complaint.
Nature: Fresh claim of making elusive ‘hexagonal’ diamond is the strongest yet
04 March 2026After decades of debate, researchers say that they have found the clearest evidence yet for this rare form of carbon.
TESTIMONIALS
“As an editor and reporter, Mark Peplow is fast, accurate, and versatile. He covers science policy and pure research with equal passion, and his writing combines a scientist’s precision with a journalist’s verve.” Tim Appenzeller
Former Chief Magazine Editor at Nature, now News Editor at Science
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Freelance Journalist, South Africa
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Category Archives: Highlights
C&EN: Reactor converts methane to heavier hydrocarbons without forming CO₂
A scaled up version of the process could help to curb methane venting and flaring at remote oil sites.
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C&EN: Graphene transistor detects SARS-CoV-2 in less than a minute
Device uses DNA probes to identify COVID-19 virus RNA with speed and high sensitivity.
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C&EN: Protein could unlock new sources of rare-earth elements
Lanmodulin can extract and purify technology metals from electronic waste and coal ash.
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C&EN: Chain-link molecules form squishy crystals
A metal-organic framework built from catenanes is surprisingly elastic.
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Nature Biotechnology: Nanotechnology offers alternative ways to fight COVID-19 pandemic with antivirals
A new wave of funding focuses on antiviral nanomaterials as pandemic countermeasures.
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C&EN: Uranium nitride triple bond is surprisingly covalent
NMR spectroscopy reveals an outlier of actinide bonding and provides a convenient method to assess bonding in other metal-nitrogen complexes.
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C&EN: Aptamer-nanopore sensor detects only infectious viruses
DNA-based device might offer rapid COVID-19 test that is not fooled by dead virus.
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C&EN: Phospha-bora-Wittig reaction makes its debut
A new variant of the classic Wittig reaction offers a route to phosphaalkenes.
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C&EN: Thorium-thorium bonding marks actinide milestone
Unusual crystalline complex shows unexpected σ-aromaticity.
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New Scientist: Why the UK doesn’t need a new coal mine
Coke-based steel-making generates billions of tonnes of carbon dioxide every year and accounts for 7 to 9 per cent of all human-made CO2 emissions.
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