Highlights
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.
C&EN: Copper finally joins the metallocene club
17 February 2026More than 70 years after ferrocene’s discovery, cuprocene fills a long-standing gap in the sandwich menu.
C&EN: Lighting a better path for biobased furans
16 January 2026Photocatalytic hydrolysis offers a shortcut for renewable chemicals.
C&EN: Gas looping boosts efficiency of carbon nanotube production
22 December 2025Methane pyrolysis reactor recycles process gases to improve output of nanotubes and hydrogen.
C&EN: Enhanced rock weathering shows little climate benefit in large trial
18 December 20253-year Swiss study underscores the importance of site selection to maximize CO2 sequestration.
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
"Mark guided me through some of the most challenging stories I've written. These are pieces I might not have attempted were it not for his steady editorial hand." Linda Nordling
Freelance Journalist, South Africa
“Working with Mark is never anything other than a pleasure. He is the kind of editor that writers hope for: able to identify what needs fixing and what doesn’t, bringing to bear a wealth of knowledge, always clear, prompt and easy to talk with. Much of that comes from being a splendid writer himself.”
Philip Ball
Freelance Science Writer
Category Archives: Highlights
Chemical & Engineering News: Open-source drug discovery takes aim at malaria and neglected diseases
Global collaborations share molecules and data to bring medicines to the developing world.
Posted in Highlights
Comments Off on Chemical & Engineering News: Open-source drug discovery takes aim at malaria and neglected diseases
ACS Central Science: A Conversation with Kenichiro Itami
This chemist is creating molecules to boost the world’s food supply.
Posted in Highlights
Comments Off on ACS Central Science: A Conversation with Kenichiro Itami
Chemical & Engineering News: 3-D printed lattices mimic crystalline materials for extra strength
Lessons from metallurgy help to create strong, lightweight structures.
Posted in Highlights
Comments Off on Chemical & Engineering News: 3-D printed lattices mimic crystalline materials for extra strength
Chemical & Engineering News: Developing a rapid attack against parasitic worms
Preclinical compound targets Wolbachia bacteria that are essential for nematode reproduction.
Posted in Highlights
Comments Off on Chemical & Engineering News: Developing a rapid attack against parasitic worms
ACS Central Science: A Conversation with Serena Corr
This materials scientist is helping preserve the iconic warship Mary Rose, once part of King Henry VIII’s navy.
Posted in Highlights
Comments Off on ACS Central Science: A Conversation with Serena Corr
Chemical & Engineering News: Polymer film banishes defects from perovskite solar cells
Protective layer could help to improve the stability of the promising photovoltaics.
Posted in Highlights
Comments Off on Chemical & Engineering News: Polymer film banishes defects from perovskite solar cells
Chemistry World: The end point
In his final column, Mark Peplow gives his verdict on careers, collaboration and public engagement.
Posted in Highlights
Comments Off on Chemistry World: The end point
Chemical & Engineering News: Hundreds of pollutants found in polar bears’ blood
Arctic animals may face greater threat from persistent organic pollutants than previously thought.
Posted in Highlights
Comments Off on Chemical & Engineering News: Hundreds of pollutants found in polar bears’ blood
Chemical & Engineering News: Protein captures lanthanide traces
Lanmodulin shows huge preference for binding lanthanide ions over more abundant calcium and may help bacteria to glean rare earths.
Posted in Highlights
Comments Off on Chemical & Engineering News: Protein captures lanthanide traces
Chemical & Engineering News: Single-molecule magnet controversy highlights transparency problems with U.K. research integrity system
Universities’ reluctance to reveal details of such cases could undermine public trust in research, experts say.
Posted in Highlights
Comments Off on Chemical & Engineering News: Single-molecule magnet controversy highlights transparency problems with U.K. research integrity system
