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
"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: Chemists tie most complex molecular knot to date
With help from ring-closing metathesis, researchers tangle ligands into 324-atom loop.
Posted in Highlights
Comments Off on Chemical & Engineering News: Chemists tie most complex molecular knot to date
Chemistry World: Time to rewrite the textbooks
How science corrects is an important lesson in the classroom.
Posted in Highlights
Comments Off on Chemistry World: Time to rewrite the textbooks
Chemical & Engineering News: Egyptian mummy gives up embalming secrets
Groundbreaking tests on 5,500-year-old body reveal prehistoric practices and evidence of ancient trade.
Posted in Highlights
Comments Off on Chemical & Engineering News: Egyptian mummy gives up embalming secrets
Chemical & Engineering News: Mass spectrometry spots forged poems
Nondestructive method authenticates works of Robert Burns, one of Scotland’s most famous writers.
Posted in Highlights
Comments Off on Chemical & Engineering News: Mass spectrometry spots forged poems
Chemistry World: The China CFC dilemma
New production breaking the Montreal Protocol demands a concerted response.
Posted in Highlights
Comments Off on Chemistry World: The China CFC dilemma
Chemical & Engineering News: Lights, camera, reaction!
Although some kinks are still being worked out, the European X-ray Free-Electron Laser facility is now giving researchers an unprecedented view of the inner workings of molecules and materials.
Posted in Highlights
Comments Off on Chemical & Engineering News: Lights, camera, reaction!
ACS Central Science: A Conversation with Ting Zhu
This chemical biologist is building the mirror image of nature’s molecular machinery.
Posted in Highlights
Comments Off on ACS Central Science: A Conversation with Ting Zhu
Nature: The Flint water crisis: how citizen scientists exposed poisonous politics
A review of two books on broken pipes and promises in Michigan.
Posted in Highlights
Comments Off on Nature: The Flint water crisis: how citizen scientists exposed poisonous politics
Chemistry World: Shaking up the knowledge economy
UK Research and Innovation is poised to reshape the research funding landscape.
Posted in Highlights
Comments Off on Chemistry World: Shaking up the knowledge economy
Chemical & Engineering News: Perovskite progress pushes tandem solar cells closer to market
Rapid improvements in the stability and efficiency of perovskite-silicon tandem cells are raising commercial hopes.
Posted in Highlights
Comments Off on Chemical & Engineering News: Perovskite progress pushes tandem solar cells closer to market