News


The latest news and opinion from The Reaction

 

X-rays reveal Dinobird's patterned plumage

13th June 2013

Synchrotron-based chemical imaging reveals how early bird could have looked

  • Chemistry is not just for boys

    10th May 2013

    Science is 'for everyone', let's stop reinforcing unhelpful gender stereotypes

  • Grand finale of Chemistry tour in South Africa

    9th May 2013

    The last episodes of the video diary from Dr Stephen Ashworth, Senior Lecturer in Chemistry, University of East Anglia

  • Provision for practical science in schools is seriously lacking

    2nd May 2013

    New evidence shows that a worrying number of students are not experiencing a complete and authentic education in the sciences

  • I’m a Scientist – Get me out of Here

    25th April 2013

    Are you passionate about your research? Do you want to share what you do with school students? Apply to the "X Factor" for scientists!

  • Scifest Africa

    15th April 2013

    the latest episode of the video diary from Dr Stephen Ashworth, Senior Lecturer in Chemistry, University of East Anglia

  • Neonicotinoid pesticides

    15th April 2013

    RSC responds to Waitrose ban

  • Chemistry on tour in South Africa

    10th April 2013

    News from the Kitchen Chemistry outreach tour with Dr Stephen Ashworth, University of East Anglia

  • Baroness Thatcher and science and entrepreneurship

    8th April 2013

    Professor Graham Richards comments on the Iron Lady and science

  • Darren Smyth

    3rd April 2013

    Design and patent attorney at EIP Elements practice group

  • Chemistry is everywhere

    27th March 2013

    RSC new Pinterest board explores the chemistry of everyday things and objects, challenging the perception that chemistry is confined to the laboratory

  • Fireworks are all about chemistry!

    26th March 2013

    Reverend Ron Lancaster, 82, who runs Kimbolton Fireworks in Cambridgeshire, received the National Landmark plaque from the Royal Society of Chemistry

  • Chemistry on tour in South Africa - week 6

    21st March 2013

    This episode of the video diary from Dr Stephen Ashworth, Senior Lecturer in Chemistry, University of East Anglia, takes us to Sutherland, Knysna, George and Cape Town

  • Benedict is worth... £96,546.79

    19th March 2013

    The results of the competition held at the Cambridge Science Festival

  • How much is Benedict worth?

    14th March 2013

    A special competition for the Cambridge Science Festival

  • Happy Birthday Joseph Priestley

    13th March 2013

    Celebrating the anniversary of the 280th birthday of a great scientic and science communicator

  • Conspiracy of hope

    5th March 2013

    Sir David King talks ahead of RSC nuclear debate

  • New tests on chemicals in everyday life

    26th February 2013

    Effects of human exposure to hormone-disrupting chemicals examined in landmark UN report

  • Chemistry on tour in South Africa - week 4

    19th February 2013

    This episode of the video diary from Dr Stephen Ashworth, Senior Lecturer in Chemistry, University of East Anglia, takes us to Kimberley and Bloemfontein

  • Interview with Heather Williams

    11th February 2013

    Watch a video interview with the founder and director of ScienceGrrl

  • Chemistry on tour in South Africa

    6th February 2013

    Watch the new video diary from Dr Stephen Ashworth, Senior Lecturer in Chemistry, University of East Anglia

  • Tesco introducing DNA testing

    4th February 2013

    'About time!' say RSC and Association of Public Analysts

  • Antibiotic resistance threat

    28th January 2013

    UK government must support UK drug discovery and innovation now

  • Robert Boyle's Birthday

    25th January 2013

    English chemist author of "A Sceptical Chymist" was born on this day in 1627

  • Kitchen Chemistry on tour

    23rd January 2013

    Dr Stephen Ashworth, Senior Lecturer in Chemistry, University of East Anglia, brings chemistry on tour in South Africa

  • Fran Scott

    16th January 2013

    Watch the interview to find out about how she got involved with Sciencegrrrl and much more...

  • Policy doesn’t just happen

    14th January 2013

    An insight into Science Policy activities at the RSC

  • The Ice Man Cometh

    9th January 2013

    Legendary figure whose name is on the world’s longest-standing science mystery flies into London

  • Romantic Chemistry

    8th January 2013

    An interesting exhibition about the extraordinary history of unusual elements with objects and manuscripts of archives and artefacts from the collections of the Royal Society

  • The modern Alchemist

    20th December 2012

    The Royal Institution's 2012 Christmas Lectures presented by chemist Peter Wothers have been broadcasted on BBC Four in December and are now available online

  • Mpemba competition shortlist announced

    19th December 2012

    11 entries chosen among the 22000 - winners to be announced on 10 January

  • Romantic Chemistry

    13th December 2012

    An interesting exhibition about the extraordinary history of unusual elements with objects and manuscripts of archives and artefacts from the collections of the Royal Society

  • Lefkowitz and Kobilka awarded Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2012

    11th December 2012

    They received their Nobel Prize medal and diploma from His Majesty the King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden

  • Heather Williams

    10th December 2012

    Let’s find out more about the founder and director of ScienceGrrl

  • Curiosity update

    6th December 2012

    Paolo Bellutta, one of the drivers of the Mars Rover, tells us more about the on-going mission

  • Lesley Yellowlees

    5th December 2012

    Meet the new RSC President, the first woman in 171 years of history

  • The forgotten scientist who trained T.E. Lawrence behind enemy lines

    4th December 2012

    50th anniversary of Lawrence of Arabia next Monday spurs call for recognition

  • Audrey Cameron

    3rd December 2012

    First deaf chemistry PhD in Scotland, who now develops British Sign Language for science teachers

  • Crystallography on BBC Radio 4

    29th November 2012

    Melvyn Bragg and guests discussed the history crystallography

  • Science: It’s a Real Thing!

    26th November 2012

    The first of a series of features about ScienceGrrl, a network of (almost entirely) very passionate female scientists committed to passing this love on to the next generation

  • Women Champions in Science

    23rd November 2012

    The RSC is hosting a play for school students called If Chloe Can…, based on a book by Esther McVey MP

  • From pure science to profit

    23rd November 2012

    Creativity in chemistry allows us to discover things that no one knew were there to be discovered. Scientists need to be aware of business needs but not driven by them, says John Cadogan

  • Lord Porter honoured at Imperial College

    21st November 2012

    The RSC has awarded a National Chemical Landamark in the 10th year anniversary of the Nobel Laureate's death

  • A unique perfume for a unique Queen

    19th November 2012

    The Royal Society of Chemistry has commissioned Adamas, an exclusive fragrance to be given to Her Majesty The Queen as a Christmas gift to mark the end of her Diamond Jubilee Year

  • Professor Alain Fuchs, President CNRS, visits the RSC

    19th November 2012

    He has discuss the "New trends in the French policy for science and technology - CNRS contribution"

  • Michael Edenborough

    12th November 2012

    How a trained chemist moves to become an intellectual property barrister

  • Insulin dose through the nose – the end of injections for diabetics?

    8th November 2012

    Scientists have developed a once-a-day nasal gel formulation for the delivery of insulin that could put an end to injections for Type 1 diabetes sufferers

  • Non-animal test could spare 1 million mice

    5th November 2012

    The Royal Society of Chemistry today welcomed the implementation of newly-developed non-animal methods of testing for poisons in shellfish from the seas around Britain which has led to 14,000 mice being spared testing and death in 2012

  • Keep calm and do chemistry

    5th November 2012

    On 7th November 2012 share chemistry in real time

  • Looking for a winner

    31st October 2012

    Have you voted for your favourite entry to the Mpemba competition?

  • Debate on Synthetic Biology

    25th October 2012

    The Royal Society of Chemistry hosted a panel discussion and debate to explore the science and ethics of synthetic biology and what it means for the UK.

  • Design the RSC’s Facebook cover photo for December

    24th October 2012

    Embrace the Christmas spirit and send us chemistry-inspired pictures/drawings

  • Bill Bryson Prize 2012

    22nd October 2012

    An insight in this year edition of our Science Communication competition

  • The conception of a contraceptive

    15th October 2012

    The first contraceptive pill was developed on this day in 1951

  • Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2012

    10th October 2012

    Robert Lefkowitz and Brian Kobilka were awarded by Nobel Foundation in Stockholm for their groundbreaking discoveries that reveal the inner workings of G-protein-coupled receptors

  • Chemical poetry

    4th October 2012

    Some poetry inspired by chemistry on National Poetry Day

  • Unveiling the mummy

    1st October 2012

    What chemistry can tell us about ancient Egyptians mummies

  • The continuing creation of Physical Chemistry

    28th September 2012

    Peter Atkins on the story of his most famous work and the future of textbooks

  • Silent Spring

    28th September 2012

    50 years anniversary of Rachel Carson's book that inspired the environmental movement

  • Using Chemistry to Improve Agricultural Productivity

    24th September 2012

    Dr John Clough, Syngenta, will speak at the Chemistry Centre in the Chemistry for Tomorrow's World 2012 Lecture Series

  • Abiraterone - UK Discovery Excellence

    17th September 2012

    Professor Johann de Bono, Institute of Cancer Research, will speak at the Chemistry Centre in the Chemistry for Tomorrow's World 2012 Lecture Series

  • Chemistry in the garden

    13th September 2012

    Find out which plants have provided inspiration for chemistry research with the Discovery Trail, the new chemistry focused audio tour at the University of Oxford Botanic Garden and Harcourt Harboretum

  • Chemistry in the garden

    13th September 2012

    Find out which plants have provided inspiration for chemistry research with the Discovery Trail, the new chemistry focused audio tour at the University of Oxford Botanic Garden and Harcourt Harboretum

  • Hunting the Elements

    11th September 2012

    Today and tomorrow on PBS America (at 7.50pm on Sky 166 Virgin Media 243) watch "Hunting The Elements", a two part program presented by David Pogue, the New York Times technology correspondent.

  • Earth to Mars

    7th September 2012

    Watch our chat with Paolo Bellutta, one of the Mars rover's drivers

  • Energised by Science

    3rd September 2012

    The British Science Festival 2012 takes place in Aberdeen 4-9 September

  • Francis W. Aston

    1st September 2012

    September 1st is the anniversary of the birth the British chemist and physicist who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1922

  • London 2012 – Act II

    29th August 2012

    The London 2012 Paralympics promise yet more sporting excitement, and even science plays a part

  • Too red to be on the loose

    23rd August 2012

    Some chemistry insight into the brightly colour of the scarlet ibis escaped from the Edinburgh Zoo

  • Celebrating Berzelius

    20th August 2012

    24 new videos to celebrate the Swedish chemist who discovered silicon, cerium, selenium, and thorium

  • Healthier chocolate

    14th August 2012

    Who would not like to be able to eat chocolate and not think too much about the fat content? What if I tell you chemists are trying to make that happen?

  • All the colours of... the shooting stars

    10th August 2012

    The chemistry behind the Perseid meteor shower

  • They sent a chemist to Mars!

    6th August 2012

    NASA Car-sized Rover Curiosity landed on Mars ready for two-year investigation

  • Artificial Jellyfish

    23rd July 2012

    Researchers from Harvard University and California Institute of Technology (Caltech) have created Medusoid, a pseudo-organism made from rat heart muscle cells and silicone membrane with eight appendages.

  • Freezing Hot

    16th July 2012

    If you take two bodies of water, identical in all parameters, except in temperature, and put them in a freezer, initially hot water will freeze faster than cold water.

  • London 2012: science is ready!

    18th June 2012

    Some insight on the key role science will play in the approaching Olympic and Paralympics games

  • Five rings to charm us all

    2nd June 2012

    The molecule you are looking at is called olympicene and the mere fact that you can see this image (and many more here) is newsworthy.

  • Tea/Coffee? Yes, no, maybe.

    2nd May 2012

    To drink or not to drink, this is the question. Over the years tea and coffee have been associated with a lot of heath issues, both positively and negatively.

  • From test tube to Turner

    13th April 2012

    The role of the chemistry in art

  • Juice what the doctor ordered

    5th May 2011

    French scientists have devised a fruit cocktail that could ward off heart disease

  • The Reaction's Posterous

    28th April 2011

    The Reaction's Posterous short summary

  • The Reaction on Tumblr

    28th April 2011

    Tumblr page

  • Still burning bright

    30th March 2011

    200 years after his birth, Robert Bunsen’s famous burner is used in laboratories around the world

  • Chemhistory: Chemical Society of London

    23rd February 2011

    23 February marks the 170th anniversary of the formation of the Chemical Society

  • iPad competition - the result

    11th January 2011

    Who sent us the most interesting, creative celebration of chemistry around the home?

  • Better, stronger, faster, sleepier

    6th January 2011

    Co-inventor of the anaesthetic propofol explains why it's the most popular and effective drug of its kind

  • Battling the chill with chemistry

    21st December 2010

    From plane deicers to flea proteins, Helen Sharman looks at the chemical world of antifreeze

  • Life, the universe and arsenic

    9th December 2010

    A roundup of the hype and science of NASA's controversial announcement

  • Black holes and revelations

    23rd November 2010

    Helen Sharman writes on the alien chemistry of planets and stars

  • Bill Bryson iPad competition shortlist

    15th November 2010

    Check out the five top entries for the competition and vote for your favourite

  • Remembering a forgotten hero

    11th November 2010

    One chemist saved millions of lives, and paid for his dedication with his life

  • Chemhistory: mauveine

    9th November 2010

    A chemistry set and a young boy's curiosity led to the birth of an industry, writes Alan Dronsfield

  • The unluckiest inventor

    2nd November 2010

    The life and works of Thomas Midgley, Jr, creator of leaded petrol and CFCs

  • Geordie male duos have best TV chemistry

    1st November 2010

    A poll of chemists found the best and worst of TV presenter chemistry - now it's your turn!

  • Spiders vs conkers: the definitive guide

    26th October 2010

    A roundup of the evidence for and against the purported arachnid repellent

  • The hidden hero of Trafalgar

    21st October 2010

    Today we remember Nelson, Victory, and the secret element of success: copper

  • Chemistry keeps cosmonauts comfortable

    12th October 2010

    Helen Sharman on the science of living in space

  • Science degrees better value than arts?

    8th October 2010

    A public poll indicates people think science degrees are better value for taxpayers' money

  • Nobel Prize for Chemistry 2010

    7th October 2010

    What is so important about the Heck, Negishi and Suzuki reactions?

  • Chemhistory: phosphorus

    14th September 2010

    Professor Alan Dronsfield examines the practicalities of a poisoning half a century ago

  • Setting the broken record straight

    3rd September 2010

    Paul Gallagher stands up for science pupils

  • Vultures get a bad press

    31st August 2010

    Brian Emsley mourns the plight of the under-loved species

  • Safety in numbers

    27th August 2010

    For all their bad press, chemicals with E numbers are mostly harmless

  • Summertime, and the gard'nin' is easy

    24th August 2010

    Helen Sharman ponders the safety of future bathroom cabinet products

  • World's most attractive woman

    20th August 2010

    Even brass coins apparently stick to this magnetic mum

  • Drinking the stars

    13th August 2010

    The chemistry of the distinctive bubbles of champagne is almost entirely responsible for its vivid taste and aroma

  • Chemhistory: cocaine

    10th August 2010

    Alan Dronsfield looks at cocaine's history of perking up, pulling teeth and Papal endorsement

  • Organic chemistry, naturally

    9th August 2010

    The RSC's offer of a £1million bounty for a 100% chemical free product has attracted the good, the bad and the downright ridiculous

  • Bill Bryson iPad competition

    3rd August 2010

    Find some amazing chemistry in your house, tell us about it in a creative way, and win an iPad

  • Garland of Arabia

    2nd August 2010

    We unveil the story of the true hero of the classic tale: a forgotten chemist and TE Lawrence's mentor

  • A load of balls

    29th July 2010

    Which? Magazine declares washing machine eco-balls and dryerballs as "a waste of money", and the supposed science behind them leaves a lot to be desired too

  • Spaceballs

    23rd July 2010

    There is a good chance all life on Earth is, in part, made up of space footballs.

  • Bonkers conkers

    15th July 2010

    Pupils scoop prize for unravelling conker theory

  • Get rid of scientists

    24th June 2010

    British astronaut Helen Sharman asks why science is no longer considered culture in the UK

  • It's life, Jim... but not as we know it

    21st May 2010

    Is the 'artificial life' news that significant?

  • Welcome to The Reaction

    7th May 2010

    Read on and find out what to expect from The Reaction