An electron microscopy photograph showcasing the intricate silk of the Australian net-caster spider, Asianopis subrufa, has received the highest accolade in the esteemed Royal Society Publishing Photography Competition. The photograph, captured by arachnologist Martín Ramírez at the Bernardino Rivadavia Natural Sciences Argentine Museum in Buenos Aires, offers a close-up view of the elaborate structure of […]

The US solicitor general, representing the federal government before the US Supreme Court, has expressed support for Bayer subsidiary Monsanto in its attempts to safeguard against a multitude of lawsuits alleging that its glyphosate-based herbicide Roundup leads to cancer. John Sauer, who has held the position of US solicitor general since April, submitted a brief […]

Crystal structure prediction is increasingly becoming significant in the field of organic materials, as emphasized by Gregory Beran from the University of California Riverside. Beran’s research merges hybrid density functional theory modeling with intramolecular energy correction to forecast intricate crystal structures, including the pharmaceutical compound axitinib. This method also differentiates between salt and co-crystals within […]

Salts composed of ortho-phosphite anions have been produced through the mechanochemical reduction of phosphate compounds. Scientists emphasize the synthetic adaptability of ortho-phosphite, rendering it a viable substitute for the hazardous and combustible white phosphorus, which is presently the primary precursor for numerous phosphorus compounds. Numerous phosphorus oxyanions are known, such as phosphate (PO₄³⁻) and phosphite […]

A Basic Mathematical Framework Enables Targeted Synthesis of Innovative Catenane Designs In a significant advancement for supramolecular chemistry, scientists have utilized a mathematical framework to purposefully synthesize a sophisticated interwoven catenane design, potentially laying the groundwork for developing more elaborate interlocked systems. Catenanes, characterized by their distinct interlocking ring formations, are receiving increasing attention for […]

The UK and US have come to a pivotal arrangement concerning pharmaceutical commerce and pricing. Under this accord, the UK has agreed to incur higher costs for groundbreaking pharmaceuticals, leading the NHS to shoulder increased expenses for medications. In return, the UK has obtained zero tariffs on pharmaceuticals and ingredients sent to the US for […]

In a major advancement for the scientific community, the European Union and Switzerland formalized a pact in November, permitting Swiss researchers to re-enter important EU scientific initiatives like Horizon Europe, Euratom’s nuclear energy research and training, and the Erasmus+ youth education program. This agreement restores Switzerland’s parity with EU member nations in these initiatives, enabling […]

Seven years ago, Coalition S embarked on an ambitious mission to ensure that all research financed by its supporters would be freely accessible by 2021 through its Plan S initiative. Established by a global consortium of scientific charities and prominent research funders from Europe and North America, Coalition S initially made a considerable impact. However, […]

**Transforming Priorities in Platform Chemicals Research: A Global Perspective** A thorough examination of more than 90,000 research articles has revealed considerable changes in the worldwide priorities of platform chemicals research. This detailed study identified 62 unique topics, monitoring their development across different regions. Key trends include a shift in ammonia and methanol production emphasis from […]