A giant space rock demolished an ancient Middle Eastern city and everyone in it – possibly inspiring the Biblical story of Sodom
New research suggests that fire from the sky in the form of a small asteroid annihilated a city near the Dead Sea 3,600 years ago.
Christopher R. Moore, Archaeologist and Special Projects Director at the Savannah River Archaeological Research Program and South Carolina Institute for Archaeology and Anthropology, University of South Carolina
• conversation
Sept. 20, 2021 • ~10 min
Sept. 20, 2021 • ~10 min
Designing less addictive opioids, through chemistry
While the COVID-19 pandemic raged on, the opioid epidemic got worse as drug overdose deaths soared. New research proposes a way to chemically modify opioids to reduce the risk of addiction.
Aaron W. Harrison, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Austin College •
conversation
July 16, 2021 • ~8 min
July 16, 2021 • ~8 min
Geometrically baffling ‘quasicrystals' found in the debris of the first-ever nuclear blast
The quasicrystals were 'accidentally' synthesised during the first test of a nuclear bomb in July 1945.
Robert A Jackson, Reader, School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Keele University
• conversation
June 2, 2021 • ~7 min
June 2, 2021 • ~7 min
Oil companies are going all-in on petrochemicals – and green chemistry needs help to compete
As global oil consumption drops, oil companies are pivoting to petrochemicals, and could crowd out bio-based alternatives.
Constance B. Bailey, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, University of Tennessee •
conversation
May 25, 2021 • ~10 min
May 25, 2021 • ~10 min
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