Evolution
The First Gene on Earth May Have Been a Hybrid
A new experiment suggests DNA and RNA may have formed together before the origin of life
Stories by Andy Extance
Chemistry
Testing for Caffeine Could Help Foil Fake Urine Scam
The absence of substances originating from coffee, chocolate, nicotine and blood in pee could indicate foul play
Climate Change
Surfing for Science: Ocean Enthusiasts Could Help Gauge Coastal Warming
Researchers want to enlist surfers, scuba divers and anglers to monitor hard-to-reach areas vulnerable to climate change
Chemistry
New Catalyst Can Reduce Mercury Emissions
A gold-based compound will help clean toxic metals released by China's vast polyvinyl chloride industry
Environment
Could Diamond Dust Sprayed into the Sky Cool Earth?
Solid particles of diamond or alumina might be safer than sulphate droplets as a way to redirect the sun’s energy, calculations suggest
Technology
Entrepreneurs Explore Bitcoin's Future
Academics and entrepreneurs are fascinated with the cryptocurrency's core block chain innovation, which serves as the official online ledger of every Bitcoin transaction
Technology
Laser Weapons Get Real
Long a staple of science fiction, laser weapons are edging closer to the battlefield, thanks to optical fibers
Chemistry
Fake Data Prompts Major Journals to Retract Chemistry Papers
In Science and elsewhere claims about using small forces to pull molecules apart seem fabricated
The Sciences
Ecstasy Precursor Shows How to Reduce Alcohol Cancer Risk—and Curb Drunkenness
A molecule related to the illegal drug teams with an enzyme to mop up alcoholic effects in mice
Health
Robot Scientist Discovers Potential Malaria Drug
The machine called Eve is packed with innovations for finding drugs faster
Chemistry
Common Chemicals Linked to Early Menopause
Endocrine disruptors increased likelihood of hormonal change in study of 1,400 women
Technology
Manhattan Project Plutonium, Lost to Obscurity, Recovered by Scientists
Radioactive signatures identify one of the first pieces of plutonium seen by human eyes
Chemistry
'Sky Chemistry' Leads To Greener Way To Make Plastic
Nylon production creates a greenhouse gas but combining ozone and UV light eliminates it
Space & Physics
Next Mars Rover Will Make Oxygen from CO2
The spacecraft, due in 2020, will have a reverse fuel cell to produce oxygen for fuel—or to breathe
Chemistry
New Molecular Sieve Offers Greener Way to Filter Chemicals
Metal-organic frameworks cut energy needed to make high-demand propylene
