Chemistry

CFCs, the harmful ozone-depleting chemicals banned back in the 1980s, are experiencing a mysterious comeback

By analyzing the proteins in ancient dental plaque, archaeologists determined that British menus almost three millennia ago featured milk, oats and peas. Christopher Intagliata reports.

A soapy science activity from Science Buddies

Privacy concerns, cultural differences fuel skepticism about this approach in other settings

New method that tests for insect DNA on farm produce could “revolutionize” agricultural pest surveillance

Experiments in mice suggest the technology has a long way to go before being used for pest control in the wild

We tend to imagine that below the crust, Earth is a seething pool of molten rock—but it’s not

The plant, which has spread to 11 states and was recently found in Virginia, attacks the DNA in human cells

As mosquito-borne diseases spread, scientists are fighting back with new poisons, traps and genetic engineering techniques

A fizzy chemistry activity from Science Buddies

Security measures implemented in advance of the event have affected some scientists

Researchers engineered a portable device that detects even the tiniest trace of hydrogen sulfide—one of the primary offenders in bad breath. Karen Hopkin reports.