Chemistry

Even cotton traps the skin's infrared radiation, making you sweat, but a new nanoporous fabric lets it out

A science activity for bakers, from Science Buddies

Could mirror molecules in space help explain why life prefers molecules with a single-handedness?

Bearded dragons modify their colors for camouflage or to maintain body temperature, or to communicate with other dragons. Jason G. Goldman reports.

A swell project

Microbes produce organic acids that may help leach out valuable metals

In 12 hours Dracaena plants removed nearly all the acetone from an airtight chamber, suggesting they might be put to use as air filters in nail salons. Christopher Intagliata reports.

The synthetic membrane from ExxonMobile would also avert 45 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions 

Polymers have infiltrated almost every aspect of modern life. Now researchers are working on next-generation forms

David Epstein talks about his 2013 bestseller The Sports Gene: Inside the Science of Extraordinary Athletic Performance and his recent Scientific American article "Magic Blood and Carbon-Fiber Legs at the Brave New Olympics."

Creating molecules that do not exist in nature could give drug design a boost

In neighborhoods where kids have an increased chance of exposure to toxic lead, pigeons also have higher blood lead levels—making the birds potential proxies for risk assessment.