The chemical secrets that help keep honey fresh for so long
BBC · The chemical secrets that help keep honey fresh for so long
#chemical
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"#Dutch and #German #intelligence agencies have gathered evidence of widespread Russian use of banned #chemical #weapons in #Ukraine ,including dropping a choking agent from #drones to drive #soldiers out of trenches so they can be shot.[...]
#Russia is intensifying its use of chemical weapons".
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/07/05/world/politics/russia-chemical-weapons-intelligence/
The Japan Times · Russian use of chemical weapons against Ukraine 'widespread,' Dutch defense minister says
Russia intensifying use of #ChemicalWeapons in Ukraine, Dutch intelligence reports
#Russian #troops use banned #chemical agents to panic #Ukrainian forces, forcing #soldiers from dugouts, trenches with gas grenades dropped by #drones, making them easy targets for drone or artillery attacks
Now intelligence has confirmed the use of #chloropicrin — a substance that can kill in high concentrations in enclosed spaces.
The Kyiv Independent · Russia intensifying use of chemical weapons in Ukraine, Dutch intelligence reports
https://www.europesays.com/uk/237764/ Should bioplastics be counted as compost? Debate pits farmers against manufacturers #AnimalMaterial #bioplastic #California #chemical #company #compost #crop #Environment #farmer #FoodWaste #GregPryor #NutrientRichSoil #plastic #PlasticInstitute #Product #Science #ToxicChemical #UK #UnitedKingdom
Please check out this exciting innovative contribution @EGU_BioGeo by Alexander Pohle and co-authors using the #chemical composition of the rostra (internal skeletons) of #belemnites to reconstruct taxonomic relationships and #evolution.
https://bg.copernicus.org/articles/22/3073/2025/
bg.copernicus.orgPhylogeochemistry: exploring evolutionary constraints on belemnite rostrum element compositionAbstract. The biogenic carbonate hard parts of a large range of marine organisms are among the most important geochemical archives of Earth's climate dynamics through time and the evolution of life. That said, biomineralization pathways, i.e. the secretion of mineral phases by organisms, are complex and may differ significantly between different taxa. In light of this, it is critically important to evaluate if related taxa might display similar hard parts geochemistry. If so, this relation might bear information on evolutionary relationships and has great significance in carbonate archive research. Here, we test the evolutionary constraints on element / Ca ratios of belemnite rostra using Bayesian phylogenetic tools. For this purpose, we assembled a large dataset of element ratios from 2241 published samples of belemnite rostra. We used comparative Bayesian phylogenetic tools to reconstruct ancestral states and phenotypic evolutionary rates of these geochemical data based on trees inferred from morphological data. While Mn/Ca and Fe/Ca appear to be taxon-independent and probably mainly reflect environmental and diagenetic effects, Mg/Ca and Sr/Ca display stronger taxon-specific patterns, even though their interpretation remains complex. The phenotypic evolutionary rates are high, with average estimated changes in element ratios of 12.4 % (Mg/Ca; confidence interval 9.0 %–16.9 %) and 12.3 % (Sr/Ca; confidence interval 5.5 %–18.3 %) of the overall mean element ratio within 1 million years (Myr). While the distribution of Sr/Ca ratios is relatively homogeneous across the tree, Mg concentrations are divided among two distinct groups (<5.5 and >7.5 mmol mol−1, respectively), with at least five transitions between them. Beyond carbonate archive research, our phylogenetic analysis provides insights into the evolution of belemnites. This study highlights the complex interplay between evolutionary, ontogenetic, environmental, and diagenetic effects and calls for caution when using belemnite element ratios as proxies for palaeoclimatic studies. We propose the term “phylogeochemistry” for the investigation of geochemical data using phylogenetic modelling techniques.
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At #Natanz, the #IAEA said that it has identified “two impact holes from the #US strikes above the underground halls that had been used for enrichment as well as for storage.”
“Based on its knowledge of what these halls contained, the IAEA assesses that this strike may have caused localized #contamination & #chemical hazards,” it added.
The #IAEA said it has identified additional impact points at the #Fordow & #Natanz #nuclear sites, including possible localized #contamination & #chemical hazards.
“Regarding the additional strikes to Fordow that were reported early on Monday – after the #US #bombing of the facility early on Sunday – the IAEA assesses that access roads close to the underground facility & one of its entrances were hit,” the statement read.
Curious to see where this preprint lands, but it looks like an important contribution to the debate about #plastics and #chemical #recycling.
Key finding in the abstract “when assessed across the full production value chain, closed-loop chemical recycling pathways could increase emissions by 3-84% compared to continued primary #plastic production by 2050”. It’s an open question if major technological improvements could plausibly overcome this. https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-6865649/v1
www.researchsquare.comGlobal Assessment of the Emission Impacts of Chemical Recycling Technologies for PlasticsChemical recycling is gaining global attention as a solution to plastic pollution, yet understanding of its environmental impacts remains limited. This study quantitatively evaluates emissions from major chemical plastic recycling technologies—solvent-based, depolymerization, pyrolysis, and ga...
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A 90-day #Mars 
transit is technically feasible using #chemical propulsion capabilities—specifically, the #SpaceX #Starship with anticipated orbital refueling and #aerocapture capabilities. This markedly shorter transit time, relative to the standard six to nine month Hohmann windows, has the potential to reduce #radiation 
exposure, minimize microgravity-related health risks, and lower the logistical burdens of prolonged #spaceflight 
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-00565-7
Nature3 months transit time to Mars for human missions using SpaceX Starship - Scientific ReportsHistorically, spacecraft have followed trajectories that took between six and nine months to reach Mars, using traditional chemical propulsion on roughly Hohmann transfers. It is commonly believed that advances in propulsion technology, such as nuclear thermal or VASIMR, are necessary to reduce that transit time. In this paper, we show the feasibility of transit to Mars using the SpaceX Starship taking 90 days. We outline two trajectories that reduce each transit to between 90 and 104 days each way. These trajectories are within NASA career radiation limits, while 180-day trajectories are not.
Ig Nobel Prizes talk today (Saturday, May 3) in the #SantaBarbara library, at 1:30 pm. Organized by CALPACS (California Los Padres Section of the American #Chemical Society), open free to the public. https://www.lospadresacs.org/marc-abrahams-on-humor-in-science/
California Los Padres Section of the American Chemical Society | · Marc Abrahams on Humor in Science | California Los Padres Section of the American Chemical SocietyIs science funny? For over 32 years, Marc Abrahams has proved unequivocally that the answer is yes. The Ig Nobel prize ceremony that he has conducted annually from the Harvard (his alma mater) and MIT campuses convincingly argue that it is as good to pursue science for humor as it is for discovery. The California
The 2025_03_1 release of #RDKit release includes my contribution to speed up part of getting 2D fingerprints for a molecule by ~75x! So if you generate #chemical fingerprints, now is a good time to upgrade.
Reminder that I'm #OpenToWork so if you're hiring for #cheminformatics or #scientificSoftware development, let's talk.
#chemistry #DrugDiscovery #pharma #PythonForChemists
https://github.com/rdkit/rdkit/releases/tag/Release_2025_03_1
In 2018, estimated 356,238 deaths globally were attributed 2 #DEHP #plastic #polymers and their #chemical additive exposure representing 13.497% of all #cardiovascular deaths among individuals aged 55–64. Of these, 349,113 were attributed 2 use of plastics. Geographic disparities - Middle East, South Asia, East Asia, and Pacific accounted for the largest shares of DEHP-attributable CVD deaths (73.163%). Globally, DEHP resulted in 10.473 million YLL. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/ebiom/article/PIIS2352-3964(25)00174-4/fulltext #plastics #pollution
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@petergleick This is the topic of the commentary linked below that aired on #WMOT @NPR in Murfreesboro/#Nashville. The photo in it was taken at the Beijing University of #Chemical #Technology (17,000+ students).
“Chemical Eye 
on Gates of Learning” 
http://www.sitnews.us/MacDougall/012806_macdougall.html
www.sitnews.usSitNews - Chemical Eye on Degrees of Learning by Preston MacDougallKetchikan, Alaska news. Southeast Alaska news, Alaska news, national and world news.
#chemical : characterized or produced by the forces and operations of chemistry
- French: chimique
- German: chemisch
- Italian: chimica
- Portuguese: químico
- Spanish: químico
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ChoiceEvent #83 - #BASF + #TfS: Making #Scope3 Data Work
Date: 20.03.2025
Time: 1-2pm
Speaker: Alessandro Pistillo, Director, Sustainability & #Digital Strategic Projects, BASF
"Learn how the Together for #Sustainability (TfS) framework helps drive comparability, #efficiency, and scalability in data exchange.
Understand how Scope 3 #data can become a strategic business lever, not just a reporting obligation."
ZoomWelcome! You are invited to join a webinar: ChoiceEvent #83 - BASF + TfS: Making Scope 3 Data Work. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.BASF + TfS: Making Scope 3 Data Work
The Key to Unlock the Business Case in Sustainable Transformation
In today's rapidly evolving sustainability landscape, corporate climate action is no longer just about reporting - it’s about making business sense. High-quality Scope 3 data is essential not only for compliance but for strategic decision-making, portfolio management, and market positioning.
At this ChoiceEvent, Alessandro Pistillo from BASF will explore how businesses can move from Scope 3 data collection to Scope 3 transformation - leveraging sustainability data to drive innovation, competitive advantage, and scalable impact.
What We’ll Explore:
Why sustainability data matters beyond compliance – From marketing claims to portfolio steering and green product positioning.
The business case for sustainability – How data-driven decision-making can create tangible value.
Data that makes sense – Why standards, scalability, and efficient data exchange are key to meaningful sustainability action.
Beyond carbon: The role of the Digital Product Passport (DPP) – How broader environmental impacts will shape future business models.
Why Attend?
Gain insights into BASF’s approach to sustainability data and business transformation.
Learn how the TfS framework helps drive comparability, efficiency, and scalability in data exchange.
Understand how Scope 3 data can become a strategic business lever, not just a reporting obligation.
Date: 20.03.2025
Time: 1-2pm
Speaker: Alessandro Pistillo, Director, Sustainability & Digital Strategic Projects, BASF
Join us for this interactive session to explore how to turn sustainability data into real business impact!
The Climate Choice offers this event as part of the CHOICE Event series, which presents best practice solutions for climate transformation.
https://www.europesays.com/1906599/ Just how bad are plastic straws for the environment? #chemical #Energy #Environment #Food #OilAndGas #sustainability #WasteRecycling
The biological world is awash in #chemical signals.
Some molecular messages find their targets; most linger unread in the environment.
But sometimes, other #species — chemical eavesdroppers, bystanders or visitors — can pick up and interpret the signals in their own way.
If the message is powerful enough, the impact can ripple out across an #ecosystem.
#biology #ecology #evolution #biochemistry
https://www.quantamagazine.org/a-new-chemical-view-of-ecosystems-20250305/
Quanta Magazine · A New, Chemical View of Ecosystems | Quanta MagazineRare and powerful compounds, known as keystone molecules, can build a web of invisible interactions among species.
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Okay, now #trump is claiming to be tackling #toxic #chemical exposure & heralding #RFKJr as the #health secy. This will be very difficult for me to watch. #Liar.
Holy shit, he’s claiming a kid received #transition #medical procedures at school during the school day. Literally impossible.
He says #transgender care is mutilation.