Alchemy Under the Spotlight

atlantic-bathymetryThis week, The Alchemist is digging in the dirt to find out about the carbon cycle and climate change, taking his whisky (or is it whiskey) with or without water, and discovering how to juggle molecules, on the other hand. Also in biochemical news this week, the crystal structure of a plant hormone receptor is revealed while researchers in Israel focus on blocking the protein misfolding that occurs in Alzheimer’s disease.

And, under the December physical sciences Spotlight

It’s all in the marine mix – Mixing of surface waters in the Atlantic Ocean seems to have reverted in the winter of 2007/2008 to “normal” levels for the first time in almost a decade…

Well, wooden you know? – New materials that look and behave like plastics can be produced from a renewable raw material known as liquid wood. The bioplastics promise to displace petroleum as a feedstock for certain applications…

Running with knives – Stabbing is the most common form of murder in the UK and Ireland. However, while forensic scientists understand the basics of the process…