All Biology articles – Page 8
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FeatureTerpenes: not just for Christmas
The chemicals that give Christmas trees their pine fresh smell could be at the centre of a chemical revolution, as Josh Howgego explains
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FeatureThe ascent of molecules
Life's molecular origins might not be preserved in the fossil record but, as Laura Howes finds out, chemists are working to fill in the gaps
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The MolePast secrets unearthed
Akshat Rathi finds out how chemistry plays a central role in revealing how our ancestors once lived
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FeatureOne in the eye for river blindness
It’s one of the greatest success stories in human health – a drug created from a product found in nature and given away freely to those who most need it, saving millions from debilitating blindness. Ian Farrell investigates the marvel of ivermectin
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OpinionChemistry gives most of the answers
While researching a new book, Bill Bryson takes a trip through cyberspace to try to answer a childhood question – and discovers that chemistry is really quite exciting
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The MoleMembranes’ twisted secret
Looking down a microscope at the nanoscale is helping us to better understand the world around us, explains Josh Howgego
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FeatureDeadly mushroom chemistry
Can you tell the difference between a tasty paddy straw mushroom and a toxic death cap? Emma Shiells talks to the experts about the potentially deadly chemistry hidden in those gills
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ReviewProteins building set
The Proteins building set may not be as versatile as Lego, but it can be used to build some magnificent and real structures
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ResourceChallenging Plants: Fertilisers
Nutrients essential for plant growth are obtained naturally from soil or other growing media. However, supplies become depleted and fertilisers are needed to increase the availability of nutrients to plants. An understanding of chemical changes is used to making fertilisers, often designed to meet specific requirements such as particular nutrient ...
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ResourceFaces of Chemistry – stories from the bio-based industries
Through a collection of short films, watch the story of how biobased innovation is contributing to a more sustainable, competitive and prosperous Europe.
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ResourceFatty acids in food supplements
A resource involving the investigation of the chemical composition of some food supplements that contain omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.
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ResourceChallenging Plants: Introduction/Pedagogical Overview
Plants have the potential to help us to meet many of the challenges facing Earth and its inhabitants. This PowerPoint presentation introduces the uses of plants and summarises some of the underpinning chemical principles, concepts and ideas.
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The MoleTrade secrets... Bio or non-bio washing powder?
Secrets of the trade: Jonathan Hare looks at the science of getting your clothes clean
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ResourceChallenging Plants: Phytomanagement
As well as improving the appearance of our environment, plants have much to offer in terms of phytoremediation (in its many forms), phytoextraction and the potential of using plants to mine metals. This resource is designed to help students realise this potential knowledge and understand the key underpinning scientific ...
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The MoleCoprolites
Information hidden in fossils – Philip Robinson finds out what dinosaurs ate for dinner
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ResourceOn This Day - Oct 26 : Arthur Kornberg died
He shared the 1959 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for discovering the mechanism of how deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) replicates in biological systems, and many of the enzymes and building blocks required along the pathway. These findings were fundamental to our understanding of genetics.
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ResourceOn This Day – Sep 14 : Ferid Murad was born
He shared the 1998 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with Robert F. Furchgott and Louis J. Ignarro for their discoveries involving nitric oxide as a signal molecule for the cardiovascular system. Nitric oxide is a potent vasodilator that causes relaxation of smooth muscle cells.
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The MoleSniffing out an explanation
It’s strange to think that no one knows exactly how smell works. Josh Howgego explains the chemistry behind the puzzle