'If a control experiment fails, does that mean that the entire experiment is poorly designed and you must restart from scratch? Often, yes— but not always. I present five examples where failed control experiments triggered entirely new fields of research.' link.springer.com/article/10.1...

The controls that got out of control - EMBO Reports

EMBO Reports - When experimental controls go wrong, it does not necessarily mean your experiment is flawed. It might well be the first sign of something unexpected.

link.springer.com

Researchers have shown that microplastics, and even smaller nanoplastics, are lofted into the atmosphere. Now an international team of researchers has quantified the potential climate impact of atmospheric micro- and nanoplastics. #chemsky 🧪

Microplastics could be making the world warmer

Bits of plastic floating in the atmosphere largely act as warming agents

cenm.ag

"He urged the public and healthcare workers not to dismiss early symptoms such as vomiting and headaches, warning that misinformation leads many people to believe they have been poisoned rather than seeking hospital care." www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06...

Brazil authorities investigate two possible Ebola cases as outbreak grows

The true reach of the Ebola outbreak in central Africa could be much wider than the official figures published by central African authorities, the World Health Organization is warning.

abc.net.au

NCATS’ Division of Preclinical Innovation is hosting a two-day DPI Outreach to Outstanding Research Scholars event in spring 2026! Late-stage doctoral students and early-stage postdocs are invited to a pre-application webinar on Jan. 6, 2026. Register today: nih.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?...

There is currently no cure for #HSV, and patients can develop resistance to the drug used to manage symptoms. But thanks to NCATS' 3D Tissue Bioprinting Program, scientists now have the best model yet for testing new treatments. ncats.nih.gov/news-events/... #3Dprinting #bioprinting #virosky 🧪

Love this from Samuel Johnson: “In lexicographers, as in many other arts, naked science is too delicate for the purposes of life”

Today we are hosting Dr Barbara Slusher from John’s Hopkins speaking about her drug discovery research programs - amazing scientist and a full house for her seminar !

This made me happy. And happy new year!

It’s buzzing like the first day of school!!!

How did we get to a place where lower-case ‘l’ is an acceptable symbol for liter/litre?

So much for another relic from my childhood: cordcuttersnews.com/mtv-is-shutt...

MTV is Shutting Down Its Last Music Channels, Marking the End of an Era | Cord Cutters News

Paramount Global has delivered a devastating blow to music fans worldwide, announcing the permanent shutdown of five iconic MTV music channels by December 31, 2025 according to the BBC. For 44 years, ...

cordcuttersnews.com

Online now! Discovery of a tau-aggregate clearing compound that covalently targets P4HB #chembiol

Discovery of a tau-aggregate clearing compound that covalently targets P4HB

Conway et al. integrate phenotypic screening with chemoproteomics to discover an aminoindole that potently clears tau aggregates across multiple tauopathy models via covalently targeting of the ER enzyme P4HB, revealing potential therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative disease.

dlvr.it

MOFs are pretty darn cool. Here's our story, in @cenmag.bsky.social cen.acs.org/people/nobel...

The 2025 chemistry Nobel goes to MOFs

Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson and Omar M. Yaghi win the prize for developing metal–organic frameworks

cen.acs.org

Our new PNAS paper "Enhanced PIEZO1 function contributes to the pathogenesis of sickle cell disease" is out: www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/... 1/3

Enhanced PIEZO1 function contributes to the pathogenesis of sickle cell disease | PNAS

Sickle cell disease (SCD), an inherited blood disorder caused by a mutation in the β-globin gene, is characterized by sickle erythrocytes that are ...

pnas.org

Scientists believe factors like diet and chemical exposure could play a role in a condition largely driven by genetics www.statnews.com/2025/10/03/n...

As NIH launches new autism research effort, the focus is on environmental factors

The NIH is making a $50 million bet: Understanding environmental factors will help researchers better understand why some people have autism.

statnews.com

Ice freshly ejected from Enceladus contains complex organics Reanalyzing data from Cassini's 2008 flyby reveals new, complex organic molecules in the spray from Saturn’s icy moon. cen.acs.org/physical-che... #chemsky 🧪

Ice freshly ejected from Enceladus contains complex organics

Reanalyzing data from <i>Cassini</i>'s 2008 flyby reveals new, complex organic molecules in the spray from Saturn’s icy moon

cen.acs.org

www.fastcompany.com/90375683/an-...

An astrophysicist explains one of the most famous album covers of all time

You've probably seen this album art a million times, but what exactly are those wiggly lines?

fastcompany.com

This October I’m drawing one molecule a day inspired by proteins in pdb @rcsbpdb.bsky.social Day 2/31 Prompt WEAVE N-terminal domain of a Fibrion - a building block of silk fiber produced by silkworms. Pdb: 3UA0 Next prompt is CROWN and I would love your suggestions!

As a little boy, my grandparents gave me this book. This story of Pasteur is the one that made me want to be a scientist. And it doesn’t even mention optical activity!!

Who will win the #ChemNobel? cen.acs.org/people/nobel... #chemsky 🧪

It’s Nobel time. Experts predict who will nab the 2025 chemistry prize

The audience of C&EN's Nobel-prediction webinar votes for obesity drug pioneers to win

cen.acs.org

As a little boy, my grandparents gave me this book. This story of Pasteur is the one that made me want to be a scientist. And it doesn’t even mention optical activity!!

President Trump announced on Tuesday that Pfizer has agreed to offer lower prices on its drugs to the Medicaid program and directly to patients www.statnews.com/2025/09/30/t...

Trump strikes deal with Pfizer aimed at lowering prescription drug prices

Pfizer will offer discounted prices on some of its drugs and avoid U.S. tariffs, in a deal with President Trump.

statnews.com

I rarely post about work, but in writing this email today asking how to be reimbursed for the cost of hosting a scientific visitor I wrote this explainer. This is not a complaint - but shows how we have to use our own salaries to enrich our environment and the commitment that takes

We want to congratulate our President, Dr. Tony Letai, on his appointment as Director of the NCI. This announcement marks an historic moment for cancer research. Dr. Letai has been a tireless advocate and visionary leader for functional precision medicine 🧵 www.nih.gov/news-events/...

Secretary Kennedy Swears in Dr. Anthony Letai as Director of the National Cancer Institute

Dr. Letai will serve as NCI’s 18th director.

nih.gov

“dad can you can get me one of those retro digital cameras?”

I missed this paper at the time but love this kind of study: "The total mass, number, and distribution of immune cells in the human body" "an average individual’s immune system consists of approximately 1.8 trillion cells, weighing around 1.2 kg" www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...

I rarely post about work, but in writing this email today asking how to be reimbursed for the cost of hosting a scientific visitor I wrote this explainer. This is not a complaint - but shows how we have to use our own salaries to enrich our environment and the commitment that takes

Meeting my trainee for coffee and project strategizing in the amazing NIH Clinical Center. Inspiring.

Merch!

But the poster sessions are buzzing - so much amazing NIH science on show! I got in trouble for standing on a ledge to take this photo….. you’re welcome