Many sources claim that porphyria, a rare group of disorders, inspired the vampire myth. But this story is itself a myth, lacking in historical evidence. Besides that, the biochemistry doesn’t match up, as this latest edition of Periodic Graphics in C&EN illustrates. View the full infographic on the C&EN site.

Why porphyria doesn’t match up with the vampirism myth – in C&EN

Think of a mushroom. Chances are, the image that comes to mind is that of a red toadstool with white spots: fly agaric, or Amanita Muscaria to give it its scientific name. More than any other, this mushroom pervades popular culture, from Mario to garden ornaments. And it’s not just a hit with humans, but […]

The chemistry of fly agaric: Poison, hallucinations, and reindeer wee

How does having periods affect studying chemistry? If you don’t have periods, I would wager that it may not be a question you’ve spent time considering. But it’s a very real issue, with the challenges of studying chemistry and the required lab work, tutorials and examinations being at times exacerbated by period symptoms.

The chemistry of the menstrual cycle with Periodically, the Oxford Chemistry Period Podcast

A film that grosses millions at the box office, with chemistry in the starring role. No, not a chemistry communicator’s fantasy, but the reality of the 2019 film Dark Waters. Less happily, the chemicals industry is the villain of the piece, which charts the battle between activists and chemicals company Dupont over the effects of […]

Fluorinated “forever chemicals” and where to find them

Some people who want to lose weight are turning to glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists like Wegovy. In the latest edition of Periodic Graphics in C&EN, we look at the science behind the medicines, their development, and their uses and risks. View the full graphic on the C&EN site.

The science of weight-loss drugs – in C&EN

Today in Chemistry History American chemists Martin Kamen and Sam Ruben discovered the isotope carbon-14. This graphic takes a quick look at the carbon-14 isotope and how it can be used to estimate the age of biological materials.

Today in Chemistry History: The discovery of carbon-14 and how radiocarbon dating works

8 March is International Women’s Day, and here’s another edition of the Women in Chemistry History series. This graphic highlights another twelve women whose achievements in chemistry range from developing antifungal medicines to creating milk substitutes for people with lactose intolerance.

International Women’s Day: Twelve women from chemistry history – pt. 7

A walk in most seaside harbours or rocky shores reveals marine animals such as mussels and barnacles clinging to rocks. In the latest edition of Periodic Graphics in C&EN, we examine how mussels hold fast to surfaces underwater and the chemical secrets of their bioadhesives.

How do mussels stick to rocks? – in C&EN

I’m delighted and honoured to have been awarded the 2025 James T. Grady-James H. Stack Award for Interpreting Chemistry for the Public from the American Chemical Society. I travelled to San Diego to receive the award at the ACS Spring Meeting Awards Ceremony last week. Making an infographic on the medal’s composition and those it […]

The 2025 James T. Grady-James H. Stack Award for Interpreting Chemistry for the Public

Industrial sabotage, government intervention, and a race against time to avoid devastating consequences — not a summary of a fictional political thriller, but the real-life drama that engulfed the UK steel-making industry in recent weeks. At the story’s centre were the formerly Chinese-owned blast furnaces in Scunthorpe, which were at risk of shutting down until […]

Having a blast: The furnaces that forge iron and steel