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materials science

PWBMC4 Multi-coloured biodegradable and compostable paper straws in a cafe in London, UK

Technology

Edible straws made by bacteria are better than paper or plastic ones

Plastic straws are increasingly being avoided for both health and environmental reasons, but the alternatives all have their downsides – until now

51¶¯Âþ

D413MM Roof windows under snow during winter.

Technology

Smart windows keep heat in during winter and let it out in summer

51¶¯Âþ

Hiroshi Ezura, a professor of genetic engineering at the University of Tsukuba, with his genome edited tomato plant (Naoki Shoji).

Technology

2021 in review: CRISPR-edited food goes on sale to public

51¶¯Âþ

Snowflake on a blue background ; Shutterstock ID 767450926; purchase_order: 04/12/21; job: 18th Dec 21 ; client: NS; other:

Humans

Snowflake spotters needed to give climate science a boost

Regulars

The secret life of cheese: How marvellous microbes create its flavour

Life

The secret life of cheese: How marvellous microbes create its flavour

Features

Six pointed snowflake

Humans

Kenneth Libbrecht interview: A grand unified theory of snowflakes

Features

Mary Robinette Kowal: An exclusive short story for 51¶¯Âþ

Technology

Mary Robinette Kowal: An exclusive short story for 51¶¯Âþ

Culture

S0J9ED Cascade hops fresh off of the vine.

Humans

How climate change is shaking up the hops that give beer its flavour

Features

Thousands of people march though Central London, UK, on Earth Day on 22 April 2017 to protest against what they see as a threat to experts, evidence and investment in science. Protesters assembled at the Science Museum and marched to Parliament Square. The march, a worldwide event, supports science and evidence-based research and was organized in opposition to Donald Trump's environmental and energy policies. (Photo by Jay Shaw Baker/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Humans

We’ll never understand the universe while we’re drowning in admin

Comment

Soft yet strong gel keeps its shape after being run over by a car

Physics

Soft yet strong gel keeps its shape after being run over by a car

A gel with similar properties to shatterproof glass could have applications in soft robots and prosthetics

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Physics

Physicists have created a new type of diamond by crushing buckyballs

51¶¯Âþ

Technology

Octopus-inspired camouflage fabric can change colour to blend in

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Technology

New plastic made from DNA is biodegradable and easy to recycle

51¶¯Âþ

Physics

Strange quantum effect predicted 30 years ago has now been observed

51¶¯Âþ

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