Neil Withers and Mason Wakley join podcast host Mariana Kneppers this week – first up is a discussion about the new deep learning model AlphaGenome, followed by the question to end them all: how did life on Earth begin? Plus the latest headlines.

It hasn't been plain sailing for the world's first Crispr therapy for sickle cell disease and thalassaemia that's being rolled out in the UK. But we mustn't throw the baby out with the bathwater when it comes to Crispr therapies, writes @patdwalter.bsky.social

It is our time to rise. www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...

Oh dear, this look ahead for the year in science sounds rather bleaker than I hoped it might. Sorry about that. And it's not all gloom. www.thenewworld.co.uk/philip-ball-...

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The 2025 #NobelPrize in Chemistry was awarded today for the development of metal-organic frameworks, molecular sponges with applications in gas storage, water purification and more: www.compoundchem.com/2025/10/08/2... #ChemSky 🧪

Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson and Omar Yaghi win 2025 chemistry Nobel prize for work on metal–organic frameworks. Huge congrats to them, I feel this prize has been coming for some time! www.chemistryworld.com/news/the-202...

Morning all. An exciting day in the chemistry calendar. The #NobelPrize in chemistry will be announced in a little over an hour. We're keeping track of all the developments as they happen at Chemistry World #chemnobel www.chemistryworld.com/news/the-202...

it's actually not two Nobels for Josephson junctions, just one that tunnelled over a gap of 52 years

'The UK is facing a drought,' writes @patdwalter.bsky.social. Not only in terms of rainfall, but also in 'the way in which undergraduate chemistry provision across the country is starting to dry up.' #ChemSky

Catfish wriggling up a waterfall. Outstanding! www.science.org/content/arti...

Meta scientists talk about ‘pivot penalty’ which hampers career progression. This World View argues that scientists who are not tied down by fixed research agendas can pivot nimbly to work where they are most needed. They need to be supported #AcademicSky www.nature.com/articles/d41...

UK chemistry industry professionals Please fill in this short survey to help CAMS help us all by modernizing what graduates are taught with respect to data handling. Which can be as simple as organizing yourself and naming files sensibly! #chemsky forms.office.com/Pages/Respon...

URichmond is hiring two tenure-track faculty. One in biochemistry/chemical biology and the other in experimental physical chemistry. This is a terrific place to work - our focus is on our talented undergraduates and we have robust research resources. chemistryjobs.acs.org/job/assistan...

'Straitened times call for difficult choices,' writes @patdwalter.bsky.social. 'You can be sure that university leaders and groups are already lobbying the government hard on behalf of higher education. The government now needs to listen. #ChemSky #EduSky #ScienceSky

Having written many stories about exciting new chemistry AI technologies, I wondered how easy it would be for people to try for themselves. This story is the outcome of that curiosity – read on for two interesting takeaways and a piece of snark. cen.acs.org/physical-che...

Can there still be room for this kind of all-consuming search for new knowledge, while protecting the physical and mental health of researchers? Asks @patdwalter.bsky.social.

A ban on most uses of DCM was finalised by the US EPA in May 2024, with consumer use of DCM to be phased out within one year and most industrial and commercial uses within two. With the Trump administration appearing poised to continue with the plan, research labs are bracing for change. #ChemSky

I'm very pleased to see this collection live – links to individual stories to follow below...

What have you done to poor Tomislav's name New Scientist? Your website's symbol selection just can't cope!

Wonderful story of a woman who lived with birds and chronicled their lives and personalities. Gwen Howard is a name I'd never come across before and her books from the first half of the 20th century have disappeared into obscurity but could perhaps do with being resurrected nautil.us/the-woman-wh...

On Monday, an unprecedented blackout caused chaos across Spain and Portugal. Nevertheless, research centres stayed strong and showcased survival skills and resilience. Yours truly, reporting for @chemistryworld.com: www.chemistryworld.com/news/researc...

are you a molecular machinist? have you been wondering, like us, what exactly a molecular machine is? please help us figure it out! read this article and answer the polls to help our IUPAC team: Carson, @aprahamian.bsky.social, @deanast.bsky.social, @sgoldup.bsky.social, and Pierangelo! 🔗

Ambiguities in chemical nomenclature can lead to misinterpretations that impact everything from data integration and intellectual property disputes to regulatory compliance and product safety. That's why Iupac is working to standardise the definitions of a molecular machine, and you can help!

A few firms are developing lab coats in a wider range of sizes and with features that enhance comfort: cen.acs.org/safety/lab-s... #chemsky #phdsky #academicsky 🧪

'Neurodegenerative diseases today are where cancer was 50 years ago, namely when you are able to diagnose it, it’s too late,’ says Hermona Soreq. She's part of a team who have now developed a new test for #Parkinson's based on tRNA that can diagnose it early www.chemistryworld.com/news/simple-...

You don't have to be a science teacher to make use of this great offer. ALL of you should buy a whole bunch of these (£2.50 a book!) and just have them ready to give away as thoughtful presents for the science illiterates in your life. Or complete strangers. Just buy them and give them away!

Taking one for the team there. Sterling work.

'Chesterton’s fence is the principle that anyone looking to reform a system should understand why this ‘fence’ is there before they attempt to alter or remove it,' writes @patdwalter.bsky.social. But, 'this idea of thinking first and moving cautiously appears increasingly old-fashioned'.

Ha! www.theguardian.com/environment/...

The Scottish have won the AI Wars.

Another “Continuing Crisis” post, this one covering some larger principles and explaining why I’m doing these in general:

This woolly 'mousemoth' is so cute! Colossal Biosciences wants to resurrect the woolly mammoth to tend the Arctic tundra & has taken the first steps by editing genes in mice that are similar to mammoth ones. The mammoth probably won't return though... www.chemistryworld.com/news/could-w...

I mean, I was already signed up to the anti-great man view of history. Current events are really supercharging this concept for me...

Are the actions of the current US administration affecting your science? If so, Nature would be pleased to learn of your experiences. www.nature.com/articles/d41...

I have run out of patience with the apparent silence of most US science institutions (and not just US) in the face of Trump & Musk's rampage. There are of so many facets of that, but in this column for @chemistryworld.com I talk about the assaults on inclusion. www.chemistryworld.com/opinion/scie...

Is anyone using Google's 'AI Co-scientist', or wants to use it? Please get in touch (details in bio) - I'd like to report on what the experience is like. research.google/blog/acceler...

Scientists of the world, this is happening on our watch and we need to face it down. Evidence-based medicine weaponised for overtly ideological purposes. We do not need randomised trials of 'vaccine' versus 'no vaccine' when those vaccines have *already* been shown to be safe & effective. #episky 🧪

Aren’t we suffering enough?

Polar bears' greasy fur is what keeps them warm and ice free despite it being pretty nippy in the Arctic tundra. I can't actually hear the word greasy without thinking of monkey hell though... www.chemistryworld.com/news/mystery... youtu.be/4jtVSlezkls?...

Jesus. Twister in Donegal right now.

Are #hydrogen cars the future of motoring? Some manufacturers are still optimistic - with new models set to be released in the coming years - but others think the race has already been run. Find out why in my latest piece for @chemistryworld.com www.chemistryworld.com/news/is-hydr...

A Thesis on the importance of the Acknowledgements section in scientific Articles, from Michelle Francl @michellefrancl.bsky.social www.nature.com/articles/s41...

Looking for all your favourite writers and editors on @chemistryworld.bsky.social? I've put together a handy starter pack with them all go.bsky.app/Gd82ia9

IUPAC is looking for the 2025 Top Ten Emerging Technologies in Chemistry. The call for proposals is open until April 1, 2025 and anyone can submit nominations - a great opportunity to support your favorite technologies! #chemsky iupac.org/the-top-ten-...

Come work with us! Great job as a science media producer @chemistryworld.bsky.social. Good pay and benefits and you can work from Cambridge or remotely and work with a very talented group of science communicators. #scicomm #scijobs #chemsky careers-rsc.icims.com/jobs/3607/sc...

Just to add to the sad news on #chemsky right now: I've now had it confirmed to me that Martin Karplus died on Saturday.

Great job opportunity at Nature Synthesis!

Job alert: fully funded postdoc position in chemical biology in beautiful Geneva! Do you have a PhD in Chemical Biology or related field with organic synthetic experience? Apply now! Details on how to apply can be found here: www.hoogendoornlab.org/joinus #chemsky #ChemBio