Phosphorus - food for thought

Can phosphorus-rich foods, such as fish, improve our intellect?

Potato packaging

Chemists design new plastics from natural carbohydrates

The public analyst

Analytical chemists ensure everything, from food and drinks, through toys and household chemicals, to air quality and even suspicious powders present no danger to humans

Crop protection chemicals

By 2030, the world's population is expected to rise to over eight billion - the need for safe and environmentally friendly crop protection chemical has never been greater

Investigations get real

What real chemists do can be the basis of motivating investigations and learning in school chemistry

Pesticides - keeping one step ahead

Organic chemists have developed myriad agents to kill pests

Spicing up chemistry

Spices have been used in cooking since Roman times, and were believed to be important as antiparasitic agents and as gastrointestinal protectants in the diet

The fight against food adulteration

Today's quality control of the food and drinks industry is thanks to pioneering work started by chemist Frederick Accum and medic Arthur Hill Hassall in the 19th century

GM foods - addressing public concerns

Genetically modified (GM) foods continue to generate media attention and concern among the public. How can analytical chemists help consumers make informed choices

Making ice cream - it's physical chemistry

An understanding of the physical chemistry of ice cream is the route to a smooth, soft, creamy dessert

Medicinal compounds

John Mann, Queen's University Belfast, takes a look at drugs on the market. In this issue: anti-obesity drugs

Soundbite molecules

Simon Cotton takes a look at those compounds that find themselves in the news or relate to our everyday lives. In this issue: vanillin

Soundbite molecules

Simon Cotton, teacher at Uppingham School, takes a look at those compounds that find themselves in the news or relate to our everyday lives. In this issue: sinigrin

Soundbite molecules

Simon Cotton, teacher at Uppingham School, takes a look at those compounds that find themselves in the news or relate to our everyday lives. In this issue: Eat your greens.

Obesity - At What Cost?

01 March 2009

Obesity is fast becoming endemic in the developed nations. Does the solution lie in better diets and exercise or do anti-obesity drugs have a part to play in its control?

Fruit & veg - five a day?

In this issue of the student supplement we look at why eating a diet rich in fruit and veg can help keep the doctors away

A little selenium goes a long way

Despite being one of the rarest elements on Earth, selenium is an essential nutrient. But our diets contain less selenium now than ever before. Does this put our health at risk?

Omega-3 fatty acids - the jury is still out

In recent years omega-3 fatty acids have been hailed as having many health benefits. But what are omega-3 fatty acids, what is their role in the body, and what does the available r...