Bri Barbu

Stick chemistry: High-throughput method for finding new molecular glues Click chemistry method opens up avenues for intentional glue discovery

And then someone else will ask me "what are aminosulfur oxydifluoride groups" And I can be like "That sounds like SuFEx chemistry here's some past coverage you should look at"
cen.acs.org/biological-c...

How did chemists identify the poison that killed Alexei Navalny? Epibatidine is used in research but is not part of typical toxicology panels

One fun part about my job is that sometimes my coworkers will DM me things like "What is this starting molecule called and also how hard does this frog toxin synthesis look" and in return I can ask them silly questions about biology.
cen.acs.org/analytical-c...

How powerful lasers can measure air pollution from space debris Scientists directly measured the lithium left behind in the mesosphere when pieces of a SpaceX rocket fell to Earth over Europe

Come to @fmorningstar.bsky.social's latest story for the lasers beaming into space, stay for the gorgeous photos. Of lasers beaming into space.
cen.acs.org/environment/...

MAHA’s next target: metals in vaccine ingredients Officials are going after metal-containing ingredients, including aluminum adjuvants. Here’s why vaccines need them

My colleagues @rowanwalrath.bsky.social and @sarahbraner.bsky.social dug into what we know about how alum and related adjuvants stimulate immunity and why MAHA regulators are going after them.

cen.acs.org/pharmaceutic...

Aluminum learns to ride a redox cycle Main-group metal performs like a transition-metal catalyst to build aromatics from alkynes

Researchers have devised an aluminum complex that undergoes a full catalytic cycle. The metal switches between two different oxidation states to assemble substituted benzene rings from alkynes. cen.acs.org/synthesis/ca...

#chemsky 🧪

Aluminum learns to ride a redox cycle Main-group metal performs like a transition-metal catalyst to build aromatics from alkynes

Researchers have devised an aluminum complex that cycles between two different oxidation states to assemble substituted benzene rings from alkynes:
cen.acs.org/synthesis/ca...

EPA officially kills the endangerment finding ‘Don't worry about it,’ Trump says when asked about climate impacts on public health

President Donald J. Trump and Environmental Protection Agency head Lee Zeldin announced that the EPA has finalized rescinding the endangerment finding. This is the legal basis for regulating greenhouse gas emissions under the US Clean Air Act. cen.acs.org/environment/... #chemsky 🧪

The fact that the 2026 Winter Olympics mascots are stoats, 10 years after the CERN weasel incident, is so meaningful to me.

Chemists create mosaic of AI synthesis knowledge Large language models recommend organic reaction procedures

Once you're done reading about the history of organic chemistry, check out my other latest story about researchers trying to build an AI-enabled future for synthesis! 🤖
cen.acs.org/physical-che...

‘Everyone’s favorite hexagon’: Benzene at 200 The history of ‘everyone’s favorite hexagon’ illustrates the resonance of basic science and how discoveries build over time

"Everyone's favorite hexagon" (benzene) turned 200 last summer! So I whipped up a little feature about it and learned all sorts of fun facts about old-timey chemists! ⚗️🔬🧪
cen.acs.org/people/Benze...

Quiz: C&EN’s periodic table challenge Can you remember all 118 elements in the periodic table without looking at the answers?

One of my friends got up to 35 elements in timed mode last night! My sticky fingers can't get past 26, it seems... cen.acs.org/education/sc...

The chemistry behind the NFL’s highlight-reel catches Football players in the NFL use gloves coated with tacky silicone to help them grip the ball

I'll admit it. I don't follow football. But @maxhenrybarnhart.bsky.social's story about the gloves football players wear for @cenmag.bsky.social is positively gripping.
#chemsky
cen.acs.org/materials/po...

Engineered enzyme makes amides from aldehydes Researchers hacked the mechanism of aldehyde dehydrogenase to achieve new reactivity

Researchers at Peking University reconfigured an aldehyde dehydrogenase to make amide bonds, which is pretty dang neat and a really impressive feat of enzyme engineering. I wrote about it for @cenmag.bsky.social. Please enjoy.
cen.acs.org/synthesis/bi...

Chemistry gives Winter Olympic athletes an edge on the snow and ice From high-tech gear to PFAS-free waxes and precision ice making, materials and chemistry advances define the Milan Cortina games

I'm just back from a ski holiday in time for Prachi's excellent look at some of the new chemistry behind this month's #olympics, including ski wax drama and some sexy carbon fibre skimo boots 🧪⚗️⛷️

cen.acs.org/physical-che...

US ultraprocessed food policy accelerates with bipartisan support The science is still emerging, with researchers calling for more funding

Y’all must read this deep-dive on ultraprocessed foods by @edelger.bsky.social! At the very least, scroll to the quiz and see if you can figure out the line between “processed” and “ultraprocessed” foods 🥦🍦🍯 ngl, I got a bit salty over some of them cen.acs.org/policy/US-ul...

Lithium can help clean up PFAS Researchers tap into battery failure to destroy forever chemicals

Researchers have tested a new electrochemical process, inspired by lithium-metal batteries, that destroys per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances by reducing them. cen.acs.org/environment/... #chemsky 🧪

2 unusual alkenes stretch the limits of molecular geometry The extremely strained structures of cubene and 1,7-quadricyclene could be handy in drug synthesis

Some people just enjoy pushing molecules out of their comfort zones. Neil Garg & his team proudly count themselves among those people. Their latest work explores the chemistry of cubene and 1,7-quadricyclene, two molecules with extremely distorted double bonds.
cen.acs.org/synthesis/cu... #chemsky🧪

Two unusual alkenes stretch the limits of molecular geometry The extremely strained structures of cubene and 1,7-quadricyclene could be handy in drug synthesis

🚨Weird molecule alert!🚨
Meet cuebene and quadricyclene, a pair of delightfully warped alkenes from the incredibly creative molecule smiths in the Garg Lab!
My latest science news for @cenmag.bsky.social
cen.acs.org/synthesis/cu...

I am doing my best to get a good grade in therapy, which is both normal to want and possible to achieve

If you were to design a scratch-and-sniff stamp, what would it smell like?

Carbonate crusts preserve the secrets of Pompeii’s public baths Stable isotope analysis suggests that, before Roman aqueducts, residents of the city may have soaked in dirty water

Looking for a little archaeochemistry this fine Thursday? Check out @fmorningstar.bsky.social about how scientists revealed the dirty secrets of Pompeii's bathhouses:
cen.acs.org/analytical-c...

I'd like to chat with people who have applied for grad school in chem or biochem for fall 2026 for an article in C&EN (@cenmag.bsky.social) about how funding changes in the US are impacting admissions. If this is you, please fill out this form.

forms.office.com/r/5xUxaqEnfX
#chemsky #chemchat

Scratch-and-sniff stamps and lickable parcels Meaningful messages that engage the senses

Sensory overload: In the latest #Newscripts for @cenmag.bsky.social, @bribarbu.bsky.social explores scratch-and-sniff stamps and "deliciously unhinged" lickable wrapping paper.
cen.acs.org/business/con...

Cinnabon Scented Holiday Wrapping Paper (2PK) This season, for a limited-time, Cinnabon is making the holidays even sweeter with the introduction of their new Cinnabon Scented Wrapping Paper – a unique gift wrap bundle that smells just like Cinna...

While reporting this story, I (very easily) convinced @leighkboerner.bsky.social to get this Cinnabon gift wrap. Here's some of what she said:
"The smell overpowered the Christmas tree smell for about a day"
"It is unhinged wrapping paper. 100% would buy again."
swag.cinnabon.com/products/cin...

Scratch-and-sniff stamps and lickable parcels Meaningful messages that engage the senses

In my latest #Newscripts column, I dove into the weird and wacky world of multisensory printing! I learned about pastry-scented stamps, scratch-and-sniff deodorant ads, and--strangest of all--meat-flavored lickable wrapping paper.
cen.acs.org/business/con...

Stone Age humans hunted with poisoned arrows Chemical analysis finds plant poisons on 60,000-year-old arrowheads

Researchers have uncovered chemical evidence that humans in what is now South Africa were using poisoned arrows for hunting as far back as 60,000 years ago. cen.acs.org/analytical-c... #chemsky 🧪

Enzymes offer easy access to diazo compounds A repurposed algae protein gives a greener biocatalytic approach to valuable molecular building blocks

I realize I'm late to the party publishing a story about these ancient arrowheads! the reason is that I was busy finishing up a story about chemist repurposing enzymes to make diazo compounds. Which i think nicely sums up how my job works.
cen.acs.org/synthesis/bi...

Stone Age humans hunted with poisoned arrows Chemical analysis finds plant poisons on 60,000-year-old arrowheads

Turns out, one of the things Stone Age hunter-gatherers gathered was poisonous plants to add a little extra kick to their hunting gear!
cen.acs.org/analytical-c...

Ensures that all the diseases covered by the previous immunization schedule will still be available to anyone who wants them through Affordable Care Act insurance plans and federal insurance programs, including Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, and the Vaccines for Children program. Families will not have to purchase them out of pocket. Among peer nations, the U.S. will continue to offer the most childhood vaccines for free to those who want them.

Copy Editing Matters, from HHS's release on the new childhood vaccine schedule: All the diseases will still be available to anyone who wants them

I've been at C&EN for over four years and I can genuinely say our staff is some of the most thoughtful, dedicated people I've ever worked with. With @cenguild.bsky.social, we can make sure we're all supported in our effort to keep putting out our unique brand of high-quality science journalism!