Zahra Khan, Freelance Journalist Profile

Articles

Stretching spider silk increases hydrogen bonding, improving mechanical strength

1 month ago | chemistryworld.com | Zahra Khan

Spiders stretch their silk when spinning their webs. Researchers knew that this was important to strengthen the silk fibres but only now has it been discovered why. A new study reveals, through computational methods, that when silk fibres are stretched after being spun their protein chains align, intermolecular interactions increase and mechanical properties improve.
Carbon-boron triple bond formed for the first time in a neutral novel molecule

1 month ago | chemistryworld.com | Zahra Khan

Researchers have synthesised a triple bond between carbon and boron for the first time. This discovery could help chemists better understand chemical bonds and inspire other researchers to synthesise compounds that might seem improbable. Source: © Maximilian Michel et al/Springer Nature Limited 2025 There are four elements on the periodic table that can form triple bonds due to their shared chemistry – boron, carbon, nitrogen and oxygen.
Clearest ever picture of worms’ surface chemistry deepens evolutionary understanding

1 month ago | chemistryworld.com | Zahra Khan

The surface chemistry of two worm species has been found to play a crucial role in their interaction with the environment and each other. This work provides the clearest picture yet of the surface chemistry of these worms and could help combat parasitic infections.
Zika virus discovered to alter skin chemistry to entice mosquitoes

2 months ago | chemistryworld.com | Zahra Khan

The Zika virus modifies the chemical composition of human skin, making individuals more attractive to mosquitoes. These changes enhance the virus’s ability to spread by increasing the number of mosquito bites a Zika victim receives; however, the research also provides potential avenues to combat its spread. The Aedes aegypti mosquito is a vector for Zika, as well as dengue and chikungunya, and has expanded its range due to climate change and urbanisation.
Working towards an Australian First Nations periodic table

2 months ago | chemistryworld.com | Zahra Khan

‘I have a dream of walking into a chemistry lecture theatre and seeing two periodic tables – the traditional one and a periodic table in the language of the Gadigal whose land we teach on,’ says Anthony Masters, a chemistry professor at the University of Sydney in Australia. The Gadigal are one of over 400 different Aboriginal communities in Australia and the Torres Straight Islands that have their own distinct set of languages, histories and traditions.
Thousands protest higher education budget cuts in the Netherlands

Dec 4, 2024 | chemistryworld.com | Zahra Khan

Students, staff and supporters of universities and colleges across the Netherlands have been protesting government plans to slash over €1 billion (£830 million) from higher education and research. The academic community has warned that the cuts pose a serious threat to the country’s future and could lead to the closure of multiple universities. The Dutch government says it is addressing financial constraints across the public sector, aiming to balance domestic and international students’ needs.
Countries announce new steps to reduce methane emissions at COP29

Nov 26, 2024 | chemistryworld.com | Zahra Khan

Four more countries have signed up to the global methane pledge that was created at Cop26 in 2021 bringing the total number to 159 countries to date. New signatories include countries with large oil and gas sectors that are significant emitters of methane such as Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan.
The benefits of following a PhD with an MBA

Nov 6, 2024 | chemistryworld.com | Zahra Khan

The chemists who have achieved professional success by following up their PhDs with an MBA Source: Courtesy of Valerie Ramis ‘I’m a free electron,’ is how Valerie Claderadescribes herself. With a colourful career in strategic consulting, she credits both her PhD and MBA for attaining her dream job. During the second year of her PhD in photochemistry at Sorbonne University, France, she realised she didn’t want to spend her career in research and development.
New catalytic strategies boost alkene synthesis

Nov 5, 2024 | chemistryworld.com | Zahra Khan

Two new catalytic methods offer ways to tackle longstanding challenges in alkene synthesis. Alkenes are essential chemical building blocks used in the manufacture of everyday items such as plastics and rubber, as well as more complex molecules like pharmaceutical ingredients.
Observing Cop28 with a gender lens

Sep 6, 2024 | chemistryworld.com | Zahra Khan

Avoid so-called climate solutions that disadvantage the most marginalised It was the graveyard slot – 6pm on the last day of week one. Our side event had only just been confirmed a few days before my arrival into Dubai, and we had to merge our plans with those of another organisation. Yet here I was, speaking on a panel at Cop28 – putting gender on the agenda. Cop28 marked the first Cop with a day dedicated to gender so I was excited and optimistic.