The chemical breakdown & Chemistry in its element

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Latest Episodes:

Fexinidazole: Chemistry in its element May 29, 2020

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The World Health Organisation hope to eradicate human African trypanosomiasis, better known as sleeping sickness, within our lifetimes. Jamie Durrani looks at a drug that may make it possible.

DMT – Dimethyltryptamine: Chemistry in its element May 22, 2020

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Georgia Mills investigates the psychoactive found in ayahuasca that may mirror near-death experiences

Chlorine dioxide: Chemistry in its element May 15, 2020

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Katrina Krämer investigates how industrial-strength bleach became promoted as 'miracle mineral supplement' – a supposed 'cure' for autism, cancer and even Covid-19.

Oleic acid: Chemistry in its element May 08, 2020

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Brian Clegg discovers the link between olive oil, dandruff and stained glass windows.

Interferon beta: Chemistry in its element May 01, 2020

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An immune-modulating compound used to reduce the symptoms of multiple sclerosis and now showing potential against coronaviruses, interferon beta is the last of the WHO's Covid-19 Solidarity trial candidates to get the Chemistry in its element treatment.

Ritonavir: Chemistry in its element Apr 24, 2020

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The unexplained appearance and dramatic spread of a new form of HIV drug ritonavir hurt patients and cost its makers almost $250 million. Alexander Whiteside on the chemical phenomenon that links Irving Langmuir, H G Wells and Kurt Vonnegut.

Lopinavir: Chemistry in its element Apr 17, 2020

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Ben Valsler explains how a drug that prevents HIV from donning its protective 'coat' now makes up one arm of the World Health Organisation's Covid-19 trial

Remdesivir: Chemistry in its element Apr 03, 2020

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Will new clinical trials for Covid-19 give remdesivir a second chance?Ben Valsler introduces the broad-spectrum antiviral that didn't quite make it as the Ebola drug it was originally planned to be.

Chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine: Chemistry in its element Mar 27, 2020

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Old drugs sometimes find their way back into the news. The Covid-19 pandemic – and some very high profile backing – has led to malaria drugs chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine hitting the headlines worldwide. Ben Valsler explores both the history and the hype.

Ibuprofen: Chemistry in its element Mar 20, 2020

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Brian Clegg on the popular over-the-counter painkiller, developed by a high-street pharmacy chain