The technique they used will offer insight into many different chemical reactions.

They discovered the messy environment of a chemical reaction can actually change the shape of a catalytic nanoparticle in a way that makes it more active.

For the first time, scientists have revealed the steps needed to turn on a receptor that helps regulate neuron firing. The findings might help researchers understand and someday treat addiction, psychosis and other neuropsychological diseases.

Revealing both sides of the story in a single experiment has been a grand scientific challenge.