March 2004
Vol 1, no. 3
News and analysis
Weapons of mass degradation
Stockpiles of US munitions could be degrading at a perilous rate.
Investors criticise industry management
The management teams of EU chemical companies have come under fierce criticism from several private equity executives.
Oxygen and carbon detected in alien atmosphere
Astronomers identify key elements around extrasolar planet.
Nano-centipedes get a grip
The next generation of spacecraft could be powered by materials whose structures are halfway between a centipede and a dressmaking accessory - but thousands of times smaller.
Calls to clamp down on EU cheats
Leaders speak out against EU regulations.
EU Parliament delays agreement on Reach
Any prospects of an early agreement on Reach (Registration, evaluation and authorisation of chemicals), the proposed new EU regulatory regime for chemicals, have been dashed.
AstraZeneca targets enzymes in cancer fight
A team of British and French researchers from the pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca claims to have discovered a new class of quinazoline-based compounds.
French researchers turn militant
Scientists lash out at French government over funding cuts.
Proteins give lessons in water splitting
An international team of researchers has taken a significant step on the road to using water as a cheap source of hydrogen.
Alzheimer's enzyme creates its own inhibitor
Using click chemistry in the fight against brain disease.
Non-inflammatory hopes for Alzheimer's vaccine
A novel vaccine for treating Alzheimer's Disease (AD) could result from two research agreements recently signed by Neurochem.
Vulture decline pinpointed at last
Researchers blame bird deaths on vet drug.
Can we control GM insects?
There is an urgent need to introduce regulations on the development of genetically modified insects.
DuPont identifies gum gene
US researchers from Pioneer Hi-Bred International, a subsidiary of DuPont, have identified a gene found in guar that produces galactomannan.
Acambis stops UK R&D
Acambis, a UK biotech company, is to close its research operation in Cambridge, UK, with the loss of around 40 jobs.
Pharma companies turn to chemogenomics
The growing importance to pharmaceutical companies of understanding the potential side-effects of their drugs was recently demonstrated when Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) and Abbott L...
US and Russia collaborate on new elements
A team of scientists from the US and Russia claims to have successfully created two new super heavy elements.
In Brief
ERA Chemistry Network; Dow Chemical Company; Science Advisory Council; Teapot Dome; SEAFOODplus; Morphochem.
Chemical science
Tracking down ecstasy
Artificial intelligence used in drug detective work.
New tool for the combinatorial toolbox
Colour-changing resin makes it easy to see amines being removed from solution.
An icy atmosphere
CO3 could be the key to formation of interstellar ices.
Recognising radioactive potential
Sorting out which radioactive isotope of an element can be used.
Building up to a new HIV vaccine
An anti-HIV vaccine may be closer thanks to a new approach to vaccine design that is being developed.
Probing plant defences
Canadian scientists have identified precursors to the hormones responsible for the natural defence of oilseed rape and other economically important cruciferous plants, and vegetabl...
Pores for thought
Tailoring porous materials to combine several properties within the same solid has moved a step closer.
Evaporating acids are the key to life
The evaporation of serine clusters might have been involved in the early processes of life on earth according to researchers from Purdue University, US.
Cellular origami for a cancer cure
The first successful synthesis of an antibiotic with antitumour properties has been achieved by UK researchers.
Keeping a lid on food contamination
A European team of scientists has established the source of semicarbazide contamination in jars of food.
Dendrimers as oral drug transporters
UK research team improves beta blocker delivery using tree-like polymers.
A natural form of pest control
Vaccinating plants against future attack.
Nitrates blaze a trail
US researchers find that HNO3 may change climate models.
Splitting nitrogen with ease
Using large molecules to break nitrogen bonds.
Novel microgel puts enzymes to work
Using biopolymers to take natural catalysts to industrial-scale reactions.
Sensing the sweet smell of saccharides
Japanese researchers develop carbohydrate biosensor.
Search for new antibiotics intensifies
Bacteria and enzymes are key contenders in battle against superbugs.
Fullerenes hit the small screen
Danish researchers film the growth of carbon nanofibres.
Recent Features
Deciphering plants
Metabolomics may be the key to decoding plant genomes, reports Kira Weissman.
The future's bright, the future's blue
Gallium nitride is a new semiconductor that promises to outshine silicon, eclipse gallium arsenide and revolutionise our lives by reducing demand for electricity. John Emsley repor...
Light harvesting
Scientists are taking a leaf out of Nature's book by attempting to harness enough energy from sunlight to carry out useful photochemical reactions. Philip Ball and David Andrews ta...
Ethereal philosopher
Success was sweet indeed for Victorian chemist A W Williamson. Colin Russell tells his story.
Driving down emissions
The three-way catalytic converter is a wonderful example of what technology can achieve in the face of new legislation, says Rosslyn Nicholson. But there's no room for complacency....
Regulars
Comment: Innovation under fire
EU proposals on technology transfer agreements pose a substantial threat to innovation, says Amit Khandelwal.
Flashback
March - 50 years ago; 100 years ago; 125 years ago
The Last Retort: Witch way to pay
In the light of ongoing financial problems faced by most UK chemistry departments.
Chemistry World Letters, March 2004
Chemistry World Reviews, March 2004
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