November 2004
Vol 1, no. 11
News and analysis
Nobels blur the boundaries
Laureates underline the values of a cross-disciplinary approach
Child's play for EU councillors
The European plasticiser industry has expressed concern over a recent EU decision to ban the use of three phthalate plasticisers in children's toys.
Chemistry for life
We couldn't do without chemistry.
Beauty is in the eye of the photographer
The 2004 Visions of Science awards.
Squeeze on success for AstraZeneca
October was a tough and busy month for AstraZeneca.
Europe looks to herbal remedies
New legislation to simplify registration of traditional medicines.
Fizzy drinks maker pours cold water on science prize
In a tradition spanning back to 1991.
Maurice Wilkins 1916-2004
Maurice Wilkins, who shared the 1962 Nobel prize in physiology or medicine with James Watson and Francis Crick, has died aged 87.
Tumour treatment in the library
The fully-human antibodies that MorphoSys, based in Munich, has synthesised are reportedly able to kill cancer cells in vitro.
Manchester merger completed
Good news for chemists at Manchester.
Fantastic plastic
German-owned chemicals company BASF has put out a call to specialists and 'interested amateurs'.
Speculation for innovation
How are chemists equipped to face the challenges presented by an evermore cut-throat business world?
In Brief
Award for Innovation in Applied Catalysis, PowderJect, biggest polluters of air and water fined, Green chemical technology roadmap, Varisolve delayed
Chemical Science
Shedding light on pathogens
Fluorescent polymers flag bacterial infections.
Catching copper ions
Methane-oxidising bugs sidestep copper uptake.
Peptide cover-up for gold nanoparticles
Nanoparticles stabilised by hydrophilic pentapeptide sheath.
Dahlia structures hold drug promise
Carbon nanohorns could provide a new delivery system for unstable drugs.
Rectifying a problem in nano-electronics
Molecular diodes bring single molecule devices a little closer.
Forensic fingerprinting
Stable isotope mass spectrometry is linking batches of materials used in crimes.
Protein potters at the wheel
Wrapping molecules in organoclay improves their stability.
A small ion in a small capsule
New synthetic capsules may aid cross-membrane ion transport.
Chemistry with its head in the clouds
Evaporation and condensation kinetics of ice clarify confusing observations.
Silver bug-beaters come out of the dark
Light sensitivity is no longer a problem for studying anti-microbial silver.
Culturing the blood-brain barrier
Cell culture on ultra-thin membranes provides a model of the blood-brain barrier.
Image is everything
Thin film deposition is key for optimising thermal imaging.
Organic benefits squashed
Research shows little advantage in eating organic tomatoes.
Toxic buckyballs hang around in clumps
Researchers reduce toxic effects of nanotechnology through chemical change.
Chemists get a reaction from speed dating
Complementary DNA strands allow novel reaction products to be easily identified.
Fossil fuels without the fossils
Methane gas can be formed from inorganic components.
Not just any old iron for bugs
Drug resistant bacteria have developed a preference for haem iron.
Pinning down a protein to analyse enzymes
Cytochrome c oxidase's active site is preserved when it is immobilised on an electrode.
Cleaning up kerosene
Spanish researchers have optimised a mild method to remove sulfur from fuel.
Demonstrating technology for toxicity
Water quality tests have been scrutinised by UK scientists.
Red blood, yellow skin, blue light
Newborns are unable to process bilirubin, which causes jaundice that is treated by exposure to blue and white light.
Targeting disease
Researchers in Denmark and India have prepared synthetic DNA analogues known as oligonucleotides that have the potential for use as antisense drugs.
Double or quadruple? With DNA it makes a difference
A potential new generation of anti-cancer agents is on the horizon, if different DNA forms can be unravelled using new technology.
Gene clones can lower cholesterol
Part of a natural compound that can lower cholesterol has been made by cloning a fungal gene.
Microwave materials
Chemists at the University of Munich, Germany, have made a new porous material that can be dehydrated with no structural effects.
Chemistry to the rescue
Chemistry gets a bad press for creating 'nasty' molecules, such as chemical warfare agents, or pesticides.
Illuminating light-receptors in plants
The mystery about plants' internal 'light switches' is slowly being unravelled, thanks to theoretical chemists in Sweden.
Features

DNA branches into nanotech
Often viewed as a dream rather than a commercial prospect, DNA as a construction material in nanotechnology may be applied in practice sooner than many expect. Andrew Scott looks a...
The kiss of death
Discovering how the body carries out quality control has earned three scientists the 2004 Nobel Prize in chemistry. Karen Harries-Rees looks at their work.
Biotechnology: the second Cuban revolution
Over the last 20 years, Cuba has invested heavily in biotechnology centres, which might make the island economically competitive despite the worst efforts of the US administration....
Scientific security
Science and technology is playing a big part in combating terrorism. Ian Farrell looks at how analytical science is helping.
Nobel prizes and noble gases
As the 2004 Nobel prizes are announced, Colin Russell examines the life and times of William Ramsay, who discovered the noble gases and won the coveted award in 1904.
Regulars
Comment: Chemistry Strength
Indian companies are increasingly becoming a force to be reckoned with, says Brian Tempest.
Flashback
November - 5 years ago; 10 years ago; 75 years ago; 130 years ago; 150 years ago

The Last Retort: The spice of life
One of turmeric's claims to fame has been as a substitute for saffron.
Chemistry World Letters, November 2004
Chemistry World Reviews, November 2004


