September 2005
Vol 2, no.9
News and analysis
29 July 2005: Experts call for more balanced debate on climate change
Politicians and the media need a better understanding of the nature of uncertainty, argue climate change experts.
12 August 2005: Select committee puts government in the dock
The UK parliament's science and technology committee has accused ministers of failing to engage in the debate surrounding the use of expert witnesses in court.
26 July 2005: 'Pen' detects peroxide-based explosives
Researchers have developed a pocket-sized device for detecting sub-milligram quantities of peroxide-based explosives such as those reportedly used in the recent bomb attacks in Lon...
8 August 2005: Ban the bomb, leading scientists urge
UK pressure group has used 60th anniversary of Hiroshima bombing to restate call to halt involvement in development and manufacture of nuclear weapons.
10 August 2005: Behind the scenes at the chocolate factory
The 'chocolate' in the movie Charlie and the Chocolate Factory looks fun to swim in, but isn't as tasty as the real thing and is surprisingly difficult to make.
19 July 2005: Co-op cuts out artificial colours
Natural food colour suppliers are set to benefit from a decision by UK supermarket chain Co-op to ban 12 food colourings.
1 August 2005: Hydrophobic aromatics recovered with record efficiency
Researchers have developed a new polymer membrane for recovering valuable aromatics from waste streams.
18 July 2005: New nuclear institute aims to address skills shortage
The UK is taking a step to restore its battered capability in nuclear research with today's launch of a new institute at the University of Manchester.
Chemical Science
20 July 2005: Dusting keeps flame-retardants at bay
If you want to prevent flame-retardant chemicals accumulating in your body, reach for a feather duster, say researchers in Canada.
5 August 2005: Therapeutic potential grows on trees
Researchers in The Netherlands say they have developed a uniquely versatile method for stitching whole proteins and peptides onto dendrimer molecules.
22 July 2005: Mars stays cool while getting its rocks off
Two US geochemists have poured cold water on the idea that water flowed over the surface of Mars for long periods.
13 July 2005: Chemical technique separates the sheep from the goats
A protein biosensor for discriminating between meat juices from the flesh of different animals has been developed by Swedish scientists.
Microwaveable microfluidic devices
Domestic microwave ovens could soon replace expensive radio frequency plasma cleaners used to make microfluidic devices.
Dissolving boron for cancer therapy
A new complex for more effective delivery of closo-carborane agents to tumour sites has been developed by chemists in Australia.
3 August 2005: Grabbing proteins by the ELPs
A new method for protein purification based on self-cleaving polypeptide tags will be simpler and cheaper than current techniques, claim researchers.
2 August 2005: Less platinum for cheaper fuel cells
A platinum-free electrode that could help reduce the costs of polymer electrolyte fuel cells is being developed in Japan.
Fungus fighting tomatoes get sugar boost
Super tomatoes fighting off killer fungi sounds like the plot for a bad sci-fi movie, but could be closer to reality than we thought.
Controllable molecular shuttles
A molecular shuttle whose speed can be precisely controlled has been developed by researchers in Germany.
5 August 2005: Ecstatic mice point to treatment for Parkinson's disease
New mouse model of Parkinson's disease provides further evidence that amphetamines, including Ecstasy, can reverse disease symptoms.
28 July 2005: Trehalose puts life on hold
Researchers are discovering how an apparently ordinary disaccharide helps plants and animals survive extraordinary environments.
Nanotechnology imitates gecko glue
Researchers in the US have attempted to surpass nature and create a synthetic material that sticks to surfaces at the nanometre level.
Microfluidic biosensor detects pathogens
A reusable microfluidic biosensor has been developed by scientists in the US.
12 July 2005: Lo-tech beats hi-tech in hydrogen storage
Canadian and German researchers have discovered that a relatively lo-tech material - graphite - might help solve the hi-tech problem of hydrogen storage.
4 August 2005: Drug stockpiles needed in preparation for flu pandemic
Creating a massive stockpile of antiviral drugs - and the means to distribute them quickly - will be key to preventing millions of deaths from influenza.
25 July 2005: Fireflies light the way for capillary NMR
A rare American firefly has acted as a test case for the discovery of new natural products from a largely untapped source.
27 July 2005: Carbon nanotubes receive support for metallisation
Carbon nanotubes have been fixed to metal surfaces to increase the range of metals that can be coated by electroless deposition.
15 July 2005: Explosive acetylene leads to blocked pores
Japanese chemists and physicists have discovered the most effective known material for adsorbing and storing acetylene.
26 July 2005: Nanoparticle delivery sends viruses packing
Gene therapy might have been given a much needed boost. Researchers have shown that silica nanoparticles can efficiently deliver genes into mouse brains.
Targeting drug delivery with gels
An innovative self-assembling gel system that exclusively releases a drug in the presence of a specific enzyme has been devised.
Biocatalytic synthesis in ionic liquids
The stability and activity of enzymes in ionic liquids is under investigation by chemists in Italy.
Sensing low oxygen levels
A luminescent material that can detect low levels of oxygen has been prepared by Chinese materials chemists.
Cooking up a storm in a frying pan
Teflon-coated cookware does not pose a threat to human health, according to scientists in the US.
Changing colours of latex
A new approach to making colour changing, light sensitive materials has been developed by researchers in Scandinavia.
Why silver speeds photocatalysis
Why silver deposits on the surface of titanium dioxide make the material a better photocatalyst for breaking down some organic molecules but not others.
Polymeric micelles guide the way in anticancer treatment
A new type of polymeric micelle drug carrier has been developed by scientists in Japan.
Extended aromatic system gives new dyes
A new class of compounds for making yellow and violet dyes has been discovered by chemists in Germany.
Active organosilicas with ion selectivity
An all in one approach for preparing ion-selective mesoporous organosilica structures has been developed.
Rapid enzyme screening
A fast, efficient screening method that could test vast numbers of enzymes for specific applications has been discovered by researchers in the UK, bringing made to order enzymes a ...
Features
Claiming Einstein for chemistry
Physicists the world over are celebrating the 100 year anniversary of Einstein's theory of relativity, but Philip Ball argues that Einstein was essentially a chemist
Putting the flesh on the bones of archaeology
Chemistry can illuminate the age of a specimen, build up a picture of prehistoric diet and lifestyles and can even probe the genetic makeup of long-extinct populations and species....
The X-philes of evolution
It's time to stop thinking of enzymes as delicate entities that fall apart under the slightest pressure. Richard Corfield introduces us to the amazing world of thermophilic enzymes...
Investing in Asia and innovation
Ernst Guggolz talks to Jürgen Hambrecht, chief executive officer of BASF, about the company's strategy.
The first president
Thomas Graham, the first president of the Chemical Society, deserves more recognition for his work than history has given him. Colin Russell attempts to redress the balance.
Regulars
Editorial: Hollywood chemists
Interaction between scientists and film makers could consign the mad scientist to history.
Comment: Stopping the slide and boosting research
Richard Clegg argues that nuclear chemistry has declined in the UK and considerable investment would be needed for a new-build programme.
Your views...
Chemistry research is not an essential component of a science-based university. Discuss.
The chemist's guide to.
Space foam
Crossword
Prize crossword, September 2005
The last retort: Why is a scientist like a football fan?
A scientist's love for a particular science can be as committed and irrational as a fan's love for a particular team
Flashback
September - 5 years ago; 90 years ago; 135 years ago; 140 years ago; 155 years ago
Chemistry World Letters, September 2005
Chemistry World Software Reviews, September 2005
Chemistry World Reviews, September 2005
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