RSC - Advancing the Chemical Sciences


Chemistry World

 

August 2008

Vol 5, No 8

August 2008

News and analysis

US research agencies get extra millions

01 July 2008

Science groups successfully lobby to include funds in war bill

FutureGen re-launched amidst Congressional enquiry

02 July 2008

US lawmakers probe DOE decisions on flagship clean coal programme

Pharma goes green to cut costs

09 July 2008

Tight budgets see pharmaceutical firms focusing on green chemistry

'Macho' work ethic forcing women out of chemistry

16 July 2008

Isolation and lack of encouragement fuel exit from academia

Phoenix investigates potential for life on Mars

The Phoenix Mars Lander has carried out the first wet chemistry experiments on another planet

New drug test misses Olympic deadline

18 July 2008

'Frustrating' delays for promising biomarker-based assay Also available in Mandarin

Mixed response to Indian climate change plan

India's plan of action to fight climate change by focusing on renewable energy sources

Atomic scale microscopy goes commercial

02 July 2008

Instrument manufacturers bring state-of-the-art transmission electron microscopes to the market

Mercury link to dolphin deaths

30 June 2008

Heavy metal poisoning could be causing dolphin beachings

UK slows introduction of biofuels

08 July 2008

Report highlights the need for the impacts of biofuels to be assessed before production targets are set

Calls to monitor potent greenhouse gas

10 July 2008

Concern as nitrogen trifluoride production stepped up

Business roundup

Industry news

In the papers...

Short items

News in brief

Short items

Market Place

New products, August 2008

Note book

Short items


Chemical science

Liquid crystals stand up for DNA detection

26 June 2008

Liquid crystals that detect DNA sequence could be developed into cheap, portable detectors as small as a wristwatch

Humans may sense light through skin

14 July 2008

Proteins in human tissue outside the eye found to respond to light

Water found in Moon rocks

09 July 2008

Discovery challenges theories of Moon's origin

Uncovering the hidden nanoworld

17 July 2008

A powerful imaging technique now enables tiny buried objects to be investigated

Side-effects study opens up new drug leads

11 July 2008

Scientists have identified possible new targets for existing drugs by comparing their side-effects

Creating a second genetic code

04 July 2008

Scientists have created artificial DNA strands that could form a new biological data storage system

A new spin on sorting nanotubes

03 July 2008

A technique that separates semiconducting and metallic nanotubes could pave the way for progress in nanoelectronics

Slick synthesis to sea sponge structure

25 June 2008

A new route to a complex sea sponge biomolecule with promising anti-tumour properties hits the target in just nine steps

Yellow fever mosquito takes chemical cues from bacteria

08 July 2008

Bacterial compounds that stimulate egg laying in mosquitoes could help to control dengue and yellow fever

Concentrating sunlight cuts solar power costs

10 July 2008

Organic dyes feed 'better' wavelengths to photovoltaic cells

Borane leads the way to alternative fuels

02 July 2008

New routes to hydrogen storage materials have been developed by scientists in the US and Singapore

Driving power for electric cars

21 July 2008

Renewable fuel cell opens the door to electric vehicles

Dunking doughnuts into cells

25 June 2008

Rubber-ring-shaped particles may soften the blow from cancer treatments

Faster superbug detection

07 July 2008

Chip technology could cut the wait for test results on clinical samples, US scientists say

Interview: Navy's sensing mission

01 July 2008

Frances Ligler tells Kathleen Too about portable, automated biosensors for fast, on-site detection of pathogens, toxins, pollutants, drugs and explosives

Fluorescent green logic

30 June 2008

Japanese scientists are applying logic to the protein that causes jellyfish to fluoresce green

Flow chemistry for the masses

08 July 2008

Two new build-your-own microfluidic systems promise to simplify the technology so the whole research community can use it

Instant insight: Beryllium: friend or foe?

16 July 2008

Brian Scott and colleagues examine the molecular basis of chronic beryllium disease


Chinese news supplement

Testing times for new liver drug

15 July 2008

AstraZeneca targets Chinese population with new cancer treatment Also available in Mandarin

Millions raised for drug development

17 July 2008

New consortium promises a richer future for China's biotech industry Also available in Mandarin

Chemical education in need of reform

21 July 2008

China's chemistry courses are failing to meet industry needs Also available in Mandarin

Chemists join Olympic clean-up effort

24 July 2008

Modelling and satellite technology improve atmosphere over Beijing

Simple synthesis for three-in-one gel

Magnetic microgels hold drug delivery hopes

Star molecule for solar cells

Star-shaped monomer boosts polymer solar cell promise

China News in brief

Short items


Features

Cold chemistry

Intrepid researchers will brave the harshest conditions in the name of science. Ned Stafford talks to some of Antarctica's chemists

Trouble brewing

Chemical reactions during storage can destroy a beer's flavour. Henry Nicholls finds out how brewers are striving to stabilise beer's chemistry

A healthy dose

Is it really worth supplementing your diet with health-boosting pills? Emma Davies reports

Rebuilding Africa with science

As the RSC launches the first African hub of its Pan Africa Chemistry Network, Victoria Gill finds out how science can provide real solutions for the continent

Molecule of murder

In an exclusive article adapted from his new book, John Emsley explores the hallucinogen, medicine, deadly poison and antidote that is atropine


Opinion

Editorial: Balancing up the equation

Academic chemistry is a less welcoming environment for women than it is for men

Putting women in their place

It's in all our interests to promote the career progression of women in chemistry, says Annette Williams

Column: In the pipeline

Derek Lowe is looking for a little more variety among his reactions

Column: The crucible

If DNA polymerisation is reversible, asks Philip Ball, why don't we end up with some static equilibrium?

Column: Bench Monkey

Dylan Stiles touches on the 299 ways to convert an alcohol to an aldehyde or ketone


Chemistry World Jobs

Who's who: Probably the best job in the world?

Emma Davies looks at the career opportunities for chemists in the brewing industry

The Educated Chemist: Publish or be damned

Your research isn't finished until you write it down, as Sarah Houlton discovers

Careers Clinic: You're worth it

When it comes to interviews, be prepared and don't forget to smile, says Caroline Tolond

Profile: Fellowships on the brain

A series of fellowships in the UK and Germany have given Birgit Liss scientific independence in her research on the brain's dopamine system, writes Ned Stafford


Regulars

Letters

Chemistry World Letters, August 2008



Reviews

Chemistry World Reviews, August 2008



Puzzles

Puzzles, August 2008

Chemistry through the lens

This month, rather than a single image, there are three to enjoy online.

Classic Kit: Dewar's flask

A thing of rare beauty which every chemist should have on their mantelpiece

The last retort: The Tao of Silly Putty

When the magazine New Scientist was started in 1958, each reviewer also got a little brown sample of 'silly putty'

Flashback

30 years ago in Chemistry in Britain