News April 2006
Double-whammy analysis to probe nanotubes
28 April 2006
US chemists and physicists have probed the structure of carbon nanotubes in unprecedented detail
New twist for switchable polymers
28 April 2006
Controlling the twist of a polymer backbone has enabled US chemists to tune the polymer's optical and electronic properties.
'Sticky trees' glue molecules to proteins
27 April 2006
Researchers have developed a chemical 'glue' that binds molecules to proteins without compromising protein function.
Arrays learn to multitask
27 April 2006
US researchers have increased the information density of microarrays without further shrinking the dimensions of the spots.
Detecting cancer through fluorescence
27 April 2006
Healthy and cancerous cells lining the oesophagus fluoresce in different ways, report French researchers.
Enhancing sensitivity in MRI
27 April 2006
An insight into the nuclear spins of hydrogen molecules could lead to sensitivity enhancement in magnetic resonance imaging.
Marriage of science and innovation
26 April 2006
Significant changes to UK government science set-up have been announced, in an attempt to embed science into the Department of Trade and Industry.
Plasticiser debate continues
26 April 2006
European commission conclusions on risks posed by phthalate plasticisers have brought mixed reactions.
Signalling device pinpoints cells
26 April 2006
A device for investigating cell signalling has been invented by researchers from the US.
Solvent-sensitive switch
26 April 2006
Canadian chemists have used interlocked molecules to create a mechanical switch that is sensitive to its solvent.
Biocompatible patterned films
26 April 2006
Growing biocompatible implants for surgical applications has become easier than ever before, say a multidisciplinary team of German scientists.
DNA sequencing reaches the space age
25 April 2006
The smallest ever DNA sequencing device needs just 1 femtomole of DNA.
Oxygen-binding polymer for artificial blood
25 April 2006
UK chemists have made a polymer that could be used to make artificial blood.
An acoustic biosensor
25 April 2006
Chemists in Canada have demonstrated the potential of acoustic waves in the study of protein activity.
Can cellulose rival petroleum?
25 April 2006
Cellulose is set to become a bio-renewable feed-stock to rival petroleum-based alternatives, according to Shengdong Zhu of Wuhan Institute of Chemical Technology, China.
Putting some backbone into bacterial killers
24 April 2006
Molecules need a bit of backbone in order to punch through bacterial membranes, say US chemists.
Photonic crystal fibres for sensing
24 April 2006
Chemists have developed optical sensors by filling the channels of photonic crystal fibres with luminescent materials.
Exploring the mechanism of a thymidylate synthase
24 April 2006
An unexpected discovery could lead to new antibiotics, claim researchers in the US.
Lipid tubes go further
24 April 2006
German and Swiss researchers have found a simple method for making very long lipid tubes for use in tailor-made microfluidic networks.
In the blink of an eye
21 April 2006
There is much more to tears than salty water, report UK chemists. The liquid film that moistens our eyes has a coating similar to a cell membrane.
Deoxyribose is the weakest link in tumour therapy
21 April 2006
Disintegrating sugars are bringing researchers a step closer to understanding how tumours are destroyed by radiation therapy.
Proton transfer in proteins
20 April 2006
Scientists in Israel have used computer simulations to understand how protons transfer across the surfaces of proteins.
Phased out: extracting homogeneous catalysts from solution
21 April 2006
US researchers have demonstrated a polymeric catalyst that is easily removed from solution.
Deposition in ionic liquids
21 April 2006
Metal deposition in air and water stable ionic liquids will revolutionise electrochemistry, claim scientists in Germany.
Calcite differences on Mars
20 April 2006
Differential thermal analysis of calcite samples is aiding the hunt for life on Mars.
Nanotechnology - friend or foe?
20 April 2006
Australian scientists call for biological and toxicological testing of nanomaterials.
Symmetrical electricals
20 April 2006
Inorganic chemists have developed a fuel cell that uses the same material for both of its electrodes.
Europe strives to allay GM fears
19 April 2006
European plans for 'improving scientific consistency and transparency' on GM crops has prompted a guarded response.
Unsymmetrical architectures yield novel properties
19 April 2006
UK chemists have designed polyoxometalate clusters with unsymmetrical architectures.
Fluorescent sensor detects dying cells
19 April 2006
A series of molecular probes that could allow doctors to tailor treatments to individual cancer patients has been developed.
Taking the heat out of flammability testing
19 April 2006
Chemists are working with fire safety researchers to investigate high throughput techniques for speeding up the testing of fire retardant materials.
Viruses display liquid crystal control
18 April 2006
Researchers in the US have discovered that viruses can control the orientation of liquid crystals
The science of self-assembly
18 April 2006
Basic kinetics and thermodynamics can unravel the complicated chemical reactions involved in self-assembly processes.
Understanding protein folding
18 April 2006
Scientists in the UK have explained how bacterial proteins assist other proteins to fold.
FRET detects DNA hybridisation
18 April 2006
South Korean scientists have used fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) to detect DNA hybridisation in a microfluidic channel.
Deciphering hydrogen tunnelling in enzymes
14 April 2006
UK researchers have thrown important new light on the phenomenon of hydrogen tunnelling in biological catalysts
Chemists bring alien molecule down to Earth
13 April 2006
US and German chemists have recreated an alien molecule in the laboratory
How many OLEDs does it take to replace a light bulb?
13 April 2006
US scientists have combined fluorescence and phosphorescence to create the most efficient white OLED yet
Nuclear power to save the planet
12 April 2006
The UK's chief scientific adviser, David King, has reiterated his support for nuclear power
Nanotechnology tackles chemotherapy
11 April 2006
US researchers have developed nanoparticles that target chemotherapy drugs directly at tumours.
Brain scans under pressure
10 April 2006
A fledgling project involving chemists and neuroscientists aims to uncover how high pressures affect the brain
Teamwork the overall winner
07 April 2006
Matthew Baker, founder of DNA Research Innovations, is winner of the 2006 Chemistry World Entrepreneur of the Year award.
Detection on the nanoscale
06 April 2006
Don't throw away that old ink-jet printer just yet, it might be needed to print the transistors for your flat-screen TV.
Update: Europe tightens fluorinated gas restrictions
05 April 2006
A furious row has stalled plans for further restrictions on use of fluorinated gases in the European Union.
Variable focus at the flick of a switch
05 April 2006
Liquid crystal spectacle lenses focus on near or distant objects at the flick of a switch.
![Para-sulfonato-calix[n]arenes](/images/b600720c-67_tcm18-51415.jpg)
Calixarene chemists develop CJD test
05 April 2006
A diagnostic test to detect the pathogenic prion proteins responsible for BSE and Creutzfeld-Jakob disease is being developed in France.
EU-wide carbon capture project
04 April 2006
A four-year carbon sequestration project backed by 30 European universities and energy companies will test the viability of CO2 capture.
New tools for biomedicine just a click away
04 April 2006
US chemists have used click chemistry to make molecules that mimic peptides.
Chemistry-based computers
04 April 2006
Chemists from Israel and China have developed a functionalised electrode that acts as a memory element for encoding and processing information.
IgNobel chemists on tour
03 April 2006
Chemistry featured highly on the 2006 IgNobel tour of the UK, run as part of National Science Week
Four materials for the price of one
03 April 2006
Materials scientists in China have developed a way to make four kinds of porous silica, by tuning the reaction conditions.
Chemistry World RSS
