November 2006
Vol 3, No 11
News and analysis

Defra leaves organophosphate study hanging
Mental health effects of sheep dip chemical still uncertain

Controversy continues as Reach nears completion
Deadlines looming for final agreement on the planned European Union system of registration, evaluation and authorisation of chemicals (Reach)

Methamphetamine crooks down on the farm
Iowa researchers have discovered a way to curb illegal methamphetamine production across agricultural states in the US

DNAboost warms up cold cases
Scientists at Britain's Forensic Science Service (FSS) have developed computer software they say could radically improve the success of crime-scene DNA profiling

Separate l'huitre from the chaff
A recent ban on French oysters has highlighted a controversy about how food should be tested for marine biotoxins

Obituary: Charles Rees, CBE, FRS (1927-2006)
The death of Charles Rees on 21 September has taken from our midst a chemist of exceptional talent, and a wonderful human being
News in brief
Short items
New on the market
New products - November 2006
Business roundup
Industry news
Funding briefs
Short items
In the papers...
Short items
Chemical science

Imaging for the masses
03 October 2006
Researchers have adapted mass spectrometry to image the distribution of molecules in tissues or membranes.

Printing nano portraits
27 September 2006
US team generate 55 000 nanoscale images of Thomas Jefferson to show the potential of their molecular ink pen.

Fastest synthesis in the west
13 October 2006
Promising antibiotic with a novel mechanism of action has been synthesized for the first time.

Proteins under pressure reveal all
03 October 2006
A method to determine the performance of proteins used in medicinal tablets could have major benefits for the drug industry.

Deep thinking about the origins of life
29 September 2006
Life on Earth probably began in the depths of the ocean and not on the planet's surface, claim European scientists.

Heartening results from biosensors
09 October 2006
A biosensor that stimulates single heart cells to beat could help scientists to understand the cause of cell death during heart attacks.

Scaling the cell wall
05 October 2006
A method to probe the individual steps in bacterial cell wall synthesis should advance the search for more effective antibiotics.

'Silent killer' as treatment for heart and lung disease
20 September 2006
Researchers have used carbon monoxide to reverse the effects of pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Synchronised delivery for DNA and drugs
26 September 2006
Polymer capsules release twin cargos for cancer therapy.

Fashion sense solves crystal structures
29 September 2006
Computer models that mimic the patterns of human social behaviour are helping chemists to determine the molecular structures of powders.

Lasers on the energy ski slope
12 October 2006
Lasers, like catalysts, shift energy landscapes during a chemical reaction.

Seals carry pollution burden
21 September 2006
The seals of east Greenland have much higher levels of a bromine-based pollutant than those in other parts of the Arctic, a study has found.

Artificial enzymes that outdo nature?
25 September 2006
A highly selective catalyst that works like an artificial enzyme has been made using the molecule-targeting system that nature uses to combat infection.

Ten year setback for obesity control
03 October 2006
Failure of obesity drug to perform in clinical trials points to overlooked human factor.

From greenhouse gas to feedstock
03 October 2006
Turning carbon dioxide into a useful feedstock chemical could help to reduce levels of this greenhouse gas in the atmosphere, as well as providing a cheap source of carbon.

Treating post traumatic stress with stress hormones
13 September 2006
The stress hormone corticosterone could be developed into a treatment for post traumatic stress disorder .

Polymer chemists tap the body's organs
05 October 2006
Canadian scientists have found an unusual, sustainable source of polymers: the gall bladder.

Scientists promote abstinence to control insect numbers
10 October 2006
Disrupting sexual signalling in the Queensland fruit fly, the most destructive horticultural pest in Australia, could save farmers millions, local chemists say.

Welcome news for beer-lovers
20 October 2006
European researchers have unravelled the missing step in understanding how light causes the flavour of beer to go off.
Features

Call that chemistry?
This year's Nobel prize in chemistry was a tour de force for crystallography, underscoring the vital role chemistry plays across the sciences, reports Bea Perks

Old King Coal
Clean coal technology is heralding a greener future for the once dirty energy source. Andrew West investigates the clean coal options

A revolutionary casualty
In 1789 Nicolas Leblanc was lauded for developing an industrial process that turned salt into soda. Then the French revolution stripped him of everything he had worked for.

Small but scary?
Will there ever be a major nanotechnology health scare? Researchers are investigating the potential risks posed by nanoparticles in a bid to pre-empt any health scares that could p...

Metallic plastic
Metal-containing polymers stand to benefit from the mechanical properties of polymers and the chemical properties of metals. Tom Westgate finds that recent advances in design and s...
Regulars

Editorial: Welcome to the future
It's rare that Chemistry World uses this column to advertise itself. But this month, please indulge us for a moment as we tell you about all the new features we've added.

Comment: Playing fast and loose with science
Following the release of the WWF report 'Chain of contamination: the food link', John Henry and Fiona Fox comment on the study, and its coverage in the media
Opinion: In the pipeline
Derek Lowe wonders how to kill off bad drug candidates before companies invest valuable time and money in them
Opinion: The crucible
In the first of his regular columns throwing diverse aspects of science into the melting pot, Philip Ball looks at an emerging problem with proteins
Opinion: Bench monkey
Dylan Stiles explains why he loves to go skydiving in a lab coat
Your views...
21st century science, the new UK GCSE programme, promises to develop scientific literacy in a societal context. Is the new teaching programme a good thing?
Crossword and Su Doku
Prize crossword and Su Doku, November 2006

Careers: Heartfelt chemistry
After working in New Zealand, medicinal chemistry tempted Ashley Jarvis back to the UK. He now works in his dream field, as Yfke Hager discovers
The last retort: Reality check
With the growth in popularity of 'reality' television series and hard-nosed quiz shows continuing unabated, it's good to see that chemistry has not been neglected
Flashback
40 years ago; 20 years ago
Chemistry World Letters, November 2006
Chemistry World Reviews, November 2006


