RSC - Advancing the Chemical Sciences


Chemistry World

 

News March 2004


Weapons of mass degradation

Stockpiles of US munitions could be degrading at a perilous rate.


Investors criticise industry management

The management teams of EU chemical companies have come under fierce criticism from several private equity executives.


Oxygen and carbon detected in alien atmosphere

Astronomers identify key elements around extrasolar planet.


Nano-centipedes get a grip

The next generation of spacecraft could be powered by materials whose structures are halfway between a centipede and a dressmaking accessory - but thousands of times smaller.


Calls to clamp down on EU cheats

Leaders speak out against EU regulations.


EU Parliament delays agreement on Reach

Any prospects of an early agreement on Reach (Registration, evaluation and authorisation of chemicals), the proposed new EU regulatory regime for chemicals, have been dashed.


AstraZeneca targets enzymes in cancer fight

A team of British and French researchers from the pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca claims to have discovered a new class of quinazoline-based compounds.


French researchers turn militant

Scientists lash out at French government over funding cuts.


Proteins give lessons in water splitting

An international team of researchers has taken a significant step on the road to using water as a cheap source of hydrogen.


Alzheimer's enzyme creates its own inhibitor

Using click chemistry in the fight against brain disease.


Non-inflammatory hopes for Alzheimer's vaccine

A novel vaccine for treating Alzheimer's Disease (AD) could result from two research agreements recently signed by Neurochem.


Vulture decline pinpointed at last

Researchers blame bird deaths on vet drug.


Can we control GM insects?

There is an urgent need to introduce regulations on the development of genetically modified insects.


DuPont identifies gum gene

US researchers from Pioneer Hi-Bred International, a subsidiary of DuPont, have identified a gene found in guar that produces galactomannan.


Acambis stops UK R&D

Acambis, a UK biotech company, is to close its research operation in Cambridge, UK, with the loss of around 40 jobs.


Pharma companies turn to chemogenomics

The growing importance to pharmaceutical companies of understanding the potential side-effects of their drugs was recently demonstrated when Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) and Abbott L...


US and Russia collaborate on new elements

A team of scientists from the US and Russia claims to have successfully created two new super heavy elements.


Tracking down ecstasy

Artificial intelligence used in drug detective work.


Solution

New tool for the combinatorial toolbox

Colour-changing resin makes it easy to see amines being removed from solution.


Polymer LED

Polymer LED for use in hospitals

A lab-on-a-chip device could cut hospital waiting times.


An icy atmosphere

CO3 could be the key to formation of interstellar ices.


Recognising radioactive potential

Sorting out which radioactive isotope of an element can be used.


HIV vaccine

Building up to a new HIV vaccine

An anti-HIV vaccine may be closer thanks to a new approach to vaccine design that is being developed.


Probing plant defences

Canadian scientists have identified precursors to the hormones responsible for the natural defence of oilseed rape and other economically important cruciferous plants, and vegetabl...


Pores

Pores for thought

Tailoring porous materials to combine several properties within the same solid has moved a step closer.


Evaporating acids are the key to life

The evaporation of serine clusters might have been involved in the early processes of life on earth according to researchers from Purdue University, US.


Cellular origami for a cancer cure

The first successful synthesis of an antibiotic with antitumour properties has been achieved by UK researchers.


Food

Keeping a lid on food contamination

A European team of scientists has established the source of semicarbazide contamination in jars of food.


Dendrimers as oral drug transporters

UK research team improves beta blocker delivery using tree-like polymers.


A natural form of pest control

Vaccinating plants against future attack.


Nitrates blaze a trail

US researchers find that HNO3 may change climate models.


Splitting nitrogen with ease

Using large molecules to break nitrogen bonds.


Novel microgel puts enzymes to work

Using biopolymers to take natural catalysts to industrial-scale reactions.


Sensing the sweet smell of saccharides

Japanese researchers develop carbohydrate biosensor.


Search for new antibiotics intensifies

Bacteria and enzymes are key contenders in battle against superbugs.


Fullerenes hit the small screen

Danish researchers film the growth of carbon nanofibres.