The new year brings a host of celebrations for RSC journals. Soft Matter and Molecular BioSystems mark their fifth year of publication in 2009 and look back over a catalogue of successes. Since their launch in 2004, both journals have gone from strength to strength, establishing themselves as leading publications in their field. At 4.12,* the latest impact factor for Molecular BioSystems is a sure indication of the significance of the work in this exciting interdisciplinary journal, publishing cutting-edge research at the interface between the -omic sciences and systems biology. Soft Matter - as the number one journal in the field for both impact and immediacy - is first choice for fundamental soft matter research.

For Soft Matter, 2009 marks a double celebration as - thanks to a continued increase in submissions - the journal moves from publishing 12 to 24 issues a year. What better measure of the journal's success? In fact, 2008 saw journal submissions and acceptances across the whole of RSC Publishing increase by 33% and 29%, respectively. Joining Soft Matter in reflecting this achievement, the frequency of two other journals is set to double in 2009. Leading journal in miniaturisation science, Lab on a Chip, also moves to 24 issues: an indication of the significant increase in submissions over the years. Hardly surprising: with an impact factor of 5.1* Lab on a Chip guarantees high visibility and quality research. Review journal Natural Product Reports (NPR), with an impact factor of 7.67*, doubles to 12 issues, meaning you can now get hold of the most topical reviews in key areas even faster, including bioorganic chemistry, chemical biology, natural product synthesis, chemical ecology and carbohydrates.

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*2007 Thomson (ISI) Journal Citation Report

When Jim Harnley joined the Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry (JAAS) as the North American Editor in 1985, little did he expect to become the longest serving member of the JAAS staff and editorial board.

After 23 years of service with JAAS, Jim is now retiring from his position but will maintain his association with the journal as a member of the advisory board.

He reminisces on his early days: 'My position was established in an attempt to shorten the manuscript review time. At that time, prior to e-mail, correspondence between the US and the UK took a week (unless you forgot to put  air mail  on the envelope, in which case delivery sometimes took two months). Submission and review in the US could shorten the process by up to two weeks.'

'Jim has been involved with JAAS since the launch of the journal and has contributed significantly to its continuing success. As editor for the Americas, he has been very successful at raising and maintaining the profile of the journal in this region and we would like to thank him for all his hard work,' says Niamh O'Connor, JAAS editor. In 2009 JAAS marks its 24th year of publishing innovative research on the fundamental theory, practice and analytical application of spectrometric techniques to elemental research.

'We're very pleased that the RSC is contributing to the Virtual Journals, and we're certain that the addition of their publications will make it easier for specialists in the fields covered by the series to stay current with the top-flight research published by the Society,' says Mark Cassar, AIP publisher, Journals and Technical Publications.