April 2004
Vol 1, no. 4
News and analysis
New enzymes target prions and sarin
US firm plans to commercialise catalysts for decontamination.
Salty rocks point to watery past for Mars
One of Nasa's Mars rovers has discovered convincing chemical evidence that the area it is exploring was once covered with water.
Astex deal
Astex, a UK drug discovery company, has set up a multi-target drug discovery agreement with Boehringer Ingelheim (BI), a German pharmaceutical firm.
Dosing up on pesticides
US suggests testing chemicals on humans.
Ecological relevance for chemical double act
European researchers developing 'smart' construction materials capable of reducing air pollution are awaiting the first results of their latest studies using environmentally 'relev...
Putting a stop to POPs
Global restrictions on bioaccumulative chemicals classed as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) will apply.
Bacteria show their mettle
Scientists find new iron-attacking microbes.
UK government reviews science spending
At a recent breakfast seminar in London, UK chancellor of the exchequer, met with top UK scientists to discuss the future of science.
Major chemical companies grow pharma plants
Two major agrochemical companies, Dow Chemical and Syngenta, have recently announced research alliances that will expand their plant-derived pharmaceutical businesses.
Germ warfare for ecologists
Employing a viral infection to decontaminate anthrax-laden soil might sound alarming but could offer an environmentally friendly solution to just such a bioterror threat.
In Brief
ICI; PPL Therapeutics; Johnson & Johnson; Amgen; Chimerix; Genentech.
Chemical science
Therapeutic target for alcohol abuse
US researchers raise hopes of new treatment for alcoholism.
Absorbing study of cholesterol protein
Schering-Plough finds key to cholesterol-lowering drug.
Lighting up vertebrate development
Novel labelling technique illuminates synchronous gene expression.
How life lost its symmetry
Extra-terrestrial amino acids answer chiral question.
Calling mobile phones into question
New information points to possible effects of radiation on blood.
HIV left out in the cold
Anti-viral agents launch a two-fronted attack on HIV.
Heart beats are just a stem cell away
Chemical turns embryonic stem cells into muscle.
Running the hydrogen economy on alcohol
Ethanol reactor offers green energy solution.
Slimy solution to stomach disorders
Okra plants could help to prevent stomach ulcers.
One gene, many proteins
Structural consequences of genetic editing.
On the right track
Towards a true lab-on-a-chip system.
Miniature way to detect PCBs
Swedish chemists develop mini syringe to pick up pollution.
Microbes waste not, want not
Prototype device heralds microbial fuel cell.
Hydrocarbons aid ants in queen worship
Gas chromatography reveals why worker ants destroy their eggs.
Nematic nanotube gels
US physicists simplify the process of nanotube alignment.
Muscle motor shifts into reverse
Engineered motor protein holds nanotechnological promise.
Nanosponges clean up
Versatile nanotechnology to deliver drugs and decontaminate soil.
Unravelling the secrets of biosynthesis
Bacteria and toxic plants don't sound like the most helpful of things, but in studies into the biological formation of fluorine containing compounds, they seem to be very useful.
Giant holes on a tiny scale
Giant voids conjure up space-age images of huge expanses of nothing, but everything is relative.
Ozone heightens atmospheric soot ageing
We are now a step closer to understanding the subtle interplay of gas-soot interactions in the atmosphere thanks to a team of scientists.
Is Mother Nature a mathematical modeller?
A team of US researchers are solving some of science's toughest problems using mathematical modelling techniques based on genetic reproduction.
Monitoring with robot electrophoresis
Prototype electrophoresis equipment that can operate without human intervention has been developed by a team of Swiss scientists.
Micro electron sources
Developments in electron source materials will impact on many applications, from flat-panel displays to electrical propulsion systems for space craft.
Watching the progress of catalysis in ionic liquids
New insight is being offered into the role of ionic liquids in catalysis.
Recent Features
Cracking the cancer code
The chemical groups that decorate histones are revolutionising cancer therapy at an epigenetic level. Lisa Melton finds out there is more to genetics than genes.
Going to work on a drug
Pharmaceutical employees are having to update their skills to keep up with new technologies and a changing market, reports Stan Higgins.
Killing the very hungry caterpillar
George Lahm tells the story of his quest for an insecticide.
Old masters in the spotlight
White specks are appearing in the UK's national collection of priceless masterpieces, but do they threaten the paintings' futures? Catherine Higgitt and John Plater take up the sto...
Creating a stir in microfluidics
Andrew deMello has come a long way in a short time. Katharine Sanderson went to meet him to find out how doing reactions on a tiny scale has made such a huge impact on his career.
Regulars
Flashback
April - 5 years ago; 20 years ago; 65 years ago; 85 years ago; 115 years ago; 230 years ago
The Last Retort: Fragrant bouquet
As an octogenarian, I was recently pondering some of the more interesting facets of my life in the field of metals chemistry.
Chemistry World Letters, April 2004
Chemistry World Reviews, April 2004
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