September 2006
Vol 3, No 9
News and analysis
Bury radioactive waste, UK government told
Radioactive waste should be stored deep underground at sites where local communities have had the opportunity to participate in, and even withdraw from, the planning process.
Breast implant study 'probably flawed'
The editors of a journal that published a study linking silicone breast implants with higher than normal levels of platinum in the body have urged caution over findings.
Europe's promising young researchers rewarded
A select group of high-achieving young scientists is looking forward to a Euro windfall after winning the European young investigators (Euryi) awards.
Terror plot sparks frenzied speculation about liquid explosives
Widespread speculation on the chemistry of liquid explosives, following news of a terrorist plot to blow up transatlantic flights from the UK, must be treated with caution.
Science hit by Middle East crisis
Conflict underlines the need for international efforts to strengthen collaboration between scientists in the region.
Fuel cell future in miniature
Forget Lego and Meccano, the latest techie toy for surreptitiously educating unsuspecting children has arrived - a mini hydrogen fuel-cell-powered car.
US releases pesticide review
The US environmental protection agency (EPA) proposes to outlaw agricultural use of the pesticides lindane and carbofuran, following 10 years of scrutiny.
Australia's first synchrotron springs to life
Australia's only synchrotron has achieved first light, a key milestone for the facility that is due to open in April next year.
Clinical chaos under scrutiny
Clinical trials of new drugs need to be tightened up, according to an expert group convened in the aftermath of a drug trial that left six people fighting for their lives.
Indian research institutes face tough times
International collaborations threatened by staff shortages.
News in brief
Short items
New on the market
New products - September 2006
Business roundup
Industry news
Funding briefs
Short items
In the papers...
Short items
Chemical science
Marine toxin synthesised from scratch
17 July 2006
Improved supply of ciguatera toxin should help biological studies
Sea sediment storage proposed for carbon dioxide
07 August 2006
Reservoirs of global warming gas could be stable for millions of years
Sugar-coated antibodies
03 August 2006
The fate of the prey captured by our body's guardian antibodies can be determined by sugar molecules found on the antibody's surface.
Smart microlenses come into focus
02 August 2006
Polymer lenses can adjust their focal length in response to temperature and pH.
Gold delivery kills cancer cells
10 August 2006
Scientists in the UK have found a way to target cancer with gold.
Simple stretch for biowarfare detector
04 August 2006
A device that stretches DNA is being used to develop a detection system for biowarfare agents.
Wasps fight a chemical battle
09 August 2006
Wasp fights help scientists to measure loser's chemical emissions.
Putting the brakes on molecular vehicles
08 August 2006
Light triggers the brakes on a biomolecular nanodevice, say scientists in Japan.
Sensor can tell phosphates apart
01 August 2006
Molecular sensor can spot pyrophosphate anions, say scientists in Australia.
Drug delivery to the eye
02 August 2006
Scientists say biodegradable polymer nanoparticles show great promise as drug delivery devices for the eye.
Molecules go hopping mad
16 August 2006
Nuclear magnetic resonance has revealed molecules hopping around on the surface of nanoparticles.
Pouring oil on troubled reactions
22 August 2006
Olive oil can be used for cheap and clean synthesis of quantum dots, according to scientists in Germany.
Porous silica cleans up air
14 August 2006
Porous materials can help tackle air pollution, say scientists in Japan.
Radioactive scorpion venom stings brain tumours
28 July 2006
Promising clinical trail for poison-derived cancer treatment
Chemical fix for a perfect smile
26 July 2006
Artificial dental enamel could soon be on its way to your mouth.
Alzheimer's drug protects against sarin attack
07 August 2006
Effective antidote to deadly organophosphorus nerve agents a step away.
Reversible glue 'de-bonds' at the touch of a button
26 July 2006
Magnetic glue can be switched on and off.
Nanotubes with added nitrogen are less toxic
28 July 2006
Mice survive injections of nitrogenous tubes
Revolution in oxygen storage catalysts
03 August 2006
Chemists in Japan have developed an oxygen storage system with almost ten times more capacity than the conventional materials used in automotive catalysts.
A complex issue
22 August 2006
Antimony leached from plastic bottles may form a novel citrate complex in citrus juices, which could affect its toxicity, report researchers in Greece.
New weapons in fight against superbug
18 August 2006
Antibacterial compounds, active against the life-threatening superbug MRSA, have been made by UK scientists.
Getting hydrogen storage just right
10 August 2006
Hydrogen storage materials can be optimised with magnesium, say researchers in Spain.
Features
Destroying the poisons of war
It is almost a decade since the Chemical Weapons Convention came into force but many signatories are failing to meet targets. Simon Hadlington investigates.
Made to measure
The familiar ways of reaching consensus about measurements are leading chemists into troubled waters. Mike Sargent looks for some clear solutions
Around the world in 140 research projects
The Earthwatch Institute, which has just celebrated its 35th birthday, supports vital research by dispatching fee-paying volunteers to project locations around the globe.
Triangular thinking
Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, US ,was initially driven by an emerging electronics industry. It now houses a large number of biotech firms, as Mark Whitfield finds out
Regulars
Editorial: Making a monkey out of evolution
I suspect most of our readers would agree with the statement, 'human beings, as we know them, developed from earlier species of animals'.
Comment: Out of sight, out of mind?
The recent recommendations from the Committee on Radioactive Waste Management should prompt a renewed research effort to tackle the problems of nuclear waste storage.
Your views...
Is insistence on the use of Iupac nomenclature diluting the rich traditional language of chemistry?
Careers: Analytical expertise
After years of jumping between chemistry jobs, Adam Hold created his dream career by setting up his own company to provide analytical services. Yfke Hager reports
Crossword and Su Doku
Prize crossword and Su Doku, September 2006
The last retort: Forgiven fruits
I sometimes wonder if Heisenberg wasn't a nutritionist rather than a physicist, because in terms of uncertainty, nutrition science currently takes the biscuit
Flashback
September: 30 years ago; 70 years ago; 100 years ago; 240 years ago
Chemistry World Letters, September 2006
Chemistry World Reviews, September 2006
Chemistry World Software Reviews, September 2006
