News April 2010
EU research faces radical overhaul
30 April 2010
Radical changes to EU research funding policies as European Commission responds to calls to cut red tape
Interview: Analytical conversation
30 April 2010
Gunda Köllensperger talks about elemental speciation, analytical chemistry and crime fiction
Surface chemistry helps direct stem cell fate
30 April 2010
UK scientists have developed a method to control the behaviour and fate of stem cells using chemically-defined nanopatterned surfaces
Catalyst challenges microbes' supremacy
29 April 2010
A zeolite that converts sugars into lactate esters could overcome problems of bacterial fermentation
Australian emissions trading scheme on hold
29 April 2010
Emissions trading scheme will be delayed until the end of 2012 at the earliest
Key helium isotope supply crisis
29 April 2010
A severe and growing global shortage of helium-3 is threatening scientific research and nuclear security
Instant insight: Life's phosphorous paradox
29 April 2010
Mike Blackburn and Jon Waltho discuss the important and diverse roles that phosphorus plays in all life forms.
Frosty asteroid surprises astronomers
28 April 2010
Ice on 24 Themis points to asteroids as a possible source of some of Earth's water
Producing hydrogen from sea water
28 April 2010
A cheap, new catalyst that generates hydrogen from sea water has been developed that displays high catalytic activity and stability
Publishing pressure eroding research integrity
28 April 2010
Research suggests the pressure for academics to publish research could be affecting objectivity
Water and air make energy
28 April 2010
A fuel cell that produces power using only water and a warm breeze could be used to power sensors and military monitoring devices in remote areas
All clear for e-paper
27 April 2010
A new nano-structured approach to creating electronic paper devices could produce clearer images
Payout for 'toxic sofa' victims
27 April 2010
£20 million in payouts to people injured by dimethyl fumarate in leather sofas made in China
Jet fuels from biomass
27 April 2010
Biomass-derived fuels take a step closer to solving the energy problem thanks to a new process developed by US scientists
Theory reveals the secrets of historical paintings
26 April 2010
Scientists in Italy are using theoretical calculations to reveal the history of dyes used in ancient artwork
New strategy yields best ever catalyst for ammonia decomposition
25 April 2010
Computational studies using quantum calculations could provide a framework for identifying the best catalysts
Ricin antidote on the horizon
23 April 2010
Researchers reveal compounds that protect against potent poison
Delivering drugs in gels
22 April 2010
Scientists have designed and tested biocompatible material that forms a gel in vivo and is capable of slowly releasing protein drugs
Fresh hep C hope
21 April 2010
A new treatment for hepatitis C could be around the corner as a novel compound is proving to be a potent inhibitor of the virus
Methane oxidising enzyme mystery solved
21 April 2010
US scientists crack a long-standing mystery surrounding an enzyme which oxidises methane to methanol
Automating cell culture using digital microfluidics
21 April 2010
The first lab-on-a-chip platform for complete mammalian cell culture has been developed by scientists in Canada
Interview: Waxing analytical
20 April 2010
Brett Paull talks about analytical chemistry, the effect of personal care products on the environment and the amazing opportunities chemists have to travel
Bioethanol from waste
19 April 2010
Hamish Curran, chief executive of TMO Renewables, on how happy bugs turn waste into ethanol
First DNA rotaxane
18 April 2010
German researchers devise a way of threading DNA through a hoop to create a wheel and axle structure
Congress proposes toxic chemical regulation reforms
16 April 2010
US Congress issues legislation to update ancient toxic chemicals rules by placing more burdens on industry
Interview: Rivalling nature
16 April 2010
Matthew Gaunt talks about creating molecules in the lab with the same ease as in nature and his footballing ambitions
Mars meteorite gets a boost of youth
15 April 2010
Important Martian meteorite has been found to be half a billion years younger than previously thought
Lead joins the aromatic ring club
15 April 2010
Japanese researchers show that lead can be incorporated into an aromatic ring, the heaviest metal so far to do this
Shanghai braces for chemical restrictions
15 April 2010
Chemical transportation in Shanghai will be strictly controlled during a six month long cultural exposition
Synthesis via paths less travelled
15 April 2010
US scientists have demonstrated the existence of undiscovered chemical pathways to an important class of bioactive lipids in the nervous system
MOFs for medicine
13 April 2010
US scientists have produced metal organic frameworks that release NO in a controlled manner for use in biomedical applications
Carbenium ions revealed
13 April 2010
An important insight into the mechanism of hydrocarbon reactions has been revealed by chemists working in France
Balloon model bursts battery charge gap
12 April 2010
Energy loss caused by previously ignored lithium ion exchange between storage particles inside a battery
Phosphorus fragments trapped
11 April 2010
Carbenes have been used to trap and stabilise rare and elusive forms of phosphorus
Going for silver: green plastic production
09 April 2010
A new class of silver based catalysts for propylene oxide formation based on subnanometer clusters of three silver atoms
EPA seeks heightened scrutiny for 16 chemicals
09 April 2010
US regulators are expanding the Toxics Release Inventory for the first time in over a decade
From crab shell to fuel cell
09 April 2010
A crab shell template produces high performance porous carbon materials for electrodes
Arsenic anticancer target revealed
08 April 2010
Researchers have identified the protein target of arsenic trioxide used in leukaemia treatment
Interview: From genes to kilos
08 April 2010
Nick Turner discusses his views on academia collaborating with the biotechnology industry in the UK.
Working night and day for a healthier office
08 April 2010
Pollutants found inside buildings could be removed by a photochemical device that works continuously from night to day
New form for an old fuel
07 April 2010
Colloidal coal-water suspensions may rise to the challenges of clean coal technology with the help of a new production method
Lords call for research funding clarity
07 April 2010
The House of Lords Science and Technology Committee has called on the UK government to clarify its research funding commitments
Immune cells fight off nanotubes
06 April 2010
Carbon nanotubes can be degraded by an enzyme found in human immune cells, report US researchers
Rousing sleeping sickness research
06 April 2010
An orally available drug for African sleeping sickness is on the horizon, say UK scientists
Instant insight: Searching for greener ionic liquids
06 April 2010
Nicola Wood and Gill Stephens discuss the methods available for testing and predicting toxicity in ionic liquids.
New electrolyte for dye-based solar cells
04 April 2010
A new iodide-free electrolyte could bring low cost dye-based solar cells closer to the market
China updates chemical legislation
01 April 2010
China has updated its chemical registration rules, to bring the country in line with other countries
Pairing up against cancer
01 April 2010
Researchers from the UK and their collaborators demonstrate a novel approach to anticancer drug design combining the active fragments of two known anticancer agents
Artificial muscles push on through
01 April 2010
French scientists have designed a new type of polymer actuator that can push and pull instead of bending
