News May 2010
Instant insight: Quantum dots for painting cells
28 May 2010
Vasudevanpillai Biju looks at how nanoparticles could light up cells to unravel concealed subcellular structures and biomolecular functions
Dual-mode sensor detects zinc
28 May 2010
US scientists create a zinc sensor with improved fluorescence dynamic range and an magnetic resonance imaging readout
A novel designer surface catalyst for oxidations
27 May 2010
New catalyst for oxidising carbon monoxide represents a key advance in designing surface catalytic systems from theoretical calculations
Vodka's molecular cocktail
27 May 2010
Not all vodkas are created equal - research suggests the spirit's molecular make up could influence drinkers' preferences
Pain target enzyme's working made crystal clear
26 May 2010
X-ray structure of cannabinoid-regulating enzyme confirms computational predictions of drug binding and clarifies its mechanism of action
Polymers give DVD upgrade
26 May 2010
A supramolecular azopolymer system for use as high density optical information storage media has been developed by Chinese scientists
US scientific body seeks national climate change strategy
25 May 2010
National Research Council calls for a revolution in climate change research and proposes domestic greenhouse gas emissions budget
Floating miniature motor
25 May 2010
A rotating motor that sits on a droplet and spins when an electric field is applied could be used in optical devices
Raman fingerprint for insecticide detection
24 May 2010
Trace concentrations of hazardous insecticide detected by its spectroscopic fingerprint
Light sparks new approach to data storage
23 May 2010
Chemists develop nanostructures that could store data 500 times more densely than a Blu-ray disc
H-bond partner-swapping seen in the flesh
21 May 2010
How hydrogen bonds in water-based systems flip from one partner to another have been measured by US researchers
Three steps to potential anticancer drugs
21 May 2010
Shortcut speeds up synthesis of natural marine sponge product
The first synthetic cell
20 May 2010
The Venter Institute unveils its man-made microbe - a chemically synthesised genome housed in a naturally grown cell
Prepare to lose metals, says UN group
20 May 2010
Speciality metals like lithium, neodymium and indium could become restricted unless recycling rates improve, say reports
Sticky situation for food packaging
20 May 2010
Chemicals in adhesives could migrate through packaging into food
Interview: Passion for Polymers
20 May 2010
Heather Maynard discusses polymers, proteins and the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration
NIH spends $1 billion on research construction projects
19 May 2010
US National Institutes of Health uses economic stimulus funds to build and modernise research labs across the country
Could rising graduate debt hit science hard?
19 May 2010
Suggestions that graduates should pay higher fees and a greater rate of interest on loans have rattled student groups
Fighting forgery from inside
19 May 2010
A reaction between two sheets of chemically treated paper creates patterns that could deter counterfeiters
EPA and pharma join forces
18 May 2010
US Environmental Protection Agency hooks up with pharma companies to use failed drugs to improve its ToxCast toxicity prediction tool
Congress pulls bill to increase science budgets
17 May 2010
Political fight in the US derails legislation authorising funding for basic research and innovation
Interview: Fundamental chemistry is key
17 May 2010
Guo-Xin Jin on chemistry in China and the importance of fundamental research
Anions enjoy a taste of pi
16 May 2010
Researchers capture the rare moment when an anion interacts with the pi electron cloud of an aromatic system
Comment: Cooperation, collaboration and compromise
14 May 2010
The UK's scientific community will have to change its strategy if it is to build a fruitful relationship with the new coalition government, says Diana Garnham
Powerful pocket sized NMR magnets
14 May 2010
Arrays of mini magnet chunks can be manipulated to make strong and sensitive magnets for nuclear magnetic resonance
Spicing up drug screening
13 May 2010
A method for quick identification of potential illegal components in commercial herbal products has been developed by UK scientists
Interview: Nanoscale superhero
13 May 2010
Francesco Stellacci talks about trying to save the world with nanoscience, Japanese cartoon heroes and photography
Molecular robots on nano-assembly lines
12 May 2010
Teams of automated programmable molecular robots working together on nanoscale assembly lines are one step closer, say US scientists
Tying up spider silk's loose ends
12 May 2010
The way spider silk proteins can be stored as a fluid but spun instantly into fibres is all down to their end parts, research suggests
Nanotecture powers up
12 May 2010
Nanotecture is gearing up to commercialise a new nanoporous material that it believes will find uses in a wide range of electricity storage applications
UK under new management
12 May 2010
The UK finally has a government - but what will the Tory-Lib Dem coalition mean for science?
Copper detection in cells
12 May 2010
A dye that can be used to detect copper in living cells could be used to help avoid medical problems such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease
Lego-like gene delivery system is child's play
12 May 2010
Functionalised gold nanoparticles make a more efficient and versatile delivery system for use in gene therapy and cancer treatment
Chinese chemical sector an energy saving powerhouse
11 May 2010
Report suggests China's chemical sector is leading the nation's energy saving efforts and could promote further emission reductions
Nanocomposites get in shape
11 May 2010
A material that rapidly heats up and changes shape when connected to a battery has been developed by US scientists
Chemical secrets of dinobird revealed
10 May 2010
High-speed chemical imaging of prehistoric feather and bone confirm the link between dinosaurs and modern birds, say scientists
Filming fullerene formation
09 May 2010
Atomic resolution microscopy enables researchers to see fullerene formation in action
Iron catalyst breaks the mould
09 May 2010
Iron carbenoids with a rigid chiral ligand promise a new breed of cheap, green catalysts
US oil spill testing ground for dispersants
07 May 2010
The possibility of using surfactants to treat oil on the ocean floor, at the source of the leak in BP's well in the Gulf, is being tested
Nanotube chip creates bioelectronic link
06 May 2010
Wrapping a carbon nanotube in a lipid bilayer containing 'biological machines' integrates active proteins into a transistor for the first time
Recognising molecules the natural way
06 May 2010
Scientists reveal new insights into protein-protein interactions
Natural artificial muscles
05 May 2010
Scientists develop artificial muscle from proteins that mimic elastic and mechanical properties of natural muscle
Nanoholes promise solar power
05 May 2010
Silicon solar cells with arrays of nano-sized holes could outperform their nanowire-based rivals
Picturing infertility
05 May 2010
German scientists have used a non-invasive technique to provide detailed 3D images of human sperm cells, which could be developed into a high-throughput fertility test
Nanomachinery gets a spring in its step
04 May 2010
Molecular springs that always twist the same way have been developed by Japanese researchers
Blood type testing for a few pence
04 May 2010
Cheap paper test can reveal blood type in a matter of minutes
Flexible organic batteries for roll-up electronics
04 May 2010
A flexible nitroxide polymer coating could be used as an electrode in organic rechargeable batteries in smart cards and wearable sensors
