News October 2010
Kiss of death for cancer cells
31 October 2010
Scientists have deciphered the surprising structure of the perforin pore, which delivers lethal enzymes that kill cancer cells in the body
Further questions over Deepwater Horizon cement mix
29 October 2010
Independent investigation into the BP oil spill reinforces concerns over the suitability and stability of cement used in the well
Smuggling key factor in China's rare earth actions
29 October 2010
Illegal smuggling of rare earth materials out of China and rapidly growing domestic demand central in the country's moves to severely restrict exports
Sex hormone in cancer warfare
29 October 2010
A potent testosterone-platinum drug delivery system targets tumour cells
Hope on the Horizon for ecological recovery
29 October 2010
Hope may be in sight for the Deepwater Horizon clean up operation
Hybrid electrolyte for better batteries
28 October 2010
Hybrid nanoparticle-ionic liquid electrolyte could open the door to safer, more durable batteries with lithium metal anode
Nanowire fuel cell for biological power
28 October 2010
A tiny fuel cell that can generate electricity from biological fluids could act as a power source for miniature sensors in living tissue
Single molecule magnets line up
27 October 2010
Researchers encourage single molecule magnets to bind to a gold surface in a certain orientation, retaining the magnet's properties
Pepper plant provides drug hope
27 October 2010
Potential treatments for tropical disease have been found in compounds isolated from a plant used by indigenous group in Peru
Waterproof cotton that can go through the wash
26 October 2010
Chemists make superhydrophobic cotton fabric that can survive the laundry
Titan's ionic atmosphere
26 October 2010
Short-lived dipositive ions as a mechanism for producing larger molecules
Playing games with enzymes
25 October 2010
A new biological computer consisting of a solution of enzymes shows that assemblies of molecules can be programmed to adapt to a range of stimuli
Dual purpose dyes offer new imaging options
25 October 2010
Researchers develop combination imaging dyes that can be stored indefinitely and activated when warmed to body temperature
UK carbon capture a one horse race
22 October 2010
E.ON pull out of the competition to develop a CCS pilot, leaving ScottishPower the sole contenders
Nanoparticles make leaves glow
22 October 2010
Can street lights be replaced by trees? Taiwanese scientists believe that they can using gold nanoparticles to induce luminescence in leaves
Where on Earth has our water come from?
22 October 2010
Evidence shows that water could have been present in the cosmic dust that formed the Earth
Extended elements: new periodic table
22 October 2010
Proposed layout extends table from 118 to 172 elements
Studies probe key flu protein
21 October 2010
Two new papers focus on the structure of a protein that could hold the key to new anti-flu drugs
Dancing facets reveal nanowire kinetics
21 October 2010
Scientists snap sapphire columns taking two steps forward, and one step back
Mining soil DNA for molecular decorators
21 October 2010
Enzymes buried in the genomes of soil bacteria can be harnessed to modify natural molecules in new ways
Science budget frozen in spending review
20 October 2010
The UK's science budget has been frozen until 2014 and higher education funding will bear the brunt of deep departmental spending cuts
Enzymes - a new ingredient for marine paint?
20 October 2010
Cross-linked enzyme aggregates could have great potential in marine paints
Tumour detection takes an ultrasonic leap
20 October 2010
Hollow silica nanoparticles filled with gas improve ultrasound imaging of breast cancer
Immigration cap could spell disaster for UK science
19 October 2010
The UK could learn lessons from countries that have a separate immigration rule for scientists and university researchers
Red mud could prompt chemical rule review
18 October 2010
The red mud in Hungary has brought EU rules under scrutiny
Twist and shine
17 October 2010
Flexible sheets of tiny LEDs could be implanted under the skin like glowing tattoos and used in a range of biomedical applications
Polymerisation reveals hidden fingerprints
15 October 2010
Fingerprints leave an impression on surfaces allowing them to be detected even if washed off
Making fuels from biomass waste
15 October 2010
Jet and diesel fuel can be produced in a simple economic process using waste products of wood processing and pulp mills
France and Spain commit funds to research
14 October 2010
France and Spain both opt for modest increases in research spending in their 2011 budgets
Nano-refrigerators
14 October 2010
A new family of cobalt-gadolinium cage compounds are highly efficient for low temperature cooling
Aerosol theory solidifies
13 October 2010
Atmospheric aerosol particles long thought to be liquid can in fact be amorphous solids, prompting a possible rethink of atmospheric and climate models
Colour changing fabrics without weaving
13 October 2010
Non-woven textiles that exhibit a reversible colour change could be useful for medical or military applications
EPA criticised for hexavalent chromium move
12 October 2010
US EPA is moving too quickly on stricter regulations for hexavalent chromium, says chemical industry group
Browne Review: Scrap university fees cap
12 October 2010
University fees could more than double if recommendations in a long awaited review of higher education fees in England are enforced
Dispersant use not 'unreasonable', despite lack of data
11 October 2010
US government was ill prepared for the use of dispersants following the Deepwater Horizon spill but did not act unreasonably, report finds
Scientists protest against planned funding cuts
11 October 2010
A crowd of 2000 joined a rally outside the UK Treasury on Saturday to protest against cuts to the science budget of up to 25 per cent
DNA strides into organic synthesis
10 October 2010
Programmed DNA walker autonomously controls a sequence of three reactions with record yield
India calls for ambitious increase in science funding
08 October 2010
India must more than double its science funding and overhaul research management in the country, urges high level advisory council
U-turn on Alzheimer's drugs in the UK
08 October 2010
UK body is poised to reverse a 2007 decision preventing NHS patients in the UK receiving a number of acetylcholinesterase drugs for Alzheimer's disease
Peptide balls prove stiffer than steel
08 October 2010
Could Alzheimer's-related material help produce a space elevator?
Hungarian toxic mud reaches Danube
07 October 2010
Caustic red mud from a ruptured chemical reservoir in Hungary has reached the Danube
Non-stick chewing gum hits market
07 October 2010
Chemists tweak traditional chewing gum formulation to create a new gum that is simple to remove and degrades easily
New light shed on 'photothermal' cell death
07 October 2010
Laser-activated metal nanoparticles kill cells without heating, opening the possibility of a precision 'nanoscalpel' for surgery on subcellular structures
Muscling in on toxic seafood
07 October 2010
Real-time toxin screening of shellfish could put an end to seafood related food-poisoning
Trio share Nobel for palladium-catalysed cross-coupling
06 October 2010
Chemistry Nobel prize goes to pioneering research into palladium-catalysed cross coupling, now ubiquitous in organic synthesis
US roadmap for nano development
06 October 2010
Nanotechnology report calls for additional emphasis on investment and commercialisation
Mimicking nature's solar cells
06 October 2010
'Artificial leaves' could provide electricity in the future
Graphene scoops the physics Nobel
05 October 2010
Andre Geim and Kostya Novoselov are this year's winners for discovering that peeling sticky tape from graphite could produce an amazing new material
Sanofi hostile move for Genzyme
05 October 2010
Sanofi-Aventis makes a hostile $18.5 billion takeover bid for US biotech, Genzyme
US concerns about rare earths scarcity gain momentum
05 October 2010
Legislation to free America from dependence on China's rare earth minerals easily passes through House of Representatives
Glowing glucose tracker goes skin deep
04 October 2010
Researchers develop wireless, fluorescent microbeads to sit under the skin and monitor blood glucose levels
ECHA to go easy on 'exceptional cases'
04 October 2010
Some firms will be allowed to miss the submission deadline for Europe-wide chemicals legislation
DNA origami with a twist
03 October 2010
Researchers in the US have designed and synthesised a nanoscale Möbius strip out of DNA origami
