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October 31, 2007

Modified Serine Controls Protein Phosphorylation

Light releases serine protecting group, permitting researchers to regulate cell-signaling mechanism.

Strengthening Public Access

Provision in appropriations bill would change NIH public access policy from voluntary to mandatory.

October 30, 2007

Arthur Kornberg Dies At 89

Nobel Laureate was first to synthesize DNA.

BP Settles U.S. Charges

British energy giant to pay record criminal fine for Clean Air Act violations.

October 29, 2007

BASF Commits $20 Million To Harvard Research

Five-year program will draw on Harvard's School of Engineering and other departments.

Membrane Protein Analyzed

New techniques could help make receptor structures more accessible.

Sugar Picker

Synthetic receptor selects cellobiose out of a sugary mix.

Observing Single Enzymes At Work

Method captures the interaction between a single enzyme molecule and its inhibitor.

October 26, 2007

New Mass Spec Technique

Method eliminates need for sample preparation.

Acquisitive Action In Japan

Agchem and pharma deals run counter to business culture.

October 25, 2007

Environmental Lawsuit

Jury orders DuPont to pay $196 million in damages.

October 24, 2007

Southern California Inferno

Campuses remain closed as San Diego battles blazes.

Neutron-Rich Isotopes Discovered

Magnesium-40 and aluminum-42 push the limits of nuclear stability.

ACC Launches New TV Ads

Chemical industry group kicks off next phase of campaign to boost public image.

Tuning In With A Nanotube

Carbon nanotube is employed as an AM radio demodulator.

October 23, 2007

Rate Of CO₂ Rise Accelerates

Economic growth and reduced uptake by ocean and land are responsible.

October 22, 2007

Nanowire Powers pH Meter

Design of coaxial nanostructures yields stable, powerful solar cells.

A Golden Close-Up

Crystal structure of a gold-thiolate cluster reveals surprising surface chemistry.

October 19, 2007

North Pole Expedition

Chemical firms sponsor airship to measure ice-cap thickness.

Alternative Energy

Universities compete in third solar decathlon.

October 18, 2007

Copper-Free Click Chemistry

Reagent for labeling biomolecules eliminates need for toxic metal catalyst.

Toxic Turndown

Big facilities in U.S., Canada cut releases more than smaller, mid-sized ones.

Biopolymer Venture Launched

Technology incubator partners with Karolinska Institute affiliate.

Teijin Boosts Carbon Fiber

Aircraft demand is behind the latest capacity increase.

October 17, 2007

DNA Backbone Swaps In Sulfur

Common artificial DNA modification also occurs in nature.

California Bans Phthalates In Toys For Children

American Chemistry Council laments that the law is not good science or good government.

October 16, 2007

Serotonin Regulates Lactation

Neurotransmitter prevents overproduction of milk prior to nursing.

Solvay Sells Caprolactones Business

Buyer, Perstorp, aims to expand unit after the deal closes.

October 15, 2007

Biogen Idec On The Block

A risky product portfolio could make for a difficult sell.

Weak Forces

Method reveals changes induced by subtle means.

Sticky Feat

Reusable elastomer adhesive features liquid-filled microchannels resembling those in the feet of frogs and crickets.

BASF Dedicates Two Texas Plants

New world-scale plants integrate polymer manufacturing.

October 12, 2007

Al Gore, UN Panel Share Award

Nobel committee cites work to raise awareness about climate change.

Nobel Prize In Chemistry

German chemist nabs prize for surface science on his 71st birthday.

Nobel Prize In Medicine

Trio shares prize for 'knockout' mouse development.

Nobel Prize In Physics

Pair shares prize for discovery that enabled high-density computer hard disks.

National Chemistry Week

Celebration will focus on chemistry's diversity.

October 11, 2007

Tunable Polymer Enhances Separation Membranes

Thermal rearrangement of polyimides yields bottleneck-shaped pores with improved throughput and selectivity.

Gates Charity Adds Fast-Track Grants

Foundation's program provides new option for funding early-stage research.

William Golden Dies At 97

Former presidential adviser bridged science and society.

GSK Enters Drug Development Pacts

British drugmaker also names successor to its CEO.

October 10, 2007

Toxicogenomics Target

NRC calls for huge research initiative to bring new technologies to fruition.

Toxics Release Inventory Rule Assailed

GAO says environmental justice concerns not adequately considered by EPA.

October 9, 2007

Award For Science Behind Data Storage Technologies

Two researchers share prize for discovery that enabled high-density computer hard disks.

OM Group buying Rockwood unit

OM Group is trying to diversify, while Rockwood is focusing.

Sampling The San Andreas

First core samples from deep inside the fault zone promise new earthquake understanding.

October 8, 2007

Award Honors Genetic Manipulation Methods

Trio shares prize for efforts involving DNA modification in mice.

Fine Chemicals Upswing

At CPhI, suppliers say they are spending again.

Teaching Science

National Science Board makes bold proposals for bolstering science education system.

Shrinking The Dead Zone

Draft report faults corn-based ethanol.

October 5, 2007

DOE Weapons Plan Needs Improvement

Science panel challenges nuclear weapons development process.

Green Silicones Manufacture

Dow Corning will install $50 million in equipment to curb emissions and natural gas usage.

October 4, 2007

Turning Water Into Fuel

Silicide compound and sunlight convert water to H₂ and O₂.

Tree Bark Component Helps Protect Neurons

Traditional cancer remedy could double as a treatment for neurodegenerative diseases and stroke.

Teijin Buys Into NatureWorks

Japanese firm joins Cargill in polylactic acid business.

ConocoPhillips, ADM Strike Biofuels Deal

Partnership aims to develop renewable transportation fuels from biomass.

October 3, 2007

New Anesthetic Avoids Common Side Effects

Blend of capsaicin and a lidocaine derivative stops pain but doesn't interfere with constructive sensations.

Punitive Damages Challenged

ACC urges Supreme Court to overturn high damages judgment.

Mercury Tetrafluoride Synthesized

Elusive Hg(IV) species has been prepared in solid argon, neon.

October 2, 2007

White House Holds Climate-Change Conference

President Bush urges voluntary action to reduce CO₂ emissions; other countries want mandatory goals.

Novartis And MIT Study Drug Production

Ten-year agreement targets continuous pharmaceutical manufacturing.

October 1, 2007

Clarifying HIV Entry Process

New details of virus's embrace with cell surface.

Permit Sought For New U.S. Reactors

Construction application is first in 29 years.

AIDS Vaccine Trials Halted

Lack of efficacy leads NIH and Merck to stop testing.