VIOXX INQUIRY
Justice Department and Securities & Exchange Commission launch investigations of Merck.

CHEMICAL EXPOSURE
EPA asks independent experts to reexamine design of study on children's exposure to pesticides.

SURFACE PATTERNING
UV irradiation secures self-assembled layers of molecules to solid surfaces via strong chemical bonds.

HAZARDOUS TRANSPORT
City council rejects legislation to restrict rail shipments through downtown Washington, D.C.

GENE SILENCER
Cholesterol-lowering drug based on RNA interference is stable and easily taken up by cells.

JAPAN'S CHEMICAL FIRMS
Profitability improved sharply in the first half of the fiscal year.

ANTI-HIV ENTRY
Medicinal chemistry techniques optimize a protein that keeps HIV out of cells.

INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERINGS
With financial prospects improving, Nalco goes public, Celanese will follow.

CHEMICAL EARNINGS
Companies have had four quarters of solid earnings growth.

PHARMA EARNINGS
Third-quarter results varied widely across drug firms.

BIOTECH EARNINGS
Overall rise in third-quarter earnings obscures the widening rift between profitable and unprofitable firms.

ENGELHARD
Surface and materials science firm branches out by buying cosmetic ingredients company.

CREATIVE MARKETING
Swiss flavors and fragrance firm Givaudan caters to cultural tastes in China.