Chemspy chemistry news, views and videos http://www.chemspy.com Resources for chemistry and chemical engineering Thu, 17 May 2012 01:00:52 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Chemspy-Chemical-Searchinghttp://feedburner.google.com Chiral confusion http://www.chemspy.com/chiral-confusion.html http://www.chemspy.com/chiral-confusion.html#comments Thu, 17 May 2012 01:00:33 +0000 Robert Slinn http://www.chemspy.com/chiral-confusion.html Chiral confusion - Scientists in Israel have shown that non-biological chiral crystals are much more abundant than previously thought and their findings could clear up a possible confusion over the term 'chiral'. Reference: D Avnir and C Dryzun, Chem. Commun., 2012, DOI: 10.1039/c2cc17727g ]]> Chiral confusion - Scientists in Israel have shown that non-biological chiral crystals are much more abundant than previously thought and their findings could clear up a possible confusion over the term 'chiral'. Reference: D Avnir and C Dryzun, Chem. Commun., 2012, DOI: 10.1039/c2cc17727g

]]> http://www.chemspy.com/chiral-confusion.html/feed 0 Novel drug candidates offer new route to controlling inflammation http://www.chemspy.com/novel-drug-candidates-offer-new-route-to-controlling-inflammation.html http://www.chemspy.com/novel-drug-candidates-offer-new-route-to-controlling-inflammation.html#comments Wed, 16 May 2012 11:00:33 +0000 Robert Slinn http://www.chemspy.com/novel-drug-candidates-offer-new-route-to-controlling-inflammation.html Novel drug candidates offer new route to controlling inflammation - Pursuing a relatively untapped route for regulating the immune system, an international team of researchers has designed and conducted initial tests on molecules that have the potential to treat diseases involving inflammation, such as asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, stroke and sepsis. Reference: C. A. Floudas et al, 'De Novo Peptide Design with C3a Receptor Agonist and Antagonist Activities: Theoretical Predictions and Experimental Validation,' J. Med. Chem., 2012, 55 (9), pp 4159–4168 DOI: 10.1021/jm201609k ]]> Novel drug candidates offer new route to controlling inflammation - Pursuing a relatively untapped route for regulating the immune system, an international team of researchers has designed and conducted initial tests on molecules that have the potential to treat diseases involving inflammation, such as asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, stroke and sepsis. Reference: C. A. Floudas et al, 'De Novo Peptide Design with C3a Receptor Agonist and Antagonist Activities: Theoretical Predictions and Experimental Validation,' J. Med. Chem., 2012, 55 (9), pp 4159–4168 DOI: 10.1021/jm201609k

]]> http://www.chemspy.com/novel-drug-candidates-offer-new-route-to-controlling-inflammation.html/feed 0 "Dip Chip" Technology Tests Toxicity On-the-Go http://www.chemspy.com/dip-chip-technology-tests-toxicity-on-the-go.html http://www.chemspy.com/dip-chip-technology-tests-toxicity-on-the-go.html#comments Tue, 15 May 2012 21:00:33 +0000 Robert Slinn http://www.chemspy.com/dip-chip-technology-tests-toxicity-on-the-go.html "Dip Chip" Technology Tests Toxicity On-the-Go - A Tel Aviv University researcher has developed a portable "dip chip" that detects water toxicity quickly and accurately. Once perfected, the chip might be plugged into ordinary smartphones or PDA devices to provide a toxicity alert. The results of the research have been published in a number of journals, including Electrochimica Acta and Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical. ]]> "Dip Chip" Technology Tests Toxicity On-the-Go - A Tel Aviv University researcher has developed a portable "dip chip" that detects water toxicity quickly and accurately. Once perfected, the chip might be plugged into ordinary smartphones or PDA devices to provide a toxicity alert. The results of the research have been published in a number of journals, including Electrochimica Acta and Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical.

]]> http://www.chemspy.com/dip-chip-technology-tests-toxicity-on-the-go.html/feed 0 Scientists Make Groundbreaking Discovery Of Mutation Causing Genetic Disorder In Humans http://www.chemspy.com/scientists-make-groundbreaking-discovery-of-mutation-causing-genetic-disorder-in-humans.html http://www.chemspy.com/scientists-make-groundbreaking-discovery-of-mutation-causing-genetic-disorder-in-humans.html#comments Tue, 15 May 2012 07:00:33 +0000 Robert Slinn http://www.chemspy.com/scientists-make-groundbreaking-discovery-of-mutation-causing-genetic-disorder-in-humans.html Scientists Make Groundbreaking Discovery Of Mutation Causing Genetic Disorder In Humans - Scientists at A*STAR's Institute of Medical Biology, in collaboration with doctors and scientists in Jordan, Turkey, Switzerland and USA, have identified the genetic cause of a birth defect known as Hamamy syndrome. Their groundbreaking findings were published in the prestigious journal Nature Genetics and lend new insights into common ailments such as heart disease, osteoporosis, blood disorders and possibly sterility. Reference: “Mutations in IRX5 impair craniofacial development and germ cell migration via SDF1,” C. Bonnard et al, Nature Genetics 2012; DOI: 10.1038/ng.2259 ]]> Scientists Make Groundbreaking Discovery Of Mutation Causing Genetic Disorder In Humans - Scientists at A*STAR's Institute of Medical Biology, in collaboration with doctors and scientists in Jordan, Turkey, Switzerland and USA, have identified the genetic cause of a birth defect known as Hamamy syndrome. Their groundbreaking findings were published in the prestigious journal Nature Genetics and lend new insights into common ailments such as heart disease, osteoporosis, blood disorders and possibly sterility. Reference: “Mutations in IRX5 impair craniofacial development and germ cell migration via SDF1,” C. Bonnard et al, Nature Genetics 2012; DOI: 10.1038/ng.2259

]]> http://www.chemspy.com/scientists-make-groundbreaking-discovery-of-mutation-causing-genetic-disorder-in-humans.html/feed 0 This week’s Alchemist http://www.chemspy.com/this-weeks-alchemist.html http://www.chemspy.com/this-weeks-alchemist.html#comments Tue, 15 May 2012 06:49:21 +0000 David Bradley http://www.chemspy.com/?p=1273 read more »]]> The Alchemist admits this week that it ain't what you do, it's the way that you do it, especially when making polymer films. He learns that size does matter when it comes to liquid crystals and you can teach old drugs new tricks. Those clichés are almost as old as the dinosaurs of which we learn that their gaseous emissions could have been to blame for Jurassic global warming. And, speaking of gas, it turns out that graphene can detect gases by noise alone. Finally, the US army is hoping scientists can lighten their load.

The Alchemist Newsletter on ChemWeb.

]]> http://www.chemspy.com/this-weeks-alchemist.html/feed 0 New study discovers powerful function of single protein that controls neurotransmission http://www.chemspy.com/new-study-discovers-powerful-function-of-single-protein-that-controls-neurotransmission.html http://www.chemspy.com/new-study-discovers-powerful-function-of-single-protein-that-controls-neurotransmission.html#comments Mon, 14 May 2012 17:00:33 +0000 Robert Slinn http://www.chemspy.com/new-study-discovers-powerful-function-of-single-protein-that-controls-neurotransmission.html New study discovers powerful function of single protein that controls neurotransmission - Scientists at Weill Cornell Medical College have discovered that the single protein -- alpha 2 delta -- exerts a spigot-like function, controlling the volume of neurotransmitters and other chemicals that flow between the synapses of brain neurons. The study shows how brain cells talk to each other through these signals, relaying thoughts, feelings and action, and this powerful molecule plays a crucial role in regulating effective communication. Reference: T. A. Ryan et al, Nature online: May 2012 ]]> New study discovers powerful function of single protein that controls neurotransmission - Scientists at Weill Cornell Medical College have discovered that the single protein -- alpha 2 delta -- exerts a spigot-like function, controlling the volume of neurotransmitters and other chemicals that flow between the synapses of brain neurons. The study shows how brain cells talk to each other through these signals, relaying thoughts, feelings and action, and this powerful molecule plays a crucial role in regulating effective communication. Reference: T. A. Ryan et al, Nature online: May 2012

]]> http://www.chemspy.com/new-study-discovers-powerful-function-of-single-protein-that-controls-neurotransmission.html/feed 0 Nanosheet Catalyst Discovered to Sustainably Split Hydrogen from Water http://www.chemspy.com/nanosheet-catalyst-discovered-to-sustainably-split-hydrogen-from-water.html http://www.chemspy.com/nanosheet-catalyst-discovered-to-sustainably-split-hydrogen-from-water.html#comments Mon, 14 May 2012 03:00:33 +0000 Robert Slinn http://www.chemspy.com/nanosheet-catalyst-discovered-to-sustainably-split-hydrogen-from-water.html Nanosheet Catalyst Discovered to Sustainably Split Hydrogen from Water - Scientists at Brookhaven National Lab have developed a new electrocatalyst that overcomes the high cost of platinum, generating hydrogen gas from water with abundant and affordable metals. The unexpected and high-performing nanosheet structure of the catalytic nickel-molybdenum-nitride compound offers a promising new model for effective hydrogen catalysis. Reference: 'Hydrogen-Evolution Catalysts Based on Non-Nobel Metal Nickel–Molybdenum Nitride Nanosheets,' W.-F. Chen et al, Angewandte Chemie International Edition online: 8 MAY 2012 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201200699 ]]> Nanosheet Catalyst Discovered to Sustainably Split Hydrogen from Water - Scientists at Brookhaven National Lab have developed a new electrocatalyst that overcomes the high cost of platinum, generating hydrogen gas from water with abundant and affordable metals. The unexpected and high-performing nanosheet structure of the catalytic nickel-molybdenum-nitride compound offers a promising new model for effective hydrogen catalysis. Reference: 'Hydrogen-Evolution Catalysts Based on Non-Nobel Metal Nickel–Molybdenum Nitride Nanosheets,' W.-F. Chen et al, Angewandte Chemie International Edition online: 8 MAY 2012 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201200699

]]> http://www.chemspy.com/nanosheet-catalyst-discovered-to-sustainably-split-hydrogen-from-water.html/feed 0 Gas separation with graphene nanopores http://www.chemspy.com/gas-separation-with-graphene-nanopores.html http://www.chemspy.com/gas-separation-with-graphene-nanopores.html#comments Sun, 13 May 2012 13:00:33 +0000 Robert Slinn http://www.chemspy.com/gas-separation-with-graphene-nanopores.html Gas separation with graphene nanopores - Scientists in New Zealand, the US and Germany have developed a way of using tiny pores in a graphene sheet to separate different isotopes of helium. By creating nanoscale holes in the material, the researchers calculated that it should be possible to alter the permeability of graphene to allow helium-3 isotopes to tunnel through, while heavier helium-4 isotopes cannot. This approach has potential applications in the production of helium-3 for scientific research as well as for the separation of gases in other scientific and industrial contexts. References: 1 A Hauser, J Schrier and P Schwerdtfeger, J. Phys. Chem. C, 2012, DOI: 10.1021/jp302498d 2 A Hauser and P Schwerdtfeger, J. Phys. Chem. Lett., 2012, 3, 209 (DOI: 10.1021/jz201504k) 3 D Jiang, V R Cooper and S Dai, Nano. Lett., 2009, 9, 4019 (DOI: 10.1021/nl9021946) ]]> Gas separation with graphene nanopores - Scientists in New Zealand, the US and Germany have developed a way of using tiny pores in a graphene sheet to separate different isotopes of helium. By creating nanoscale holes in the material, the researchers calculated that it should be possible to alter the permeability of graphene to allow helium-3 isotopes to tunnel through, while heavier helium-4 isotopes cannot. This approach has potential applications in the production of helium-3 for scientific research as well as for the separation of gases in other scientific and industrial contexts. References: 1 A Hauser, J Schrier and P Schwerdtfeger, J. Phys. Chem. C, 2012, DOI: 10.1021/jp302498d 2 A Hauser and P Schwerdtfeger, J. Phys. Chem. Lett., 2012, 3, 209 (DOI: 10.1021/jz201504k) 3 D Jiang, V R Cooper and S Dai, Nano. Lett., 2009, 9, 4019 (DOI: 10.1021/nl9021946)

]]> http://www.chemspy.com/gas-separation-with-graphene-nanopores.html/feed 0 Borosulfate breaks through http://www.chemspy.com/borosulfate-breaks-through.html http://www.chemspy.com/borosulfate-breaks-through.html#comments Sat, 12 May 2012 23:00:33 +0000 Robert Slinn http://www.chemspy.com/borosulfate-breaks-through.html Borosulfate breaks through - Henning Höppe, together with a team from the University of Augsburg and Albert Ludwigs University Freiburg in Germany, have created potassium borosulfate - K5[B(SO4)4] - by heating potassium sulfate with boric and sulfuric acids. The compound they created comprises a boron atom linked through four oxygen atoms to four sulfate groups and carries a formal 5- charge. Reference: H A Höppe et al, Angew. Chem., Int. Ed., 2012, DOI: 10.1002/anie.201109237 ]]> Borosulfate breaks through - Henning Höppe, together with a team from the University of Augsburg and Albert Ludwigs University Freiburg in Germany, have created potassium borosulfate - K5[B(SO4)4] - by heating potassium sulfate with boric and sulfuric acids. The compound they created comprises a boron atom linked through four oxygen atoms to four sulfate groups and carries a formal 5- charge. Reference: H A Höppe et al, Angew. Chem., Int. Ed., 2012, DOI: 10.1002/anie.201109237

]]> http://www.chemspy.com/borosulfate-breaks-through.html/feed 0 Forensic electrochemistry to detect firearms use http://www.chemspy.com/forensic-electrochemistry-to-detect-firearms-use.html http://www.chemspy.com/forensic-electrochemistry-to-detect-firearms-use.html#comments Sat, 12 May 2012 09:00:33 +0000 Robert Slinn http://www.chemspy.com/forensic-electrochemistry-to-detect-firearms-use.html Forensic electrochemistry to detect firearms use - A group led by Joe Wang at the University of California-San Diego, USA has developed a new forensic technique that can detect gunshot residue at the scene of the crime. Reference: M Vuki, K-K Shiu, M Galik, A M O'Mahony and J Wang, Analyst, 2012, DOI: 10.1039/c2an35379b ]]> Forensic electrochemistry to detect firearms use - A group led by Joe Wang at the University of California-San Diego, USA has developed a new forensic technique that can detect gunshot residue at the scene of the crime. Reference: M Vuki, K-K Shiu, M Galik, A M O'Mahony and J Wang, Analyst, 2012, DOI: 10.1039/c2an35379b

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