Catherine Middlecamp advocates for a modern curriculum that prepares students for climate change, pollution, and environmental health. Her teaching approach connects chemistry concepts to everyday life, making it more relevant and engaging.
Krzysztof Matyjaszewski will be recognized for his groundbreaking research in synthesis of organic materials and controlled radical polymerization. His work has led to the development of innovative materials with tailored functionalities, enabling applications in energy, environment, and biomedicine.
Dr. Joseph M. DeSimone has mentored at least nine African American students, one Hispanic American student, and 24 women through the completion of their Ph.D. degrees in chemistry. He is being honored with the AAAS Mentor Award for his efforts to advance diversity in doctoral-level chemists entering the workforce.
Frank Millero, a leading expert in marine geochemistry, has been awarded the prestigious V.M. Goldschmidt Award for his major achievements in the field. His research focuses on understanding biogeochemical processes and the global carbon dioxide cycle in the world's oceans.
Gabor Somorjai has been recognized with the prestigious BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award for his groundbreaking work in surface chemistry and catalysis. His research has led to significant advancements in fields such as pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and automotive industries.
Researchers have gained insight into HIV's structure and how it infects healthy cells. The study provides key information to develop treatments that stop HIV from entering cells.
Researchers from Innsbruck and Vienna have isolated gas-phase carbonic acid, a molecule previously thought to be non-existent. The team used infrared spectroscopy to characterize the molecules and found that they exist in at least three different species.
Researchers have compiled more reliable data, which will help science and industry. The changes include expressing atomic weights as intervals with upper and lower bounds for accuracy.
The Cassini mission has discovered an oxygen atmosphere on Saturn's moon Rhea, which is extremely thin and sustained by high-energy particles bombarding its icy surface. The formation of oxygen and carbon dioxide could be a pre-requisite for life, with complex chemistry potentially common throughout the solar system.
Stephen Benkovic, a renowned chemist at Penn State University, has been awarded the National Medal of Science for his pioneering research on protein catalysis. His work has led to significant advancements in understanding enzyme function and discovery of potential cancer drugs and antibiotics.
A low-cost spectrometer built with a cell phone can help high school students grasp chemistry concepts. By analyzing light spectra, students learn about material properties and critical thinking skills.
The Center for Aerosol Impacts on Climate and the Environment (CAICE) will use a wave tank simulator to study aerosol particles' impact on climate. Researchers will add various atmosphere-changing ingredients to measure effects of different variables, aiming to improve representation of aerosol mechanisms in global climate models.
Researchers found that water and sulfur dioxide react as ice with surprising speed and high yield at temperatures hundreds of degrees below freezing. This unexpected reaction could revamp current thinking about Europa's chemistry and geology, potentially leading to new discoveries on the moon and other icy bodies.
Researchers at Northwestern University have discovered edible nanostructures that can be used for gas storage and food technologies. The compounds, made from natural ingredients like sugar and starch, offer a green approach to storing hydrogen and have potential applications in cleaner air and healthcare.
A University of Michigan professor uses Wikipedia revisions as a teaching tool to improve public understanding of science and promote teamwork among students. The approach has shown success in achieving course learning goals, including communicating complex concepts to a diverse audience.
Six University of Miami students were selected as 2010 NOAA/Ernest F. Hollings Scholars, achieving this prestigious recognition for the second consecutive year. The recipients are recognized for their academic excellence and potential to pursue careers in oceanic and atmospheric science.
Donna Nelson, a University of Oklahoma professor, has been selected as a 2010 American Chemical Society Fellow for her contributions to the chemical sciences and outstanding service. She is recognized for her research on minorities in academe and functionalizing single-walled carbon nanotubes.
Scientists from KIT have successfully measured the chlorine compound ClOOCl in the ozone layer, confirming its role in stratospheric ozone destruction. This discovery disproves doubts on polar ozone chemistry expressed by American researchers.
Researchers at University of Arizona successfully created nitrogenated organic molecules in a laboratory setting that mimics Titan's atmosphere. The findings suggest that complex organic molecules could be present on Titan, potentially creating conditions conducive to life.
The Elsevier Foundation TWOWS Awards honored twelve talented young women scientists from various regions for their groundbreaking research. The award aims to promote wider participation and excellence in science among developing countries' promising scientists.
A WHOI scientist's comprehensive report evaluates the impact of human activities on ocean chemistry, revealing widespread changes in seawater acidity, oxygen levels, and mercury pollution. The research highlights the need for deeper understanding and coordination to address these issues.
Bengt Roland Långström, a professor at Uppsala University in Sweden, has been recognized for his work in nuclear medicine. He is being honored with the Georg Charles de Hevesy Nuclear Pioneer Award for his over 20 years of experience in synthesizing and applying radiolabeled tracers for PET.
Scientists have developed a new method for synthesizing complex carbohydrates, enabling researchers to study their function in cellular processes and diseases. The method, reported in Nature Chemistry, allows for rapid and controlled synthesis of oligosaccharides, paving the way for the creation of libraries of carbohydrate molecules.
Researchers have found that biofuel combustion is more complex than previously thought, with diverse chemical reaction networks and the formation of toxic emissions. The study used a combination of laser spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and flame chemistry modeling to explore decomposition and oxidation mechanisms.
Warren Piers, a University of Calgary chemist, has developed a faster catalyst for olefin metathesis reactions. This breakthrough enables more efficient production of chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and biofuels while reducing energy costs and waste. The discovery opens up new applications and markets.
Researchers at Emory University have discovered that simple peptides can organize into bi-layer membranes, a 'missing link' between pre-biotic Earth's chemical inventory and the scaffolding essential to life. This finding may also shed light on protein assemblies related to Alzheimer's disease, Type 2 diabetes, and other serious ailments.
The ChemCollective website provides virtual lab and scenario-based learning activities to introduce students to chemistry, allowing them to engage with the subject like practicing chemists. The site makes chemistry resources available to students worldwide, particularly those in smaller or low-income schools.
Researchers Monica Lamm and Theresa Windus are studying complex molecular binding and aerosol particles in the atmosphere using Blue Waters supercomputer, which will deliver better results for their studies.
Chunshan Song has been awarded the Henry H. Storch Award in Fuel Chemistry by the American Chemical Society for his outstanding contributions to clean fuels and catalysis research. His work focuses on developing innovative methods for producing advanced thermally stable jet fuels and removing sulfur from liquid hydrocarbon fuels.
Scientists at the University of Delaware have developed a new method for producing ubiquitylated proteins, which may hold the key to understanding cancer cell resistance to drugs and other diseases. The new approach combines intein chemistry and disulfide crosslinking to yield hundredsfold more proteins than current methods.
A new solvent developed by Queen's University Professor Philip Jessop extracts oil from soybeans using carbon dioxide, reducing the need for energy-intensive distillation processes. The 'switchable' solvent can be reused with water, making it an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional hexane-based cooking oils.
The university's course, 'Kitchen Chemistry Sessions,' uses molecular gastronomy techniques to teach students about chemical and biochemical concepts in food. Students learn to apply these concepts to prepare meals, demonstrating their understanding of chemical processes and scientific principles.
Researchers have developed 'filters' that can be used to weed out compounds likely to show up as false positives during high-throughput chemical screening. This will reduce the time spent on medicinal chemistry and optimize the compound selection process for drug development.
The American Chemical Society's top R&D official, Paul T. Anastas, emphasizes the importance of green chemistry in achieving sustainability. Green chemistry aims to incorporate 12 principles, including prevention of waste and use of safer chemicals, into product design and manufacture.
The 239th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society features a comprehensive series of scientific reports on advances in sustainable development, including the application of green chemistry to reduce hazardous substances. The event aims to shepherd scientists' collective knowledge to address the world's sustainability challenges.
Christine Aikens, a K-State assistant professor, received the National Science Foundation CAREER award to improve undergraduate laboratory experiences and conduct research on clean energy sources. Her work will focus on developing materials and processes that can split water into hydrogen and oxygen using light.
The Ames Laboratory team will use the IBM Blue Gene supercomputer to model aerosol formation and simulate the bulk properties of water. The research aims to better understand how clouds form and impact global climate change, with potential applications in green chemistry and decontamination of water in developing nations.
Diola Bagayoko, a Southern University professor, received the 2009 AAAS Lifetime Mentor Award for increasing African-American Ph.D. degrees in physics and chemistry. He has mentored 21 undergraduate students to receive Ph.D.s in these fields through his Timbuktu Academy.
Luis Colón, a University at Buffalo chemistry professor, received the 2009 AAAS Mentor Award for his efforts to recruit and mentor Hispanic-American students in chemistry. His initiatives led to an increase in Ph.D. degrees awarded to Hispanic-Americans in chemistry.
Physicists at JILA have observed chemical reactions near absolute zero, demonstrating that chemistry is possible at ultralow temperatures. By controlling ultracold molecules' internal states and molecular motions, scientists can study how the molecules scatter or interact with each other quantum mechanically.
Researchers have developed a new material that can capture heat-trapping carbon dioxide emissions using a synthetic DNA-like crystal. The discovery could lead to cleaner energy and potentially create materials that convert carbon dioxide into fuel.
A new model of ancient ocean chemistry suggests a stratified marine basin with oxygen-rich, sulfidic and ferruginous water layers. This discovery challenges traditional theories on early animal evolution and provides insights into the earliest life on Earth.
The California Institute of Technology has received a $3.9 million estate gift from Edward and Ruth Hughes, which will be used to fund highly innovative research proposals and eight graduate research fellowships. The gift is supported by a matching grant of $2 million from the Gordon and Betty Moore Matching Program.
Researchers reconstruct past ocean chemistry using calcium carbonate veins that precipitate from seawater-derived fluids in rocks beneath the seafloor. The composition of past seawater can be determined from suites of calcium carbonate veins that formed millions of years ago, providing valuable insights into climate and ocean evolution.
Dr. Kim Orth's pioneering work focuses on mechanisms bacteria use to cause disease, expanding the frontiers of chemistry through innovative research. Her discoveries have important implications in medicine, especially in understanding and treating infectious diseases.
The University of Chicago has established a new center for chemical innovation to pursue research on non-equilibrium chemistry, materials growth, and reactions in liquids. The center aims to develop new ways to convert methane into synthesis gas, producing liquid fuels and hydrogen.
Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have developed a copper-free version of click chemistry to label glycans in live mice, providing new insights into glycobiology and molecular imaging. The technique overcomes the toxicity issue of conventional copper-catalyzed reactions.
Scientists at Harvard University used a quantum computer to calculate the precise energy of molecular hydrogen, solving a long-standing problem in theoretical chemistry. This achievement has significant implications for fields like cryptography and materials science.
The National Science Foundation has awarded a $247,553 grant to Enrique Peacock-Lopez, supporting his project on chemical self-replication and regulatory mechanisms. The research will involve undergraduate students and upgrade local high school chemistry teaching to Advanced Placement Chemistry.
PNNL scientists Scott Chambers, Yuehe Lin, Moe Khaleel, Philip Rasch, John Wacker, and Sotiris Xantheas recognized for their groundbreaking research in semiconductors, nanotechnology, computational engineering, climate modeling, nuclear signature analysis, and aqueous systems.
Researchers studying snowflake shape and chemical reactions on their surface may uncover clues about ground-level ozone loss in the Arctic. The unique shapes of snow crystals, influenced by temperature and humidity, can affect the rate of chemical reactions that reduce ozone levels at ground level.
Depleted uranium has varied applications but its molecular chemistry is poorly understood. The €1m grant will develop new compounds and understand actinide chemical bonding.
A UC Riverside-led study found oxygen production via photosynthesis occurred in Earth's oceans at least 100 million years before the GOE, affecting ocean chemistry and potentially stimulating eukaryote evolution. The research suggests that even low concentrations of oxygen can have profound effects on ocean chemistry.
A new class of compounds containing Ruthenium and Osmium has been found to be highly effective in killing ovarian and colon cancer cells, even those resistant to Cisplatin. The discovery is a significant step forward in the field of medicinal chemistry.
The University of Arizona College of Pharmacy and the Translational Genomics Research Institute have been awarded a $7.5 million grant to establish a comprehensive center for drug discovery and development. The center aims to assemble a team capable of designing and selecting drug candidates to respond quickly to unmet medical needs.
Dr. George Whitesides receives the inaugural Dreyfus Prize in the Chemical Sciences for his pioneering work in materials chemistry. He has developed innovative methods for creating new materials that have significantly advanced the field of chemistry and its societal benefits.
Ethylene, a gas crucial for fruit ripening and industrial chemistry, can reversibly bind to tin atoms, according to a new UC Davis study. The discovery has implications for understanding catalytic processes, which are essential in both living cells and industrial settings.
University of Michigan scientists have identified a fundamental mechanism regulating immune T-cell activity, with implications for conditions like autoimmune diseases, cancer, and organ transplants. The discovery reveals that regulatory T cells influence aggressive immune cells through redox chemistry.
Melanie Cooper, a Clemson University professor, has been recognized as an American Chemical Society Fellow for her contributions to chemistry education and research. Her research focuses on developing effective ways for students to learn science, including evidence-driven curricula like Chemistry, Life, the Universe and Everything (CLUE).
A K-State chemist is studying two photosynthetic complexes from a type of bacteria to develop artificial photovoltaic devices that convert sunlight into electricity. The research aims to advance the understanding of structure-function relationship in natural systems.