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American Chemical Society


A homing beacon for chemotherapy drugs

Scientists have created a hydrogel that attracts chemotherapy drugs to tumors in mice, reducing side effects caused by the drugs acting on healthy cells. The approach uses cucurbituril to target therapies to a tumor, resulting in improved treatment outcomes and reduced toxicity.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Central Science·DateJun 12, 2019

Verifying 'organic' foods

Scientists have developed a strategy to determine organic food authenticity by analyzing the metabolites generated within plants when pesticides break down. The technique involves identifying and screening the metabolites of seven common pesticides using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography and high-resolution mass spectrometry.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·DateJun 5, 2019

Estimating microplastic consumption

Researchers estimate that Americans consume between 74,000 to 113,000 microplastic particles annually, depending on age and sex. This analysis suggests significant exposure to microplastics through food consumption, especially bottled water versus tap water.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateJun 5, 2019

Self-healing DNA nanostructures

DNA nanotubes designed by Yi Li and Rebecca Schulman can heal themselves in serum, extending lifetimes from 24 hours to over 96 hours. The researchers developed a self-repair process using smaller DNA tiles that repair damaged structures by replacing or joining to the nanotube ends.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalNano Letters·DateMay 29, 2019

Ancient proteins offer clues to the past

Scientists can now study ancient proteins to gain a more complete picture of past species and cultures. Research has revealed that ancient humans consumed grains, legumes, dairy products and meat, while Mongolians consumed dairy products long before known genetic mutations for lactose tolerance.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News·DateMay 22, 2019

Octopus-inspired wearable sensor

A graphene-based adhesive biosensor was created with an octopus-like sucker, allowing for full contact with both wet and dry skin. The device can monitor various human activities, including heart rate, step count, and speech patterns.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateMay 22, 2019

When biodegradable plastic isn't

Researchers tested biodegradable, oxo-biodegradable and compostable plastic bags in three natural environments over a 3-year period. The results show that none of the bags reliably deteriorated within 3 years, with conventional polyethylene bags remaining intact.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateMay 15, 2019

Once-per-month HIV drugs on the horizon

Researchers are developing longer-acting injectable HIV treatments that target different components of the virus and can be administered once every few weeks. These therapies have shown promising results in clinical trials, with one treatment demonstrating effectiveness for at least a month and high patient satisfaction.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News·DateMay 15, 2019

Why some red wines taste 'dry'

Researchers have found that the structure, concentration and interactions of tannins in wine influence dryness perception. Trained sensory panelists perceived Cabernet Sauvignon as dryer due to its higher tannin content, while added tannins didn't change dryness perception in Pinot Noir.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·DateMay 8, 2019

Mining microbial treasures from toxic sites

Researchers have found microorganisms in toxic sites like the Berkeley Pit, which produce potent molecules with potential human medicine uses. These molecules show anti-cancer and antibiotic activities, offering new hope for treating diseases such as cancer and antibiotic-resistant infections.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News·DateMay 8, 2019

The smell of dark chocolate, demystified

Researchers identified volatile compounds contributing to dark chocolate's distinctive aroma, including β-ionone and other essential components. By quantifying these substances using stable isotope dilution analysis, the team successfully reconstructed the scents of two dark chocolates with remarkable accuracy.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·DateMay 8, 2019

Researchers grow cells in 'paper organs'

Researchers have successfully grown 3D paper organs with artificial blood vessels that can be populated with cells, providing a more complex structure than traditional 2D cell cultures. The paper organs can mimic the architecture of real tissues, influencing how cells grow and respond to external stimuli.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalNano Letters·DateMay 1, 2019

Shrink films get a grip (video)

Researchers repurposed shrink films to make strong grippers that can encapsulate materials or be incorporated into soft robotics. The grippers were made by patterned black ink onto polystyrene sheets, which then wrapped around objects to grip them.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Applied Polymer Materials·DateMay 1, 2019

A comprehensive look at cow's milk

Scientists have developed a centralized database of all known bovine milk compounds, including over 2,300 previously unknown metabolites. The comprehensive analysis was made possible by combining targeted chemical analyses and digital text-mining tools.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·DateApr 17, 2019

Improving quantum computers

Scientists are developing better manufacturing processes and control equipment for superconducting circuits and trapped ions. New materials like silicon spin devices and topological materials are also being explored to reduce noise and error in qubits.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News·DateApr 17, 2019

How severe drought influences ozone pollution

Researchers analyzed data from Fresno and Bakersfield before, during, and after the California drought to understand its impact on ozone air quality. They found that severe drought conditions led to a 20% decrease in ozone production due to reduced isoprene concentrations and altered VOCs.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateApr 10, 2019