Scientists have developed a technology to produce hydrogen from heat in nuclear power plants, which could reduce global warming by burning only water vapor. This process is more efficient than current methods using natural gas or coal, and experts envision widespread adoption of nuclear-powered hydrogen production.
J. Craig Venter discussed his team's progress on major projects, including developing new synthetic cells and engineering genomes to produce biofuels, vaccines, clean water, food and other products. He also described his work in sequencing the human genome and studying the human microbiome.
Scientists have created a new buoyant material inspired by the water strider's ability to walk on water. The material, made from nanocellulose aerogel, can absorb huge amounts of oil and float on its surface, making it potentially useful for cleaning up oil spills.
Triclosan effectively preserves gasoline and fire starters in charred remains, enabling crime scene investigators to determine arson intent. This preservation method could help law enforcement officials catch criminals and reveal the true extent of arson problems.
Paul Raeburn, a nationally recognized science journalist and author, has received the James T. Grady-James H. Stack Award for his work in interpreting chemistry for the public. The award is presented annually by the American Chemical Society to recognize outstanding achievements in communicating chemistry to the general public.
Scientists have developed lab-made, invisible filaments that resemble uncooked spaghetti with nanoscale dimensions, which can serve as scaffolds for tissue repair. These 'noodle gels' and 'spaghetti highways' could guide cells to specific locations for repair and deliver beneficial substances to diseased areas.
The ACS Presidential Sessions emphasize communicating science to the public, with speakers including Roger Tsien, Laura Kiessling, Samuel Stupp, J. Craig Venter, Carolyn Bertozzi, and Paul Raeburn. The sessions also explore innovative chemistry applications, such as producing fuels directly from sunlight.
A study published in Environmental Science & Technology reveals that seeds coated with neonicotinoid insecticides cause widespread deaths of honeybees. The researchers found that even modified machines designed to reduce seed fragmentation still led to bee fatalities, highlighting the need for innovative solutions.
Scientists create a simple, inexpensive dip-and-dry treatment to convert ordinary silk into a fabric that kills disease-causing bacteria, including anthrax spores. The new 'killer silk' has potential uses for protective coatings, water purification, and mitigating toxic substances.
A new test developed by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory uses impurity profiling to trace the source of nerve agents used in terrorist attacks. Up to 88% of impurities in source chemicals can wind up in the finished product, making them unique like a fingerprint.
Dow and DuPont are developing high-oleic oils that can replace partially hydrogenated oils in fried foods, reducing trans fat content and increasing heart health. These new oils are expected to result in a 40% cost savings for the food industry.
Researchers analyzed fatty acid composition and DNA analysis to identify the source of US-grown pine nuts. Most samples found to be mixtures of different species, but combining these methods didn't definitively link to 'pine mouth',
A large-scale shift to green energy sources could lead to a significant increase in demand for rare earth elements, used in wind turbines and electric vehicles. To mitigate this, researchers suggest materials substitution, improved efficiency, and increased reuse, recycling, and use of scrap.
A team of scientists has created a new method to determine whether caffeine in beverages is naturally occurring or synthetic. Using stable-isotope analysis, the technique identifies differences in carbon isotopes found in plant-based and lab-made caffeine. This breakthrough enables faster categorization of caffeine sources.
Researchers now solidly implicated certain genes as being involved in autism, affecting signal transmission and brain circuits. This breakthrough paves the way for future medications and treatments for autism spectrum disorders.
A new article from the American Chemical Society suggests that berry fruits contain high levels of antioxidants, which can protect cells from damage. The study also found that eating berries changes the way neurons communicate, potentially preventing inflammation in the brain and improving motor control and cognition.
Three scientific expeditions, including a Russian team that drilled 2.5 miles through ice to reach Lake Vostok's ancient water, aim to uncover secrets about life in the Frozen Continent. The teams will analyze water samples and nutrient sources from lakes deep beneath the surface of Antarctica.
Scientists have combined NO- and H2S-releasing designer aspirins into a hybrid substance called NOSH-aspirin, which appears more effective in controlling cancer growth than either of its predecessors. The new compound inhibits the growth of various cancer cells, including breast, colon, and leukemia, with minimal harm to normal cells.
A new study suggests that the US could produce 136 billion gallons of ethanol per year by 2022, but this would require dedicating 80% of farmland to biofuel crops or converting 60% of rangeland to biofuels. Both options would significantly reduce food production and potentially worsen environmental impacts.
Researchers develop a simple and cost-effective method to purify water using the 'miracle tree' Moringa oleifera seeds. The process harnesses the positively charged protein in the seed extract to capture lab-grown E. coli and remove sediment from water samples.
Scientists have developed a method to adapt personal glucose monitors for detecting DNA, allowing for rapid testing of viruses and bacteria in human body fluids and food substances. This technology has the potential to improve health and reduce costs, particularly in developing countries or rural areas with limited medical resources.
Researchers analyzed over 4,000 studies on MOFs, concluding they have immense potential for various applications. The special issue of Chemical Reviews presents the latest advances and prospects for commercial applications of these materials.
Researchers are taking a new approach to developing medications that boost levels of good cholesterol, removing it from the body. Three new versions of CETP blockers show promise as viable new heart drugs, but final judgment may be years away.
Researchers have discovered that graphene provides exceptional corrosion protection, even at a single layer thickness, outperforming conventional coatings. The study's findings suggest graphene could be ideal for applications where a thin coating is necessary, such as in microelectronic components.
Scientists have identified two new possible antibiotics, fasamycin A and B, that work against deadly resistant microbes like MRSA. The metagenomics method allowed researchers to analyze substances made by soil bacteria's DNA in the lab, enabling the discovery of these potential life-saving medications.
The collaboration between pharmaceutical companies and patients is leading to a closer relationship, gleaning more information about medication effects. Experts predict this could usher in an era of personalized medicine.
Researchers found nanomaterial dust ignites with less than 1/30th the energy needed for sugar or wheat flour dust, posing significant industrial accident threat.
According to a new study, over 1/3 US counties face 'high' or 'extreme' risk of water shortages due to climate change. The American Chemical Society reports that 412 counties in southern and southwestern states may experience extreme water shortages by 2050.
A new study finds arsenic to be the most critical metal, followed by silver and selenium, in sustaining modern technology. The research highlights the need for corporations and nations to identify their unique set of critical materials and stabilize supply chains.
Scientists have developed a new form of buckypaper, which eliminates a major drawback of these sheets of carbon nanotubes by introducing a 'shish kebab' structure that controls pore size and conductivity. This innovation has potential applications in body armor, batteries, and electronics.
The American Chemical Society is developing new crime-fighting tools to deter and catch terrorists, utilizing chemical forensics to trace weaponized toxic substances. The research aims to send a message to would-be terrorists that science is prepared to stop them.
Researchers develop a new type of tiny motor called a microrocket that can propel itself through acidic environments without external energy, opening up medical and industrial applications. The microrocket generates hydrogen gas bubbles to propel itself at speeds up to 400 miles per hour.
Scientists have developed a handheld device that can accurately count white blood cells, revolutionizing the complete blood cell count test. The device uses a 'blood lab-on-a-chip' technology to break down red blood cells and produce comparable results to full-scale hematology labs.
Scientists implanted a miniature biofuel cell into False Death's Head Cockroaches, converting trehalose and oxygen into electricity. The device operates intermittently due to low energy output, but could power microdevices in the future.
A study found that consuming 2-3 small purple potatoes per day reduces blood pressure by 4% without causing weight gain. This effect is attributed to the high levels of antioxidant compounds in these potatoes, which may have similar effects to ACE-inhibitor medications.
A recent study by Mehmet Isleyen and colleagues found that grafted watermelon plants accumulate pesticide levels up to 140 times higher than non-grafted watermelons. The researchers advise commercial farmers to exercise caution when using this grafting practice to minimize exposure to pesticides.
The development of a new standard for vitamin D testing aims to ensure accurate measurements of vitamin D levels in the blood. The researchers created a certified reference material, SRM 972, which provides a mechanism to ensure measurement accuracy and comparability.
Researchers create erosion-resistant surfaces using patterns inspired by yellow fattail scorpions, reducing material damage and equipment failure. The new technology has potential to save millions of dollars in damage each year.
Researchers developed contact lenses that release anesthetics over time to ease pain after PRK surgery. The vitamin E-loaded lenses extended the release of three commonly used anesthetics from under two hours to up to a few days.
A natural substance extracted from Moringa oleifera seeds can purify water by binding to sediment and killing microbes. The process uses functionalized sand, providing a simple, locally sustainable way to produce storable drinking water.
The USAN Council assigns simplified generic names to drugs, using 'stems' that describe characteristics such as function and shape. Examples include '-prazole' for antiulcer medications like esomeprazole.
A recent study by Michael McClean and colleagues reveals a strong link between PFC levels in office air and blood concentrations, suggesting offices as an important exposure environment. The findings also indicate that workers in newly renovated buildings receive higher doses of PFCs.
A new study explains why dew drops form on leaf tips, rather than flat surfaces, based on the principle of free energy. Dew droplets tend to accumulate at the tips of spindly leaves due to their inherent 'unwillingness' to move on dry surfaces.
The chemical industry is expected to see a boost in sales due to growing demand for chemicals used in agriculture, electronics, cars, and airplanes. However, the industry faces challenges such as expiring patents and slowing growth in Asia, which will impact industries like paint and construction materials.
Heavy coffee drinkers have a lower risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, with four cups daily reducing the risk by 50%, and every additional cup by 7%. Coffee's beneficial effects may be attributed to compounds blocking human islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP) misfolding.
Scientists have developed an imaging agent that binds to signs of Alzheimer's disease, including ß-amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. The agent, called FPPDB, has shown promise for early diagnosis in laboratory tests.
A new genre of medical imaging technology uses optical techniques to peer below the skin and through muscle and bone, revealing body structures. Devices such as blood vessel mappers and cancer detectors are already in use or in development, providing non-invasive views for diagnosis and study.
Researchers identified two substances in licorice root that kill major bacteria responsible for tooth decay and gum disease. Licoricidin and licorisoflavan A were found to be effective antibacterial substances, potentially treating or preventing oral infections.
A study by Lidia Morawska and colleagues found that older vacuum cleaners, even those with HEPA filters, release higher levels of fine dust and bacteria into the air. Newer models were generally less polluting, suggesting age and cost can impact emission rates.
Scientists have discovered an improved method to remove carbon dioxide from smokestacks, tailpipes, and the atmosphere. The new materials achieve high carbon dioxide removal capacity, especially in humid air, making them a potential solution for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.