The top 50 chemical producers saw a six percent increase in sales to nearly $400 billion, with Europe accounting for 54 percent of international sales. Capital spending decreased by 16 percent, while research and development spending rose nearly two percent.
The American Chemical Society will present research on weight-loss supplements, museum treasures, and fuel additives. The meeting will feature symposia on conjugated linoleic acids, endocrine disruptors, and pollution reduction.
Researchers have designed a molecule that selectively inhibits gelatinase enzymes, which help tumors grow and spread. This discovery may lead to new treatments for breast and prostate cancers, as well as other types of cancer and inflammations.
The trillion-dollar chemical industry showed a two percent increase in production in 1999, but sales grew faster than profits, leading to decreased profitability among leading companies. A bright spot was the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sector, which saw combined sales increase by 29 percent.
Scientists have created a novel dinucleotide molecule that appears to outlast existing treatments in cells. The integrase inhibitor has the potential to prevent HIV infection by blocking its ability to replicate in non-infected human cells.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have developed a new low-fat cheddar formulation that delivers several taste-enhancing compounds. The blend of three bacterial starter cultures reduces bitterness and adds clean, buttery notes, making it an attractive option for health-conscious cheese fanciers.
Researchers create a new type of antibiotics that bind to bacterial protein-making machinery, preventing resistance. The approach could yield an antibiotic approximately 1,000 times more effective than the original, offering hope in combating the growing problem of antibiotic resistance.
Researchers will discuss potential anti-cancer properties of selenium in broccoli and analyze human exposure to toxic chemicals through hair analysis. The meeting will also focus on the ongoing contamination of the Great Lakes by toxaphene, a pesticide banned in 1986.
Researchers found that over 12% of a sample must be covered in soot for people to accurately detect the difference between clean and dirty sheets. The study provides guidelines for determining when to clean and protect fine art from soot damage, helping museum designers preserve valuable collections.
Researchers found that a synthetic protein resembling the herpes simplex virus mimics beta-amyloid, a toxic agent in Alzheimer's patients. This connection could lead to the development of vaccines or drugs to prevent or treat Alzheimer's disease.
The ACS Central Regional Meeting will feature over 600 research papers on various topics, including environmental science, food science, and diversity in the workplace. Notable speakers include experts from major brewing companies and a professor emeritus receiving a prestigious award for his invention of the first chemical sensor.
Researchers discovered toxic alkenylbenzenes in tobacco smoke, which can cause cancer and lung disease in humans. The compounds are more likely to affect health when filtered cigarettes' ventilation holes are blocked.
Scientists have identified an unusual protein in anaerobic bacteria that senses oxygen and causes the bacteria to swim away from it. The protein could lead to the development of new antibiotics and provide insight into the evolution of life.
Researchers found that spices can shield bacteria from irradiation by protecting their DNA, with chili and black pepper offering the highest protection. The study suggests spice extracts could be used to protect healthy tissue in radiation therapy.
Chlordane, a persistent organic pollutant, accumulates in the human body and can cause digestive and nervous system disorders; washing food before eating can reduce exposure risk
Researchers test new fragrances to bait coyotes into consuming birth control drugs, aiming to reduce attacks on livestock and wildlife. The approach aims to decrease the need for lethal methods like shooting, which have cost farmers millions in lost earnings.
Researchers from around the world present real-world and theoretical findings on valuing environmental services, exploring challenges of assigning economic values to ecosystems and regulating the environment. The study highlights the complexities of managing ecosystem resources and incorporating costs of pollution into prices.
Elias J. Corey has developed a new method for synthesizing ecteinascidin and phthalascidin, two drugs estimated to be at least 100 times more powerful than Taxol in inhibiting tumor cell growth. The findings have shown promising results in soft-tissue sarcoma treatment and could lead to faster availability of these life-saving drugs.
Scientists at Bristol-Myers Squibb identified a novel class of phosphodiesterase inhibitors that act on the same target as sildenafil, showing improved efficacy and selectivity in treating erectile dysfunction. The new compounds were found to be more potent and selective than sildenafil against various forms of the enzyme.
Researchers discovered that adding carbonate to cow manure can effectively kill dangerous microbes, such as E. coli O157:H7. The treatment is estimated to cost less than $10 per year per cow and could help prevent water contamination.
Scientists have identified a tobacco compound that may explain why smokers are less vulnerable to Parkinson's disease. The naphthoquinone derivative works by interfering with an enzyme in the brain that breaks down neurotransmitters.
A new synthetic rubber material has been developed that kills bacteria, viruses, and fungi on contact, making it ideal for medical supplies and consumer products. The material uses a different mechanism to fight infection than conventional coatings and protective plastics.
Researchers are developing new compounds, including epothilones and bryostatins, derived from natural products to inhibit cancer growth. Vaccines targeting tumor-specific antigens are also being explored to prevent recurrence after conventional treatment.
Research has revealed that pharmaceuticals and personal care products can contaminate groundwater, rivers, and sewage, posing significant risks to human health and the environment. Studies have shown that these substances can enter the aquatic food chain, affecting marine life, and are also found in human tissues and breast milk.
Researchers are developing a bioartificial liver that can filter blood toxins and provide temporary support for patients with severe liver failure. The device is being upgraded with freshly isolated pig liver cells and a pulsating bioreactor to improve performance, and the first human clinical trials are scheduled to begin soon.
Researchers explore biotechnology for healthier foods, enzymes for proper digestion, rapid pathogen detection, and advanced packaging materials. These advancements aim to delay chronic disease, improve mental and physical performance, and enhance food safety.
Scientists report new evidence for the origin of life, including homochirality in meteorite compounds and 1,4-naphthaquinone formed through early solar system chemistry. The discovery may shed light on the start of life on Earth and potentially finding remnants of life on Mars, Europa, and other extraterrestrial bodies.
Gabor A. Somorjai's research has revolutionized surface science and its applications, enabling the development of smaller, more complex devices. His work demonstrates that surfaces are flexible and adjust to the chemistry as it occurs, leading to breakthroughs in various fields.
Selected studies focus on administering oral vaccines through edible transgenic plants, modifying foods to boost healthful content of fatty acids and antioxidant values, and introducing synthetic storage protein genes into sweet potatoes. Researchers also discuss a process to raise the quality and purity of plant-based herbal medicines.
George B. Kauffman, a renowned chemist from Fresno, has been honored with the American Chemical Society Award for Research at an Undergraduate Institution. He is recognized for his dedication to encouraging students to be imaginative and independent in their research projects.
Miller's work enables magnets to be made at relatively low temperatures, reducing energy requirements and costs. His development of molecule-based magnets has the potential to integrate manufacture with device production, introducing new properties and applications.
Charlottesville chemist Donald F. Hunt has developed a technique to identify fragments of proteins that stimulate the immune system to attack and kill melanoma, or skin cancer. His method uses mass spectrometry to analyze amino acid chains and could lead to the development of cancer vaccines.
Peter Jutzi, a German chemist, has received the Frederic Stanley Kipping Award in Silicon Chemistry from the American Chemical Society. He developed new materials for the electronics and optics industries by designing methods to make compounds of silicon and carbon.
Chemist F. Ann Walker received the Francis P. Garvan-John M. Olin Medal for her research on heme proteins, including nitrophorin, a molecule found in kissing bugs that releases nitric oxide to facilitate feeding. Her work provides insight into the function of heme proteins and their role in the immune system.
Chemist Peter G. Wolynes explains how glass, a disorganized crystal in a frozen state, keeps its shape and applies this insight to study protein structures. His work has numerous applications in environmental cleanup and drug design.
Alex S. Kandel, a post-doctoral chemistry student at Pennsylvania State University, has been recognized for his outstanding research on fundamental molecular behavior and reactions. He discovered that making chlorine react with methane requires energy, while the reaction of chlorine and ethane releases energy.
Martin E. Newcomb studies free radicals in biological processes, revealing radical intermediates form during fleeting steps of reactions that occur extremely quickly. He proposes new mechanisms to solve unknowns in P450 enzyme family's reaction steps using laser light 'timing'.
Shell chemists developed a new carpet and textile fiber, Corterra, with excellent elastic recovery and natural stain resistance. They achieved commercial production in just three years through innovative research and process development.
Philip Portoghese, a medicinal chemist at the University of Minnesota, has received the Alfred Burger Award in Medicinal Chemistry from the American Chemical Society for his work on opioid receptors. His research reveals how drugs such as morphine interact with these receptors, enabling the creation of new, more effective drugs.
Valerie J. Kuck, a materials chemist at Bell Laboratories, will receive the American Chemical Society Award for Encouraging Women in Careers in the Chemical Sciences. She has mentored dozens of female interns and encouraged them to pursue careers in chemistry.
Richard J. Saykally, a physical chemist at the University of California, Berkeley, is honored by the American Chemical Society for his work on water's unique properties. He aims to model liquid water on a computer to predict its behavior and influences.
Chaitan Khosla, a Palo Alto-based researcher, has developed ways to genetically engineer microorganisms to produce complex natural compounds. His approach allows researchers to create new pathways in biologically friendly organisms, making it possible to harvest useful substances from slow-growing bacteria.
George Samara, a chemist from Albuquerque, NM, has been honored by the American Chemical Society for his exceptional research management skills. He was awarded the Earle B. Barnes Award for Leadership in Chemical Research Management for his contributions to advancing solar cell technology and developing unique semiconducting materials.
Graduate student Alex Kandel's outstanding research on chlorine atoms interacting with methane and ethane was recognized by the American Chemical Society, with funding support from Mallinckrodt Baker Inc. for his discovery of a new laser technique called photoloc
Chemical engineer Tamotsu Imai developed more efficient catalysts to produce biodegradable detergents and increase the yield of styrene production, leading to more sustainable processes. His work has improved process safety and reduced energy consumption in the petroleum industry.
Chemist Richard L. Hahn's work with solar neutrinos reveals insights into the sun's behavior and duration. His research uses giant tanks to detect neutrino collisions, which may lead to a re-evaluation of fundamental theories.
The American Chemical Society's panel discussion at the 219th national meeting will focus on the partnership between education, industry, media, and science policy. The event aims to shape the future of chemistry in the next century.
Dennis P. Curran develops new ways to make molecules used as anti-cancer drugs using free radicals, which were once considered too reactive for laboratory use. His work has led to the creation of more stable derivatives that could potentially allow lower doses of chemotherapy.
Stephen L. Buchwald receives American Chemical Society Award in Organometallic Chemistry for developing more efficient methods to create complex chemical bonds, with applications in plastics, drug discovery, and manufacturing. His work has been recognized for its breadth and unique interest, spanning multiple fields.
Researchers found that cooking enhances iron availability in 37 of 48 tested vegetables, with some seeing a nearly doubling of bioavailability after cooking. The approach could help populations in developing countries and vegetarians worldwide boost their nutritional absorption of iron.