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February 28, 2005

Caged Carbene

Scientists trap a carbene inside a cage molecule, stabilizing it at room temperature.

Protein Boost

High-yield membrane protein production gets a push from a novel bacterial membrane protein.

Legislation

Most large, multistate class-action lawsuits will be shifted into federal courts.

Perchlorate

Safe daily dose for human ingestion accepted by EPA will guide cleanup of Superfund sites.

Novartis

With recent acquisitions topping $8.3 billion, drugmaker will take the lead in generics.

February 25, 2005

High Perchlorate Levels Found In Breast Milk

Study suggests that breast-fed babies are getting twice the recommended safe dose.

COX-2 Inhibitors

FDA faces a tough decision over whether to allow Bextra, Celebrex, and Vioxx to remain on the market.

Engineering Prizes

Biochemist Leland Clark Jr. is honored for developing a variety of biosensors.

February 24, 2005

From Ketones To Chiral Alcohols

Catalytic system allows facile asymmetric hydrosilylation of ketones.

Processing Time For Foreign Visas Improves

GAO study finds improvement in visa processing time for foreign science students.

Partnership Tackles Making Nanotech Useful

European program links academic and industrial groups.

February 23, 2005

Seaweeds Have An Appetite For TNT

Algae safely remove explosive compound from coastal marine environments.

Timely Handling Of Industry Data

Advisers recommend plan for EPA to rank submissions on high-production-volume.

February 22, 2005

Codexis Acquires Enzyme Producer

Purchase of Germany's Jülich moves company outside U.S.

Coaching Success

Committee on the Advancement of Women Chemists expands its programs for academics.

February 21, 2005

Attracting Roaches

Pheromone from female German cockroaches may be bait for better traps.

Genetics

Maps of human genomic differences among various ethnicities may aid quest for customized medicine.

Visa Rules

State Department extends its tech-transfer security clearance for foreign students and scholars.

Ammonia Transfer

Activation of N–H bonds under mild conditions could lead to important amination reactions.

Yale vs. Fenn

Court directs Nobel Laureate to cede electrospray mass spec patent to Yale University.

February 18, 2005

Forecast Growth

Double-digit earnings growth in 2005 is one of the optimistic predictions from a survey of chemical firms.

FDA Creates Panel On Drug Safety

New safety board is a step forward, but critics question its independence.

February 17, 2005

Advice On Climate Change Policy

Experts weigh in for President Bush before his trip to Europe.

Tracking Metal Complexes In Cancer Cells

Fluorescence measurements are used to monitor cellular distribution of the complexes.

Jobs Go At SABIC Site

Cost-cutting program will eliminate 200 positions in Germany.

Amgen Halts Phase II Study

Drugmaker's decision is decried by Parkinson's disease advocates.

Clear Skies Vote Postponed

Senators will consider revised bill.

February 16, 2005

Vision's First Step

Solid-state NMR probes light-triggered conformational change in rhodopsin.

Glycerin vs. Biodiesel

New tax incentive for using biodiesel would create oversupply of glycerin and negatively affect oleochemical companies.

February 15, 2005

A Picture of Chirality

Imaging technique shows distribution of chiral molecules on a surface.

Investors Snap Up Chemical IPOs

Huntsman launches initial public offering and Rockwood plans one, too.

National Academy of Engineering Elects New Members

Sixteen new members and three foreign associates are chemists or chemical engineers.

Asbestos Tort Reform

Preventing asbestos victims from fraudulently claiming injury from silica is problematic.

February 14, 2005

Microbe Yields Glycobiology Reagent

Chemists use archaeal enzyme to produce tough-to-make sugar nucleotides.

Synthetic Hydrogenase

Enzymelike cluster points toward replacement of platinum catalyst in hydrogen fuel cells.

Free Database

NIH-funded collection gives researchers virtual access to compounds ready to use with docking programs.

Green Chemistry

National Academies committee defines research goals for sustainability in chemical industry.

Akzo Nobel

With several divestitures under its belt, the company plans to sell more of its businesses.

February 11, 2005

Another 'Designer' Steroid Uncovered

Chemists identify compound and propose possible synthesis. (Updated 2/14/05)

Inventors Recognized in Hall of Fame

Inductees for 2005 are recognized for plutonium isolation, drug discovery, and other achievements.

Avecia

In latest deal, company is selling its organic light-emitting diode business.

W.R. Grace Indicted

Executives face jail time for criminal charges of asbestos contamination and cover-up.

February 10, 2005

Superfund Value Calculated

Agency estimates benefits of Superfund to be $3.6 billion annually.

Cleaner Chlorine For Norsk Hydro

Project reflects European move to membrane technology.

Profits Continue To Rise In Japan

But companies still worry about raw material prices.

February 9, 2005

Air-Formed Perchlorate

Controversial ion may be formed naturally in the atmosphere.

Clearing The Air

Senate vote this week will determine fate of President Bush's Clear Skies initiative.

February 8, 2005

Kemira Embarks On Buying Spree

Two big purchases follow a year of portfolio pruning.

Federal R&D Budget Unveiled

Administration plan for fiscal 2006 proposes a weak total increase, though Homeland Security wins big.

Disability Lawsuit

After Anthony Czarnik was terminated for clinical depression, he sued the company he had cofounded, and won.

February 7, 2005

Pfizer Fight

Public Citizen takes on drugmaker over interpretation of clinical trial data for Celebrex.

Hazmat Reroute

Washington, D.C., City Council votes to restrict rail shipments of hazardous materials through the city.

Tough Buckypaper

Process generates pure double-walled carbon nanotubes, isolated in sheets.

Microreactors

Microchemical system rapidly screens and optimizes complex organic reactions.

February 4, 2005

EPA Mercury Standard Hit

Inspector general says agency violated Clean Air Act.

Price-Fixing Charges

In Europe, 18 firms are accused of fixing prices for hydrogen peroxide.

NIH Ethics

Health agency bans outside consulting, limits investment options for its researchers.

Hubble Debate

Experts tell Congress to keep space telescope operating, as long as the cost is reasonable.

February 3, 2005

Polymer Color Show Lights Up Membranes

Patches of polydiacetylene on cell surface are used to visualize membrane activity.

Huntsman Sets Price For IPO

Chemical maker will still be debt-heavy after offer.

Senate Backs Bodman For Energy Post

Chemical engineer unanimously approved to be secretary of energy.

Arkema Plans Vinyl Revamp

Consolidation program will result in loss of 548 jobs.

February 2, 2005

Next Big Thing At Informex

Contract chemistry and service firms rise to the challenge of the "Life Sciences Age".

February 1, 2005

BASF To Buy Merck Electronic Chemicals

Deal will boost BASF's electronics presence in Asia, Europe.

Million-Dollar Engineering Challenge Established

First award will be for a system that removes arsenic from contaminated drinking water.