Jul
15
15
Uncategorized
Chemistry Newsbytes
Posted by Bethany Halford on July 15, 2008 in Uncategorized
Biochemists try to build a burger that’s better for you but still tasty. Washington Post
Water, water everywhere: Now it appears to be in one of Saturn’s moons. Science News
Old bones offer insights into tuberculosis and other ailments. Guardian
No-till farming can convert carbon dioxide-belching soil into a sponge for the gas. NPR
Or carbon dioxide might be quarantined in deep-sea basalt formations. ScienceNOW
Mama mosquitoes use chemical cues to determine where they’ll lay their brood. NY Times
Sometimes false walls conceal hiding places and secret treasure. Sometimes they hide periodic tables. Foster’s Daily Democrat
San Diego students ditch the beach for the lab in a pre-undergraduate research program. San Diego Union-Tribune
International Chemistry Olympiad Begins!
Jul
12
12
Posted by Linda Wang on July 12, 2008 in Uncategorized
The U.S team competing in the 40th International Chemistry Olympiad arrived safety in Budapest Friday morning. Our flight was long (more than nine hours!) but otherwise smooth. After a good night’s sleep, we’re well rested and ready to go.
The students will be taking a practical exam on Tuesday morning and a theoretical exam on Thursday morning. The rest of the time, they’ll be doing sightseeing in and around Budapest and getting to know their peers from around the world. This experience is as much about culture as it is about chemistry.
For the next four days, I will be sequestered with the students with no Internet access. But I will update you on our progress as soon as I can.
Take good care.
Taking a break along the Danube River. From left to right are head mentor Kara Pezzi, mentor Will Lynch, Andrew Liu, Jonathan Lee, Jenny Lu, and peer mentor J. L. Kiappes. Yuxin Xie is not pictured.
Virgin Earth Challenge
Jul
11
11
Posted by Jyllian Kemsley on July 11, 2008 in Uncategorized
I attended a workshop this week on Reversing Global Warming: Chemical Recycling and Utilization of CO2. The last speaker was Alan Knight, the independent sustainable development adviser to the Virgin Group. Yes, that’s Virgin as in Virgin Records, Virgin Airways, and Sir Richard Branson.
Knight spoke to the conference attendees about Virgin’s Earth Challenge, a $25 million prize that will go to
Whoever can demonstrate to the judges’ satisfaction a commercially viable design which results in the removal of anthropogenic, atmospheric greenhouse gases so as to contribute materially to the stability of Earth’s climate.
Xeroxing Fido
Jun
17
17
Posted by Lisa Jarvis on June 17, 2008 in Uncategorized
I thought I’d share an example of some of the bizarre pitches that end up in a reporter’s inbox (particularly a reporter who covers the biotech industry). Here’s an excerpt from a press release I received today.
“In celebration of BioArts International successfully cloning the beloved family pet of CEO Lou Hawthorne, they have launched the first ever global online auction to clone five dogs. The auction will beheld July 5th through July 9th, with a high bidder notified on each day. First day bidding will begin at $100,000 with the initial price increasing on each successive day. BioArts International and the Best Friends Again program have also established the Golden Clone Giveaway, whereby one lucky person will receive a FREE cloning of his or her dog. By June 24th, contestants must complete an entry form, including a 500-word essay in English, explaining why they feel their dog deserves to be cloned.”
I’m not sure what to say about it, other than–really? I do love dogs (and animals of all sort for that matter), but I’m fairly perplexed as to why this is the best use of today’s technology. Shouldn’t we, I don’t know, figure out some better cancer treatments first or try to come up with biomarkers for drugs in development? Also, I know people are attached to their pets (that’s my Dad’s new puppy Nevada, above; who couldn’t love her?), but aren’t an awful lot of animals in shelters in need of homes? Anyway, if you’re interested, you can register here.
Make Your Mark On TV
Jun
17
17
Posted by Jyllian Kemsley on June 17, 2008 in Uncategorized
Some of C&EN’s readers have expressed concern (subscription required) about the image of chemistry on TV. Now you may have a chance to change that.
Leading cable television network is casting for female scientists (professionals or grad students) to host a reality/documentary series. Smart, energetic, charismatic candidates wanted. No previous media experience required.
The casting company says it can’t share additional details because the show is in development and hasn’t been announced by the network. They’ll be casting for another couple of weeks. If you decide to apply, please let us know how it goes!
Chemistry Newsbytes
May
23
23
Posted by Lisa Jarvis on May 23, 2008 in Chemistry is Everywhere, Uncategorized
Just in time for Memorial Day cookouts: Heparin and hot dogs. WSJ
Where have all the chemistry sets gone? SciGuy
Just how many of your kids’ science teachers are creationists? Kind of a lot. New Scientist
Abbott tries to attract students to medical sciences through a scholarship contest on Facebook. Wired
Frugality in the lab: a waste of time or a veritable challenge? Chemistry Blog
Chemistry in the kitchen: a hydrocolloid recipe collection. Khymos
Ten ways to fuel the future: cutting-edge clean energy solutions. Forbes
JACSβ Launches
May
22
22
Posted by Rachel Pepling on May 22, 2008 in Uncategorized
Our friends over on the journals side launched JACS Beta yesterday, where you–yes you, dear readers–can play around with new functionalities and give your very welcomed feedback. Features currently being tested over on JACS Beta are virtual issues (theme-based collections of free content that include synopses of articles), audio summaries, and PowerPoint slide sets. On the basis of your feedback, functionalities you love will eventually end up on the JACS site; functionalities you don’t will ride off into the cyber-sunset. So go play in the sandbox and tell them what you think. And aside from all journal content being free (duly noted), give your ideas of what you’d like to see (either technical- or thematic-wise) on the JACS site. I hear new features will be added to the beta site on an ad hoc basis.
Science In The Attic
May
19
19
Posted by Lisa Jarvis on May 19, 2008 in Chemistry is Everywhere, Uncategorized
Ah, early animal testing. The illustration to the right is from La Chimica in Famiglia, an Italian book written in 1886 by Gustavo Milan, who aimed to teach chemistry to girls. The setup is that a wealthy chemist is introducing his granddaughter Faustina to chemistry by relating it to her daily tasks. This particular slide demonstrates nitrogen’s inability to sustain life. No worries, PETA, the bird is saved at the last minute. But the book is an interesting example of how science was being geared toward the fairer sex in centuries past. The page was thoughtfully passed on to me by Paul Bernasconi, a chemist at BASF and a longtime C&EN reader. I met Bernasconi at a recent dinner at a conference in
We’re Hiring!
May
13
13
Posted by Rachel Pepling on May 13, 2008 in Uncategorized
We’re looking for a new Web Assistant/Associate to join the C&EN Online team. This is an entry- to mid-level position requiring strong working knowledge of XML, XHTML, DHTML, CSS, and HTML. Understanding of file creation, file structure, GUI design and usability, and programs such as Adobe Creative Suite is a must, as is thorough knowledge of current best practices regarding web page design. Experience with audio and video production on the web is a plus. Knowledge of RSS, podcasting, wikis, and other Web 2.0 technology is also helpful. Additionally, the candidate must share a willingness to learn new skills quickly and work collaboratively with other team members on short deadlines.
If interested, send your resume, cover letter, and examples of work to employment@acs.org. Please reference Position 08-62 in the subject line.
Chemistry Newsbytes
May
9
9
Posted by Bethany Halford and Lisa Jarvis on May 9, 2008 in Chemistry is Everywhere, Uncategorized
Platypus peculiarity is genome-deep. NY Times
Trickle-down pollution: Melting glaciers are exposing penguins to DDT. New Scientist
Nanoholes let more light spill out of LEDs. Guardian
Funeral options: burial, cremation, or alkaline hydrolysis. LA Times
First they went for the catalytic converters. Then they were after bronze statues. Now what’s the hot ticket with enterprising theives? Restaurant grease. NPR
Canadian researchers hope algae can suck up the carbon dioxide generated in oil extraction. CNet
World science: Which countries are publishing the most scientific papers? In the Pipeline
Games for geeks: predicting protein folding for sport. Foldit via Slashdot
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