It may be a Higgs boson but is it the Standard Model?
15 March, 2013It looks like the particle discovered at the Large Hadron Collider last year is an elusive Higgs boson but whether this is the Higgs boson of the Standard Model of particle physics, or possibly the lightest of several bosons predicted in some theories that go beyond the Standard Model, has yet to be established.
The science behind identifying King Richard III’s skeleton
14 February, 2013On 4 February 2013, the University of Leicester announced it had discovered the remains of the last Plantagenet king, King Richard III, who died in 1485.There was strong circumstantial evidence that a skeleton found at the site of the Grey Friars church in Leicester was indeed that of King Richard III. However, before the identity of the skeleton could be confirmed, rigorous scientific investigations including DNA analysis, radiocarbon dating and skeletal examination were required.
Compound overcomes MRSA infection in mice
09 January, 2013Researchers have discovered a new compound that restores the health of mice infected with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), an otherwise dangerous bacterial infection.
Polyhydroxylated steroids - synthesised in 21 easy steps
08 January, 2013Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) have achieved a feat in synthetic chemistry by inventing a scalable method to make complex natural compounds - polyhydroxylated steroids. These compounds, used in heart-failure medications and other drugs, have been notoriously problematic to synthesise in the laboratory.
Trasis 18F-L-Dopa nucleophilic synthesis method on disposable cassettes
21 December, 2012Trasis has extended its range of molecules to 18F-L-Dopa with a reliable nucleophilic method, making this compound easy and safe to produce.
Hach CLF10 sc chlorine analyser
26 November, 2012The CLF10 sc analyser is an amperometric analyser which leverages Hach’s self-diagnostics to alert users whenever the process has changed or the instrument needs servicing.
Auto analyser helps protect production equipment
07 November, 2012An automated segmented flow analyser, the AA3 from Seal Analytical, is being used at BASF’s manufacturing facility at Ludwigshafen in Germany to protect manufacturing equipment from corrosion or chemical attack from potential impurities in demineralised water, boiler feed water and steam condensate.
New chemistry technique reproduces nature’s elusive complexity
05 October, 2012Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute have shown how to synthesise in the laboratory an important set of natural compounds known as terpenes. The largest class of chemicals made by living organisms, terpenes are made within cells by some of the most complex chemical reactions found in biology.
Remarkable enzyme points the way to reducing nitric acid use in industry
03 October, 2012An enzyme in the bacterium that causes potato scab could help create new, environmentally benign biocatalysts with the potential to cut use of the highly corrosive chemical nitric acid.
Michell Instruments S8000 Remote chilled mirror hygrometer
14 September, 2012The latest sensor design of Michell Instruments’ S8000 Remote chilled mirror hygrometer combines high-accuracy temperature control with new materials to improve reliability and avoid condensation.
Ziltek RemScan in-field analyser for petroleum contamination in soil
25 July, 2012Ziltek and CSIRO have announced the commercialisation of a handheld device for the rapid in-field analysis of petroleum contamination in soil. The RemScan device uses an infrared signal to directly measure petroleum hydrocarbons in soil.
New technique makes organic syntheses easier
03 July, 2012Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute have developed a powerful new technique for manipulating the building-block molecules of organic chemistry. The technique enables chemists to add functional molecules to previously hard-to-reach positions on existing compounds, making it easier for them to generate new drugs and other organic chemicals.
Just add water for faster reactions
22 May, 2012The speed of hydrogenation and hydrogenolysis reactions has been found to increase in the presence of water. Researchers found that the presence of even the most minute amounts of water - on the order of those in an outer-space vacuum - can accelerate the diffusion of hydrogen atoms on iron oxide by 16 orders of magnitude at room temperature.
Spectro analytical technology platforms for oil and lubricant analysis
27 March, 2012Spectro has released a range of analytically significant technology platforms in the field of oil and lubricant analysis. The company’s lab, field-portable and handheld analytical tools are based on emission, infrared, FTIR and X-ray technologies, among others.
Petrospec Turbine Diesel Portable Process Analyzer
08 February, 2012Petrospec’s Turbine Diesel Portable Process Analyzer (TD PPA) provides a global analysis of diesel and jet fuel blends in 3 min using only 10 mL of sample and no sample preparation.
