Chemistry World Blog

17 January 2011: Have something to say about an article you’ve read on Chemistry World this week? Leave your comments below…

This week’s stories:

Novel nanoparticle filter
Researchers create a recyclable membrane based on non-covalent bonds to filter nanoparticles

Black TiO2 absorbs light across the spectrum
Hydrogenation used to introduce disorder into titanium dioxide nanocrystals, increasing the amount of solar light they absorb

Close encounter makes modifying proteins easy
Using a molecular recognition approach to protein functionalisation allows amino acid side-chains to be modified selectively

Early lung cancer diagnosis
Scientists have discovered the levels of a specific protein increase in the presence of lung cancer but no other cancer type

Jump starting prebiotic photochemistry
US scientists look into how the first cell-like structures could have come about

Chemists separate water isomers
A decade after initial controversial claims, a new group says it has separated water into its two spin isomers

SNPs on display
New technique uses DNA origami to provide visual read out of the most common form of genetic variations

Programmable RNA promising for bio-compatible therapies
RNA structures generated through computer-aided design could deliver novel therapeutics

Protective shells for cells
Novel hydrogen-bonded coating protects living cells in bioengineering applications

Modified protein binders give shortcut to drugs
Attaching polypeptides to small molecules can significantly increase the specificity and affinity of protein binders

Carbon dioxide clusters cracked by IR
Carbon dioxide clusters have been spectroscopically identified for the first time

Pig power for batteries
Pig bones could improve battery performance

Nanoparticle divides to conquer
Nanoparticle breaks up into smaller units once it reaches a tumour, allowing it to penetrate deeper and deliver treatment more effectively

BSE pathogens passed on by air
The infectious misfolded protein molecules that cause mad cow disease can be transmitted in the air, say scientists