Science Teachers

Association of Nigeria

Chemistry/Material Science

First experimental evidence of quantum monodromy
Ohio State University physicists have obtained the first-ever experimental evidence of a particular quantum mechanical effect –- one that was theorized a decade ago. The effect, called quantum monodromy (Greek for "once around"), relates in part to the behavior of molecules based on their atomic structure and vibrational frequencies. A better understanding of quantum monodromy could have implications in astronomy, atmospheric science and biology.

winnem@pacific.mps.ohio-state.edu
Ohio State University

Device creates electricity and treats wastewater
An environmental engineer at Washington University in St. Louis has created a device similar to a hydrogen fuel cell that uses bacteria to treat wastewater and create electricity. Lars Angenent, Ph.D., an assistant professor of Chemical Engineering, and a member of the University's Environmental Engineering Science Program, has devised a microbial fuel cell which he calls an upflow microbial fuel cell (UMFC) that is fed continually.

tony_fitzpatrick@wustl.edu
Washington University in St. Louis

Identifying the 'signatures' of protons in water
Free protons from acids associate with 1, 2 or 3 molecules of water and the structures can be identified by unique infrared laser spectrum signatures, according to a report in Science by Yale professor of chemistry Mark A. Johnson and his collaborators. The proton is a moving target, rapidly switching its character from one species to the next according to how many water molecules it is associated with.
janet.emanuel@yale.edu
Yale University

Oxytocin raises aggression, cuts anxiety during lactation; similar effects on virgin rats
Maternal aggressive/protective behavior is recognized throughout mammalian species, especially during lactation. The same neurohypophyseal hormone, oxytocin, is responsible for both the physiological and behavioral changes, but the site of action is different. OT within the brain has marked behavioral impact, including reducing anxiety levels during lactation. Regensburg/Edinburgh University researchers directly inserted OT into the brain of virgin rats causing lower anxiety and increased social dominance. Also: A model to determine OT regulation at birth.
Foundation, British Council, Wellcome Trust

mresnick@the-aps.org
American Physiological Society

In support of PubChem: towards open chemical information
An XML-based approach to the communication of chemical information in the biomedical literature would prevent the loss of crucial information and facilitate the re-use of data – and would be easily achievable using existing open tools and resources. A commentary article published today in the Open Access journal BMC Bioinformatics argues that it is time chemistry followed in the footsteps of bioinformatics and structural biology and moved towards the creation of an open semantic web facilitating access to chemical information.

juliette.savin@biomedcentral.com
BioMed Central

Beyond genes: Lipid helps cell wall protein fold into proper shape
In the Journal of Biological Chemistry, scientists report that lipid composition of the membrane is important to protein folding and function. Understanding the role of lipids can shed light on diseases that involve misfolded proteins such as Alzheimer's disease, cystic fibrosis and mad cow disease.
scott.merville@uth.tmc.edu
University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

Watching the birth and death of exotic molecules
Researchers from Korea, Italy, France and the ESRF have just observed how a molecule changes structure after being hit with a short flash of laser light. Thanks to very intense pulses of X-rays from the synchrotron and novel data analysis, they were able to confirm a long standing hypothesis regarding the evolution of this molecule. The results are published in Science Express of 14 July.

press@esrf.fr
European Synchrotron Radiation Facility  

Tulane pioneers novel ovarian cancer treatment
The Tulane University Section of Hematology and Medical Oncology is investigating a novel treatment for ovarian cancer by using intravenous Ontak to deplete harmful cells that inhibit the body's natural immune response to fight cancer. Ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cancer killer of women in the United States.

fsimon@tulane.edu
Tulane University

Top young African-American scholars in science and engineering to meet in Monterey, Calif.
More than 50 young African-American scholars in science and engineering will convene in Monterey beginning Thursday evening for a conference that will focus not only on their research, but on the challenges they confront in seeking doctoral degrees and jobs.

elempine@aaas.org
American Association for the Advancement of Science

New look for hydrogen storage

A new technique for storing hydrogen has been proposed by scientists in Canada and Germany. The method, which involves storing the gas between layers of graphite just nanometers deep, could help in the quest for practical hydrogen-storage devices for fuel cells. Graphite can store hydrogen better than other materials, such as carbon nanotubes, because it is cheap, non-toxic and easy to prepare (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. to be published).

PhysicsWeb News,  

U.S., Russian Teams Make New Elements in Labs

American and Russian scientists have created two new “superheavy elements” that will become a part of the periodic table of elements. Scientists say the new discoveries “add detail to a broader and very competitive scientific inquiry to establish a single, unified theory that would explain the physical forces that govern the behavior of all matter.” The new elements will not be fully accepted or added to textbooks until other labs create the elements. Researchers note that process could take months or years.