Chemicals News and Research

RSS

Study reveals no proof on link between cleaning products and breast cancer

Results of a new US study published today have looked at whether cleaning products are linked to an increased risk of breast cancer. They appear to show that women who say they used such products in the past are more likely to have breast cancer.

21 Jul 2010

ACI challenges study that attempts to link cleaning products to breast cancer

The American Cleaning Institute (ACI – formerly The Soap and Detergent Association) today challenged accusations leveled in a questionable study that attempts to link cleaning products to breast cancer.

21 Jul 2010

Iced tea increases risk of kidney stone formation and surgery

Unfortunately, for health reasons, Mulac has been forced to go cold turkey. All the iced tea he was downing helped to bring on an excruciating bout of kidney stones that eventually led to surgery at Loyola University Hospital in Maywood, Ill.

21 Jul 2010

Polyfluoroalkyl chemicals linked to ADHD in children

A new study led by a team of Boston University School of Public Health researchers suggests a link between polyfluoroalkyl chemicals (PFCs), industrial compounds which are widely used in many consumer products, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children.

21 Jul 2010

International Stem Cell, IBVI sign letter of intent concerning funding, establishment of ISCO India

International Stem Cell Corporation, www.internationalstemcell.com, and Insight Bioventures India Private Limited, announced today that they have signed a letter of intent concerning funding and establishment of an Indian affiliate of ISCO. The goal is to establish world-class development and manufacturing operations for ISCO's research and pharmaceutical products in India, including its Lifeline Cell Technology research products and human corneal tissue, CytoCor, for treatment of corneal vision impairment and testing of chemicals.

20 Jul 2010

Plea for Federal legislation to ban mercury in vaccines, prevent autism

Two papers in this week's neuroscience journal Acta Neurobiologiae Experimentalis point to vaccines and heavy metals including mercury as causes of the alarming rise in autism. The Centers for Disease Control now estimate autism to affect one in 110 children, up 40% from just a few years ago.

20 Jul 2010

Researchers discover new gene regulation, DNA behavior of breast cancer cells

Cancer researchers have discovered a previously unknown type of gene regulation and DNA behavior in breast cancer cells that may lead to better insight about environmental exposure to estrogen-like compounds. A new study, published in the journal Genome Research by researchers at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center-Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC-James), provides the first evidence that cells can regulate many genes at once by looping their DNA, contributing to cancer when it goes awry. In this study, the gene regulation was discovered in breast cancer cells as a response to the hormone estrogen and resulted in the silencing of 14 genes at one time.

20 Jul 2010

FDA joins Tox21 collaboration for improved chemical screening

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences National Toxicology Program (NTP) and the National Institute of Health Chemical Genomics Center (NCGC) welcome the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to the Tox21 collaboration. The Tox21 collaboration merges federal agency resources (research, funding and testing tools) to develop ways to more effectively predict how chemicals will affect human health and the environment. The collaboration was established in 2008 to develop models that will be able to better predict how chemicals will affect humans. FDA will provide additional expertise and chemical safety information to improve current chemical testing methods.

20 Jul 2010

Artificial colours in food linked to cancer and behavioral disorders in children: Study

Artificial colours in foods, scientists have found may increase the risk of getting cancer, allergies and may trigger hyperactivity in susceptible children. This new report entitled, “Food Dyes: A Rainbow of Risks”, has come from the research conducted by the Centre for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI).

18 Jul 2010

New tactics for repelling, controlling disease-carrying insects

In the battle between insect predators and their prey, chemical signals called kairomones serve as an early-warning system. Pervasively emitted by the predators, the compounds are detected by their prey, and can even trigger adaptations, such a change in body size or armor, that help protect the prey. But as widespread as kairomones are in the insect world, their chemical identity has remained largely unknown. New research by Rockefeller University's Joel E. Cohen and colleagues at the University of Haifa in Israel has identified two compounds emitted by mosquito predators that make the mosquitoes less inclined to lay eggs in pools of water.

17 Jul 2010

Lab-on-Bead technology helps researchers cut years from drug development

New research accepted by the Journal of Molecular Recognition confirms that a revolutionary technology developed at Wake Forest University will slash years off the time it takes to develop drugs - bringing vital new treatments to patients much more quickly.

16 Jul 2010

Human impact on health of soil, and impact of unhealthy soil on society are intertwined, says LSU researcher

It may sound counterintuitive, but LSU Associate Professor of Chemistry Robert Cook has made a career out of studying the ways organic materials found in the environment, including soils, can either get dirty or stay clean. In fact, the National Science Foundation, or NSF, was so impressed with his efforts that the funding institute awarded Cook one of its most prestigious awards - the NSF CAREER award.

16 Jul 2010

New radiation mechanism that targets cancer may someday help clean up environmental disasters: Study

Radiation similar to that used to treat cancer may someday help clean up environmental disasters such as the Gulf oil spill and detect explosive powder hidden underneath clothing.

16 Jul 2010

Anesthesiologists use different chemicals to lessen their carbon footprint

The Sacramento Bee/The Seattle Times: The "choices that anesthesiologists make at a midsize hospital can have the carbon footprint of a small fleet of automobiles, according to a physician who calculated the effects of different options." Anesthesiologists as a result are trying to lessen the environmental impact of the tools of their trade.

16 Jul 2010

Variations in quality of illegal Class B drug mephedrone could risk safety of users

Pharmaceutical scientists have discovered that the recently reclassified drug mephedrone varies in quality so much that users could be at risk of overdosing. Six samples were tested in the University of Sunderland's labs by Dr John Lough and his team, and although impurities levels were low, three samples revealed various particle size and crystalline form, which means that the drug is more likely to vary in its affect and safety on the user.

15 Jul 2010

Lantheus Medical Imaging, JBCPL partner to launch DEFINITY ultrasound contrast imaging agent in India

Lantheus Medical Imaging, Inc., a worldwide leader in diagnostic medical imaging, today announced the launch of its ultrasound contrast imaging agent, DEFINITY® Vial For (Perflutren Lipid Microsphere) Injectable Suspension, in India. The company has signed a multi-year agreement with Mumbai-based J.B. Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. for the distribution and marketing of DEFINITY® in the Indian marketplace.

15 Jul 2010

New research focuses on calcium channels in lysosome membrane

In cells, as in cities, disposing of garbage and recycling anything that can be reused is an essential service. In both city and cell, health problems can arise when the process breaks down.

15 Jul 2010

Merck acquires Millipore for $7.0 billion

Merck KGaA, a global pharmaceutical and chemical company, today announced the successful completion of its acquisition of Millipore Corporation, a leading Life Science company based in Billerica, Massachusetts, USA, for an aggregate purchase price including debt and cash of approximately $7.0 billion. Merck agreed to acquire Millipore on February 28, 2010 for $107 in cash per share of Millipore common stock.

15 Jul 2010

Study suggests protein interferon therapy for individuals with asthma

An immune-system protein already used to treat diseases like multiple sclerosis, hepatitis C and a variety of cancers might also aid asthma patients, UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers have found.

14 Jul 2010

Cognis exclusively licensed two new active ingredients from IMD

Specialty chemicals supplier Cognis and InterMed Discovery, a world class natural product lead-discovery company, are continuing their strategic cooperation: Cognis has now exclusively licensed two new active ingredients for weight management and cognitive performance from IMD, further expanding the company's innovation pipeline.

13 Jul 2010