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Research findings open new ways to enhance memory function and treat catastrophic brain diseases

For the first time, scientists have linked a brain compound called kynurenic acid to cognition, possibly opening doors for new ways to enhance memory function and treat catastrophic brain diseases, according to a new study from the University of Maryland School of Medicine. When researchers decreased the levels of kynurenic acid in the brains of mice, their cognition was shown to improve markedly, according to the study, which was published in the July issue of the journal Neuropsychopharmacology.

1 Jul 2010

New chemical method for drug design, agrichemicals

University of Delaware scientist Donald Watson is part of a research team that has discovered an easier method for incorporating fluorine into organic molecules, giving chemists an important new tool in developing materials ranging from new medicines to agricultural chemicals.

30 Jun 2010

Mammalian embryo use different strategies to suppress retroviral infection: Study

Some viruses insert themselves into the host's DNA during infection in a process called retroviral integration, causing several diseases, including AIDS and cancer, notes a Texas A&M researcher who specializes in fetal diseases.

29 Jun 2010

Researchers study mechanism of human brain

Because of its intricate organization, figuring out the wiring diagram that explains how the billions of neurons in the brain are connected, and determining how they work together, remains a formidable task.

29 Jun 2010

World's leading pharma services industry events to held at Frankfurt in 2011

Leading events organiser UBM International Media today announced that its flagship CPhI Worldwide tradeshow will return to Frankfurt, Germany for 2011. Along with co-hosted events - P-MEC Europe for equipment, machinery and technology; ICSE for contract services and packaging; and BioPh Europe for the biopharma sector - the world's leading pharma services industry events will be held at Messe Frankfurt, from Tuesday 25 to Thursday 27 October.

28 Jun 2010

New method to synthesize drug candidates for testing

Some drugs may be more effective the longer they last inside the body. To prevent such drugs from being broken down too rapidly, pharmaceutical manufacturers often attach a fluorine-containing structure called a trifluoromethyl group. However, the processes now used require harsh reaction conditions or only work in a small number of cases, limiting their usefulness for synthesizing new drug candidates for testing.

25 Jun 2010

Impact of oil spill on humans and wildlife

University of Rhode Island Pharmacy Professor Bongsup Cho knows there are cancer-causing chemicals in diesel fumes and cigarette smoke.

25 Jun 2010

Individuals get involved in alcohol or drug related accidents during summer holidays

As the days grow longer and hotter, some chemical dependency professionals have their own name for summer: substance abuse season, because that's when individuals who abuse or are addicted to alcohol, prescription medications and drugs get involved in alcohol or drug related accidents during the summer holidays.

24 Jun 2010

Scientists identify promising candidates in natural products that prevent cancer

Exciting headlines about the cancer-preventing potential of berries, red wine, and other foods are in the news almost every day. An article in the current issue of Chemical & Engineering News, ACS' weekly newsmagazine, highlights the researchers trying to make medicines based on substances in those foods and turn their potential into reality.

24 Jun 2010

Scientists discover septet of overactive genes that control bodily function

In what is believed to be the largest review of the human genetic code to determine why some people's blood platelets are more likely to clump faster than others, scientists at Johns Hopkins and in Boston have found a septet of overactive genes, which they say likely control that bodily function.

23 Jun 2010

BASF signs agreement to acquire Cognis for equity purchase price of euro 700 million

BASF SE has reached an agreement with Cognis Holding Luxembourg S.a r.l. controlled by Permira Funds, GS Capital Partners and SV Life Sciences to acquire the specialty chemicals company Cognis for an equity purchase price of euro 700 million. Including net financial debt and pension obligations, the enterprise value of the transaction is euro 3.1 billion. The acquisition is subject to clearance by the competent merger control authorities. Closing of the transaction is expected for November 2010 at the latest.

23 Jun 2010

EUCODIS Bioscience launches high-performance beta-lactamase

EUCODIS Bioscience, a developer and manufacturer of customized enzymes today announced that it has launched a high-performance beta-lactamase designed to inactivate a broad range of beta-lactam antibiotics. EUCODIS Bioscience is marketing the product under the LacBuster(TM) brand.

23 Jun 2010

K-State chemical engineer patents chemical structure to make natural personal care products in lab

A Kansas State University chemical engineer has developed and patented a chemical structure to make all-natural personal care products and purer pharmaceuticals in the laboratory.

23 Jun 2010

Exposure to chlordecone associated to increased risk of prostate cancer: Researchers

In an article to be published on 21 June 2010 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, researchers from Inserm (Inserm unit 625 - Research Group on Human and Mammalian Reproduction, University of Rennes 1), the CHU (University Hospital Centre) in Pointe - Pitre (urology department, University of the French West Indies and Guiana) and from the Center for Analytical Research and Technology (University of Li-ge, Belgique), show that exposure to chlordecone (also named Kepone), an organochlorine chemical with well defined estrogenic properties used in the French West Indies until 1993, is associated to a significant increased risk of prostate cancer.

23 Jun 2010

FDA approves Hospira's meropenem for injection, USP (I.V.)

Hospira, Inc., the world leader in generic injectable pharmaceuticals, today announced it has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for meropenem for injection, USP (I.V.) 500 mg and 1 g vials. The medication, a carbapenem that belongs to the beta-lactam class of antibiotics, is a generic version of AstraZeneca's Merrem® I.V. Sales of the name-brand product in the United States were approximately $200 million in 2009.

23 Jun 2010

Michigan State University researchers analyze histiocytic sarcomas

Michigan State University veterinarians are taking part in a two-year, $5.3 million project to analyze five cancers in dogs, research that could offer new insight into canine cancer genes and their potential impact on the human form of the disease.

22 Jun 2010

Study evaluates association between PBDE flame retardants and thyroid function in pregnant women

Pregnant women with higher blood levels of a common flame retardant had altered thyroid hormone levels, a result that could have implications for fetal health, according to a new study led by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley.

21 Jun 2010

Early-life exposure to PCBs diminishes immune response to diphtheria and tetanus vaccinations: Study

Children exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls early in life later had a diminished immune response to diphtheria and tetanus vaccinations, according to a study published online June 20 ahead of print in the peer-reviewed journal Environmental Health Perspectives. This result suggests that PCB exposure during the first years of life, a critical period in immune system development, could undermine the effectiveness of childhood vaccinations and possibly impair immune system responses to infection.

21 Jun 2010

PAS technique to predict how blood platelets respond to complex conditions found during heart attack

A team of bioengineers from the University of Pennsylvania Institute for Medicine and Engineering have trained a computer neural network model to accurately predict how blood platelets would respond to complex conditions found during a heart attack or stroke.

21 Jun 2010

Canadian scientists describe safe, inexpensive way for kids to make microfluidic devices

With "hands-on" experiences in childhood and adolescence having sparked so many science careers, scientists in Canada are describing a quick, simple, safe, and inexpensive way for kids to participate in making microfluidic devices. Those devices are at the heart of lab-on-a chip, inkjet printing, DNA chip, and other technologies.

19 Jun 2010

Chemicals News and Research

Research findings open new ways to enhance memory function and treat catastrophic brain diseases

New chemical method for drug design, agrichemicals

Mammalian embryo use different strategies to suppress retroviral infection: Study

Researchers study mechanism of human brain

World's leading pharma services industry events to held at Frankfurt in 2011

New method to synthesize drug candidates for testing

Impact of oil spill on humans and wildlife

Individuals get involved in alcohol or drug related accidents during summer holidays

Scientists identify promising candidates in natural products that prevent cancer

Scientists discover septet of overactive genes that control bodily function

BASF signs agreement to acquire Cognis for equity purchase price of euro 700 million

EUCODIS Bioscience launches high-performance beta-lactamase

K-State chemical engineer patents chemical structure to make natural personal care products in lab

Exposure to chlordecone associated to increased risk of prostate cancer: Researchers

FDA approves Hospira's meropenem for injection, USP (I.V.)

Michigan State University researchers analyze histiocytic sarcomas

Study evaluates association between PBDE flame retardants and thyroid function in pregnant women

Early-life exposure to PCBs diminishes immune response to diphtheria and tetanus vaccinations: Study

PAS technique to predict how blood platelets respond to complex conditions found during heart attack

Canadian scientists describe safe, inexpensive way for kids to make microfluidic devices

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