Giving drug dropouts a new lease of life

A model of a cucurbituril interacting with CF3CO2H.  (C, grey; H, white; N, blue; O, red; F, green; hydrogen bond, red-yellow striped)

Researchers in the US have designed a molecular container that can encapsulate drug molecules and increase their solubility - in one case by almost 3000 times. The new container appears to have low toxicity and can be built from readily available reagents. The finding opens the possibility of re-testing drug candidates that failed because they were insufficiently soluble or improving existing low-solubility drugs. [read more]

Big Girls Don’t Cry: Overweight Teens Who Are Satisfied With Their Bodies Are Less Depressed, Less Prone to Unhealthy Behaviors

A study to be published in the June 2012 issue of Journal of Adolescent Health looking at the relationships between body satisfaction and healthy psychological functioning in overweight adolescents has found that young women who are happy with the size and shape of their bodies report higher levels of self-esteem. They may also be protected against the negative behavioral and psychological factors sometimes associated with being overweight.  [read more]

Researchers Create More Efficient Hydrogen Fuel Cells

Hydrogen fuel cells, like those found in some "green" vehicles, have a lot of promise as an alternative fuel source, but making them practical on a large scale requires them to be more efficient and cost effective. Scientists may have now found a way around both hurdles.

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Near-infrared spectroscopy illuminates medieval art

25 April 2012

Using infrared spectroscopy researchers discovered that the painter of this manuscript had an idiosyncratic style using pigment binders normally associated with frescoes

Scientists in the US and Italy have borrowed a technique more usually associated with geophysical remote sensing and applied it to medieval artwork - with stunning results. The near-infrared hyperspectral imaging of a leaf from a 15th century illuminated manuscript has produced a map of the pigment binders used by the artist. The technique will not only allow conservation specialists to better plan strategies for restoring and stabilising paintings, but will also give art historians new insights into the materials and methods favoured by individual artists.

Source : rsc - chemistry world

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Protecting the climate with modern chemistry

We can already save energy and generate fewer greenhouse gas emissions in many areas of life today. Many of our products, technologies and system solutions are used for energy-efficient construction. In this Podcast you will learn about intelligent and energy efficient concepts for energy saving homes and innovative insulation and construction materials.