Search

Science educators are engaging in informal education to teach science to more people and in a more interesting manner. The National Science Foundation provides finance for these programs through the Informal Science Education program. Other programs include the Nanoscale Informal Science Education Network and the Fusion Science Theater.

The University of California Center for Environmental Implications of Nanotechnology and the Center for Environmental Implications of Nanotechnology at Duke University will investigate the biological and environmental effects of nanotechnology. Research efforts include the creation of toxicology models using cell assays and the building of ecosystems to track nanomaterials.

Participating researchers at the symposium of Division of Agrochemicals at the American Chemical Society in Philadelphia revealed the sophisticated instruments they use to detect the sources of environmental contaminants that could be hazardous to human and environmental life.

Chemists and chemical oceanographers are undertaking 'Geotraces', a research program to study the behavior of trace elements and isotopes in the ocean, which could affect the global carbon cycle and climate. The project is expected to span 20 years.

The names of award winners of the National American Chemical Society (ACS) for 2008 with the details of award ceremonies are presented.

Researchers have developed the ultra fast electron microscope that captures images of chemical reactions and the three-dimensional structural changes through atomic time-scale.

The tips for scientific literature are presented based on a survey of the publications of the scientists all over the world.

The regulatory approvals for pet medicine and growing interest in prescription drugs for pets, which would improve pet health, bring in additional income and help advance R&D for human health are demonstrated.

Most of the natural products scientists have considerably varying paths and expertise, but none of them currently work in the well-known careers that natural products expertise pursue, like teaching and research at an university or drug development in the pharmaceutical industry. A research found out that most of the scientists could find rewarding jobs outside academia or pharmaceutical industry.

The 233rd American Chemical Society national meeting was organized at Chicago in which diverse areas as insect natural products, super oxide levels in the ocean, sunglasses from electrochromic materials, and other such useful materials were presented.

The tales of devastation, loss, and fear at the Gulf Coast, as in September 2006, one year after Hurricane Katrina and Rita hit the US Gulf Coast in 2005, are described. One year after the storms the cities and towns in the Gulf Coast continue to bedevil by many difficulties and many of the people believe that it might take another five to 10 years for New Orleans and surrounding cities to recover.

Thousand of volunteers gather at schools, malls, universities, museums, and even zoos and state fairs across the country during National Chemistry Week to promote the positive impacts that chemistry has on everyday life. The theme for the year 2005 was the 'Joy of Toys' and the target audience was the fourth- to sixth-grade crowd because that is when research tells that they start to form their idea of what they want to do in life.

Chemistry professors are launching startups to aid in the commercialization of their research. The startups have helped in the creation of jobs and products, as well as in the transfer of scientific and business knowledge.

Qatar's 'Education City' plays host to small campuses from several U.S. Universities and Qatar's Emir provided all the funds for the project through the private, nonprofit Qatar Foundation for Education, Science & Community. This cluster is helping bring Western-style chemistry and chemical engineering education to the Middle East.

Ocean chemistry is being changed by acidification due to the absorption of atmospheric carbon dioxide. This could bring various changes to marine life, such as the formation of corals and growth of marine organisms.

The increased usage of tungsten is spurring additional research into the environmental effects of the metal. The toxicity of the metal and its compounds and its effects on organisms are also being studied.

Researchers are working on a process called remineralization that may help decayed teeth to rebuild themselves. The process hopes to introduce a chemical process that will restore decayed dentin.

The ability of plankton to adjust to climate change is being evaluated. The role of iron in producing oversized blooms of phytoplankton is also under study.

Symposium entitled 'Polymer Science of Everyday Things' for teachers and researchers was held in Boston to explain the biomedical use and affect of polymers.

The article discusses about chemistry professors who are creating innovative curricula for the non-science undergraduates.

The annual meeting of the National Organization for the Professional Achievement of Black Chemists & Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE) was held in Orlando in April 2007. The meeting has offered a platform for mixing technological programming as well as professional development and networking opportunities for all its members and its theme for the 34th meeting was 'No Limits. Know the Future. Know NOBCChE'.

The experience of three Ph.D. chemists, who completed their degree part-time, as their careers require them to have a specific degree like law, business, and information science, while doing a full-time professional job, are described. The importance of time management in dealing with work demands, school and home life is emphasized and also pursing a degree shows a persons initiative and willingness to take extra efforts, which is an added advantage at the time of promotion.

Some of the examples of entrepreneurial success in the chemical sciences are illustrated. It is believed that combining science and hard work with creativity will go down a long way to overcome adversity and gain a foothold in the buasiness.

Brad Edwards, an industrial chemist-turned-middle schoolteacher was the recipient of the Science Channel's TV makeover show 'Dream Science Classroom' which created a unique classroom that has an interactive learning center and a museum atmosphere. Standard classroom desks are replaced with lab tables equipped with laptops, microscopes, and smart technologies. The room features a safety shower, eyewash station, and a self-contained fume hood with an organic filtration system.

The benefits of cooperative education (co-op), university administered co-op programs that integrate academic endeavors with at least three to five work sessions at the same organization each lasting for six months, for chemical engineering students looking for real-world experience before graduation, are described. The university administered co-op programs integrate academic endeavors with at least three to five work sessions at the same organization each lasting for six months, and such continuity with the organization would make such students particularly attractive hires.

Congress should constantly seek better ways to obtain and incorporate the foremost scientific and engineering knowledge into legislative activities to keep America on the cutting edge in technology, education, and business requires access to the best available knowledge. At a hearing on July 25, 2006, the House Committee on Science heard testimony that these organizations' missions and operating procedures are simply not attuned to legislative requirements.

Scientists in industrial, academic, and government laboratories throw light on what skills and techniques they use to develop flavors, test food for safety, and establish methods to identify and quantify nutrients. It is explained that a certified flavorist has various analytical skills to be able to reveal the flavor and function of foods.

Chemists can expect to give a scientific talk as part of their job interview and preparation is the key to both overcoming jitters and engaging audiences. For this situation, applicants are advised to know their audience, stick to the time allotted, tell a simple story, emphasize the big picture, and to develop clean transitions.

Reports show that millions of acres worth of pine trees have been killed by mountain pine beetles over the past few years. The deaths of pine trees pose ecological, social, and economic challenges. The threat of fire also ranks among the biggest concerns, as rice-grain beetles migrate from trees in sparsely populated higher altitudes to forests surrounding residential areas.

Helium ion microscopy offers opportunities for process improvement in the semiconductor and nanomanufacturing industries. The technology can provide up to four times better resolution than scanning electron microscopy.

Studies of the annual growth rings of a tree help scientists to determine the earlier environmental conditions and presence of soil pollutants. This is a better option compared to drilling of sample wells to monitor pollution.

Researchers are investigating whether hydrothermal vents in the ocean could be a source of iron in the water. The presence of iron is required for sustenance of marine life.

The speculation surrounding some of the Olympic athletes decision to boycott the opening ceremony of 2008 Summer Olympics at Beijing over concerns for their health risk and athletes career is reported. Scientists from China and other countries instituted standards and made many sweeping changes and to reduce emissions and air pollutants which pose known respiratory hazards for athletes as well as spectators.

The efficacy of natural antibacterial clays for healing buruli ulcers caused by flesh-eating mycobacterium found on the Ivory Coast is discussed.

The article explores various presentation methods used to teach chemistry in universities.

Chemists-in-training are not well-equipped to effectively communicate chemistry in writing that renders it difficult for their teachers to be able to figure out the essence of the lab reports, hence writing component is added to their classes. This exercise is expected to develop students to communicate better and present meaningful journal articles so that they can pursue chemistry as a career.

A new drive for including first- and second-year undergraduates in academic research programs has resulted in the increased participation of US' community colleges in research activities. The research activities of the faculty and students of community colleges was highlighted at a session in the Division of Chemical Education during the American Chemical Society national meeting in San Francisco in September 2006.

American Chemical Society (ACS) Education Division has designed a curriculum known as 'Everyday Chemistry' for teaching chemistry at Walt Disney's Epcot. 'Everyday Chemistry' uses Disney theme park's facilities for educational programs in various natural and physical sciences and arts and culture and especially to show the kids how chemistry is all around them.

Joseph E. Yurvati of the American Chemical Society's Journal Production & Manufacturing Operations demystified the steps of the little-known journal production process at the ACS meeting in Atlanta. He explained that to accomplish the objectives of assisting authors in the publication process, ensuring rapid publication, providing readers with consistent, high-quality journals, keeping the costs down, the journal production process is divided into several steps from manuscripts to production.

US policymakers are increasingly seeking the expertise and perspective of scientists for decisions on issues like public health, drug development, homeland security, and the environment. The American Chemical Society sponsors two kinds of fellowships each year that afford chemical scientists the opportunity to participate.

The International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO) requires rigorous training and dedication, and 20 of the top-scoring students from the US National Chemistry Olympiad (USNCO) are invited to an intensive, two-week study camp out of which, four finalists and two alternates are selected for the IChO. Although different host country sponsors the IChO every year, the American Chemical Society (ACS) supports and coordinates the event and the 2006 competitions will be held July 2-11 in Gyeongsan, South Korea.

The population in Baton Rouge has suddenly doubled with evacuees from New Orleans and surrounding Gulf Coast areas after Hurricane Katrina hit their hometowns. Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, has had to deal with cascading effects, including overcrowding, instability, stressed students and faculty and potential cuts to university funding.

Employment prospects are bright for analytical chemists. Areas of opportunities are plant optimization, contract work, cell biology, and instrument sales.

Poet John Martin Tarrat and chemist-artist Langley Spurlock will be unveiling their art and poetry representing 20 elements to the public in Washington, D.C. on October 5, 2005. The main aim is to be inspiring and accessible and to show that their collaborative interpretation is not arranged by atomic numbers.