Science Elements
Science news podcasts from the American Chemical Society
A weekly digest of cutting
edge research from
the ACS
- Episode 72 – August 4, 2008
A new imaging technique that reveals hidden details of a lost Van Gogh painting; Findings that could help retain the crunch in bread crust; A recycling method to transform those old electronic circuit boards into new park benches
Listen to the - Episode 71 – July 28, 2008
New materials for microwave cookware that heat faster with less energy; Designing bourbon whiskeys with custom-tailored aromas; Diamond surfaces as the possible origin of early life on Earth
Listen to the - Episode 70 – July 21, 2008
A snow flea antifreeze protein that could help improve organ preservation; Development of a new hand-held biosensor; Killer Kevlar - clothing that shields from germs
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- Episode 69 – July 14, 2008
A marine worm’s jaws that say “cutting-edge new aerospace materials”; A new “scrubber” that speeds removal of a powerful anthrax clean-up agent; How snake venom tells tales about geography
Listen to the - Episode 68 – July 7, 2008
Boosting the survival of insulin-cell transplants for Type 1 Diabetes; The First DNA molecule made almost entirely of artificial parts; Super strong antimicrobial coatings for uses in medicine and defense
Listen to the - Episode 67 – June 30, 2008
The stomach’s healthy reaction to red wine combined with red meat; Proteins that could relate to increased longevity in women; A development toward long-range beach forecasts on bacterial contamination
Listen to the - Episode 66 – June 23, 2008
Rogue proteins called prions are not degraded by conventional sewage treatment processes; Scientists have developed a new test for more reliable product expiration labels; New research reports that 12 million molecules share 143 basic shapes
Listen to the - Episode 65 – June 16, 2008
Coffee’s aroma that kick-starts genes in the brain; Lake sediments help scientists trace 7,000 years of mining and metal use in China; Natural plant materials that can regulate starch digestion
Listen to the - Episode 64 – June 9, 2008
Super paper: A new type of nanopaper that’s more break-resistant than cast iron; Love that garlic? Fresh may be healthier than bottled: the importance of allicin; An inhalable form of gene-therapy that takes aim at lung cancer and inflammatory lung disease
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- Episode 63 – June 2, 2008
Lead leaching and faucet corrosion in PVC home plumbing; How to keep beer fresher; A nano-tech process that produces highly stretchable plastics
Listen to the - Episode 62 – May 27, 2008
Melting glaciers may release DDT and contaminate the Antarctic environment; Light-driven "molecular brakes" provide a stopping power for nanomachines; Rice in your gas tank: Boosting biofuel production from rice straw
Listen to the - Episode 61 – May 19, 2008
A new-generation of artificial cornea that could restore vision for millions worldwide; The first evidence that bacteria get “touchy-feely” about dangerous biofilms; Rice that’s grown in the United States contains a less-dangerous form of arsenic
Listen to the - Episode 60 – May 12, 2008
The identification of abnormal protein levels in diabetic retinopathy; Super yeasts that produce 300 times more protein than previously possible; Microwave zapping that kills invasive species before the invasion
Listen to the - Episode 59 – May 5, 2008
Fighting global warming — at the dinner table; New insights on the link between early consumption of cows’ milk and Type-1 diabetes; Boosting “mussel” power: A new technique for making a key marine mussel protein
Listen to the - Episode 58 – April 28, 2008
A study calling for action on heart risks from certain anti-cancer drugs; Pricing that can cut carbon dioxide emissions from electric generators; Chinese ants that show promise for fighting arthritis and other diseases
Listen to the - Episode 57 – April 21, 2008
A gel-like material that shows promise as an oral insulin pill for diabetes; Silicon nanotubes for hydrogen storage in fuel cell vehicles; A gripping discovery of the rose’s petal effect
Listen to the - Episode 56 – April 14, 2008
Biochemical signals associated with atherosclerosis that may damage other organs; A revolutionary process that may lead to cars that are fueled by sugar; How so-called ‘Black gold agriculture’ may improve farming and curb global warming
Listen to the - Episode 55 – April 7, 2008
How nanoparticles in antibacterial socks may pose a health and environmental hazard; Substances in alligator blood that may help put a bite in deadly antibiotic-resistant infections; A fast and accurate method for identifying gunshot residue using a single particle
Listen to the - Episode 54 – March 31, 2008
The first evidence that blocking a key energy protein can kill cancer cells; How electric shocks can boost plants' production of commercially useful chemicals; Elevated concentrations of metals are accumulating in China’s e-waste recycling workshops
Listen to the - Episode 53 – March 24, 2008
Progress toward a new generation of vaccines for malaria and other diseases; A continued threat of water pollution at a famous Russian lake; Creation of a chemical “keypad lock” for biomolecular computers
Listen to the - Episode 52 – March 17, 2008
New findings point to a heart-healthy yak cheese; Advances toward the next generation of high-efficiency plastic solar cells; New aspirin-like substances that may provide a safer way to fight heart disease
Listen to the - Episode 51 – March 10, 2008
Sniffing out uses for the “electronic nose”; Thirsty hybrid and electric cars that could triple demands on scarce water resources; Residential oil boilers that are raising health concerns for Northeastern U.S.
Listen to the - Episode 50 – March 3, 2008
A new process to help egg-allergy sufferers; A promising material for capturing carbon dioxide from smokestacks; Forging a foundation for cheaper solar power with steel
Listen to the - Episode 49 – February 25, 2008
Easing concerns about pollution from the manufacture of solar cells; Acid-seeking “warheads” that promise safer, more effective cancer weapons; Progress toward a healthier food for Fido: Corn provides a promising fiber alternative
Listen to the - Episode 48 – February 19, 2008
How fighting a phenomenon known as “fat bloom” can mean a prettier look for chocolates; A long-sought test for direct detection of disease-causing E. coli bacteria; Improved polymers for lithium ion batteries that could pave the way for the next generation of electric and hybrid cars
Listen to the - Episode 47 – February 11, 2008
“Recordable” proteins as next-generation memory storage materials; An unusual machine that can taste coffee; Wool and silk fabrics that clean themselves
Listen to the - Episode 46 – February 4, 2008
Iodized table salt may be low in iodine, raising health concerns; New test answers frustrating question: Is Tweety a boy or a girl?; Fungus among us: Invisible “micropollutants” invade crops, water supply
Listen to the - Episode 45 – January 28, 2008
Solving the mystery of the carnivorous pitcher plant’s deadly slurp; How wiping out the so-called coffee-ring effect advances inkjet printing of electronic circuits; Converting sewage into drinking water may be the wave of the future
Listen to the - Episode 44 – January 21, 2008
New evidence that broccoli is good for the heart; A sponge-like storage material that could lead to methane-powered cars; Development of a portable microchip for DNA testing at crime scenes and doctors’ offices
Listen to the - Episode 43 – January 14, 2008
Using seagull blood to monitor pollutants from oil spills; Development of an edible “antifreeze” that prevents unwanted ice crystals in ice cream and frozen foods; New insights into the mystery of the metallic sheen of fish
Listen to the - Episode 42 – January 7, 2008
Amber fossils that reveal ancient France was a jungle; Elevated benzene concentrations in certain beverages; A discovery of an enzyme's structure that may lead to new treatments for celiac disease
Listen to the - Episode 41 – December 24, 2007
Steps toward an urgently needed antidote for cyanide poisoning disasters; A culinary shocker: Cooking can preserve, boost nutrient content of vegetables; A new report challenging the idea that snuff is a safer substitute for cigarettes
Listen to the - Episode 40 – December 17, 2007
How marijuana smoke contains higher levels of certain toxic substances than tobacco smoke; Research showing that existing biotechnology could save energy and cut CO2 emissions by 100 percent; A scientist’s “call to arms” research on antioxidants that help consumers
Listen to the - Episode 39 – December 10, 2007
A golden bullet that shows promise for killing a common parasite; Solving another mystery of an amazing water walker; Toward a Rosetta Stone for the secret language of microbes
Listen to the - The 12 Days of Holiday Podcasts
These audio snippets focus on chemistry’s lighter-hearted connections to the holiday season and are based on research from ACS’s suite of 36 peer-reviewed scientific journals.
See the list of Podcasts - Episode 38 – December 3, 2007
Converting pollution from coal mines into clean energy; An unusual plastic that biodegrades much faster than regular plastic; The bloody truth behind some ancient African sculptures
Listen to the - Episode 37 – November 19, 2007
Magnetic nanoparticles that detect and remove harmful bacteria; Using bark from the Magnolia tree to fight bad breath and tooth decay; How the world’s oceans could help slurp up carbon dioxide to fight global warming; New database screening criteria for improving the identification of anticancer drugs; Wiring up enzymes for producing hydrogen fuel cells; Developing a new generation of greener, environmentally friendly consumer products
Listen to the - Episode 36 – November 12, 2007
Toward cancer drugs that penetrate 10 times deeper into the brain; Using “Dragon's blood” to quench stomach ulcer bacteria; How air pollution from ship smokestacks is linked to thousands of deaths annually; A breakthrough toward industrial-scale production of nanodevices; How the octopus and its kin are inspiring new camouflage strategies for military applications
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- Episode 35 – November 5, 2007
A new fluorescent label that sheds light on brain diseases; How a government plan to revive the “Dead Zone” in Gulf of Mexico could backfire; New insights into how natural antioxidants fight fat; A faster, more sensitive method for detecting anthrax; The rebound of the medical plastics industry
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- Episode 34 - October 29, 2007
Microplastics may pose a previously unrecognized pollution threat; A Rosetta stone for traditional Chinese medicine; Boiled peanuts pack a big antioxidant punch; A more comprehensive test for dissolved phosphorus; Unlocking the secrets of ripening for better tasting fruits and veggies
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- Episode 33 - October 22, 2007
Excess female to male births in Canada linked to chronic dioxin exposure; Tiny capers pack big disease-fighting punch; Bacteria in the intestines can influence results of drug tests; Recycling of e-waste in China may expose mothers, infants to high dioxin levels; Chemistry of San Andreas Fault may offer clues to earthquake mysteries
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- Episode 32 - October 15, 2007
A quick, accurate test to reveal illegal use of steroids; A new treatment for health problems related to low testosterone levels; An ultrasensitive method for early detection of human papilloma virus; How fruits and veggies stay nutritious as they age; How consumers have become the bottleneck in efforts to recycle plastics
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- Episode 31 - October 8, 2007
Hyped-up hopes for hairy roots as biofactories; How targeting the body’s sugars could improve the treatment of bone diseases; Using human urine as a safe, inexpensive fertilizer for food crops; A new device that cleans up the air by capturing and storing carbon dioxide; Why Norway’s icy waters may be a ‘liquid goldmine’ in the quest for new drugs
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- Episode 30 - October 1, 2007
A promising treatment for fighting lupus; Pollution in subways could cause lung damage; How ginger may combat infant diarrhea; Even hydrogen-fueled vehicles pollute the air; Why new medications for migraine headaches may be only a breath away
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- Episode 29 - September 24, 2007
An intriguing new role for CDs and CD players; Whiter and brighter light-emitting diodes for homes and offices; How pomegranate juice plays a part in the fight against cancer; Printing with enzymes, not ink; The latest treatments against drug-resistant tuberculosis
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- Episode 28 - September 17, 2007
A new technology for finding builders of homemade bombs; Improvements in gene therapy and treating Alzheimer’s disease; A new method for creating integrated circuits for more powerful computers; A fast, portable test to help detect flammable liquids in arson; Protective coatings that could prevent bridge collapses
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- Episode 27 - September 10, 2007
How PCBs may threaten killer whale populations for 30-60 years; An advance toward new treatments for type 2 diabetes; Using magnets to boost production of ethanol for fuel; A discovery that promises more nutritional cassava for the developing world; A "lung on a chip" and other marvels from microfluidic devices
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- Episode 26 - September 3, 2007
Fingerprinting fake coffee; Nanomagnetic sponges to clean precious works of art; Tiny carbon nanotubes show big germ-fighting potential; Coated nanowires that may improve drug delivery; Use of memory enhancement drugs
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- Episode 25 - August 27, 2007
How some forms of good cholesterol can be bad for the heart; An advance toward a safer source of collagen; New evidence of an increased diabetes risk from high-fructose corn syrup; Pioneering odor tests on plastic water pipe; Current breakthroughs in solar power
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- Episode 24 - Diabetes Pioneering Tests on Odors From Plastic Water Pipes
In a quest for improved drinking water, Andrea Dietrich is conducting pioneering studies on how plastic pipes affect the odor and taste of water.
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- Episode 23 - Soda Warning--New Study Supports Link Between Diabetes and High-Fructose Corn Syrup
New evidence suggests that sodas sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup may increase the risk of diabetes, particulary in children. The study will be presented in August at the American Chemical Society national meeting in Boston.
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- Episode 22 - August 15, 2007
Computers help chemists fight emerging infections; Common virus may contribute to obesity in some people; Revealing the secret role of estrogen in obesity; Detergents, eye rinses, and other products with an on/off switch; Helping the carbon nanotube industry avoid mega-mistakes of other new industries made in the past; Met inhibitors showing promise as a new weapon in war on cancer
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- Episode 21 - When good cholesterol goes bad
When good cholesterol goes bad - This study will be presented in August at the American Chemical Society national meeting in Boston.
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- Episode 20 - Sewage tells tales about community-wide drug abuse
Public health officials may soon be able to flush out more accurate estimates on illegal drug use in communities across the country thanks to a new screening test. The test does not screen people directly but instead seeks out evidence of illicit drug abuse in drug residues and metabolites excreted in urine and flushed toward municipal sewage treatment plants. It will be described in August during the national meeting of the American Chemical Society in Boston.
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- Episode 19 - Battling bitter coffee: chemists vs. main source of coffee bitterness
Bitter taste can ruin a cup of coffee. Now, chemists in Germany and the United States say they have identified the chemicals that appear to be largely responsible for javas bitterness, a finding that could one day lead to a better tasting brew. Their study, one of the most detailed chemical analyses of coffee bitterness to date, will be presented in August at the American Chemical Society national meeting in Boston.
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- Episode 18 - Cranberries may improve chemotherapy for ovarian cancer
Compounds in cranberries may help improve the effectiveness of platinum drugs that are used in chemotherapy to fight ovarian cancer, researchers have found in a controlled laboratory study. The scientists found that human ovarian cancer cells resistant to platinum drugs became up to 6 times more sensitized to the drugs after exposure to the cranberry compounds. The study will be described in August at the American Chemical Society national meeting in Boston.
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- Episode 17 - Acrylamide not linked to breast cancer in U.S. women, study finds
Foods that contain acrylamide are unlikely to cause breast cancer in women, according to preliminary results of a new study involving 100,000 U.S. women. The finding is the largest epidemiological study to date exploring the possible link between acrylamide and cancer in humans. The study will be described in August at the American Chemical Society national meeting in Boston.
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- Episode 16 - Revealing the secret role of estrogen in obesity
Research on the effects of the female sex hormone estrogen in the brain lend credence to what many women have suspected about the hormonal changes that accompany aging: Menopause can make you fat. In animal experiments, researchers showed how estrogen receptors in the brain serve as a master switch to control food intake, energy expenditure and body fat distribution. The study will be presented in August at the American Chemical Society national meeting in Boston.
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- Episode 15 - Common virus may contribute to obesity in some people, new study shows
A common virus may cause obesity in some people, according to new evidence in a controlled laboratory study. Scientists showed that infection with human adenovirus-36 (Ad-36), long recognized as a cause of respiratory and eye infections in humans, transforms adult stem cells obtained from fat tissue into fat cells. The study, which might lead to new treatments for obesity, will be reported in August at the American Chemical Society national meeting in Boston.
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- Episode 14 - August 8, 2007
Toward prevention of a common complication of cataract surgery; Easing concerns about a promising new medical imaging agent; Explosive discovery on genetically engineered tobacco plant; Fast, accurate sensor to detect food spoilage; Toward real-world Star Trek tricoder devices
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- Episode 13 - August 1, 2007
Potato chip flavoring boosts longevity of concrete; Bright future for new drug delivery system intended to minimize side effects; New process may enable motorists to fill er up - with wheat; Developing a toolkit for personalized medicine; Toward faster tests to identify carcinogens and other environmental toxins
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- Episode 12 - July 25, 2007
Toward an alternative to stem cells for treating chronic brain diseases; Oil spill clean-up agents threaten coral reefs; First potential biomarker for human exposure to diesel exhaust; Fishing for an answer: Wild or farmed?; Well-intended research in the wrong hands can become a weapon of terror
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- Episode 11 - July 18, 2007
Toward giving artificial cells the ability to move; Nano-sized generator gets big power boost; Automobile brake linings, tires remain major sources of toxic metals; Fingerprinting with light shows promise for improved crime-fighting; Sandpaper: Ancient invention increasingly becomes high-tech marvel
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- Episode 10 - July 11, 2007
Red blood cells talk to platelets, with implications for diabetes; Healthful compounds in tomatoes increase over time in organic fields; New process promises to reduce costs of a clean-coal technology; Preening over new technology for monitoring PCBs in seabirds; Tin whiskers grow into a multi-billion-dollar threat to electronics products
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- Episode 09 - June 27/July 3, 2007
New longboat delivery system could mean more potent anti-cancer drugs; Moving ahead with guidelines to control indoor mold contamination; Jellyfish population explosion leads to new use for waste creatures; Polyurethane plastics from canola oil; Toward a contrast agent to expand medical use of LOIS imaging; Minding the Mercury
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- Episode 08 - June 20, 2007
Changes related to diabetic cardiomyopathy occur soon after diabetes appears; Beach sand may harbor disease-causing E. coli bacteria; Fireworks displays linked to perchlorate contamination in lakes; An improved fluorescent sensor material for detecting explosives; Mom & Pop gold miners threaten new wave of mercury pollution.
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- Episode 07 - June 13, 2007
New hot pocket geography may point toward better avian flu drugs; Toward a much-needed new test for cancer of the urinary bladder; Protein-enriched milk may reduce need for antibiotics in animal feed; Crude oil contains less toxic mercury than coal; Concerns about safety of Chinese ingredients may be unwarranted when it comes to prescription drugs.
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- Episode 06 - June 6, 2007
Scientists eye nanoparticles as glaucoma treatment; Better nutritional and safety profiles for genetically modified crops; Ultralong nanobelts for wiring nanoelectric devices; Milk does not reduce healthful effects of black tea; Fake money? Not if you see the twinkle in Alexander Hamilton's eye.
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- Episode 05 - May 30, 2007
Sleeping Beauty jumping gene shows promise for sickle cell gene therapy; A new explosive proves unusually touchy; Progress toward a healthier form of starch for processed foods; Direct interconnections between nanowires and human cells; The BBB poses daunting challenges to developing new brain medications.
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- Episode 04 - May 23, 2007
Toward more effective treatments for aspirin-resistant patients; New study supports stopping and restarting school buses to cut emissions; Wine may combat tooth decay and upper respiratory tract disease bacteria; Advance promises a new era in recycling of plastics; New medicines for Fido and Fluffy.
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- Episode 03 - May 16, 2007
Equipping E. coli with a chemo-navigation system; Crusts from the Tower of London suggest yellowing in the future; Scientists isolate anti-cancer compounds from apple peel; New medications needed for neuropathic pain; Western drug makers expand use of Indias scientific talent.
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- Episode 02 - May 9, 2007
Lab-made microtornadoes may reveal destructive secrets of real-life twisters; New insights into contradictory health effects of bioflavonoids; Dirty windows in urban areas may be hidden contributors to air pollution; Nano scrub brushes for Renaissance masterpieces; Smart delivery systems for cosmetics and personal care products.
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- Episode 01 - May 2, 2007
Exposure to depleted uranium from military action may pose health threats; New process boosts levels of heart-healthy compounds in cocoa powder; Skin patch tests may miss patients allergic to common fragrance; New antifreeze protein gives cold shoulder to its natural counterpart; Venture philanthropists fill a gap in funding early stages of drug discovery.
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