image: Scientists have identified two food additives with previously unrecognized estrogen-like effects. One of the additives, 4-hexylresorcinol, is used to prevent discoloration in shrimp and other shellfish. view more
Credit: National Cancer Institute, Renee Comet
Here is the latest American Chemical Society (ACS) Weekly PressPac from the Office of Public Affairs. It has news from ACS' 34 peer-reviewed journals and Chemical & Engineering News.
Please credit the individual journal or the American Chemical Society as the source for this information.
PressPac Archive: http://portal.acs.org/portal/PublicWebSite/pressroom/presspacs/CTP_006742
Science Inquiries: Michael Woods, editor
m_woods@acs.org
202-872-6293
General Inquiries: Michael Bernstein
m_bernstein@acs.org
202-872-6042
ARTICLE #1 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Two food additives with previously unrecognized estrogen-like effects in two food additives
Chemical Research in Toxicology
Scientists in Italy are reporting development and successful use of a fast new method to identify food additives that act as so-called "xenoestrogens" — substances with estrogen-like effects that are stirring international health concerns. They used the method in a large-scale screening of additives that discovered two additives with previously unrecognized xenoestrogen effects. Their report appears in the current edition of ACS' Chemical Research in Toxicology, a monthly journal.
In the study, Pietro Cozzini and colleagues cite increasing concern about identifying these substances and about the possible health effects. Synthetic chemicals that mimic natural estrogens (called "xenoestrogens," literally, "foreign estrogens") have been linked to a range of human health effects. They range from reduced sperm counts in men to an increased risk of breast cancer in women.
The scientists used the new method to search a food additive database of 1,500 substances, and verified that the method could identify xenoestrogens. In the course of that work, they identified two previous unrecognized xenoestrogens. One was propyl gallate, a preservative used to prevent fats and oils from spoiling. The other was 4-hexylresorcinol, used to prevent discoloration in shrimp and other shellfish. "Some caution should be issued for the use of propyl gallate and 4-hexylresocrinol as food additives," they recommend in the study. -MB
ARTICLE #1 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
"Identification of Xenoestrogens in Food Additives by an Integrated in Silico and In Vivo Approach"
DOWNLOAD FULL TEXT ARTICLE: http://pubs.acs.org/stoken/presspac/presspac/full/10.1021/tx800048m
CONTACT:
Pietro Cozzini, Ph.D.
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
University of Parma, Parma, Italy
Phone: +39- 0521-905669
Fax: +39 0521-905557
Email: pietro.cozzini@unipr.it
ARTICLE #2 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
New test for detecting fake organic milk
Agricultural and Food Chemistry
Scientists in Germany are reporting development of a new, more effective method to determine whether milk marketed as "organic" is genuine or just ordinary milk mislabeled to hoodwink consumers. Their report appears in the current edition of ACS' Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, a bi-weekly publication.
In the study, Joachim Molkentin and colleagues point out that organic milk has soared in popularity in many countries. Sales in Germany, for instance, rose by almost one-third between 2006 and 2007. Consequently, crooks may take advantage of the situation by marketing increasing quantities of fake organic milk. That situation created a need for better tests to detect the fraud.
To address the issue, the scientists developed a test based on an analysis of milk fat for the ratio of stable isotopes of carbon. They used it to identify milk samples from cows raised on feed containing a higher ration of maize. Such a feeding regimen is typical of conventional milk production. Organically raised cows are fed less maize but more pasture feed. In addition, the team identified a significant difference in the alpha-linolenic acid content of milk fat between organic and conventional milk samples. Organic milk typically has a higher alpha-linolenic acid content than conventional milk. -MB
ARTICLE #2 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
"Authentication of Organic Milk Using d13C and the a-Linolenic Acid Content of Milk Fat"
DOWNLOAD FULL TEXT:http://pubs.acs.org/stoken/presspac/presspac/full/10.1021/jf8022029
CONTACT:
Joachim Molkentin, Ph.D.
Max Rubner - Institute
Federal Research Institute of Nutrition and Food
Kiel, Germany 24103
Phone: +49 -431-609-2300
Fax: +49-431 609-2300
Email: joachim.molkentin@mri.bund.de
ARTICLE #3 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Scientists discover historic sample of bomb-grade plutonium
Analytical Chemistry
Scientists in Washington state are reporting the surprise discovery of the oldest known sample of reactor-produced bomb-grade plutonium, a historic relic from the infancy of America's nuclear weapons program. Their research, which also represents the first demonstration of how radioactive sodium can be used as a tool in nuclear forensics, appears in the current issue of ACS' Analytical Chemistry, a semi-monthly journal.
In the new study, Jon Schwantes and colleagues note increased concern about the possibility of terrorists smuggling radioactive materials to make illegal nuclear weapons. As a result, scientists are stepping up efforts to identify and track the source of these radioactive materials using the advanced tools and techniques of a new field called "nuclear archaeology."
The scientists describe efforts to determine the origin of an unknown sample of plutonium (Pu) found in 2004 in a bottle at a waste burial trench at the Hanford nuclear site in Washington. Hanford is the earliest location for U.S. plutonium production for nuclear weapons and now the focus of a massive environmental cleanup effort due to high levels of radioactive waste that remain at the site.
Using multiple pairs of "parent" Pu and "daughter" uranium (U) isotopes, the researchers were able to correct for chemical fractionation that occurred as a result of repackaging in 2004 and determine the age of the sample. Using this technique, they estimated that the Pu in the sample had been separated from U and fission products in 1944, making it the oldest known sample of bomb-grade plutonium produced in a reactor. The only older known samples of Pu-239 were produced by the late Glenn Seaborg and his associates in the beginning of the 1940's when the existence of the element was first confirmed and characterized.
The study identified the Clinton reactor in Oak Ridge, Tenn., as reactor of origin for this material, by comparing reactor burnup modeling results with measurements of minor Pu isotopes. These results were also supported by a series of historical documents tracking the material's movement from Oak Ridge and the processing at Hanford. "Aside from the historical significance of this find, this work provides the public a rare glimpse at a real-world example of the science behind and power of modern-day nuclear forensics," the scientists note. -MTS
ARTICLE #3 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
"Nuclear Archeology in a Bottle: Evidence of Pre-Trinity U.S. Weapons Activities from a Waste Burial Site"
DOWNLOAD FULL TEXT ARTICLE: http://pubs.acs.org/stoken/presspac/presspac/full/10.1021/ac802286a
CONTACT:
Jon M. Schwantes, Ph.D.
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Richland, Washington 99352
Phone: 509-376-1737
Fax: 509-376-4331
Email: jon.schwantes@pnl.gov
ARTICLE #4 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
"Silver nanoparticle" microscope may shed new light on cancer, bone diseases
Nano Letters
In a finding that could help speed the understanding of diseases ranging from cancer to osteoporosis, researchers in Utah are reporting development of a new microscope technique that uses "silver nanoparticle" mirrors to reveal hidden details inside bones, cancer cells, and other biological structures. The method also can help identify structural damage in a wide variety of materials, including carbon-fiber plastics used in airplanes, the researchers say. Their study is scheduled for the March issue of ACS' Nano Letters, a monthly journal.
In the new study, John Lupton and colleagues point out that one of the most powerful, widely used tools for imaging hidden biological structures is fluorescence microscopy, which requires the specimen to be treated with fluorescent dyes or stains. But the dyes used to visualize the structures can kill living cells, limiting the effectiveness of the technique, the researchers note.
The scientists improved on this technique by using an infrared laser to excite clusters of silver nanoparticles, each about 1/5000th the width of a human hair, placed below the material being studied. The particles focus intense beams of light up through the sample to reveal information about the composition and structure of the substance examined, the scientists say. In laboratory studies, they used the new technique to view the iridescent green scales of the so-called "photonic beetle," whose scales may provide clues to designing new, more powerful solar cells and computer chips, the scientists say. - MTS
ARTICLE #4 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
"Toward Subdiffraction Transmission Microscopy of Diffuse Materials with Silver Nanoparticle White-Light Beacons"
DOWNLOAD FULL TEXT ARTICLE: http://pubs.acs.org/stoken/presspac/presspac/full/10.1021/nl802819n
CONTACT:
John Lupton, Ph.D.
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah 84112
Phone: 801-581-6408
Email: lupton@physics.utah.edu
ARTICLE #5 EMBARGOED FOR 9 A.M., EASTERN TIME, March 2, 2009
Super-thin carbon sheets poised to revolutionize electronics
Chemical & Engineering News
Super-thin films of carbon with exotic properties, now taking the scientific world by storm, may soon mean a new era of brighter, faster, and smaller computers, smart phones, and other consumer electronics. Brighter digital displays that flex like a sheet of paper. Faster computer chips. Smaller computers. That's the word from an article scheduled for the March 2 issue of Chemical & Engineering News, ACS' weekly newsmagazine.
In the magazine's cover story, C&EN Senior Editor Mitch Jacoby notes that these so-called graphene sheets —50,000 times thinner than the width a single human hair — were first isolated by researchers just a few years ago. The nano-size sheets perform better than life-size carbon, with higher strength and the ability to conduct electricity faster. These properties make them attractive for developing new and improved electronic devices, the article notes.
Scientists in academia and industry have stepped up their efforts to improve the performance and manufacture of graphene sheets. At least one company plans to produce the sheets on an industrial scale in ton quantities. Scientists had predicted the existence of these unusual carbon sheets just a few years ago but had not produced actual thin-films until recently. "Graphene is one of the hottest topics in materials science these days," says one authority in the C&EN article.
ARTICLE #5 EMBARGOED FOR 9 A.M., EASTERN TIME, March 2, 2009
"Graphene: carbon thin as can be"
This story will be available on March 2 at http://pubs.acs.org/cen/coverstory/87/8709cover.html
FOR ADVANCE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Michael Bernstein
ACS News Service
Phone: 202-872-6042
Fax: 202-872-4370
Email: m_bernstein@acs.org
Journalists' Resources
Must-reads from C&EN: Update on artificial blood
Artificial blood would be one of the greatest innovations in medical history. Patients and physicians finally would have an abundant, safe source of blood for a range of illnesses and injuries. For an update on 20 years of efforts to reach that milestone, here is a must-read article in Chemical & Engineering News, ACS' weekly newsmagazine. For other newsworthy items in C&EN's Feb. 23 issue, click here.
New ACS pressroom blog The American Chemical Society's Office of Public Affairs (OPA) has created a new pressroom blog to highlight prominent research from ACS' 34 journals. The blog includes daily commentary on the latest news from the weekly PressPac, including video and audio segments from researchers on topics covering chemistry and related sciences, including nanotechnology, food science, materials science and the environment. The pressroom blog will also cover updates on ACS' awards, the national meetings and other general news from the world's largest scientific society.
New Bytesize Science blog Educators and kids, put on your thinking caps: The American Chemical Society has a new blog for Bytesize Science, a science podcast for kids of all ages. The Bytesize blog contains entertaining video podcasts and audio episodes of the latest and greatest news from the frontiers of chemistry, including a video detailing a discovery about the bug-eating pitcher plant and an audio episode on a new use for magnolia tree bark.
Join the ACS satellite pressroom for daily news blasts on Twitter The American Chemical Society's Office of Public Affairs (OPA) new satellite press room has quickly become one of the most popular science news sites on Twitter with daily updates on the latest research from ACS' 34 peer-reviewed journals and other news, including links to compelling podcast series, information on the upcoming 237th National Meeting, and the latest recipients of ACS' national awards. To receive press room updates, create a free account at https://twitter.com/signup. Then visit http://twitter.com/ACSpressroom and click the 'join' button beneath the press room logo.
ACS 237th National Meeting March 22-26 ACS 237th National Meeting in Salt Lake City, March 22-26, 2009. Expect more than 7,000 presentations on the broad spectrum of the sciences that involve chemistry — from astronomy to zoology. For advance complimentary news media registration: https://www.xpressreg.net/register/acsa039/media/start.asp
Press releases, briefings, and more from ACS' 236th National Meeting
www.eurekalert.org/acsmeet.php.
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/acslive.
ACS Press Releases General science press releases on a variety of chemistry-related topics.
General Chemistry Glossary http://antoine.frostburg.edu/chem/senese/101/glossary.shtml
From Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) CAS Science Connections is a series of articles that showcases the value of CAS databases in light of important general-interest science and technology news. Ranging in topics from fruit flies to Nobel Prize winners, the CAS - Science Connections series points to the CAS databases for a more complete understanding of the latest news.
Podcasts
Global Challenges/Chemistry Solutions
Don't miss this special series of ACS podcasts on some of the 21st Century's most daunting challenges, and how cutting-edge research in chemistry matters in the quest for solutions. This sweeping panorama of challenges includes topics such as providing a hungry, thirsty world with ample supplies of safe food and clean water; developing alternatives to petroleum to fuel the global economy; preserving the environment and assuring a sustainable future for our children; and improving human health. An ongoing saga of chemistry for life — chemistry that truly matters — An ongoing saga of chemistry for life — chemistry that truly matters — Global Challenges will continue in 2009. Subscribe at iTunes [itpc://feeds.feedburner.com/GlobalChallenges] or listen and access other resources at the ACS web site www.acs.org/GlobalChallenges.
Bytesize Science, a new podcast for young listeners Bytesize Science is a science podcast for kids of all ages that aims to entertain as much as it educates, with new video podcasts and some episodes available in Spanish. Subscribe to Bytesize Science using iTunes. No iTunes? No problem. Listen to the latest episodes of Bytesize Science in your web browser.
Science Elements: ACS Science News Podcast
The ACS Office of Public Affairs is podcasting PressPac contents in order to make cutting-edge scientific discoveries from ACS journals available to a broad public audience at no charge. Subscribe to Science Elements using iTunes . Listen to the latest episodes of Science Elements in your web browser
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The American Chemical Society — the world's largest scientific society — is a nonprofit organization chartered by the U.S. Congress and a global leader in providing access to chemistry-related research through its multiple databases, peer-reviewed journals and scientific conferences. Its main offices are in Washington, D.C., and Columbus, Ohio.