The Drosophila melanogaster species of fruit fly has marked similarity to humans in its choice of sweeteners, a fact exploited by a team led by Anne Rae at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation in Queensland to aid the search for new sweeteners as demand for healthier sugar alternatives grows.
Using fruit flies’ sweet tooth – Chemistry World, 2 December 2010
Using nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) from wood pulp, Canadian researchers have for the first time prepared mesoporous chiral nematic structured silica materials that may have potential as tuneable reflective filters in smart windows, special catalysts in synthesis and even as optical sensing devices.
Cellulose used to make smart window materials – Chemistry World, 18 November 2010
Fragranced household products, even those labelled as ‘green’, can emit large numbers of hazardous chemicals that aren’t listed on their labels, US researchers have confirmed. The research raises questions about the risks associated with these products and regulating the claims on their labels.
How green is your detergent? – Chemistry World, 12 November 2010
Akshat Rathi 