NEWS
Joseph Jordan The JOURNAL regrets to report the death of Joseph Jordan on Aug. 14. Jordan, a professor of chemistry at The Pennsylvania State University for more than 30 years, was a pioneer in bioelectrochemistry and the study of heat effects in chemical re actions. He served on the Advisory Board of ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY from 1968 to 1970.
Blood Glucose and IR Light Sandia National Laboratories and the University of New Mexico (UNM) School of Medicine have combined IR spectroscopy and chemometrics to develop a painless, real-time blood glucose monitoring system for diabetics. Near-IR light, which has slightly longer wavelengths than visible light, can penetrate tissue—in this case, a finger inserted into the monitor. The various wavelengths are absorbed by the tissues of the finger, the light is dispersed into a spectrum, and the data are analyzed for glucose-specific absorptions to determine glucose concentration. The algorithm used takes into account variations in skin coloring, blood chemistry, and finger thickness. Sandia and UNM are looking for an industrial partner to help them develop a commercial monitor. The eventual goal of those working on glucose monitors is a programmable insulin pump and monitor system that would act as an artificial pancreas, replacing the daily, self-administered injections of insulin. Diabetes, the leading cause of blindness in people aged 25—74, is estimated to contribute $20 billion annually to health care costs.
Hydrocarbons from Trees Most of us are aware that trees replenish the oxygen in the atmosphere, but our beloved trees may also be polluters. According to the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Boulder, CO, the Environmental Protection Agency has found that reducing hydrocarbon emissions from cars has not helped to reduce ozone concentrations in rural and urban areas. NCAR hypothesizes that nonmethane hydrocarbon emissions, such as isoprene and terpenes from vegetation, may be promoting ozone formation. NCAR will monitor isoprene emissions from trees at Oak Ridge National Laboratory through the use of a chemiluminescence detector (Anal. Chem. 1990, 62, 105560) and an existing 33-m tower equipped with leaf en-
closures as well as light and temperature sensors at four levels in the forest canopy. They will also gather data from various instrument packages suspended at different levels on a tethered line hung from a balloon 1 km in the air. This project will be the first opportunity researchers have had to take measurements of this type from several acres of trees at the same time.
DNA SRM DNA fingerprint matching is the latest weapon in law enforcement's arsenal against crime. It is also used in paternity cases, and the Army is beginning a new program to use it as "dog tags" for soldiers. However, because it is relatively new, attorneys have not always had an easy time getting the results introduced as evidence. The National Institute of Standards and Technology's newly formed Biotechnology Division, with support from the National Institute of Justice, hopes to help change that by making available Standard Reference Material 2390. This new QA standards set is the first developed by the division. It contains male and female DNA molecules extracted from living cells; precut fragments of a viral DNA that can be used as a genetic ruler; and tubes, each containing 3 million human cells from which DNA can be extracted and tested. Laboratories that use FBI protocols for DNA profiling can effectively use the SRM to check their performance at each step of the procedure. DNA molecules are cut at specific points, using enzymes separated by electrophoresis, and transferred onto a nylon membrane. The fragments are tagged with radioactive probes and photographed. The DNÀ fingerprint appears as lines in specific positions, much like the bar coding used in grocery stores. A combination of five probes is used to discern an individual's unique DNA pattern. The chance of two unrelated individuals having the same pattern is less than about one in hundreds of thousands. SRM 2390 costs $374 and can be obtained from the Standard Reference Materials Program, Rm. 205, Bldg. 202, Gaithersburg, MD 20899 (301-975-6776; fax 301948-3730).
For Your Information A new, Canadian-based, bimonthly publication entitled Scientific Exchange is designed to provide a venue for the advertising of surplus and used scientific equipment. The vendor supplies a brief description of the item for sale or exchange or the item that is wanted, along with a point of contact. For subscription, classified, and advertising rates, contact Scientific Exchange, P.O. Box 484, Osgoode, Ontario, Canada Κ0Α 2W0 (613-826-0742; fax 613-826-0489).
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY, VOL. 64, NO. 20, OCTOBER 15, 1992 · 963 A
