Serving the chemical, life sciences, and laboratory worlds
VOLUME 92, NUMBER 29 JULY 21, 2014
COVER STORY
STARING DOWN BRAIN TRAUMA The search continues for biomarkers and imaging tools to diagnose concussion-related brain disease while an athlete is still alive. PAGE 9
QUOTE OF THE WEEK “We were so frustrated that we could not get the baby boom generation that likes to pretend that 60 is the new 40 to have a conversation about Alzheimer’s.”
NEWS OF THE WEEK 4
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SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
CDC LABS SHUT DOWN
DIAMOND-DRIVEN CHEMISTRY
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Irradiating commercial-grade diamond starts process that reduces CO2 to CO. 7
“GREEN” ROUTE TO CHROMANOLS
Efficient, inexpensive process creates chiral core structure of bioactive compounds. 8
PHARMA MERGER DEALS UNDER FIRE
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GRECIAN POTTERY CLOSE-UP
Two mergers driven in part by avoidance of U.S. taxes face backlash.
X-ray method reveals chemistry of distinctive black glaze of 6th- and 5th-century B.C. pottery.
BUSINESS 15 17
THE DEPARTMENTS
CONCENTRATES HOPE FOR BOYS WITH RARE DISEASE
The drug pipeline is starting to flow for patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. 20
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CONCENTRATES FROM THE SCENES ACETAMINOPHEN HOLDS ITS SECRETS ▶
Despite being a household name for decades, scientists still aren’t sure how Tylenol works.
NOVARTIS TEAMS WITH GOOGLE
Drug firm will license “smart lens” technology to monitor diabetes, treat impaired focusing. 8
OCEAN ACIDIFICATION PROMPTS STUDIES
Understanding change in ocean chemistry involves research on marine life, development of sensors.
ALBEMARLE TO ACQUIRE ROCKWOOD
Safety breaches involving influenza and anthrax agents endangered dozens of employees.
CONCENTRATES MORE INNOVATION COMPETITIONS
Federal government looks to prizes to spur new approaches to research and entrepreneurship.
Specialty chemical firm adds lithium to more mature bromine, catalysts units.
PRESIDENT, GEOFFREY BEENE FOUNDATION
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EPA PROPOSES PHASEOUT OF HFCs
Hydrofluorocarbons will be removed from products by 2021 because of their greenhouse gas potential. 6
GOVERNMENT & POLICY
ACS ELECTION CANDIDATES
President-elect and four board candidates will be chosen in fall contest.
MERYL COMER
C&EN talks with the patient advocate about connecting with Alzheimer’s disease researchers.
Evidence suggests that B40 adopts a fullerene-like cage structure.
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MERYL COMER,
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ALL-BORON FULLERENE
CLARIANT TO REVITALIZE R&D
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LETTERS ACS COMMENT OBITUARIES CLASSIFIEDS NEWSCRIPTS ▶
After years of budget cuts, Clariant decides to restructure, pump resources into R&D. COVER: Science Picture Co./Corbis CENEAR 92 (29) 1–40 • ISSN 00 0 9-2347