Serving the chemical, life sciences, and laboratory worlds
VOLUME 86, NUMBER 8 FEBRUARY 25, 2008
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COVER STORY
PHARMA EARNINGS
U.S. drugmakers had a robust 2007, but lack of new products could make for a tough 2008.
MEDICINAL POLLUTION
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BIOTECH EARNINGS
Big firms look to rebuild their portfolios amid slowing product sales and dry pipelines that stunted 2007 results.
Scientists weigh in on how metabolized and discarded pharmaceuticals affect the environment and human health. PAGE 13
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GOVERNMENT & POLICY CONCENTRATES DUST DANGER DEBATE
Recent plant explosion highlights need for tougher combustible dust controls. 36
DIVERSITY ROADBLOCKS
Workshop examines implicit bias and its effects on minority participation in academic chemistry.
DANIEL A. CROWL, CHEMICAL PROCESS SAFETY PROFESSOR, MICHIGAN TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY PAGE 33
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NEWS OF THE WEEK MOVING ATOMS
For the first time, researchers have measured forces needed to move an atom across a surface. 7
PUBLIC ACCESS RESPONSE
U.S. senator is concerned about NIH’s mandatory policy. 7
A POTENTIAL THREAT
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TOXIC TRAILERS
High levels of formaldehyde are found in temporary housing for hurricane victims. 9
SELF-HEALING RUBBER
Small molecules form new supramolecular networks that self-mend at room temperature. 10
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2008 WINNERS
THE DEPARTMENTS
EDITOR’S PAGE LETTERS INSIDE INSTRUMENTATION ACS COMMENT EMPLOYMENT NEWSCRIPTS
COVER: gettyimages
THIS WEEK ON
WWW.CEN-ONLINE.ORG
CHINA’S POLLUTION INSURANCE
BUSINESS
CONCENTRATES CHANGING OF THE GUARD
Kemira installs new CEO and revamps its corporate strategy. 23
AWARDS
ACETALDEHYDE ACTION
Nationwide scheme aims to help polluting companies stay in business, compensate victims. 18 20
INSIGHTS
Cope Medalist Stoddart; Cope Scholars: Bode, Burrows, Enders, Hayashi, Hsieh-Wilson, Nuckolls, Sanford, Scanlan, Sibi, and Singleton.
With tweaking, researchers turn troublesome reagent into useful synthetic tool. 10
CONCENTRATES PROTOBRANCHING
The chemistry and materials of dentistry.
BAXTER’S HEPARIN PROBLEMS
Citing terrorism concerns, NRC panel urges phaseout of some 5,000 radionuclide radiation devices used in medicine and research.
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Search continues for the cause of adverse reactions to firm’s blood thinner. 8
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY Mechanism that stabilizes branched alkanes is believed to stabilize linear alkanes as well.
DESULFURIZING HEAVY CRUDE
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as anthracene interfere with catalytic removal of sulfur. 8
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CHEMICAL EARNINGS
Companies emphasized overseas growth in 2007 to counter U.S. economic weakness.
MATTER MANIPULATION
Watch a video depicting scientists at IBM moving individual atoms and measuring forces involved. PLUS: See auxiliary information on the ACS Strategic Plan and join the discussion.
C E N E AR 8 6 (8 ) 1–56 • ISSN 0009 - 23 47
JENN Y HUNT ER/IBM
QUOTE OF THE WEEK “Who would think that sugar is explosive? You use it all the time.”
