Close encounters of a comet kind - Rosetta and Philae's scientific payloads
13 November, 2014In March 2004, the spacecraft Rosetta was launched by the European Space Agency - its mission to orbit and land on the comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. To complete the most detailed study of a comet ever attempted, the orbiter carried 11 science experiments and its lander, Philae, carried 10 additional instruments.
In vitro skin test to replace animal testing
14 October, 2014Scientists from Baxter Laboratories have developed an in vitro skin test that could work alongside other alternative methods to help replace animals such as rabbits and guinea pigs in testing for cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.
Biotage Extrahera SLE and SPE automation system
03 October, 2014The Biotage Extrahera is an automated system for the processing of supported liquid extraction (SLE) and solid-phase extraction (SPE) methods in both plate and column formats, making the system a flexible option for a wide variety of analytical laboratories.
Malvern MicroCal iTC200 for understanding biomolecular interactions using ITC
01 October, 2014Isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) enables label-free measurement of binding events by measuring the heat released or absorbed during biochemical binding. Requiring no assay development, the MicroCal iTC200 provides results quickly and is a suitable tool for any research laboratory studying biomolecular interactions.
Bullets leave behind fingerprints, too
31 July, 2014Forensic scientist Anna Bradley is undertaking the world's largest bullet lead study, building on research the FBI started when US President John F Kennedy was assassinated in 1963. Bradley is looking to track the unique 'fingerprint' of bullets in the hope of solving crimes.
Asynt PressureSyn pressure reactor
17 July, 2014Asynt announces PressureSyn, a 125 mL working volume high-pressure reactor that combines good performance, ease of use and a high level of operational safety.
Romer AgraStrip for Total Milk
01 April, 2014Previously, to test for the presence of milk allergens, one had to decide whether to look for casein or Beta-lactoglobulin as an indicator for allergenic residues. With the AgraStrip Total Milk, the user can test for both at the same time.
A complex biochemical system in a droplet
21 February, 2014In an effort to investigate the reactions taking place in a biological cell, scientists tried to replicate them in an artificial cell. Such experiments have so far worked with very simple reactions, but the team managed to establish a complex biochemical reaction in tiny droplets only a few micrometres in size.
Forming new compounds from sodium chloride challenges the rules of chemistry
20 December, 2013Researchers have discovered that by compressing sodium chloride (rock salt) under certain high-pressure conditions, they can trigger a process which was found to form new compounds - despite chemistry textbooks saying this is impossible.
Equip your lab for less - 3D print your equipment
22 November, 2013With a 3D printer, open-source software and free digital designs, cash-strapped scientists can now fabricate their own lab equipment at a fraction of the cost.
HYDAC Patch Test Kit
29 October, 2013The Patch Test Kit (or Portable Contamination Analysis Kit) is a tool for identifying and monitoring the types and levels of particulate contamination in all fluid power systems, including those offshore where water-based fluids are utilised.
Natural source of analgesic Tramadol found
27 September, 2013An African medicinal plant - Nauclea latifolia (also known as the pin cushion tree) - has been found to produce large quantities of molecules with analgesic properties. Even more surprising, analysis shows that the molecule is identical to the heretofor wholly synthetic painkiller Tramadol.
HYDAC WaterTest Kit
27 September, 2013The WaterTest Kit is used for the quantitative determination of water content in % of mineral and lubrication oils. The simple addition of two reagents to the contaminated oil causes an increase of pressure in the measuring cell. This pressure increase is read off via the digital display as water content in % or ppm.
Unprecedented chemical profiles found in whale earwax
25 September, 2013 by Lauren DavisProfessors Stephen Trumble and Sascha Usenko, of Baylor University, have developed a new method to determine the lifetime chemical profiles of blue whales. As revealed in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the scientists found the answer in the whales’ earwax plugs.
$850,000 in funding for next-generation enzymes
13 September, 2013University of Waikato Biological Sciences Professor Vic Arcus and his research group have been awarded $850,000 for a two-year project to develop a new method for designing ‘next-generation enzymes’ for commercial use.
