Naloxone

By Katrina Krämer The antidote that can stop an opioid overdose in its tracks Following last week’s foray into synthetic opioids with fentanyl, this week Katrina Krämer explores an antidote to overdose that has already saved tens of thousands of lives. Source: © Drew Angerer/Getty Images Levele Pointer, from the group Vocal New York, holds […]

Derek Barton and shape-shifting molecules

By Mike Sutton It’s 100 years since Derek Barton was born. Mike Sutton looks at his work developing conformational analysis Source: © Royal Society of Chemistry Derek Barton (1918–1998) was a giant of organic chemistry. His formidable intellect could intimidate university students and staff alike, and he made significant contributions to steroid synthesis and conformational […]

Bismuth drugs kill bacteria by disrupting metabolism

By Harriet Brewerton Scientists throw kitchen sink of omics techniques at understanding complicated response of prevalent human pathogen to bismuth drug Researchers have combined several methods to elucidate the key mechanisms of action of a bismuth-based drug on Helicobacter pylori. The results could help researchers design new antibiotics. H. pylori exists in the digestive tract […]

Chlorine-free rocket fuel

[:pb]By Jamie Purcell Compound bearing 10 nitro groups could cut dangerous emissions from rocket launches 4,4′,5,5′-tetranitro-2,2′-bis(trinitromethyl)-2H,2′H-3,3′-bipyrazole Researchers in Russia have prepared a new high energy compound for use in environmentally friendly rocket fuels. Use of this compound could effectively eliminate a hazardous byproduct from the process of jet propulsion. As safety concerns dictate that rocket […]

From folklore to pharmacy

By Hayley Bennett A dark red resin oozes from the trunk of Croton lechleri, giving the tree its Peruvian name, Sangre de grado: ‘dragon’s blood’. The people of the western Amazonian rainforest prize this tree for its medicinal properties, and they use it to treat everything from haemorrhoids to haemorrhaging. Bernabé Cobo, a Spanish missionary […]

Hydrogen: still the fuel of the future?

By Angeli Mehta Is the dream of a hydrogen-fuelled future still a pipe dream, or is it in the pipeline? Angeli Mehta investigates Somehow or other, we need to cut energy-related carbon dioxide emissions by 60% in the next 30 years, to limit global warming to 2°C. Tackling the challenge is all the more urgent […]