News Archive
Latest 50 news articles
Genetic switches could hold clues to a cell’s developmental history
A new study has revealed that genetic switches (or enhancers) and the molecules that activate these switches (transcription factors) can be used to trace a cell's development history. Scientists in the groups of Eileen Furlong at EMBL and Ewan Birney at EMBL’s European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), looked at fruit fly embryos to find that enhancers in heart muscle cells are not alone in having transcription factors attached. Enhancers in the gut muscle were also occupied by transcription...
Multiple DNA repair defect in monocytes
Scientists have found that monocytes are extremely sensitive to reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are aggressive forms of oxygen generated during states of oxidative stress. Scientists at the University Medical Center in Mainz looked to address the undesirable effects of ionizing radiation and drugs used to treat cancer on the impairment of the immune system. The immune system ceases to function properly during treatment, however, which immune system cells respond most sensitively following r...
Self-referral concerns for MSK ultrasound
Musculoskeletal (MSK) ultrasound volumes have increased among non-radiologists, according to a new study in the Journal of the American College of Radiology, that found podiatrists had increased their MSK volume most significantly. The data was collected between 2000 and 2009 from the CMS Physician/Supplier Procedure Summary Master Files, which showed that the accessibility and availability of ultrasound technology is increasing the rates of self referrals. Low cost is also a contributing factor...
Spectrometers Head to Mars
Three Ocean Optics instruments have begun their eight-month journey to Mars. Customised HR2000 spectrometers are a part of the ChemCam unit on NASA’s Mars Science Lab rover, Curiosity, launched November 26, 2011 from Cape Canaveral, Florida. Ocean Optics supplied three modular HR2000 high-resolution miniature fibre optic spectrometers that were configured for analysis of Martian rock and soil composition using Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS). A laser mounted to the mast unit of the...
High-Sensitivity Spectrometer Ideal for Low Light Level, UV-Sensitive Applications
Ocean Optics has added triggering functions to its Maya2000 Pro back-thinned CCD miniature spectrometer to provide accurate timing and synchronisation between the spectrometer and other devices. Three low-jitter trigger and normal operating modes are now possible. Applications include pulsing a light source to occur when acquiring a spectra and synchronising spectral acquisition to coordinate with samples moving through a process stream or sensors reaching a certain temperature level. In addit...
Quantitative Imaging Mode for the Most Challenging of AFM Samples
JPK Instruments announce exciting new quantitative imaging capabilities for the recently launched NanoWizard®3 AFM system. QI™ is the new quantitative imaging mode from JPK. It has been developed to make AFM imaging easier than ever before. With QI™, a force curve-based imaging mode, the user has the full control over the tipsample force at every pixel of the image. There is no need for setpoint or gain adjustment while scanning. Applying JPK's ForceWatch™ technology, QI™ delivers outstanding re...
New Petri Dish Imaging System
Don Whitley Scientific Ltd (DWS) has launched a new Petri dish imaging system, which fits inside a workstation so that plates can be photographed during incubation without having to remove them from the workstation environment. The Whitley Petrifoto System features a Canon compact digital camera with auto focus, a wide angle zoom lens and a 12.1 megapixel high resolution sensor, all designed to elicit good quality images from even the most amateur of photographers. The robust unit is small enou...
RADWAG calibration workstation for pipettes – New Level of liquid handling comfort
Liquid handling has always been one of more difficult and demanding processes related to weighing. RADWAG vast experience in analytical and laboratory weighing has given rise to designing a professional stand for pipettes calibration. Complete workstation for pipettes calibration is a measuring device designed for complete realization of piston pipettes calibration and/or checking procedure, and supervision over a pipette. Calibration process of a pipette is fully supervised by a computer soft...
Phenom-World is launching the Motorized Tilt & Rotation Sample Holder for the Phenom™ desktop scanning electron microscope
Revealing the hidden treasures of all features on your sample is now possible with the Motorized Tilt & Rotation Sample Holder. Samples can have lines and holes, or have multi-layer structures. The new Motorized Tilt & Rotation Sample Holder allows analysis of the sample from all visible sides and enables a unique 3D image of your sample. With the launch of the Motorized Tilt & Rotation Sample Holder, details of features within the sample that have remained hidden so far, are easy to reveal. The...
JULABO Temperature Control Solutions High Precision and Speed
JULABO presents an extensive program of temperature control solutions ranging from -95 to 400 °C. Since JULABO’s foundation in 1967 the company has pioneered the development of technology for liquid temperature control. JULABO equipment is used successfully around the world providing application solutions for science, laboratories, technology centers and process industries. The current program features heating and refrigerated circulators, highly dynamic temperature control systems, recirculati...
Touch the Future of Gel and Blot Imaging with the ChemiDoc-ItTS2 Imager
UVP, LLC announces availability of the new ChemiDoc-It®TS2 810 Imager for capturing chemiluminescent, fluorescent, colorimetric and multiplex gels and blots. The new imager simplifies user workflow with the integrated touch screen and user-friendly capture software. Users can simply touch the Live Preview button to immediately see an image sample on the large 15.6" screen. The exposure, aperture, zoom and focus settings can be adjusted with a touch of the convenient control panel. All settings a...
BIOSTAT® B-DCU II – the power and flexibility to meet your process development needs BIOSTAT® B-DCU II – the power and flexibility to meet your process development needs
The BIOSTAT® B-DCU II is a new generation of Fermentor| Bioreactor system, designed for meeting demanding requirements in both research and process development. A newly engineered control system launches many of its well-proven design features into a new era, offering unprecedented advantages for process development laboratories around the world. Unrivaled for scale-down and scale-up modeling of various culture processes, the BIOSTAT® B-DCU II provides a new level of power and flexibility. The...
Huber revise their low cost heating and cooling thermostats
Huber has replaced the low cost MPC thermostats with new, improved models. The controllers have a new design and now offer an RS232 interface as standard. Additionally temperature control has been improved, now providing a continuous resolution of 0.1 °C, over the entire temperature range. MPC's are characterized by a favorable price-performance ratio, ease of operation and their commitment to environmentally friendly refrigeration with natural refrigerants. MPC thermostats are ideal for many la...
More than just a “better AAS”! Simultaneous multi-element determination with High-Resolution Continuum Source AAS (HR-CS AAS) in graphite tube and flame
The commercial launch of the High-Resolution Continuum Source AAS (HR-CS AAS) has revolutionized atomic absorption spectroscopy. It was the German high-end manufacturer Analytik Jena that introduced the first HR-CS atomic absorption spectrometer in 2004. Today, the company offers a complete series of HR-CS AAS instruments: • contrAA® 300 – a flame spectrometer • contrAA® 600 – a pure graphite tube system for liquid and solid analysis. • contrAA® 700 – a combined flame and graphite tube system...
OUR “ALLIANCE" A CHANCE TO work together to MAKE THINGS BETTER
See us at: Pittcon: Stand 3106-3108 Arablab: Stand 150 We offer a complete range of lab gas generators, fulfilling the requirements of all laboratory analyzers such as:LCMS, GC, ICP, DEDL, IRTF, TOC, NMR, AA, electronic Noise, Rheology, Particle sizing by laser diffraction, DSC, Sample prep Autosamplers... Whatever your needs, our generators enable you to produce Nitrogen, Hydrogen, Pure Air with purities higher than 99,9999%. Following extensive market research and technical development,...
Eppendorf Mastercycler nexus – the new PCR instrument which sends status emails
The Eppendorf Mastercycler nexus family of PCR instruments offer excellent reproducibility, low noise emission and the versatility to use all types of consumables. Up to three units may be combined for higher throughput, while software capability enables users to access a booking schedule for the instrument and receive email notification when the PCR cycle is finished. Low energy consumption and a small footprint add to the advantages of the Mastercycler nexus for both academic and industrial re...
Automate tedious sample preparation steps with one standalone instrument
Manual sample prep is time-consuming and inherently variable. Such inconsistency can lead to time-consuming rework, wasted supplies, and the lingering uncertainty that your samples are not prepared the way your protocols – or regulatory requirements – dictate. In addition, direct exposure to hazardous chemicals can jeopardize the health of you and your team. The new Agilent 7696A Sample Prep WorkBench reduces the time, cost, and tedium of manual sample preparation for GC or LC applications—dilut...
HACH LANGE is hosting a workshop
HACH LANGE is hosting a workshop on Consent Monitoring - Understanding Your Effluent Treatment Charges . The workshop will provide attendees with an insight into the ways in which self-monitoring can ensure regulatory compliance and help reduce costs. The workshop will take place at a number of locations: 22 February, Leeds 21 March, Swindon 12 Sept, Edinburgh Guest speakers from water companies will give an overview on Trade Effluent Awareness. On 22 February in Leeds, we can confirm that a r...
Extraction of Antioxidants from High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) By Pressurized Liquid Extraction (PLE)
Introduction Plastics and other polymers are used in a wide spectrum of applications from industrial usage to packaging, including the packaging of food and pharmaceutical products. To enhance functionality, chemical additives are often added to polymers. These additives enable polymers to be more durable, pliable and make them less subject to degradation. To ensure that the specified amounts of an additive or combination of additives are incorporated into a polymer. After the extrusion proces...
96-Channel Handheld Electronic Pipette
The INTEGRA VIAFLO 96 is a new 96-channel electronic pipette that enables fast, precise and easy simultaneous transfer of 96 samples. Uses will immediately benefit from the increased productivity delivered by their VIAFLO 96. Fast replication or reformatting of 96 and 384 well plates and high precision transferring of reagents, compounds and solutions to or from microplates is now as easy as pipetting with a standard electronic pipette into a single tube. Four pipetting heads with pipetting...
Tomato nutrient lycopene could be used for cancer treatment
Lycopene, a nutrient found in cooked tomatoes, has been found to slow the growth of prostate cancer cells, and has even been found to kill it in some cases. The nutrient is widely known for giving tomatoes their red colour, but researchers at the University of Portsmouth have found that it can intercept cancer growth by blocking its ability to make the connections it needs to attach to a healthy blood supply. Director of the research Dr Chopra said: “This simple chemical reaction was shown to oc...
GB Rowing Unveils its Secret Weapon
The GB Rowing Team has hailed the Siemens RAPIDPoint® Blood Gas Analyser as its ‘secret weapon’ in its athletic arsenal following a win of 14 medals at the 2011 World Rowing Championships in Bled, Slovenia. As the High Performance Partner, Siemens works with the GB Rowing Team on innovative ways to assist the team’s training and the performance of its male, female and adaptive crews. It provided the GB Rowing Team with the blood gas analyser so that the team could gain valuable performance data...
Clinical Waste Disposal Practice Reduces UCL Costs by 18%
A national industry body has recognised MITIE and University College London (UCL) for their ground breaking approach to clinical waste management in the university’s 23 laboratories. By diverting autoclaved clinical waste from high temperature incineration (HTI) to Energy-from-Waste treatment, savings of 18% in disposal cost per tonne and reduction of carbon emission by 27% per tonne were achieved. MITIE won the award for innovative practice in Waste Management and Resource Recovery at the 2011...
Novozymes Expands Collaboration with Upperton
Novozymes Biopharma has expanded its partnership with Nottingham-based research and development company, Upperton Ltd, to offer customers a new albumin conjugation solution. "Novozymes is delighted to unveil Recombumin Flex along with our new conjugation solution in partnership with Upperton Limited," said Dave Mead, Business Development Director at Novozymes Biopharma. "Novozymes has enjoyed a successful relationship with Upperton over the past 10 years and its expertise and experience in the c...
Analox Pictures Need Witty Repost
There’s no need to file away your sense of humour and let the January blues set in. Instead join in some post new year fun with the Analox Group which is asking for clever, funny or cheeky captions to their staff ’s photographs. Several members of staff based at the Stokesley, North Yorkshire company were feeling a little light-hearted when they posed for photographs. Their message is ‘Don’t just analyse it – Analox it!’ The question is what will your wittiest caption be? The company will rele...
£30 million for National Sports Medicine Centre
The Government is to spend £30 million developing the country’s first ever National Sports and Exercise Medicine Centre of Excellence, promoting sport and exercise medicine which will help more people to be more active, treat injuries caused by exercise and conditions associated with lack of exercise. Health Secretary Andrew Lansley made the announcement on 9th January, while visitingLoughborough University, one of the network partners. The establishment of the Centre, which will also fulfil o...
Kick-Off for Local Team Sponsorship
Copley Scientific, suppliers of test equipment to pharmaceutical companies across the globe, is taking a keen interest in activities much closer to home, after signing a sponsorship agreement with local under 13’s soccer side Edwalton Cavaliers . The Cavaliers, who currently play in the second division of the Young Elizabethan Football League, hope to rapidly climb the league table and buoyed by their new sponsorship deal are in good spirits in the early stages of the 2011/2012 season. “Copley S...
Issue four of Application Notes Handbook Releases
2011 has seen Gilson launch its quarterly application note handbook with issue 4 being the last release of the year. Focusing on applications for pipettes, purification, solid phase extraction and liquidhandling, these notes provide a variety of detailed applications in fields such as environmental, food and beverage, clinical/forensic and pharmaceutical. There is a single article in the environmental section titledthe Determination of Chlorinated Pesticides in Poultry Fat via AOAC 970.52, 984...
University of Loughborough Apply Nanoparticle Size Characterisation System
Analytik are pleased to announce the Chemical Engineering Department at Loughborough University is using a CPS DC characterisation system to study particles in relation to filter and separations technology. Richard Holdich is a Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Loughborough University. Applying the CPS disc centrifugation technology, filter efficiency is studied by using particles of less than 2 microns and down to a few 10's of nanometres. Comparison is made between the fi...
Cell Therapy Centre Located in Capital
A new centre to support the development and commercialisation of cell therapies and advanced therapeutics, as well as the underpinning technologies for manufacturing, quality control, safety and efficiency is to be located in London. The Technology and Innovation Centre in Cell Therapy will receive £10 million per annum (up to £50 million over the next five-year period) funding from the Technology Strategy Board (TSB) in collaboration with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. The...
UK Centre Focused on Quality and Service
Shimadzu has been developing its UK’s headquarters in Buckinghamshire into a major Centre of Excellence for analytical and environmental solutions geared to help UK customers evaluate technical solutions tailored to their specific requirements. As suppliers of chromatography and spectroscopy instruments and services the Milton Keynes facility, which opened its doors to visitors in Autumn, has been building on its customer focused approach, nurturing ”a shared, constructive ‘mindset’ within the...
Astell Celebrates 2011 Orders
Astell Scientific recently won an order for 70 autoclaves destined for the Middle East. Manufactured in the company’s UK factory, the models ordered are from Astell’s Compact range, suitable for a wide range of sterilisation applications and designed to maximise efficiency and ease of operation. Earlier in 2011 the company also won a significant order for a 2000L effluent decontamination system for a research facility in Malaysia. Leukaemia Busters also presented the company with a thank you cer...
Pannexin1 found to restore tight binding of cells
A novel 'scaffold-free' 3-D system has been used to determine the role of Pannexin1 in binding cells, a process that is lost in cancer. The researchers, from Brown University, found that protein Pannexin1 could have an important biomechanical role in binding tissues together. The protein is already known to have tumour-suppressive properties, and this new research suggest that it could have a decisive role in the progression of the disease. First author and Brown University M.D./Ph.D. student Br...
Medical Researchers Granted Access to Compounds
Following a landmark agreement between the Medical Research Council(MRC) and AstraZeneca., academic researchers can access 22 of the company’s compounds with a view to exploring new treatment opportunities. Drug development is a long, complex and expensive process – the average sector cost of bringing a new medicine to market was more than £630 million last year. Many compounds which have potential to treat or prevent a specific disease can reach the early trials stage on the drug development...
Researchers identify specific lab tests for early stage MS
Researchers in Israel say they have discovered which specific lab tests will allow them to identify early signs of multiple sclerosis (MS). Standard neurological testing is used to examine and monitor the walking abilities and muscle strength of MS patients, but such methods are not effective at identifying deficits during the infancy of the disease. A team at Tel Aviv University's Sackler Faculty of Medicine and the Multiple Sclerosis Centre in Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, say they have...
Associations Welcome SME Support in Life Sciences Industry
Life Sciences associations have welcomed the Government's vision for their sector following a speech by Prime Minister David Cameron (December 5),in which he outlined how two new reviews – the ‘NHS Chief Executive Review of Innovation’ and the ‘Life Sciences Strategy’ - can help drive new innovations in healthcare, whilst supporting a thriving industry at the same time. The Chief Executives of the four trade bodies; The Association of British Healthcare Industries (ABHI), The Association of the...
California crime labs clear up DNA backlog
Crime labs in California have caught up on their web of backlogged DNA cases. The build-up had slowed DNA testing in the state and jeopardised criminal prosecutions, the California Department of Justice said. Laboratories will now be able to perform routine analysis within 30 days, down from an average of 90 to 120 days. Attorney general Kamala Harris said DNA testing was made a priority in 2011 because of the direct link between timely investigations and successful prosecutions. She said crime...
Minister Sherlock Announces SFI Researcher of the Year
Professor Jonathan Coleman, a Science Foundation Ireland (SFI)-funded researcher from Trinity College who has achieved international success in the area of nanostructures, has been announced as the ‘Science Foundation IrelandResearcher of the Year’ for 2011. The announcement was made by Minister for Research and Innovation, Seán Sherlock T.D., at the SFI Science Summit in Athlone, held in November and attended by 300 researchers. The theme of this year’s summit was ‘Shaping the Future Now: New...
Funding to Boost UK’s Regenerative Medicine Capabilities
Fourteen commercially-focused regenerative medicine research projects are to benefit from nearly £8.5 million of government grant award funding. Ten of the collaborative projects will address generic challenges in the development of cell based therapies, and will lead to demonstrators with commercial applicability. Four projects will engage in the development of regenerative medicine therapeutics. The investment in the projects, part of the Technology Strategy Board (TSB) managed £21.5 million R...
Anachem Gains PCR Reagents Distributorship
Anachem Ltd has been awarded exclusive UK distribution rights for the novel range of molecular engineered reagents from KAPABiosystems Inc, (Woburn, MA USA). “Anachem’s large, enthusiastic team of specialist representatives is best served to support KAPA’s product range. We visit scientists in molecular laboratories every day and alongside liquid handling products have been advising them on PCR consumables for many years,” says Amy Jingzi Liu, Anachem Product Manager. “We have already built a...
NanoSight Wins Innovation Award
NanoSight, a leading manufacturer of nanoparticle characterisation technology has won Technology World's 2011 Business Innovation Award in the category of Energy & Environment. Sponsored by PA Consulting Group, the Awards showcase the best of British innovation. NanoSight received the accolade for its tracking system for real time monitoring of subtle changes in the characteristics of particle populations with analyses confirmed by visual validation. Jeremy Warren, CEO of NanoSight, commented:...
GSK Oncology Scholarship Scientist Selected
Melania Capasso, from the Centre for Cancer & Inflammation, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, was recently announced as the winner of GSK’s first UK Oncology CASE (Collaborative Award in Science and Engineering) PhD Scholarship. Her proposal ‘Investigating the voltage-gated proton channel HVCN1 as a target for lymphoma treatment’, which will commence in October 2012, was one of 74 submissions received from high profile researchers and institutions UK-wide. The level of in...
Cambridge Bioscience Selected as Agents for NanoInk
NanoInk’s® NanoFabrication Systems Division has reached an agreement with Cambridge Bioscience to act as exclusive distributor in the United Kingdom and Ireland for desktop equipment including the NLP 2000 nanofabrication System and the DPN 5000 nanopatterning System. ‘‘Cambridge Bioscience has already established strong relationships within NanoInk’s target customer base in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Its sales and marketing team has the background required to understand the scientific mar...
Shire Receives techMARK Accolade
Shire plc, a global specialty biopharmaceutical business was named “Company of the Year” at the techMARK Awards 2011. Organised by the London Stock Exchange, with lead sponsorship by PwC, the techMark Awards recognise businesses that “have outstanding long term growth potential, with a sound strategy in place to ensure successful delivery of its commercial advantages and to build shareholder value”. Angus Russell, Chief Executive Officer of Shire, said: “The receipt of the techMARK Company of...
Joint UK-Norwegian Support for Industrial Biotechnology Sector
The British and Norwegian governments are to work together to support nine new research and development projects that will create innovative processes to generate high-value chemicals through industrial biotechnology and bio-refining. The Technology Strategy Board (TSB) has offered grant funding totalling £1.82cmillion to the nine UK-led projects and four of these will also be supported by Innovation Norway, which is providing additional funding of £400,000 to the Norwegian businesses that are...
Boiswood Named as Distributor for SSP
US manufacturer SSP has appointed Boiswood as the UK distributor for its instrumentation valves and fittings. The move represents an ambitious target to capture a substantial share of the UK market. The range includes products made from stainless steel, nickel alloy and speciality materials such as Monel or Hastelloy. Sectors served include oil and gas, power generation, aerospace, chemical engineering, pharmaceuticals and semiconductor manufacturing as well as alternative fuels and LNG vehicles...
Gold nanodroplets created for medical applications
Researchers at Kansas University have developed a new method for optical manipulation of matter at the nanoscale, creating perfectly spherical gold nanodroplets. The nanodroplets, which could improve medical applications for cancer treatments, are the smallest-ever nanojets. They could be used in cancer treatment by attaching the nanoparticles to molecules and injecting them into the blood. The molecules then attach to the cancer cells, with the light heating up the gold nanodroplets destroying...
Bronchoalveolar lavage and lung clearance index detect CF
The lung clearance index (LCI) has been found to be a sensitive and non-invasive marker of early lung disease by researchers studying early cystic fibrosis (CF) in Australia. The findings, published ahead of the American Thoracic Society's American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, show that LCI could also be useful as an objective outcome measure in future studies of young children with CF. Some 47 pre-symptomatic or minimally symptomatic infants and young children with CF an...
Oxoid Award Presented to Mature Student
Thermo Fisher Scientific recently announced that the Winner of the 2011 Oxoid Award for Excellence for the best performance on a BSc (Hons) Applied Biomedical Science degreecourse at the University of Portsmouth, was Mrs Gailyn White. “We are delighted that, on recommendation from the University board, Gailyn has received this Award”, said Myra Wilkinson, Course Leader at the University of Portsmouth. “She is a mature student, who has consistently produced work at a high standard and achieved...
New Version of GC/MS Method Package for Residual Pesticides in Foods
To address the increasing demand to reliably check for critical amounts of residual pesticides in foods, feed additives and veterinary drugs Shimadzu is releasing the company’s GC/MS Method Package Ver. 2 for Residual Pesticides in Foods. The new analysis package has been developed to improve the speed and efficiency of using GC/MS technology to analyse as many as 800 different residual pesticides by providing simpler inspection methods and batch analysis of multiple component samples. The meth...