February 2005
American Chemical Society meeting March 13-17 features wide variety of new research
San Diego sessions include findings on a vaccine for arthritis, fighting molds in the home, biodegradable polymers made from corn grain, a new fingerprinting method
From analyzing the popular margarita cocktail to introducing a new method for fighting Type 2 diabetes and lowering cholesterol, chemists will present their latest findings at the 229th national meeting of the American Chemical Society in San Diego, March 13-17. The world-wide lineup of scientists will feature presentations on research in health, medicine, food, agriculture, energy, materials, nanotechnology, biotechnology, green chemistry and the environment.
The meeting will be held at the San Diego Convention Center, 111 West Harbor Dr., and surrounding hotels. Nearly 14,000 scientists are expected to attend and some 10,000 presentations are scheduled. The American Chemical Society is the world�s largest scientific society.
On Tuesday, March 15, there will be a symposium on the "Chemistry and Flavor of Hispanic Foods," hosted by the ACS Agricultural and Food Chemistry Division. The session features 15 research presentations ranging from trends in Hispanic foods to the health benefits of some dishes to analyses of the complex flavor profiles found in margaritas.
A session on Wednesday, March 16, �Carbohydrate Vaccines,� features research on potential vaccines for AIDS, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer and malaria. Another paper focuses on Streptococcus pneumoniae, still a leading cause of life-threatening diseases such as pneumonia and meningitis. The ACS Division of Carbohydrate Chemistry is hosting the symposium.
Other highlights include: - Antibiotics from genetically engineered bacteria that may help solve the growing drug-resistance problem
- Discovery of a gene for Type I diabetes
- Examining labels on food and beverage containers: do they tell the whole story?
- New wood preservatives for the home that discourage molds and insects
- The latest in hydrogen fuel cells and solar energy
- A new, fingerprint technique for law enforcement investigators
- A soluble fiber, added to foods, which may prevent Type 2 diabetes, lower cholesterol
- Environmental issues facing California and the San Diego area
- Exploring the chemical enterprise in the year 2015
- A free, hands-on Spanish-language science program for Hispanic children
- More than 60 papers on the burgeoning science of nanotechnology, ranging from delivering antibacterial compounds more efficiently to producing more environmentally friendly products
- Finding criminals with forensic chemistry
For media registration and meeting information go to:http://www.chemistry.org/portal/a/c/s/1/acsdisplay.html?DOC=news_service/acs_media_reg_2004.html
The American Chemical Society is a nonprofit organization, chartered by the U.S. Congress, with a multidisciplinary membership of more than 159,000 chemists and chemical engineers. It publishes numerous scientific journals and databases, convenes major research conferences and provides educational, science policy and career programs in chemistry. Its main offices are in Washington, D.C., and Columbus, Ohio.