Microbes, fish, and the quest for longevity
From bacteria to mice, worms and fish, other species are sparking fresh insights into the science of ageing, Michael Gross reports
Drug shortages
US concerns about drug shortages and the likely impact of pricing measures within President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act have previously been reported in these pages. Nationwide shortages of over 128 medicines including some antibiotics and a number of chemotherapies have reached such a point that Republicans in the US Congress have taken action to pressure the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for answers to what they describe as a failure by the FDA to ensure these critical drugs remain available in pharmacies.
Is the future of Christmas dinner organic?
Plenty of people enjoy a festive fare of turkey, ham, roast potatoes, lashings of gravy, with buttered parsnips and carrots. For UK foodies, a fraction of what makes it to their Christmas table will likely be labelled organic produce, Anthony King reports
Designing a climate-proof future for beer
Many things are under threat from climate change – and the world’s favourite alcoholic drink is one of them. Now, science is helping to modernise the ancient art of brewing – and ensure a superior flavour, writes Lou Reade
Noah’s microbial ark opens in UK
A Noah’s Ark of microbes has opened in the UK. The UK Crop Microbiome Cryobank (UK-CMCB) is the first publicly available resource of its kind anywhere in the world. It will preserve important crop microbiome samples obtained from six food crops cultured in three different UK soil types. With a greater understanding of the composition of microbiomes and their functions, researchers hope to optimise crop yields and improve sustainability.
Business digest
The latest business digest for C&I Issue 12 2023 with all the latest mergers and acquisitions in the chemical industry.
The yeast we can do
UK labs have cooked up a synthetic chromosome XI of the famed baker’s yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, part of an international effort to make an entirely synthetic yeast genome (Cell Genomics, doi: 10.1016/j.xgen.2023.100418).
New method reduces cost of ammonia
An innovative technique for making ‘green’ ammonia at scale has been developed by researchers led by the University of New South Wales, Australia, and is being tested to make fertilisers for farming.
CIA President decries lack of UK energy policy
The UK’s lack of a coherent energy policy and disincentives to investment by the Government ‘are leading to totally uncompetitive energy prices and a growing reliance on imported gas, according to Ineos Director Tom Crotty, President of the UK Chemical Industries Association (CIA).