http://phys.org/ en-us Phys.org internet news portal provides the latest news on science including: Physics, Nanotechnology, Life Sciences, Space Science, Earth Science, Environment, Health and Medicine. (Phys.org)—The solution to a biochemical puzzle over the molecular make-up of a coral reef sea sponge (Theonella swinhoei) has revealed the origin of its extremely toxic agents. http://phys.org/news267091931.html Biology Mon, 17 Sep 2012 09:40:09 EST news267091931 Imitating the antennas of the silkmoth, Bombyx mori, to design a system for detecting explosives with unparalleled performance is the feat achieved by a French research team. Made up of a silicon microcantilever bearing nearly 500,000 aligned titanium dioxide nanotubes, this device is capable of detecting concentrations of trinitrotoluene (TNT) of around 800 ppq (i.e. 800 molecules of explosive per 1015 molecules of air), thereby improving one thousand-fold the detection limit attainable until now. This innovative concept could also be used to detect drugs, toxic agents and traces of organic pollutants. This work is published on 29 May 2012 in the journal Angewandte Chemie. http://phys.org/news257759215.html Chemistry Fri, 01 Jun 2012 08:48:39 EST news257759215 Socks, T-shirts and other garments could become less hospitable to odor-causing bacteria, thanks to new antimicrobial treatments being investigated by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientists in New Orleans, La. http://phys.org/news255939235.html Nanotechnology Fri, 11 May 2012 07:14:01 EST news255939235 Terrorist attacks with chemical weapons are a real possibility, according to a study that appears in the online open access journal, Journal of Pharmacy Practice, published by SAGE. Thanks to their extensive knowledge of toxic agents, and how to treat those who have been exposed, pharmacists are an invaluable resource in the event of an actual or potential chemical weapons attack. http://phys.org/news242712626.html Chemistry Sat, 10 Dec 2011 04:10:39 EST news242712626 UC Santa Barbara scientists have made a discovery that has the potential for use in the early diagnosis and eventual treatment of plaque-related diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and Type 2 diabetes. Their work is published in a recent issue of Nature Chemistry. http://phys.org/news216567004.html Chemistry Thu, 10 Feb 2011 13:30:23 EST news216567004