295 posts · 161,162 views
I received a PhD in analytical chemistry in Sep 2005, completed postdoctoral research in Jun 2007, and taught chemistry survey and organic chemistry from Sep 2009 - May 2010. I am currently a freelance technical science editor. Phased presents science journalism written for a lay audience. My goal is to discuss technical content (from the technical journals) without sacrificing readability. The topical focus is diverse, but tends to focus on chemistry, technology, and cell biology.
Phased
295 posts
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- February 2, 2010
- 03:00 AM
- 572 views
What Enables Termites to Fly in Rain?
by Michael Long in Phased
Gregory Watson (James Cook University, Australia) and coworkers have discovered small-scale architecture on termite wings that imparts remarkable water-repelling properties, while adding only minimal weight to the wings, enabling a species of weak fliers to readily fly in rain. This news feature was written on February 2, 2010.... Read more »
Watson, G. S., Cribb, B. W., & Watson, J. A. (2010) How Micro/Nanoarchitecture Facilitates Anti-Wetting: An Elegant Hierarchical Design on the Termite Wing. ACS Nano, 4(1), 129-136. DOI: 10.1021/nn900869b
- January 31, 2010
- 03:59 PM
- 460 views
Nondestructive Chemical Analysis of 19th Century Ferrotype Photographs
by Michael Long in Phased
Luigi Dei (University of Florence, Italy) and coworkers have investigated the chemical rationale underlying the degradation of some nineteenth century photographs, relevant towards preserving historically valuable photographs for future generations. This news feature was written on January 31, 2010.... Read more »
Carretti, E., Milano, M., Dei, L., & Baglioni, P. (2009) Noninvasive physicochemical characterization of two 19th century English ferrotypes. Journal of Cultural Heritage, 10(4), 501-508. DOI: 10.1016/j.culher.2009.02.002
- January 29, 2010
- 08:25 PM
- 415 views
Highly Successful Mosquito Attraction with a Synthetic Scent
by Michael Long in Phased
Fredros Okumu (Ifakara Health Institute, Tanzania) and coworkers have developed a cheap "synthetic scent" that mosquitoes find to be even more attractive than human scent, which will enable realistic, effective mosquito control in resource-limited nations. This news feature was written on January 29, 2010.... Read more »
Okumu, F. O., Killeen, G. F., Ogoma, S., Biswaro, L., Smallegange, R. C., Mbeyela, E., Titus, E., Munk, C., Ngonyani, H., Takken, W.... (2010) Development and Field Evaluation of a Synthetic Mosquito Lure That Is More Attractive than Humans. PLoS ONE, 5(1). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0008951
- January 27, 2010
- 09:30 PM
- 580 views
Rapidly Diagnosing Lethal Blood-Based Fungal Infections
by Michael Long in Phased
Dominique Mazier (Universite Pierre et Marie Curie-Paris, France) and coworkers have used mass spectrometry to rapidly and unambiguously diagnose a blood-based fungal infection, faster than is possible through conventional diagnostics. This news feature was written on January 27, 2010.... Read more »
Marinach-Patrice, C., Fekkar, A., Atanasova, R., Gomes, J., Djamdjian, L., Brossas, J.-Y., Meyer, I., Buffet, P., Snounou, G., Datry, A.... (2010) Rapid Species Diagnosis for Invasive Candidiasis Using Mass Spectrometry. PLoS ONE, 5(1). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0008862
- January 23, 2010
- 04:10 PM
- 489 views
The Response of Butterflies to Habitat Loss and Climate Change
by Michael Long in Phased
Matthew Forister (University of Nevada, Reno) and coworkers have unambiguously investigated the differential effects of climate change and habitat loss on butterfly populations in northern California. This news feature was written on January 23, 2010.... Read more »
Forister, M. L., McCall, A. C., Sanders, N. J., Fordyce, J. A., Thorne, J. H., O'Brien, J., Waetjen, D. P., & Shapiro, A. M. (2010) Compounded effects of climate change and habitat alteration shift patterns of butterfly diversity. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0909686107
- January 21, 2010
- 06:17 PM
- 460 views
Searching for Rugged Enzymes Adapted to Switchgrass Processing
by Michael Long in Phased
Philip Hugenholtz (Joint Bioenergy Institute and Joint Genome Institute, California) and coworkers have discovered a rugged enzyme that will be useful towards an industrial-scale breakdown of switchgrass into synthetically-useful molecules, rendering switchgrass into a practical, renewable carbon source. This news feature was written on January 21, 2010.... Read more »
Allgaier, M., Reddy, A., Park, J. I., Ivanova, N., D'haeseleer, P., Lowry, S., Sapra, R., Hazen, T. C., Simmons, B. A., VanderGheynst, J. S.... (2010) Targeted Discovery of Glycoside Hydrolases from a Switchgrass-Adapted Compost Community. PLoS ONE, 5(1). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0008812
- January 17, 2010
- 12:45 PM
- 511 views
A Possible Physical Mechanism of Cancer Metastasis
by Michael Long in Phased
Ralf Kemkemer (Max Planck Institute for Metals Research, Germany) and coworkers have shown that a bioactive lipid can enable pancreatic cancer cells to dramatically alter their shape, possibly enabling them to penetrate organs and spread throughout the body. This news feature was written on January 17, 2010.... Read more »
Rolli, C. G., Seufferlein, T., Kemkemer, R., & Spatz, J. P. (2010) Impact of Tumor Cell Cytoskeleton Organization on Invasiveness and Migration: A Microchannel-Based Approach. PLoS ONE, 5(1). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0008726
- January 14, 2010
- 01:45 PM
- 471 views
Inhibiting and Reversing Muscle Cell Differentiation
by Michael Long in Phased
Young-Tae Chang (National University of Singapore) and coworkers have synthesized a molecule which will be very useful for probing mitochondrial dysfunction, implicated as a factor in neurodegenerative diseases, cancers, diabetes, and other serious medical conditions. This news feature was written on January 14, 2010.... Read more »
Kim, Y. K., Ha, H.-H., Lee, J.-S., Bi, X., Ahn, Y.-H., Hajar, S., Lee, J.-J., & Chang, Y.-T. (2010) Control of Muscle Differentiation by a Mitochondria-Targeted Fluorophore. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 132(2), 576-579. DOI: 10.1021/ja906862g
- January 14, 2010
- 11:35 AM
- 422 views
A Previously Unknown Toxin in Treated Water
by Michael Long in Phased
Xing-Fang Li (University of Alberta, Canada) and coworkers have added to concerns that unknown carcinogens may be lurking in treated water. This news feature was written on January 14, 2010.... Read more »
Qin, F., Zhao, Y.-Y., Zhao, Y., Boyd, J. M., Zhou, W., & Li, X.-F. (2009) A Toxic Disinfection By-product, 2,6-Dichloro-1,4-benzoquinone, Identified in Drinking Water. Angewandte Chemie International Edition. DOI: 10.1002/anie.200904934
- January 13, 2010
- 01:30 PM
- 430 views
Predicting the Time and Place of Violent Crime
by Michael Long in Phased
Michael Cusimano (University of Toronto) and coworkers' study of the spatial and temporal distribution of violent assaults in Toronto will be useful for public officials who need to prepare in advance for such emergencies. This news feature was written on January 13, 2010.... Read more »
Cusimano, M., Marshall, S., Rinner, C., Jiang, D., & Chipman, M. (2010) Patterns of Urban Violent Injury: A Spatio-Temporal Analysis. PLoS ONE, 5(1). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0008669
- January 12, 2010
- 04:00 PM
- 527 views
Contribution of Atmospheric Amino Acid Particles to Cloud Seeding
by Michael Long in Phased
Adam Kristensson (Lund University, Sweden) and coworkers have begun to unravel the chemical basis of cloud seeding by small amino acid particles, helping to understand the possible contribution of a natural aerosol to global climate. This news feature was written on January 12, 2010.... Read more »
Kristensson, A., Rosenørn, T., & Bilde, M. (2010) Cloud Droplet Activation of Amino Acid Aerosol Particles. The Journal of Physical Chemistry A, 114(1), 379-386. DOI: 10.1021/jp9055329
- January 12, 2010
- 01:05 PM
- 433 views
Cheap Biomedical Devices Based on Nitrocellulose and Wax
by Michael Long in Phased
Jianhua Qin, Bingcheng Lin (Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, China), and coworkers have fabricated a cheap biomedical device that will find much use in resource-limited and emergency situations. This news feature was written on January 12, 2010.... Read more »
Lu, Y., Shi, W., Qin, J., & Lin, B. (2010) Fabrication and Characterization of Paper-Based Microfluidics Prepared in Nitrocellulose Membrane By Wax Printing. Analytical Chemistry, 82(1), 329-335. DOI: 10.1021/ac9020193
- January 10, 2010
- 12:05 PM
- 645 views
Treating Cocaine Addiction with Deep Brain Stimulation
by Michael Long in Phased
Christelle Baunez (Aix-Marseille Universite, France) and coworkers have demonstrated the efficacy of deep brain stimulation towards reducing cocaine addiction in rats, without hindering the natural motivation system. This news feature was written on January 10, 2010.... Read more »
Rouaud, T., Lardeux, S., Panayotis, N., Paleressompoulle, D., Cador, M., & Baunez, C. (2009) Reducing the desire for cocaine with subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0908189107
- January 8, 2010
- 09:10 PM
- 752 views
Mechanistic Insights into Supported Lipid Bilayer Formation
by Michael Long in Phased
Kuchnir Fygenson (University of California, Santa Barbara) and coworkers have gained physical insights relevant towards rendering planar lipid bilayers more useful for practical biological and engineering applications. This news feature was written on January 8, 2010.... Read more »
Weirich, K. L., Israelachvili, J. N., & Fygenson, D. K. (2010) Bilayer Edges Catalyze Supported Lipid Bilayer Formation. Biophysical Journal, 98(1), 85-92. DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2009.09.050
- January 8, 2010
- 05:20 PM
- 513 views
Direct Observation of a Chemical Reaction on a Metal Surface
by Michael Long in Phased
Shao-Chun Li and Ulrike Diebold (Tulane University, Louisiana) have shown that the titanium dioxide (cheap) support in gold nanoparticle (expensive) catalysts can itself be a source of catalytic activity. This news feature was written on January 8, 2010.... Read more »
Li, S.-C., & Diebold, U. (2010) Reactivity of TiO2 Rutile and Anatase Surfaces toward Nitroaromatics . Journal of the American Chemical Society, 132(1), 64-66. DOI: 10.1021/ja907865t
- December 30, 2009
- 08:25 PM
- 610 views
Towards Rugged Protein-Based Drugs
by Michael Long in Phased
Jinbo Hu (Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry) and coworkers have synthesized the Z isomer of monofluoroalkenes in high yield, which will be useful towards designing protein-based drugs that resist degradation within the body. This news feature was written on December 30, 2009.... Read more »
Zhang, W., Huang, W., & Hu, J. (2009) Highly Stereoselective Synthesis of Monofluoroalkenes from alpha-Fluorosulfoximines and Nitrones. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 48(52), 9858-9861. DOI: 10.1002/anie.200905077
- December 30, 2009
- 01:50 PM
- 615 views
Black Soot is Accelerating Tibetan Glacier Melting
by Michael Long in Phased
James Hansen (NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies, New York) and coworkers have determined why glaciers on the Tibetan Plateau are quickly melting, and offer possible solutions for preserving this essential water source for future generations. This news feature was written on December 30, 2009.... Read more »
Xu, B., Cao, J., Hansen, J., Yao, T., Joswia, D. R., Wang, N., Wu, G., Wang, M., Zhao, H., Yang, W.... (2009) Black soot and the survival of Tibetan glaciers. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 106(52), 22114-22118. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0910444106
- December 25, 2009
- 01:00 PM
- 507 views
DNA Hybridization Kinetics in Living Cells
by Michael Long in Phased
Dieter Braun (Ludwig Maximilians Universitat Munchen, Germany) and coworkers have probed the kinetics of DNA hybridization in living cells, and have found behavior which is more complex than what is observed in typical experiments performed in test tubes. This news feature was written on December 25, 2009.... Read more »
Schoen, I., Krammer, H., & Braun, D. (2009) Hybridization kinetics is different inside cells. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 106(51), 21649-21654. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0901313106
- December 23, 2009
- 01:10 PM
- 435 views
Towards Geometrically Inhibiting Bacterial Biofilm Assembly
by Michael Long in Phased
Berenike Maier (Westfalische Wilhelms Universitat, Germany) and coworkers have found that micrometer-scale patterns can control whether the number or density of bacteria is the critical determinant of bacterial clustering. This news feature was written on December 23, 2009.... Read more »
Holz, C., Opitz, D., Mehlich, J., Ravoo, B. J., & Maier, B. (2009) Bacterial Motility and Clustering Guided by Microcontact Printing. Nano Letters, 9(12), 4553-4557. DOI: 10.1021/nl903153c
- December 23, 2009
- 10:23 AM
- 686 views
Cheap, Safe, and Sustainable Synthesis of Amines
by Michael Long in Phased
Yong Cao (Fudan University, China) and coworkers have improved a very useful synthetic protocol by rendering it cheap, safe, and environmentally-friendly. This news feature was written on December 23, 2009.... Read more »
He L, Wang L-C, Sun H, Ni J, Cao Y, He H-Y, & Fan K-N. (2009) Efficient and selective room-temperature gold-catalyzed reduction of nitro compounds with CO and H2O as the hydrogen source. Angewandte Chemie (International ed. in English), 48(50), 9538-41. PMID: 19921665
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