American Chemical Society National Meeting In New Orleans, April 6-10, 2008

Main Category: Conferences
Also Included In: Biology / Biochemistry
Article Date: 08 Mar 2008 - 1:00 PDT

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Blood from the American crocodile - the creature feared for attacks on people and pets - may have a new role as a medical lifesaver. Crime scene investigators get a more accurate test for gunshot residue. How research on clay is pointing the way to new rub-on medicines for stubborn antibiotic-resistant skin infections. Welcome to the "Black Gold" agriculture revolution, and its promise for feeding a hungry world.

Those are among hundreds of newsworthy topics on the agenda next month, when scientists from around the world gather in the Crescent City for the 235th national meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS). With more than 160,000 members in the United States and other countries, ACS is the world's largest scientific society.

About 12,000 researchers and others are expected for the event, one of 2008's most significant scientific conferences. It will include more than 9,000 reports on new discoveries in chemistry and other fields. Those fields span the breadth of science from astronomy to zoology, and include a special focus on health, energy, food, environment, and alternative fuels.

Among scientific reports scheduled for the meeting:

* New medicated contact lenses that deliver drugs directly to the eye for long periods.

* A new test to protect consumers from fake Tamiflu.

* Evidence that some food poisoning bacteria can't be washed off because they hide inside vegetables.

* A discovery that promises to overcome all major barriers to the hydrogen economy.

* Technology for turning waste CO2 into DVDs and CDs.

* How a kiss from ancient meteorites left its mark on humans.

* Protecting transfused blood products from the human form of Mad Cow Disease.

The meeting will include sessions cosponsored with the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE). Bruce Bursten, Ph.D., the 2008 ACS President, has selected "Energy and the Environment" as his theme and will host a keynote symposium on Monday, April 7, 2008, featuring a panel of top scientists in this area.

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Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release.
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The American Chemical Society - the world's largest scientific society - is a nonprofit organization chartered by the U.S. Congress and a global leader in providing access to chemistry-related research through its multiple databases, peer-reviewed journals and scientific conferences. Its main offices are in Washington, D.C., and Columbus, Ohio.

Source: Michael Bernstein
American Chemical Society