Top Republican: ‘Forever chemical’ bill has ‘no prospects’ in Senate | TheHill – The Hill

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SenateEnvironment and Public WorksCommittee Chairman John BarrassoJohn Anthony BarrassoOvernight Energy: Dems outline legislation to make US carbon neutral by 2050 | 2019 was second warmest year on record | Top Republican says 'forever chemical' bill won't move in Senate Top Republican: 'Forever chemical' bill has 'no prospects' in Senate GOP senators introduce resolution to change rules, dismiss impeachment without articles MORE (R-Wyo.) told Bloomberg News a House bill addressing so-called "forever chemicals" has no prospects in the Senate.

The bill, HR-535, would both force the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to set nationwide drinking water standards for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substancesoften abbreviated PFAS and require the EPA to place such chemicals on its hazardous substance list. This could potentially mean designating any contaminated location as a Superfund site, Bloomberg reported on Wednesday.

The chemicals, which derive their "forever" nickname from their resistance to breaking down in the environment, are frequently used in nonstick consumer goods and have been linked to health problems by the EPA. One studylinked PFAS with kidney and thyroid cancer along with high cholesterol and other illnesses.

Barrassosaid he specifically objected to the bills Superfund provisions, which he said go way beyond a bipartisan PFAS-related bill his Senate committee passed over the summer as an amendment to a defense spending bill.

The bill ultimately became law in December, but by that pointlanguage requiring an enforceable PFAS drinking-water standard had been removed due to objections by House Energy & Commerce Committee Chair Frank Pallone (D-N.J.).

Barrassowas not the only Republican to express skepticism about whether the bill could passthe GOP-led Senate Wednesday.

"We're back now with a partisan bill that stands no chance," Rep. Greg WaldenGregory (Greg) Paul WaldenOvernight Energy: Dems outline legislation to make US carbon neutral by 2050 | 2019 was second warmest year on record | Top Republican says 'forever chemical' bill won't move in Senate Democrats outline sweeping legislation to make U.S. carbon neutral by 2050 Top Republican: 'Forever chemical' bill has 'no prospects' in Senate MORE (R-Ore.) told reporters.

Rep. John ShimkusJohn Mondy ShimkusOvernight Energy: Dems outline legislation to make US carbon neutral by 2050 | 2019 was second warmest year on record | Top Republican says 'forever chemical' bill won't move in Senate Top Republican: 'Forever chemical' bill has 'no prospects' in Senate Koch campaign touts bipartisan group behind ag labor immigration bill MORE (R-Ill.) also expressed doubts.

"There's some Republican amendments that have been accepted," said Shimkus. "It's not enough to turn the tide on the vast majority of Republicans."

"The Superfund provision is really problematic and that's really what stopped the Senate in the final negotiation," Shimkus added.

The White House has also threatened to veto the House bill, saying it would constrain the EPA from keeping up to date on the latest scientific understanding of the chemicals.

The bill passed the House Rules Committee on Tuesday and is expected to come before the full house as early as Thursday.

-- Additional reporting by Rachel Frazin

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N.J. DEPs PFAS directive to chemical companies will take years to resolve – WHYY

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The state Department of Environmental Protection says it will take years to resolve its dispute with five chemical companies which it has accused of contaminating many areas of New Jersey with toxic PFAS chemicals.

Some nine months after issuing a strongly worded Directive to the companies to test, treat and remove the chemicals from soil and water around their facilities, the DEP issued a statement on Jan. 17 in response to a question from NJ Spotlight on why it had said nothing publicly about the initiative since announcing it in March 2019.

As one part of its ongoing efforts to protect New Jersey residents from the PFAS group of chemicals, the DEP continues to engage in discussionsand litigation with the companies named in the directive, spokesman Larry Hajna wrote in an email. These are very complex discussions that will take years to resolve in order to address PFAS contamination throughout the state.

Environmental campaigners said the DEPs new prediction that it would take years for any resolution with the chemical companies raised questions about whether it was backing away from its original demands in the face of strong pushback from the chemical industry.

The directive, based on four state environmental laws, said the companies were responsible for significant contamination of New Jerseys natural resources with PFAS chemicals including PFNA (perfluorononanoic acid), PFOS (perfluorooctanesulfonic acid) and PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid), all of which have been linked to illnesses including some cancers, immune-system problems, ulcerative colitis, and elevated cholesterol, according to state and federal studies.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) chemicals, once used in consumer products including Teflon, have been found at higher levels and in more places in New Jersey than in many other states, according to state and federal studies over the last decade. Even though they have been phased out by major U.S. chemical manufacturers, they do not biodegrade, and so represent a continuing threat to public health in waterways and soil. Campaigners call them forever chemicals.

They remain unregulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency which said it would decide by the end of 2019 whether to begin setting enforceable limits for PFOA and PFOS but has not yet done so.

On Jan. 10, the House of Representatives approved a bill that would set a deadline for the EPA to regulate the chemicals.President Trump earlier threatened to veto the billif it reaches his desk. But it may fail in the Republican-controlled Senate, according to one staffer for a New Jersey congressman.

In the absence of federal action, and with growing public concern about water contamination, some states including New Jersey have set strict health limits for some PFAS chemicals in drinking water. The DEP adopted the nations first health standard for PFNA in 2018 and is expected to officially approve limits for PFOS and PFOA soon, under pressure from advocates to do so before a proposed rule on those chemicals expires in April.

In its directive, the DEP named Solvay Specialty Polymers, E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Co., DuPont Specialty Chemicals, the Chemours Company, and 3M as having caused the contamination. It demanded a full accounting of their use of the chemicals, and ordered them to pay for testing, treatment and cleanup, arguing that that taxpayers, via the DEP, should no longer have to bear that burden.

All five companies denied they were responsible for the alleged contamination and argued that they were not obligated to pay for future cleanup. Lawyers for DuPont and Chemours said the directive was untenable and unsupported by factual findings.

In a letter obtained by NJ Spotlight via an Open Records Act request this month,Solvay denied it was liable under New Jerseys Spill Actfor PFAS contamination near its plant in West Deptford, Gloucester County, and said DEP was being unreasonable by trying to shift the cost of statewide cleanup to Solvay and the other companies.

Solvay, which voluntarily ended its use of PFNA in 2012, said it had been investigating and remediating PFAS chemicals at the site since 2013, and had already spent $25 million on the measures.

3M, in another letter obtained from the OPRA request, said DEP didnt have the statutory authority for some of its demands, and denied it was liable for funding the cleanup under New Jersey law.

Among campaigners raising questions about whether the DEP is backing away from its original demands is Tracy Carluccio, deputy director of the environmental group Delaware Riverkeeper Network, and a longtime advocate for tighter curbs on PFAS.

If New Jersey is wavering under this task and is going to shrink from its lofty announced goal, confidence in the state will be lost and people will pay the price with their health, she said.

The sweeping nature of the DEPs directive suggests it will take time to resolve the matter, and so the public at least deserves an interim report from the state attorney generals office on the status of the talks, Carluccio said.

Thats the only way the public can have confidence that the state is vigorously investigating and staying the course towards making these companies accountable for the widespread contamination they have caused, she said.

She noted that documenting PFAS contamination by DuPont in Parkersburg, West Virginia took plaintiffs attorney Robert Billott some 20 years before winning a series of jury awards for people whose illnesses were linked to the chemicals as described in his recent book Exposure, and the movie Dark Waters.

Jeff Tittel, director of the New Jersey Sierra Club, accused the DEP of failing to follow through on its directive and of now seeking a settlement that will allow corporate polluters to avoid full responsibility.

He argued that the DEP has the authority under the Spill Act to take over contaminated sites and bill the owners for cleanup, but is not acting on that.

Instead of putting force in enforcement, the DEP is hoping to delay and settle, turning this into a farce, Tittel said. They just hope the public doesnt notice. For far too long, companies like Dow and DuPont have gotten away with polluting our state. Unfortunately, it looks like this administration will let them get away with it again.

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Revamped offensive lines seeking to build chemistry for Rams, Chargers – OCRegister

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When Orlando Franklin was released in May, the Chargers offensive line didnt just lose its most veteran member. It lost something arguably just as crucial to the undefinable, yet indisputably important chemistry of an offensive line.

The Chargers linemen lost their grillmaster.

Nothing about offensive line chemistry is scientific. For how often coaches talk about it or commentators reference it, chemistry up front remains mysterious and ever-changing. Its really hard to quantify, says Chargers left tackle Russell Okung. Its not like there are metrics. But when searching for common ground among comically large and constantly hungry men, a barbecue is a pretty good place to start.

Franklin was the choice host for linemen barbecues in San Diego. His backyard in Poway, north of downtown, was a grilling oasis, with its own barbecue island, not to mention a pool, a firepit, and a giant table perfect for large men to bond over smoky, char-grilled meat.

But now, Franklin and his barbecue island are gone, along with two other starters, King Dunlap and D.J. Fluker, and the Chargers find themselves starting from scratch to conjure chemistry up front. Theyre not alone in that endeavor. The Rams opened camp this season breaking in two new starters, while switching the positions of two others. Only one starting lineman, Rodger Saffold, is in the same spot he occupied last season.

For both lines, an overhaul was certainly in order. Last year, the Rams and Chargers each ranked among the worst teams in the NFL up front, thanks to an unfortunate mix of injuries and incompetence. But while moves were made to bolster the line, rebuilding up front isnt as simple as plugging in high-priced free agents. It takes nuance, trust, and a whole lot of repetition. Even then, things dont always click.

In the majority of sports, everyone is doing their own assignment, says Matt Slauson, one of the Chargers two returning starters up front. But on the O-line, you have five guys who have to move together as one. It takes time to build that.

For years under former coach Jeff Fisher, the Rams strategy was to build chemistry through continuity up front, allowing young linemen to blossom into their positions. With Fishers firing, that formula was rightfully abandoned this offseason.

Instead, the Rams signed a new center and a new left tackle. With new offensive line coach Aaron Kromer in the fold as well, Kromer says his most important job is just figuring out how to make all the pieces fit.

Given the experience of the Rams two new offensive linemen, that shouldnt be as difficult as in years past. When Andrew Whitworth and John Sullivan reported for camp last month, they boasted 19 years of NFL experience between them.

That first day, though, the two seasoned vets joked about still having opening-day jitters. It felt like the first day of school, Sullivan says.

Since, its been seamless. The rest of the Rams offensive line cant stop raving about the impact Whitworth and Sullivan have had on chemistry.

Theyve seen it like Ive seen it, Kromer says. They just fit in right away. Theyre already able to communicate at a higher level.

As the only other veteran member of the Rams offensive line, no one is happier than Saffold, who understands better than most the constant state of flux the Rams line has been in recently. Last year, as injuries tore through the unit and other struggles wore them down, Saffold played nearly every position. Each week, he was the one answering for the Rams issues up front.

Now, things have never felt so settled, so soon. Saffold is rooming with Whitworth at camp. Their kids have already taken a trip together to Legoland. And Whitworth, whose other love is golf, has already offered to teach Saffold how to play. Saffold describes his relationship with the Rams new veteran linemen as almost telepathic.

That certainly bodes well for an offensive line that nearly got its young quarterback killed last season. Jared Goff was sacked 26 times in seven starts during his rookie season, a rate higher than any other quarterback in the NFL.

So Goff wasted no time this season trying to build the groups bond. The first week the team was together, he treated the quarterbacks and linemen to a steak dinner at Mastros in Thousand Oaks. He understands whats at stake, Whitworth says.

Still, there are kinks to be worked out, which only time together and not a smorgasbord of meat can fix. As they prepare to take on the Cowboys on Saturday, the Rams still havent solved the right side of their line. In the offseason, Rob Havenstein moved inside to right guard and Jamon Brown kicked out to right tackle a move that seemed permanent, at the time. But the two young linemen have already switched back, begging questions of the Rams plans on that side.

Havenstein contends hes more comfortable at right tackle. But hes determined to fit in either spot. Even if it isnt the simple.

Not everything is going to be perfect all the time, Rams right tackle Rob Havenstein says, but it really comes down to knowing that the guy next to you is going to have your back, no matter what.

Nowhere else in football are five lumbering giants expected to move in perfect concert. One lineman out of position can disrupt an entire lines rhythm, and each individual mistake reflects poorly on the whole. At no other position is trust as paramount.

When Slauson was a rookie in 2010, thrust into a starting role on a dominant Jets offensive line, he worked tirelessly to earn that trust. Most days, he stayed quiet, hoping to glean as much as he could from the veterans next to him. When those veterans poked and prodded him which they did often he had to earn their trust another way. As their punching bag. You cannot have soft skin as an offensive lineman, Slauson says.

Dan Feeney has tried to follow Slausons example. A third-round rookie, Feeney is one of several Chargers linemen fighting to fit into an open position up front. After fellow rookie Forrest Lamp tore his ACL in camp, leaving right guard up for grabs, Feeney has cycled back and forth from that spot to second-team center. So far, hes kept his head down. In his first training camp, he knows he cant force his way into the picture up front.

You have to let them see you work and make them want to trust you, Feeney says. That comes with a body of work. Theres still a ton I need to correct to earn that chemistry.

For now, as the Chargers continue to experiment along the line, veteran journeyman Kenny Wiggins remains the de facto starter at right guard. Wiggins may not seem like the obvious fit for a team desperate to improve up front. He was an undrafted free agent, with just nine starts currently to his name. On two of his three teams, he never saw the field.

What he does have going for him is three seasons of trust earned on the Chargers line. That, and one other thing.

Hes a heck of a griller and smoker, Slauson says.

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Chemistry – Scripps Research Institute

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Seminars

For a list of all upcoming seminars, please visit the Department of Chemistry's Lecture Series page.

The Department of Chemistry at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) was founded in 1989. Today it is a bi-coastal department with faculty at the California (La Jolla) and the Florida (Jupiter) campuses of TSRI. Its mission includes both education and training at the graduate and postdoctoral level and research and development in the chemical and biological sciences. While most research activities within the department focus primarily on biomedical research, a number of efforts are also directed toward nanotechnology, new energy sources, and the environment.

Chemistry aims to understand matter, create new forms of matter, and translate its new discoveries into useful products, as well as provide enabling technologies for other disciplines, including biology and medicine. Chemistry is indispensable as a science, for it provides the ability to understand living systems at the molecular level. Chemistry is central to the drug discovery and development process, providing the molecules that eventually become the medicines that cure and treat disease. Fuels, polymers, plastics, and other high-tech materials are also the products of chemistry. The sophistication of all these products depends on the state of the science of chemistry, particularly its ability to synthesize and understand the nature of molecules and their properties. It is essential to continue to advance the field of chemistry at the fundamental level so as to provide state-of-the-art tools to design, synthesize, and evaluate new functional molecules for specific applications. In addition to advancing the field of chemistry, faculty in the department are searching for cures for diseases, including cancer, Alzheimers and other neurodegenerative diseases, HIV-AIDS and other viral diseases, and tuberculosis and other bacterial infections. Others are developing new technologies for RNA evolution, DNA sequencing, nanomedicine, and stem cell research. Faculty are also active in the areas of total synthesis of natural products and their designed analogs, natural product discovery, biosynthesis, pathway engineering, medicinal chemistry, chemical biology, transition metal catalysis and biocatalysis, peptide and protein chemistry, as well as the discovery of new synthetic strategies and technologies. These and other endeavors aim to advance our fundamental knowledge in chemistry and to apply it for the betterment of mankind and human health.

For further details about the department and the research activities of its faculty, please visit the Chemistry California and Chemistry Florida webpages.

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Minnesota Timberwolves: Chemistry showing up on and off the court – Dunking With Wolves

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Since Gersson Rosas has been hired in the offseason, hes continued to say the team is going to go through a massive culture change. As all Minnesota Timberwolves fans know, words dont mean much until its actually being shown.

Thus far, its being executed both on and off the court.

It started by cleaning house, hiring many assistant coaches that were highly sought out throughout the league. Minnesota has a lot of new players on the roster as well; athletes that fit the mold of what theyre trying to build.

Players have stepped up into leadership roles as most of the team stayed in the Twin Cities area to practice throughout the offseason. Whereas in the past, members of the team did a lot of their stuff individually.

Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins have each been very vocal about improving their leadership skills.

Both Towns and Wiggins were influential in bringing the team to the Bahamas, which birthed the nickname of the Bahama Wolves. The Timberwolves also returned to Mankato for part of their training camp this October, something the team used to do when Flip Saunders was head coach.

The Wolves also recently had a Halloween party, which is just another event this team has put on to bond together.

Overall, the offseason created a lot of excitement amongst fans as they got to see how cohesive this group was. That cohesion, along with Karl-Anthony Towns playing at an MVP level, has led to Minnesotas hot start this season.

Minnesota is atop the Western Conference standings at 3-0, which is their second best start in franchise history.

The team is playing well on both sides of the floor as their offensive rating of111.0 points per 100 possessionsis good for third and the defense sits in 12th place with a rating of 102.1.

Theyre also putting up 121.3 points per game, which is the fourth-highest mark in the NBA, thanks in large part to their ball movement as theyve averaged 25.7 assists per contest, good for sixth in the league.

When Wiggins made four straight 3s to ice the game against the Miami Heat, he was met by a celebratory mob from his teammates.

This is the sort of stuff that shows how tight-knit this group is. Wiggins had been struggling from three and has had two downs years, but after this run the team met him to show theyre with him the entire way. Thats exactly what Wiggins had to say afterwards:

Want your voice heard? Join the Dunking With Wolves team!

Its only been three games, but it looks like the efforts to change the culture both on and off the court have succeeded thus far.

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Joyce Krusa named top chemistry teacher – Stevens Point Journal

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For USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin 8:36 a.m. CT May 25, 2017

Pacelli High School teacher Joyce Krusa is pictured with Gary Shulfer, UW-Stevens Point chemistry professor and chair of the American Chemical Society-Central Wisconsin Section, after she was honored as the Chemistry Teacher of the Year by the organization.(Photo: Courtesy of Pacelli Catholic Schools)

STEVENS POINT - Pacelli High School teacher Joyce Krusa recently received the Chemistry Teacher of the Year award from theCentral Wisconsin Section of the American Chemical Society, a regional group of chemistry educators and professionals covering the central and northcentral Wisconsin region.

This year [the] ACS-Central Wisconsin Chapter has chosenan outstanding high school chemistry teacher that [is] deserving of special recognition, said Gary Shulfer, Chair of ACS-Central Wisconsin Chapter and University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point chemistry professor, in the recent edition of the chapters newsletter.

Krusa has spent over 15 years of her professional life in science education, according to a release, and over 30 percent of her students pursue undergraduate degrees in science-related fields. She has taken on a large role in developing theSTEM and Project Lead the Waycurriculum at Pacelli, implementing both engineering and biomedical engineering tracks.

Currently, one of Krusa'sstudents is finishing a two-year STEM capstone internship with a local manufacturer, one of very few internships of this type for high school students in the state of Wisconsin.

Krusa was nominated for the award by a former student, according to the release. She was honored at theannual ACS-Central Wisconsin Chapter awards banquet on May 11 at Draganettis Ristorante in Eau Claire.

For my peers to recognize me for this award is one of the highlights of my teaching career, said Krusa in the release.

Pacelliprincipal Larry Theiss also submitted a recommendation letter on Krusas behalf.

She constantly strives to create projects and lessons that draw they students into the learning making it fun, engaging, and interesting, said Theiss in his letter. She challenges them to expand their understanding in order to help them achieve higher levels of understanding and critical thinking.

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American Chemistry Council: Obstructing Formaldehyde Safeguards Then and Now – Union of Concerned Scientists (blog)

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Photo: DeAntre Bryant/UCS

The chemical industry has once again staved off federal action that would protect public health, as the EPA announced last week that it would be delaying compliance dates for the long-awaited formaldehyde emission standards for composite wood productsstandards that were finalized in December 2016. This is the latest move brought to you by an industry with a long history of attacking science and an administration willing to do its bidding.

Its no surprise that industry employs tactics like manufacturing doubt, attacking scientists, and influencing policymakers in a calculated effort to delay or halt science-based safeguards. Under the Trump administration, we have already seen a host of important policies rooted in strong science rolled back or delayed, including stronger beryllium, silica, ozone, and methane standards, stream protection requirements for mining operations, vehicle fuel economy standards, coal plant wastewater standards, risk management program amendments, and mercury and air toxics standards.

Last week, The New York Times reported on the way in which Administrator Scott Pruitts EPA has loosened its regulatory grip on the business community, and especially the oil and gas industry with which Pruitt has longstanding financial ties. The President of the Western Energy Alliance, an association of oil and gas companies, told the NYT, We are so used to not being able to move an agenda forward that it has been very surprising how quickly things have changed.

But what does it mean for us when industry moves its agenda forwardespecially when that agenda involves stopping the creation of evidence-based limits for chemicals, proven unsafe, that will make their way into our homes or drinking water?

The binders used to glue together wood fibers in particleboard, plywood, and other building materials often contain formaldehyde. Photo: Rotor_DB/Creative Commons (Wikimedia).

Formaldehyde is a colorless, flammable chemical widely used in building materials, medicinal and personal care products, and furnishings. Fumes from these products can be harmful to human health, especially when they accumulate indoors at high concentrations. Acute exposure can lead to nausea, headaches, and eye, nose, throat and skin irritation, even asthma exacerbation. Chronic exposure has been linked to cancers in humans, including cancers of the nose and throat, lymphomas, and leukemia. In 2004, the International Agency for Research on Cancer concluded that formaldehyde is a human carcinogen, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services listed it is as a known human carcinogen in 2011.

Health impacts have been understood since the 1980s, and yet over thirty years later, there are no federal restrictions on formaldehyde emissions in the home. Without standards in place, public health is at risk. Back in 2005, the cheaply constructed emergency trailers that housed Hurricane Katrina refugees were found to have unsafe levels of formaldehyde, earning them the toxic trailers nickname, while inhabitants already dealing with displacement in the midst of an environmental disaster suffered from respiratory problems, burning eyes, and other ailments. Without controls on formaldehyde emissions, these trailers have been resold and some were even used as temporary housing for workers cleaning up the BP oil spill in the gulf in 2010. Wood products used to build and remodel homes across the country can still contain formaldehyde at potentially unsafe levels.

Then

The trade organization representing chemical companies including the makers of formaldehyde, the American Chemistry Council (ACC), worked to downplay the risks of the chemical and to delay and otherwise thwart the formaldehyde emissions rule as it was first being proposed and finalized by the EPA. The ACC created a website that touts the environmental benefits of formaldehyde, casts doubt on established health studies linking exposure to a range of ailments, and assures consumers that voluntary industry standards were strong enough to protect them. The ACC also persuaded Congress to commission the National Academies of Science to reevaluate EPA science on formaldehyde, resulting in a delay in the process lasting 3 years and reaching the same conclusion that formaldehyde should be listed as known to be a human carcinogen.

The ACC even got involved with White House-level review. In 2012, the White House Office of Management and Budget meeting record shows that it had at least five meetings with industry executives, their lobbyists, and ACC-financed lawmakers (like Senator Vitter), asking them to halt the EPA proposal, which apparently worked. After OMB-review, the EPA deleted from its cost-benefit analysis the benefits of reduced health ailments like asthma and fertility issues that a formaldehyde standard would have prevented, dropping the benefits from $278 million to $48 million annually.

Now

The formaldehyde emissions rule was issued by the EPA in December 2016, and the ACC has continued to deny the science used by the EPA and to lobby the EPA and Congress on the issue. The ACC spent nearly $1.5 million lobbying agencies and Congress on a host of issues in just the first quarter of 2017 (January to March), including on formaldehyde, hexavalent chromium, the nomination of EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt, EPAs Science Advisory Board, the HONEST Act, the Regulatory Accountability Act, Risk Management Program amendments, and even FY 2018 appropriations for the EPA.

Just this month, a study was issued that was funded by the Foundation for Chemistry Research and Initiatives (FCRI), a nonprofit organization established by the ACC. According to its financial filings the nonprofit works to address uncertainties and answer questions on health and environmental issues, taking on projects that will furnish crucial information, peer-reviewed scientific research, expert panels, and workshops to inform policy. FCRI granted a total of $425,294 of its revenue (which comes entirely from ACC)to study formaldehyde in 2012 and $425,114 to Environ International Corporation (now Ramboll Environ) and other consulting firms and research institutions to reevaluate formaldehyde data in 2014. Environ International has been called a hired gun by former OSHA administrator David Michaels, and the firm has been commissioned by several corporations to contribute to the scientific literature, including notorious tobacco company R.J. Reynolds (now Reynolds American Incorporated Services Company) and the Industrial Health Foundation (a former trade organization for industrial facilities), conducting studies with conclusions that downplayed the risks of menthol cigarettes and hexavalent chromium.

This FCRI issued grants led to several studies that helped to sow uncertainty about the potential of long-term exposure to formaldehyde to cause myeloid leukemia. A 2013 study by Environ authors funded by the FCRI and Momentive Special Chemicals Inc. (now Hexion Specialty Chemicals, Inc.), a formaldehyde-producing chemical company, used FOIA-obtained data to refute findings suggesting a link between formaldehyde exposure and leukemia. Earlier this month, the ACC touted another FCRI-funded study with the headline new study challenges formaldehyde cancer findings, after the study built upon its 2013 work and concluded that there was no causal association between formaldehyde and leukemia, of course not mentioning the very clear conflict of interest at hand. The ACC has used this study to urge the EPA not to characterize formaldehyde as linked to leukemia development.

For years now, no matter how strong the scientific consensus around an issue is, the ACC has continuously worked to obscure scientific findings and obstruct policies that are designed to protect public health and safety, all to save chemical companies time and money.

Photo: FEMA

For people like Becky Gillette, this rules enforcement cannot come soon enough. She told the New York Times, People think
that just because Congress passed the legislation five years ago, the problem has been fixed, said Becky Gillette, a Mississippi resident affected by Hurricane Katrina who was one of the first people to notice that the FEMA trailers were causing health problems. Real peoples faces and names come up in front of me when I think of the thousands of people who could get sick if this rule is not done right.

The EPAs final formaldehyde emissions rule estimates that 132 million individuals will be living in housing units where composite wood products have been installed within the past 11 years. Considering that population, the implementation of this rule will help prevent 26 to 64 nasopharyngeal cancer cases and 92,218 to 604,155 cases of eye irritation annually. These counts dont even take into consideration other health ailments and types of cancer. A delay of just three months in implementation could mean the difference between cancer diagnoses and clean bills of health for at least eight Americans with faces and names.

Theres still a chance to tell EPA to leave the compliance dates alone and move forward with the rule. The EPA is accepting comments on its decision until June 8.

For more on the American Chemistry Councils history of fighting policies that regulate chemicals produced by its member companies (think BPA, silica, and flame retardants), even when scientific evidence points to adverse health or environmental impacts, check out our 2015 report Bad Chemistry: How the Chemical Industrys Trade Association Undermines the Policies that Protect Us.

Posted in: Science and Democracy Tags: American Chemistry Council, Conflict of Interest, formaldehyde

Support from UCS members make work like this possible. Will you join us? Help UCS advance independent science for a healthy environment and a safer world.

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American Chemistry Council: Obstructing Formaldehyde Safeguards Then and Now - Union of Concerned Scientists (blog)

Grizzly Diet Has Several Surprises, Bear Hair Chemistry Shows – Scientific American

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Chemical content of bears hair reveals surprising eating habits

Researchers from Canada and the US have revealed new insights into the eating habits and hair-growth patterns of a wild grizzly bear population, by analysing the chemical content of their fur.

The team led by Garth Mowat, the head of the Canadian governments Natural Resource Science Section in the Kootenay region of British Columbia, was studying the dietary patterns of grizzlies around the provinces Stikine river. By examining the ratios of different isotopes of carbon, nitrogen and sulfur in the samples, the researchers could determine what proportion of vegetation, fish, or land mammals like moose and mountain goats made-up the bears diet.

While researchers sometimes look at animals droppings to learn about their eating habits, Mowat explains that this method is not always accurate. What you have in the scat is what they didnt absorb, and so theres a strong bias against foods that are highly digestible, he says. So for example salmon was regularly underestimated in the diet because it almost doesnt appear in the scats. To overcome this issue, scientists regularly turn to laboratory-based methods, such as isotope analysis, for more precise measurements

The team set up traps that could snag a few hairs from a grizzly bears back as it scratched itself on a tree trunk, or made its way down a trail to a feeding ground. Back in the lab, the isotopic analyses brought some unexpected results.

Surprisingly, even during the peak of the salmon season many bears shun the river, choosing instead to continue foraging for vegetation. That was the most intriguing result to us. We thought that any bear that lives within walking distance of the salmon stream would go down and eat some salmon, says Mowat.

While some female bears with cubs, and smaller males, might avoid the salmon streams to duck confrontation with aggressive larger males, Mowat points out that in other coastal regions, smaller bears still manage to eat salmon from very young ages.

Throughout the year, bears diets shift from protein-rich to fattier foodstuffs, as they build up their fat reserves for the winter. Because carbon-13 is often depleted in fatty tissues, this complicated the researchers task, as they would observe significant variation in isotope patterns among hairs from individual bears.

Once they have satisfied their protein needs, they will start focusing on the parts of the animal that are high in fat, because transferring fat to fat fish fat to bear fat is the most efficient chemical pathway, says Mowat. [A salmons] brain is mostly fat, so they break the skull open and eat the brain. The roe is high in fat, and then the skin, even though it doesnt seem very good to eat to us, is largely fat. These selective eating habits meant that Mowats team would often come across gruesome scenes of skinned and decapitated salmon carcasses strewn across the banks of the river.

They also found that the wild bears hair grew later in the year than previously thought. Previously, it was believed that the regions grizzly bears started growing their thicker winter coats from May or June. However, the presence of the isotopic signature of salmon consumption in longer hair samples showed that in fact the bears started to grow their thicker coats later in the summer, as it would not be possible for this signature to appear before the salmon had returned to the Stikine. This finding has important implications for other researchers who want to study bear behaviour by analysing their hair.

One of their more important observations is that some bears dont start growing hair until late in the summer. Weve done a lot of the basic research regarding stable isotopes and their use on bears by doing feeding studies with captive bears, says Charles Robbins, an expert on grizzly bears from Washington State University, US. While we can initiate new hair growth in May if we feed plenty of food, we can also delay it into August and September by feeding at levels where the bears either just maintain their weight or slightly lose weight. Many field researchers have wanted to section hair to look at diets throughout the hair growing season, but Ive warned them that they need to fully understand the temporal aspects of hair growth and not assume when hair starts growing.

Jeff Curtis, an environmental scientist from the University of British Colombia, whose lab ran much of the isotopic analyses, explains that his team are now using these techniques to track the habits of other animals. In particular, they have been tracking European starlings an invasive species in North America that cause severe damage to food crops. Weve been using a multi-element approach to identify where young starlings immigrate from to damage crops, and they are what they eat weve been able to basically determine where to concentrate those efforts to try to control them, says Curtis.

This article is reproduced with permission fromChemistry World. The article wasfirst publishedon May 10, 2017.

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Grizzly Diet Has Several Surprises, Bear Hair Chemistry Shows - Scientific American

Let’s Talk Lax column: Chemistry, leadership giving Beverly girls lacrosse a boost – The Salem News

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The Big Panther/Little Panther program has been an on-and-off tradition employed by the Beverly High girls lacrosse program in recent seasons.

The program consists of Beverly veteran players adopting underclassmen on the team, taking them under their wing and helping them through their early high school years be it on the field, in the classrooom, or concerning matters that have nothing to do with either. Its not only a way of guidance, but of also serving as a helping hand.

The elder Panthers decided to bring the tradition back this spring as a way of building team chemistry and incorporating their younger, talented teammates into the fold after losing 12 seniors to graduation. Senior captains Maeve Blake, Amanda Rosenberger and Marita Smallman knew in order to be competitive again this season, theyd need to rely upon freshmen and sophomores developing into key contributors.

We had a lot of young talent that had big roles to play, said Blake. We knew they couldnt do that without the help of the older players, so that was our main focus.

Every youngster on the BHS varsity has an upperclassman to look to should they need help or guidance.

The veterans recalled such a program being implemented when they were freshmen by head coach Alyson Healey, but had fallen by the wayside in the past season or two.

Its been a really strong team dynamic of everybody working toward the same goals, said Blake. Were fortunate enough to have so much young talent, but with that has to come confidence. And they have to want to play for their seniors and want to play for the next three years.

The result? The Panthers have a 11-6 record in large part because of many underclassmen in the lineup stepping up and realizing their potential.

The team feel chemistry is its biggest strength; everybody cares for one another. It makes them want to make that extra play, scoop through that ground ball, or make that extra pass.

With its 10th win Tuesday (a 15-7 win at Danvers), Beverly qualified for the state tournament and matched its win total from 2016. The Panthers still have three games to play in the regular season before the Division 1 North sectional begins.

We have such a good relationship off the field; its so easy to bring that onto the field, said Smallman. So having the big Panther-little Panther with that definitely helped.

If you want proof of progress made by the Garden City underclassmen, look no further than the scoresheet. Two of the Panthers top three scorers are sophomores, with Sabrina Beaudry leading the team with 43 points. Brooke Baekey has 34, four behind senior Darcy McAuliffe for second on the squad. Baekey leads the team with 11 assists.

Beaudry, who has 41 goals, has been one of the top goal scorers on the North Shore this spring, including six tallies in Tuesdays win against Danvers. The sophomore feels the welcoming atmosphere set by the seniors have radiated throughout the team, creating a bond off the field that has translated to success on it.

When we have chemistry off the field, that definitely plays a role in our chemistry on the field, said Beaudry. And we just want to work together. Were happy for each other; even if youre not the one that makes the play, youre happy for your teammate.

There was a little sense of unknown for Beverly going into the season, with so many seniors gone and so many young players in the lineup. That is no longer the case, thanks in large part to the ownership the senior leaders took and the response it generated from the rest of the group.

We have bunch of girls who are willing to do things that dont show up on the scoreboard or in the stats book, and we try to praise that as much as possible, said Healey. And I think with our captains, theyve had to work really hard to get where they are. Its not just in this sport; theyre three-sport athletes, so they know what it takes to win games and be at the top. Im very impressed with them.

Ipswich dropped its first game last Thursday in a 11-8 setback to Newburyport in a battle of undefeated clubs. The Tigers bounced back nicely, however, scoring a season-high 20 goals their next outing against Cape Ann League rival North Reading before knocking off Division 1 heavyweight Chelmsford, 13-11, on Tuesday.

In the win against Chelmsford, Julia Glavin scored three goals and added two assists to eclipse the 100-point mark for the season, the first player on the North Shore to do so. She now has 60 goals and 104 points. Shes now the running for a rare Triple Crown, as shes tied for the area lead in goals while leading in assists (44) and points.

Peabody took the Danish Cup from crosstown rival Bishop Fenwick, scoring an 11-4 win on Saturday. After beating Methuen 10-7 on Tuesday, the Tanners have won eight straight and now stand at 12-2 . . . Kenzie Vasque notched her 100th career goal for Pingree on Monday in the Highlanders 15-3 win over Lexington Christian Academy.

Lets Talk Lax, a column on North Shore high school girls lacrosse, appears each Thursday in The Salem News during the spring sports season. Contact staff writer Pat ORourke at porourke@salemnews.com and follow him on Twitter @PatORourke_29.

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Let's Talk Lax column: Chemistry, leadership giving Beverly girls lacrosse a boost - The Salem News

CPS High School Students Would Have To Take Chemistry, Physics To Graduate – DNAinfo

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Chemistry could become a requirement for graduation from CPS. View Full Caption

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CHICAGO To earn a high school diploma, Chicago high school students would have to take chemistry and physics in addition to biology, under a new proposal unveiled Tuesday by Chicago Public Schools officials.

Current students have to earn three science credits to meet the requirements for graduation, but only one must be from a biology class. The other two credits can now be earned by taking a combination of chemistry, earth and space science, environmental science and physics.

If the tougher requirements are approved as expected Wednesday by the Board of Education, students entering high school in the 2018-19 academic year would still have to earn at least three science credits but they would have to be in biology, chemistry and physics classes.

The new requirements are designed to ensure all students have "access to a rigorous science education" and "better prepare students for careers in science fields," officials said.

In addition, high school students will have to take a financial literacy class that prepares them "with the knowledge and skills to make empowered financial decisions."

The requirement will apply to students who enter high school in the fall, officials said. Schools will develop their own curriculum, and the class will be offered pass or fail, officials said.

In addition, the board is poised to adopt a new requirement that would prevent high school students from graduating unless they can prove they have plan in place for college, a trade school or a job.

Current freshmen who are set graduate in 2020 would be the first to be required to provide a plan. All students who graduate from CPS high schools are automatically granted admission to the City Colleges of Chicago.

Emanuel has said the current kindergarten through 12th grade model for education has not been relevant for nearly 20 years.

"We are moving to a pre-kindergarten through college model," Emanuel said.

However, Emanuel's plan was blasted by some who said it was irresponsible for the cash-strapped district to impose new requirements on schools and teachers when it is not providing adequate resources to meet students' minimum needs.

The proposal to toughen high school graduation requirements come a month after the Board of Education adopted a new requirement that will require all eighth-grade students to apply to high school rather than just enrolling at their neighborhood high school.

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CPS High School Students Would Have To Take Chemistry, Physics To Graduate - DNAinfo

Red Sox Notes: Injuries Preventing Boston From Building Chemistry, Momentum – NESN.com

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The Boston Red Sox suffered a second consecutive frustrating loss to the Baltimore Orioles, falling 4-2 to the Os on Saturday night at Camden Yards.

Steven Wrights struggles on the mound continued, but Boston didnt help itself with the bats either. The Red Sox only recorded six hits in the contest, two of which came from center fielderJackie Bradley Jr.

The Sox were without star second baseman Dustin Pedroia for Saturday nights game. The veteran infielder was forced to leave Fridays game in the eighth inning after he was spiked by a Manny Machado slide.

Pedroias knee injury adds to the list of ailments the team has faced this season. As fans will remember, the Sox were ripped apart by a violent flu bug to start the season, which caused several players to miss games including Mookie Betts, Hanley Ramirez and Robbie Ross Jr.

And just as those players returned to full health, the injury bug bit the Red Sox yet again. Jackie Bradley Jr. was struck with a right knee injury and missed several games before returning to the lineup Friday. Bradleys return was met with another departure, though, as Brock Holt was put on the 10-day disabled list because of vertigo.

While injuries and ailments are part of the game, the Red Sox have faced an inordinate amount on the young season. As a result, the team hasnt been able to send out its most preferred lineup, which barely has been featured through the first 18 games.

The consistent mixing and matching thus far presumably has had an affect on the teams chemistry and inability to build momentum. Its tough to get into a groove when youre consistently losing players for spurts of time.

Luckily for Boston, Pedroias injury isnt believed to be too serious and a DL stint probably wont be necessary. The Red Sox surely are hoping they can get everyone back sooner rather than later and start to get the ball rolling.

Here are some other notes from Red Sox-Orioles.

Bradley provided the only offensive spark for Boston on Saturday night. The center fielder crushed a two-run bomb all the way to Eutaw Street in Baltimore and gave the Sox an early 2-0 lead. He also was the only Red Sox player to record multiple hits.

Wrights poor fourth inning thwarted his chance of recording a quality start. The knuckleballer tossed three scoreless innings to start the game before imploding in the fourth. Hed give up four runs in the frame, including back-to-back jacks from Trey Mancini and Jonathan Schoop. The one tough inning has become a theme for Red Sox starters this season.

Heath Hembree kept Boston in the ballgame and gave it a real chance to win. After Wrights short outing, the right-hander hurled 3 1/3 scoreless innings in which he only allowed two Orioles to reach base. In 11 1/3 innings of work this season, Hembree has only allowed two runs and struck out 13.

Though Bradley went yard, Bostons lack of power continues to be an issue. JBJs longball only was Bostons seventh of the season, which is dead last in Major League Baseball. To put that in perspective, five players already have seven home runs or more this season, and Wright himself has given up seven round-trippers in four starts.

After playing in the first 17 games for the Red Sox, Andrew Benintendi got the night off Saturday. Mitch Moreland is now the lone Sox player who has yet to have a day off.

Thumbnail photo via Evan Habeeb/USA TODAY Sports Images

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The Nuggets’ team chemistry will be an interesting thing to watch. – Nugg Love

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Jan 19, 2017; San Antonio, TX, USA; Denver Nuggets shooting guard Jamal Murray (27) reacts after a shot against the San Antonio Spurs during the first half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Rookie Campaign Recap: Malik Beasley by Mathew Huff

Mar 8, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Juancho Hernangomez (41) and guard Jameer Nelson (1) defend against Washington Wizards forward Otto Porter Jr. (22) in the second quarter at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

The Denver Nuggets team chemistry was a topic from this season that did not get a lot of recognition. Despite this fact, Nuggets fans knew this was a hot button issue.

Want your voice heard? Join the Nugg Love team!

There were signs from the year that pointed to them possibly completely falling apart and there were also signs that pointed to them being a band of brothers.

Some of the incidents that showed a potential rift in the team were when Coach Malone called out the team for having a lack of leadership after a tough loss to the Sacramento Kings. This resulted in Danilo Gallinari disagreeing with him in another interview. Instant red flag right there.

Then, there was also numerous rumors about Wilson Chandler being discontent with his role on the team. Granted, they were only rumors, but it still concerned all of Nuggets Nation. However, there were still good moments that showed signs of improving team chemistry.

There were numerous instances where the players played jokes on one of the players coming out of the locker room for warm ups, many of those instances instigated by the Joker himself, Nikola Jokic. I know this is a small thing, but when a team is seen having fun in this way within reason, it shows that these guys are developing an unbreakable bond. It also is a sign of a team with healthy chemistry and gets along well with everyone on the team.

Going forward, with such a young crop of talent, this chemistry could grow into something more special. It will be an underrated catalyst in helping them reach the post season in the near future. When one thinks of team chemistry in the NBA, one team they instantly think of is the San Antonio Spurs. Teammate chemistry is an underrated and overlooked aspect, but the Spurs are one of the most successful teams because of it. It is just one of many reasons, but it is still an integral part of their success.

Going forward, it will be interesting to see if the Nuggets are able to mold a similar chemistry within their team.

They certainly have the potential to do so and it will aid the Nuggets in becoming a threat in the Western Conference.

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The Nuggets' team chemistry will be an interesting thing to watch. - Nugg Love

Protecting Coral Reefs With Some Clever Chemistry – American Council on Science and Health

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How many of these tropical fish can you name? If you're an avid snorkeleror scuba diver, probably all of them (1). Seeing them in their natural habitat - a coral reef - is anamazing experience.But, the fish that you might see insalt water aquariums (usuallynot these) may have gotten there in a way that is also amazing, but not in a good way.

This is because of a barbaric method of catching tropical fish, which not only kills many of the fish before they get to your tank, but also does significant damages to coral reefsabout the last thing the world needs. The method is called cyanide fishing, and it is comparable to slash and burn agriculture that threatensrain forests.

Cyanide Fishing - An ecological travesty Photo: Vice

Above is an example of how it is done. In order to make it easier tocollect tropical fish, diversswim down to shallowreefs with a bottle of cyanide solution, and spray around thereefthe home to an enormous variety oftropical fish. The cyanide stuns the fish, making it easy to collect them. Then they are brought to the surface, where they are revived in sea water. Some of them recover, some don't. But the real damage is done to the reef. The fish at least have a fighting chance, but the reefs do not. Cyanide fishing is one of the causes of coral bleaching, which is occurringat an alarming rate in many tropical waters. It is estimated that 500 metric tons (2,3,4) of cyanide is used annually in the Philippines alone.

A cyanide-bleached reef in the Philippines Photo: The Nature Picture Library.

So, how do you stop this abomination? It is illegal, but much of Southeast Asia - the area where most cyanide fishing takes place -is impoverished. The combination ofa $200 million global market for pet tropical fish (5), and poverty make poaching of these fish inevitable, and enforcement of this illegal practice a real challenge. But now, some clever analytical chemistry, which was reportedat the 2017 American Chemistry Society meeting in San Francisco may provide a tool to identify fish that were caught in thismanner, and identify areas where it was used.

The research, which makes use of the disciplines of analytical chemistry, toxicity, andmetabolism, was presented at the meeting by Professor Clifford Murphy of Roger Williams University. Murphy and colleagues described a very sensitive method of detection, which makes use of dye-sensitised solar cells,can measure low concentrations ofthiocyanatein water.

An enzyme in the fish called rhodaneseis known to detoxifycyanide by converting itthe less toxicthiocyanate anion, so the detection ofthiocyanate, either in the fish (3) or the water near the reef is evidence that cyanide was used.Murphy's group invented an easy and sensitive method to detect thiocyanate at concentrations there are up tothree-times lower than current methods. The method employs electrochemistry, and involves simply dipping the detector into the waterand observing a change in color and/or electrical current a positive sign for thiocyanate.

"If you're going to forensically determine that a fish has been caught by cyanide fishing, it would be really helpful to have a portable device so you can test for it on site when fishing boats return to the docks."

Professor Clifford Murphy

Here's how it works.

Porphyrins arestructurallyunusual, but essentialclass of biomolecules, whichare miracles of nature that areresponsible for multiple life processes in animals and plants. They consist of four pyrrolerings that are connected in a way that all four nitrogen atoms are pointing at thecavity in the middle of the molecule (Figure below). Metal ions fit into the cavity, and are held in place by the nitrogen atoms, a type of binding called coordination. The complexes ofmetals andporphyrins, which are called a metalloporphrin, are ubiquitous and biologically essential. They act as transporters, delivering the metal to the site that it is needed to perform a specific function.For example, ironthe metal in hemoglobinhas a strong affinity for oxygen, so it is not surprising that hemoglobin is the transporter of oxygen inthe blood of vertebrates. When the metal is magnesium, the function is different conversion oflight into energy (photosynthesis).

Murphy and his colleagues described a very sensitive method of detection,using materials similar todye-sensitized solar cells, can measure low concentrations of thiocyanate in water.. When thiocyanate is present, it binds to and reacts with the iron in the metalloporphrin. The sensor turns from purple to grayand generates a tiny electrical current. Measurement of the amount of current can quantitatively determine the amount of thiocyanate that is present in the water. Very cool.

Schematic drawing of the thiocyanate detector. Courtesy of Dr. Clifford Murphy

The sensor can be used in either of two ways. First, it candetect thiocyanate in the ocean, which can identify areas where cyanide fishing have been used. Murphy's group tested this by collecting water samples from Narragansett Bay. They added different amounts of thiocyanate and dipped the sensor into the salt water, and determined that it could measure thiocyanate concentrations in the range of1 to 5parts per billion, about 2-3 times more sensitive than previous detection systems.

Second, the sensor can also be used to identify which fish have been caught with cyanide. Fish detoxify cyanide rather slowly (over the course of a few days), and excrete the thiocyanate in urine. So, when afish is placed in clean water, the absence or presence of thiocyanate is a surrogate marker for whether cyanide fishing was used to catch it.

Good for them. Our coral reefs are in bad enough shape in many areas of the world. We do not need to make thingsworse by dumping 500 tons of cyanide into the ocean, andkilling healthy reefsso that people can have pretty fish tanks. Enough already.

Notes:

(1) Here are the answers:

Note: The fish in the photos are not meant to be a representation of those that are found in aquariums, or were necessarily caught using cyanide. They arejust some of my favorites.

(Anyone have a favorite snorkeling site they'd like to share?)

(2) Rubec PJ, Cruz F, Pratt V, Oellers R, McCullough B, et al. (2001) Cyanide-free net-caught fish for the marine aquarium trade. Aquarium Sci Conserv 3: 3751.PJ RubecF. CruzV. PrattR. OellersB. McCullough2001Cyanide-free net-caught fish for the marine aquarium trade.Aquarium Sci Conserv33751

(3) Sadovy YJ, Donaldson TJ, Graham TR, McGilvray F, Muldoon GJ, et al. (2003) While stocks last: The live reef food fish trade: Asian Development Bank, Philippines. 169 p.YJ SadovyTJ DonaldsonTR GrahamF. McGilvrayGJ Muldoon2003While stocks last: The live reef food fish trade: Asian Development Bank, Philippines169

(4) deRivera C, Hitchcock N, Teck S, Steves B, Hines A, et al. (2007) Larval development rate predicts range expansion of an introduced crab. Marine Biology 150: 12751288.C. deRiveraN. HitchcockS. TeckB. StevesA. Hines2007Larval development rate predicts range expansion of an introduced crab.Marine Biology15012751288

(5) Some of the fish caught in this manner are also eaten.

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Protecting Coral Reefs With Some Clever Chemistry - American Council on Science and Health

Chemistry Hiring Delays Favor Temps – The Oberlin Review

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As a longtime member of OberlinCollege Office and ProfessionalEmployees, Office and ProfessionalEmployees InternationalUnion, local 502, I would like toexpress my dismay at how the recentsearch for a new administrativeassistant for the Chemistrydepartment has been handled.Not only was the posting of theposition unnecessarily delayedfor many months, contrary to languagein the contract between theCollege and the Union, but the internalcandidates for the positionwere misinformed about certainparameters of the job during the interviews, necessitating the repostingof the position and furtherdelaying the process. Could it bethat the rumors are true, that theChemistry department will dowhatever they want, including violatingthe contract and the rightsof OCOPE members, to keep thetemp for as long as they want? Ido not wish to cast any aspersionson the good name of the workerwho is temping in the Chemistrydepartment. I knew her when sheworked in Mudd library as an undergraduate,and she bears no culpabilityin this matter.

Oberlin College and its lawyersnegotiated a contract with themembers of OCOPE. Every word inthat contract was thoroughly vettedand approved by the Collegeadministrators and lawyers, andboth sides agreed to the contractand signed it. I understand completelythat the business of the Collegemust continue, but the agreementthat the College negotiatedand signed with a group of its employeesmust also be upheld. Whenone party in an agreement decidesthat it can disregard with impunitya mutually agreed upon contract,it is making a powerful statement.Does Oberlin College really wish tosay that its word means nothing,that when it signs a contract or anagreement it cannot be relied uponto uphold its end of the bargain?

The current delays concerningthe Chemistry department positionsmack of incompetence or deliberatedelay tactics. The deans andmanagers of Oberlin College haveshown little evidence to OCOPEthat they are willing to apprise andinform supervisors of the parametersunder which an importantgroup of employees of this institutionwork or of their responsibilitieswith regards to job searchesand management of employees ingeneral. It is not sufficient for HRand the College attorney to enterinto an agreement if the supervisorswho must also administerthat agreement are not informedof the details of the agreement orchoose to ignore those details withimpunity and negatively impactthe ways in which they interact ona daily basis with employees.

The delay of the hiring processhas been blamed on OCOPE in anumber of meetings. OCOPE requesteda statement from the Collegeexplaining that the delay wascaused by the department chairsnot interviewing in a timely fashionwith total disregard to the terms ofour collective bargaining agreement.That has not yet happened.

Michael B. Palazzolo

OCOPE Personnel Coordinator

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Chemistry Hiring Delays Favor Temps - The Oberlin Review

Great chemistry keying Lowell – Lowell Sun Online – Lowell Sun

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The Lowell High boys volleyball team from left, front: Jackie Kho, Randy Pang, Ricky Kho, Calvin Yonn, Chance Ly. Rear: Julien Tang, Eddy Olu, Sokunbuth Ly, Aakash Patel, Brendan Di, Sabriel Mendoza, Adriel Garcia, Desmond Dao, Alex Salvat and Charles Tran. SUN/JULIA MALAKIE

LOWELL -- The Lowell High boys volleyball team has quickly served notice that it's a force to be reckoned with this spring.

Lowell is off to a sizzling 6-1 start with signature victories over perennial Merrimack Valley Conference powers Chelmsford and Lawrence. This early-season spike in success has a resurgent Lowell club, which finished with a 10-11 record last year, playing at a high level while gaining altitude in the league standings.

With six seniors leading the way, each of whom has bought into head coach Paul McCarthy's team-first philosophy, the Red Raiders have shown there's no limit to what a group can accomplish when it plays as a unit.

"This is our best start since I've been here," said McCarthy, who has been involved with the Red Raiders' program on and off since 1995.

Practicing their skills during Wednesday's practice were Mendoza, front left, Olu, right, and Di, center. The Red Raiders are off to a strong 6-1 start to their season after besting Malden. SUN/JULIA MALAKIE

"They're getting the job done on and off the court. I've passed around papers to their teachers looking to see how they are doing in school. So many of these papers are returned to me with the words, 'Just a pleasure to have in class.' It's the same way in the gym, too. These guys put a smile on my face every day."

This Red Raider revival is being spearheaded by co-captains Brendan Di and Randy Pang, who have lifted their level of play and helped carry their teammates up with them.

"This team is pretty good," said Di, a middle/outside hitter with over 50 kills. "We're better than we've been in past years. We have real good chemistry. Team chemistry means everything in volleyball. To set up passes and hits, you have to know how everyone plays. The better the chemistry, the better the team plays."

Lowell's entire roster is made up of upperclassmen. Nearly all of these players have a good amount of varsity playing time and the blissful convergence of talent and experience that is taking place shows in the Red Raiders' record.

"I've seen the program being built up the last couple of years," said Pang, a senior setter with 105 assists. "We've come a long way. We've improved each year. This year everything is coming together. We have lots of good players. We're really playing well right now."

Much like the city of Lowell itself, this talented group of Red Raiders is ethnic, proud and willing to put in the work it takes to reach its long-term goals.

"I like the fact we have many nationalities here," said McCarthy, who credits assistant Brandon Seng with playing an important role in the fast start. "It's a melting pot. It's just like Lowell High. They're all great friends who are following in the footsteps of the players they learned from. The kids who came before them taught this group how to be good teammates and what it takes to win."

Di, Sabriel Mendoza, Buth Ly and Adriel Garcia have consistently made their presence felt at the net. Pang and Petey Som regularly set the Red Raiders' potent -attack in motion. Libero Ricky Kho heads up Lowell's swarm-to-the-ball defense.

Jackie Kho, Charles Tran, Chance Ly, Aakash Patel, Eddy Olu, Julian Tang, Calvin Yonn, Desmond Dao and Alex Salvat have also been playing well.

Lowell suffered its first loss to Haverhill on Tuesday. The Red Raiders rebounded with a 3-0 non-league win over Malden on Thursday.

"The beauty of this group is their ability to learn from their mistakes," said McCarthy. "I'm glad we got that first loss out of the way. I think we'll be a better team going forward for having learned from it. This team works hard. I just tweak the system a little bit and make sure they're communicating with each other and in the right spots. They always go out and try their best. It's really a simple formula for success."

Follow Carmine Frongillo on Twitter @cwfrongi

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Great chemistry keying Lowell - Lowell Sun Online - Lowell Sun

Chemistry Professor Sniffs Out Excellence – NC State News

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Maria T. Oliver-Hoyo, Alumni Distinguished Undergraduate Professor of Chemistry at NC State, is so fascinated by the teaching of chemistry that she has become a leading light in the study of chemistry education and shes so good at it that she was recently named a winner of the 2017 Excellence in Teaching Award from the UNC system Board of Governors.

Its all the more ironic, then, that Oliver-Hoyo is not one of those seemingly charmed people who wind up doing something theyve always wanted to do.

Chemistry professor was not my first choice of career, she says. I love comparative literature, I love mathematics; I love everything. At first I couldnt decide between the humanities and the sciences.

When Oliver-Hoyo graduated high school and enrolled in the University of Puerto Rico, she learned that students there could take an exam to determine whether theyd be allowed to bypass the first year of general education courses and go straight into the college of sciences. Only the students who scored among the top 100 were selected for the accelerated program, so Oliver-Hoyo decided to take the exam and let the result guide her choice.

Her high exam score got her into the college of sciences, but then she faced another choice: Which science would she pursue?

I loved math the most because it was easiest for me, so I thought, I dont want to do that, she recalls. I didnt like physics because I thought it was too dry. At the time, biology depended too much on memorization, so I didnt want to do that either. Chemistry, though, was the most challenging field of all for me. I had to study very hard to grasp it. I had to learn how to study. So I said, thats where Im gonna go. I wanted that challenge.

Oliver-Hoyo rose to the challenge, earning first her bachelors degree and then an M.S. from Georgetown. She wanted to pursue a chemistry Ph.D, but by then she was married to a member of the U.S. armed forces, and their frequent relocations prevented her from entering a doctoral program. Instead she taught chemistry as a lecturer or an adjunct professor at different institutions, and thats when she became interested in the fact that people were somehow able to understand the sophisticated information she was trying to convey to them.

How did that process actually work? The question captivated her.

I was driven to try to explain it, she says.

Thats why, when her husband retired from the military, she entered a Ph.D. program in the nascent field of chemistry education research (CER), which studies how chemistry is taught and learned. In 1999, freshly minted doctorate in hand, Oliver-Hoyo came to NC State to develop a graduate program in CER.

Any teacher will tell you that you can do the same thing in two different semesters, and it will work beautifully in one semester and not the other, she says. Why does that happen? I could have gone into any number of chemistry fields, including industry, but this is what interested me most: how to create more effective instruction.

Thats what we do in CER.

One of Oliver-Hoyos most notable innovations in CER is her sensorial experiments, which are based on her definition of chemistry.

Chemistry is the science of studying stuff, she says. Everything you perceive through your five senses is what we study in chemistry.

The problem with most undergraduate chemistry lab experiments is that they ignore four of the five senses and rely solely on visual input the color change observed in a titration experiment, for instance. This works well enough for most students, but what about vision-impaired people, or the 8 percent of males and 0.6 percent of females who are color-blind? Those students usually either let someone else do the experiment for them or are discouraged from going into sciences that require experimentation, she says.

Oliver-Hoyo came up with a different solution an innovation that utilizes another of the five senses: the sense of smell.

We created an olfactory indicator, she says. When the chemical reaction takes place to let you know that your reagent and your solution have reached their stoichiometric amounts, instead of being demonstrated by a change in color, the reaction produces compounds that smell like onions and garlic. Thats how you know the titration has reached its endpoint and you can stop the experiment, make your calculations and present your findings.

Oliver-Hoyo has also adapted the SCALE-UP model for use in chemistry classrooms. Developed by NC State physics professor Bob Beichner, SCALE-UP (Student-Centered Active Learning Environment with Upside-down Pedagogies) restructures large science classes by placing small groups of students at round tables and spending most class time on activities rather than lectures. Oliver-Hoyos adaptation required modifications both to the chemistry curriculum and the SCALE-UP model to account for the use of wet chemicals. Oliver-Hoyo has compiled more than 100 chemistry education activities suitable for use in a SCALE-UP classroom, all of which are freely available at the SCALE-UP website.

The common thread running through much of Oliver-Hoyos work is the visualization of chemical phenomena. Along those lines, her students are now using the 3-D printer in the D.H. Hill Library Makerspace to create physical models that will help them visualize the properties of macromolecules, such as DNA.

Oliver-Hoyo says shes glad the UNC system is giving an award that honors achievements in the universitys primary mission: teaching students.

Educating students is what were here for, she says, so I think an award that recognizes teaching efforts is very important. Im appreciative of this award and humbled to have been chosen.

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Review: ‘Their Finest’ sizzles with chemistry – The Detroit News

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Moira Macdonald, Seattle Times 6:46 p.m. ET April 21, 2017

Gemma Arterton plays a WWII advertising copywriter in Their Finest.(Photo: Nicola Dove / STX Entertainment Motion Picture)

Screen chemistry is an odd thing; often you only notice it when it isnt there. But Their Finest, an utterly charming film set in World War II-era London, contains a textbook example.

Gemma Arterton plays Catrin Cole, a young advertising copywriter hired by the British Ministry of Information to write womens dialogue for wartime propaganda feature films; Sam Claflin is Tom Buckley, a wry fellow screenwriter whos not sure that her presence is necessary. Catrins married, Toms not and so first they become co-workers, then friends.

Watching them, you start noticing how he looks at her like shes a fascinating puzzle that hes trying to figure out, and how she blushes just a bit when hes around, and how effortlessly these two actors convey that they belong together.

Its one of many pleasures in Lone Scherfigs film, based on a 2009 novel by Lissa Evans and drenched in a sweet nostalgia that only very rarely tips into sentimentality. The plots mostly centered on the making of one movie, based on a true incident involving a pair of twin sisters who set out in their fathers shabby boat to help evacuate wounded soldiers at Dunkirk. Its a tale that, as the executives at the Ministry gleefully observe, has everything: Authenticity, optimism and a dog.

We watch the casting process (Bill Nighy, eyebrows perpetually raised, is a delight), the location shoot (note the 1940s version of CGI), and the way the filmmakers and cast form an impromptu family. Along the way, were reminded of the new roles women took on during that time, and how the shadow of war affected every day and every life, even as they soldiered on.

And theres one scene, where Sam sits moodily smoking one evening, and Catrin appears behind him as if caught in a moonlit dream, and ... well, thats why we watch movies, isnt it?

Their Finest

GRADE: B+

Rated R for some language and a scene of sexuality

Running time: 117 minutes.

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Review: 'Their Finest' sizzles with chemistry - The Detroit News

A CIA chemist, mind control and the return of psychedelic drugs – The Boston Globe

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As LSD raced through the American counterculture during the 1960s, it became an ultimate symbol of protest. Guardians of mainstream culture panicked. In 1968 Congress made mind-altering drugs illegal. President Nixon called LSD guru Timothy Leary the most dangerous man in America. LSD was listed as a Schedule I drug, meaning that it has no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. For decades, serious research into its potential was impossible. That taboo is now dissolving.

The apocalyptic stereotype of LSD, which during the 1960s was said to cause everything from birth defects to insanity, was bound to fade. Albert Hofmann, the Swiss chemist who accidentally discovered it in 1943, hoped it could be used to treat mental illness, and for a time it was taken seriously as a therapeutic tool. The LSD-themed musical that is scheduled to open in March focuses on three celebrities who used it during the 1950s: Cary Grant, Aldous Huxley, and Clare Booth Luce. Entitled Flying Over Sunset and written by James Lapine, who shared a Pulitzer for Sunday in the Park With George and has won three Tony Awards, it is likely to fuel burgeoning interest in psychoactive drugs.

Perhaps the most striking evidence of that interest was the announcement in September that Johns Hopkins Medicine has received $17 million in private and foundation grants to open a Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research. Among its first projects will be experiments to see if LSD and related drugs can be used to treat anorexia, early-onset Alzheimers, or opioid-use disorders or even to help people quit smoking. Researchers at Johns Hopkins have endorsed calls that psilocybin be reclassified as acceptable for medical use. LSD could be next. Sidney Gottlieb, who introduced Americans to LSD nearly 70 years ago, is returning for a curtain call.

Gottlieb was the most powerful unknown American of the 20th century unless there was someone else who worked in total secrecy, conducted grotesque experiments on human subjects across three continents, and had what amounted to a government-issued license to kill. He ran historys most systematic search for techniques of mind control, a project that CIA director Allen Dulles named MK-ULTRA. Dulles believed that if a way could be found to seize control of human minds, the prize would be nothing less than global mastery. In 1951 he hired Gottlieb to direct the search. Although Gottlieb had a doctorate in biochemistry from Cal Tech and had worked in several government laboratories, he was an unlikely choice. Dulles and most of the men who ran the early CIA were silver-spoon products of the American aristocracy. Gottlieb was the 32-year-old son of Orthodox Jewish immigrants, grew up in the Bronx, attended City College of New York, stuttered, and limped. He was also a compassionate humanist who meditated, lived in a cabin without running water, grew his own vegetables, and rose before dawn to milk his goats. He was his generations most prolific but also most gentle-hearted torturer.

Gottlieb was fascinated with the mind-control potential of LSD. He and his fellow seekers dared to hope that it might hold, as one of them put it, the secret that was going to unlock the universe. By his own account he used it himself at least 200 times. Years later he recalled his first trip: I happened to experience an out-of-bodyness, a feeling as though I am in a kind of transparent sausage skin that covers my whole body and it is shimmering, and I have a sense of well-being and euphoria for most of the next hour or two hours, and then gradually it subsides.

In 1953, Gottlieb persuaded the CIA to spend $240,000 to buy the worlds entire supply of LSD from its sole producer, the Swiss pharmaceutical firm Sandoz. Over the next decade, he used his unique stash for two purposes. Some of it went to prisons in the United States and to CIA safe houses in Europe and East Asia, where it was used in heinous experiments on unwitting or unwilling human subjects. In one of them, seven African American inmates at a prison in Kentucky were given what the prison doctor called double, triple and quadruple doses of LSD every day for 77 days. Experiments abroad, in which LSD was used in concert with other drugs and with torments like electroshock, were even harsher, and caused an unknown number of deaths. These were the most extreme experiments on human subjects that have ever been conducted by an officer or agency of the US government. Gottlieb had concluded that before he could insert a new mind into someones brain, he had to blast away the existing mind. Some of his most gruesome experiments at black sites in Europe and East Asia were aimed at finding out if overdoses of LSD and other drugs could do that. His victims, called expendables, were prisoners of war, suspected enemy agents, and refugees who would not be missed if they disappeared.

The other side of Gottliebs LSD research was quite different voluntary and non-coercive. He wanted to know how ordinary people would react to LSD in a clinical setting. Since the CIA could not conduct these experiments itself, Gottlieb set up bogus medical foundations that served as conduits for MK-ULTRA funds. Through them, he contracted with hospitals and clinics across the United States that agreed to carry out tests on volunteers. Among the first to sign up was a graduate student named Ken Kesey, who was given doses of Gottliebs LSD and psilocybin at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Menlo Park, California. He liked it so much that he not only urged his friends to volunteer, but took a job at the hospital. That gave him material for his counterculture masterpiece One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest and also allowed him to pilfer vials of LSD for use at his soon-to-be-famous acid test parties.

Gottlieb was also sponsoring experiments at nearby Stanford University which, like most MK-ULTRA contractors, did not realize that it was working for the CIA. Among the first volunteers at Stanford was the poet Allen Ginsberg, who listened to Tristan und Isolde on headphones during his first experience and went on to promote the healthy personal adventure of LSD use. Another was the Grateful Dead lyricist Robert Hunter, who later wrote some of his most celebrated songs while tripping. Together, these unwitting MK-ULTRA subjects helped turn on a generation.

It took decades for LSD evangelists to grasp the bizarre truth that their formative and ultimately culture-shattering LSD experiences were part of a CIA project aimed at finding a tool for mind control. The United States government was in a way responsible for creating the acid tests and the Grateful Dead, and thereby the whole psychedelic counterculture, Robert Hunter concluded. When an interviewer asked John Lennon about LSD, he replied: We must always remember to thank the CIA. Those answers were correct as far as they went, but early psychic voyagers had never heard of Sidney Gottlieb. If they had, they would have realized that they had him to thank for LSD, not simply the United States government or the CIA.

Timothy Leary, the most prominent LSD promoter of that era, was also introduced to psychedelics thanks to Sidney Gottlieb. He learned of their existence from a 1957 article in Life magazine about an expedition to find magic mushrooms in Mexico. Fascinated with the prospect of a mind-altering substance, he traveled to Mexico, found and tried the magic mushroom, pronounced it above all and without question the deepest religious experience of my life, and set off on the path that made him the Pied Piper of LSD. Neither he nor anyone else could have known it at the time, but Gottlieb had used MK-ULTRA funds, disguised as a foundation grant, to subsidize the expedition that had produced the Life article. The LSD movement was started by the CIA, Leary recognized years later. When he mused, I wouldnt be here now without the foresight of CIA scientists, what he meant was: I wouldnt be here without Sidney Gottlieb.

Gottliebs decade of MK-UTRA experiments led him to two conclusio
ns. He had proven conclusively that with the application of enough drug overdoses and other extreme techniques over extended periods, it is possible to destroy a human mind; the trail of ruined lives he left in his wake is horrific testimony to his success. Yet he was also forced to admit that he had failed to find a way to insert a new mind into the resulting void. As MK-ULTRA ended in the early 1960s, Gottlieb concluded that psychoactive drugs are too unpredictable in their effect on individual human beings, under specific circumstances, to be operationally useful.

Once MK-ULTRA was behind him, Gottlieb went on to other glories at the CIA. Because he knew more about toxins than anyone in the US government probably more than anyone in the world it was logical that his CIA superiors would call on him when they needed ways to kill. He made the poisons used in failed attempts to kill Fidel Castro, and at one point mused about creating aerosolized LSD that could be sprayed into a radio studio from which Castro was about to speak. In 1960 he carried poison to the Congo to be used in killing Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba. The poison was not used, and several months later a Belgian-Congolese squad captured and executed Lumumba. For the last seven years of his career he ran the Technical Services Staff, which makes tools and devices for spies. In later life, perhaps troubled by what he had done, he volunteered at a hospital for leprosy patients, taught students with speech defects, and counseled dying patients at a hospice. Yet LSD is his most mind-boggling legacy. He saw it not as a tool for psychic exploration, as did his unwitting hippie disciples, or for clinical use, but as a potential key to abolishing consciousness so minds could be opened to outside control.

Before retiring from the CIA in 1973, Gottlieb destroyed most records of MK-ULTRA. Nonetheless enough have remained to make it possible to reconstruct his astonishing career. Without Gottlieb, LSD might not have become a driving force in American culture during the 1960s or an object of renewed fascination today. His perturbed spirit hovers above as a new era of interest in psychoactive drugs finally begins to unfold.

Stephen Kinzer is a senior fellow at the Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs at Brown University, and author of Poisoner in Chief: Sidney Gottlieb and the CIA Search for Mind Control. Follow him on Twitter @stephenkinzer.

Stephen Kinzer is a senior fellow at the Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs at Brown University.

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A CIA chemist, mind control and the return of psychedelic drugs - The Boston Globe

Department of Chemistry wins Regents’ Diversity Award Creating Community – University of Wisconsin-Madison

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The University of WisconsinMadisonDepartment of Chemistryhas received a 2020 Diversity Award from the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents. The award recognizes the departments efforts to enhance underrepresented students access to and success in the chemistry graduate program.

This award celebrates a key point in our progress toward fostering greater diversity in our discipline and is just the beginning of our efforts says Judith Burstyn, department chair. These achievements are the result of everyone in the department who works tirelessly to build diversity through the creation of key programs and mentorship of students.

The field of chemistry has long lacked diversity. According to theAmerican Chemical Society(ACS), the number of females receiving bachelors degrees in the discipline is increasing, but the number of doctoral recipients, postdoctoral scientists, and professional chemists who stem from other traditionally underrepresented populations is still low.

Members of the Department of Chemistry Climate and Diversity Committee include: Front row, from left: Desiree Bates, Robert Hamers, Judith Burstyn, Karen Stephens, Kristi Heming, AJ Boydston, and Heike Hofstetter. Back row, from left: Wesley B Swords, Zachary Jones, Silvia Cavagnero, Sam Wood, Matthew Sanders, and Cheri Barta. Not pictured: Andrew Greenberg.PHOTO BY TATUM LYLES FLICK

Everyone benefits from diverse perspectives, says Burstyn. We recognized that need in our department and have worked to find effective solutions.

The Department of Chemistry has created several programs aimed at increasing diversity in the field and at supporting students who pursue a graduate degree.Chemistry Opportunities (CHOPs), which brings in students from minority-serving institutions, andResearch Experiences for Undergraduatesboth facilitate undergraduate exploration of the departments doctoral program. For graduate students, the department offersCatalyst, a supportive mentoring program for underrepresented minority and first-generation students.

The strength and effectiveness of the first three programs led the ACS to select the department as its first partner for aChemistry Bridge to the Doctorateprogram, which aims to increase the number of doctoral degrees completed by underrepresented minorities. A select group of students bolster their experience and applications to top PhD programs by completing a research-based masters degree, with the benefit of well-coordinated mentorship.

Consistent with UWMadisons commitment to recruit, retain and graduate a diverse student body, the Department of Chemistry embraced their role in supporting diversity by creating highly effective initiatives to increase representation within their large graduate program, says Gloria Mari Beffa, associate dean in the Colleges of Letters & Science, in her nomination letter.

The Board of Regents awards the winners $7,500, which the chemistry department will use to support its programs. The Diversity Awards are administered by the UW System Office of Academic and Student Affairs. The other recipients are Associate Professor Arijit Sen, from the UWMilwaukee School of Architecture and Urban Planning, and UWStouts Fostering Success program. The three winners will be recognized at the Feb. 7 meeting of the Board of Regents in Madison.

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Department of Chemistry wins Regents' Diversity Award Creating Community - University of Wisconsin-Madison

Australian scientist and Nobel Prize winner honoured in Google Doodle – Mashable

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Google's new Doodle may look like a bunch of items you'd find in your high school science class, but all those cartoon beakers are in celebration of Sir John Cornforth, Australia's only Nobel Prize-winner in chemistry.

Cornforth died just four years ago, just one year after his wife, scientist Rita Cornforth, passed away. The Doodle celebrates what would have been his 100th birthday.

Cornforth gained his Nobel Prize in 1975 for his work on the stereochemistry of enzyme-catalysed reactions not the easiest work to break down in layman's terms, but suffice to say rather important in the world of drug discovery.

The degree of Doctor of Science (honoris causa) was conferred upon Sir John Warcup Cornforth at a ceremony held in the Great Hall on Nov. 2, 1977.

Image: University of sydney

According to his alma mater, the University of Sydney, Cornforth went deaf early in life, using textbooks instead of lectures and relying on fellow researcher and University of Sydney chemistry alumnus Rita for assistance with lip reading and sign language. The university now awards the Rita and John Cornforth Medal for Ph. D achievement.

Rita and Sir John Cornforth.

Image: University of sydney

The Cornforths made a remarkable contribution to the world," says University of Sydney Vice-Chancellor and Principal Dr Michael Spence. "It was perhaps Sir Johns determination to consult primary sources, and celebrate science as an ongoing endeavour, that made his work so precise and compelling.

Google's other recent Australian Doodles include an Australia Day special on Jan. 26, featuring World Heritage Site the Great Barrier Reef, and a Doodle to celebrate iconic Aboriginal Australian artist Albert (Elea) Namatjiras 115th birthday on Jul. 28.

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Australian scientist and Nobel Prize winner honoured in Google Doodle - Mashable