These are my reactive chemistry links for October 9th through October 15th:
- Sniffing out cocaine in wine bottles - Spectroscopy can be used to screen large cargos, such as cases of wine bottles, for the presence of illicit cocaine being smuggled in solution in the ethanol.<br />
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Dissolving cocaine in imported wine has been used as a smuggling technique and a number of cases have come to light in recent times. Now, researchers in Europe have demonstrated that NMR spectroscopy can be used to reveal the presence of dissolved cocaine. The technique could be used by customs officials to screen imported wine and to quickly identify bottles being used to smuggle cocaine without the need to open or disturb the container. - Green tea lead detox - Scientists have studied the effects of green tea extract on reducing lead toxicity in laboratory rats. Green tea is tea brewed with the unprocessed leaves of Camellia sinensis. Green tea originates from China and has become associated with many cultures in Asia from Japan and South Korea to the Middle East. Black tea by contrast is more familiar in the West and is made from the "oxidised" leaves, which gives it a stronger flavour.
- Have we solved all the questions in chemistry? - Just because we've filled all the gaps in the periodic table doesn't mean we understand all of chemistry…
