What's in a name? Chemistry is here to stay

Article Abstract:

Chemistry best describes the sciences of matter and its transformations, and is the origin of the concepts that probe the life sciences, but it is often renamed as 'molecular sciences' or 'biochemistry'. Chemists need to reassert the position of an inherently interdisciplinary core scientific discipline that has a strong applied component, and define its boundaries in relation to the life sciences, while also rethinking its traditional divisions into organic, inorganic and physical chemistry.

Analysis, Study and teaching, Sciences education, Science education

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Oddly ordinary seaborgium

Article Abstract:

The filling of electron shells in the periodic table would appear to be predictable but even the heaviest of elements such as rutherfordium and hahnium behave in unexpected ways through relativistic effects. Schadel and colleagues have worked with seven atoms, using gas chromatography to extend chemistry to element 106 (seaborgium), placing it in group six, meaning that it could have similar properties to those of tungsten or molybdenum, as well as uranium.

Usage, Observations, Transactinide elements, Gas chromatography

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John Backus (1924-2007)

Article Abstract:

John Backus, known as pioneer in the early development of computer programming languages and a leading researcher in functional programming. He spent his entire career with IBM, and was awarded the National Medal of Science in 1975 and the Turing Award of the Association of Computing Machinery in 1977 for his contribution to Fortran language.

Computer Scientists, Obituary, Backus, John W.

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