Topics at American Chemical Society National Meeting

Anti-bacterial spice to kill germs on food, vegetable oils as automotive fluids among topics at American Chemical Society national meeting in New Orleans,March 23-27; press registration in progress

An antibacterial "spice" you can sprinkle on food to kill germs, a saliva test for diabetics, the proposed use of vegetable oils as automotive fluids, and an enzyme that offers clues to fighting plague are among the topics to be covered at the American Chemical Society's 225th national meeting in New Orleans, March 23-27.

ACS, the world's largest scientific society, expects an estimated 11,000 scientists to attend the meeting. More than 8,000 papers have been submitted for presentation at more than 600 technical sessions, which will be held at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, 900 Convention Center Boulevard, and surrounding hotels.

In addition to individual scientific papers, features of the meeting include symposia on detecting and combating bio-terrorism, and food allergens. Special presidential events include symposia on the chemical science of everyday polymers like golf balls and tennis shoes and the role of the media in science communication and a public program: Celebrating Chemistry: Kids & Chemistry Live! This event will be held Sunday, March 23, at the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, 1 Canal Street, New Orleans, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. ACS staff will conduct demonstrations and conduct hands-on activities for elementary school children that illustrate the importance of chemistry in everyday life.

Other symposia and research papers on the New Orleans program include:

* Combating termites* Greenhouse gas control and use* The use of a rice milling byproduct as a healthful food product* Uncovering the mysteries of pigments in red wine* The use of coal-based jet fuel for high-speed aircraft* The use of electrical fields to clean up contaminated soils, sediments and groundwater* A look at the Gulf Coast environment* New treatments for diabetes, atherosclerosis and obesity* Nanotechnology and the environment* Alternative countermeasures for oil spills