Karen Steward PhD

Science Writer

The Immune System and Cancer

Our immune system plays a vital role in protecting us from illness and infection by fighting off invaders to our body… but when our own cells are the source of the problem, as in cancer, what then?

Targeted and Untargeted Food Screening

This infographic looks at food and beverage screening and how analysis, right from the raw ingredients, through processing to the final product, can identify things that you may or may not be expecting to find.

Mass Spectrometry Based Analysis Reveals the Chemistry of Wine Bouquet

Scientists have developed an automated dynamic headspace method that can provide a snapshot of the aroma compounds emanated from wine in conditions close to those found during wine tasting. They have then implemented the technique to see how this profile changes over time as it might in the glass during consumption.

Novel UPLC - MS/MS Method Detects Mycotoxin, Ochratoxin A, in Food Products

A team of scientists have designed a simplified, sensitive test that can identify the mycotoxin ochratoxin A in food products, which can cause serious harm if ingested.

Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry: Single vs Triple Quadrupole

In this infographic we take a look at quadrupole mass analyzers and the question of single quad or triple quad?

Strangvac Vaccine Holds Promise for Strangles in Horses

Scientists have taken a step closer to an effective vaccine against Strangles, a scourge of the equine world that causes considerable pain and suffering to horses and ponies worldwide.

Types of Pollution: Have You Considered Pharmaceutical Waste?

Despite regulation and legislation regarding the methods by which pharmaceutical companies must treat waste water, reports indicate that manufacturers are continuing to discharge untreated or inappropriately treated waste into the environment. The problem is having devastating impacts on human health, the environment and antimicrobial resistance is soaring.

4 Challenges in Proteome Analysis

Proteomics is a rapidly expanding field, aided by improvements in instrumentation accuracy and sensitivity, size and affordability. Whilst it is a valuable tool in the quest for improved understanding, diagnosis and treatment, a number of areas are proving problematic. In this list, we will discuss some of the challenges that researchers come up against in proteome analysis.

The War on Plastics: Is It Too Little Too Late?

With UK Prime Minister Theresa May announcing today that UK supermarkets must have a plastic free aisle as part of her government’s 25-year environmental improvement plan, it is the latest in a line of reforms seeking to reduce the harmful plastic contamination that has become a worldwide scourge.

7 of the Most Exciting Advances in Applied Sciences in 2017

2017 has been a busy year for applied science research and breakthroughs, which can have wide ranging impacts from health and welfare, forensic investigation to food analysis. In this list we bring together seven of the most exciting advances.