HORIBA Medical UK reports positive results from a French study which found it Pentra DX Nexus haematology analyser to be “reliable and efficient… user-friendly and ergonomically designed”. The Pentra DX Nexus carries out complete blood count (CBC), eight-part differential, reticulocyte…
Peristaltic pump tubing is phthalate-free
LAUNCHED in response to concern over the potential health and environmental issues of phthalates and Bisphenol A (BPA), Cole-Parmer’s new Masterflex Tygon E-LFL tubing is now available for use with peristaltic pumps. The new formulation replaces Masterflex LFL tubing, which…
Three peristaltic pump channels from one pump head
AN INNOVATIVE peristaltic pump design which allows three independent flow lines to be connected to a single motor has been introduced by Idex Health and Science. The Ismatec Reglo ICC (independent channel control) allows individual control of each fluid channel,…
Multiplex STI array now CE marked
RANDOX’s sexually-transmitted infection (STI) array is now acknowledged as suitable for use in clinical settings, thanks to its CE mark. STIs are considering a growing health problem worldwide, and are thought to affect over a quarter of young adults at…
Temperature logger uses Wifi connection
A NEW based data logging temperature sensor from Measurement Computing will continue to log readings even if its Wifi connection is lost. The WiFi-501-TP uses a Wifi network to send its readings wirelessly to a PC, where it can be viewed by…
Novel two-part vial solves tricky pipetting problem
WATCHING a chemist struggling to pipette an unusually viscous oil sample into a standard autosampler vial, Jerry Finneran recognised that standard labware wasn’t making this tedious job any easier. Because of the viscosity of the sample, the oil was adhering to…
First Zetasizer Nano ZSP joins hunt for rare earth alternatives
A RESEARCH project which seeks alternatives to rare earths is the first application of Malvern Instruments’s latest particle characterisation instrument, the Zetasizer Nano ZSP. The laboratory of Dr Kikuo Okuyama at the department of chemical engineering at Hiroshima is conducting…
Microspectrometer is ‘the future’ of Raman spectroscopy
COMBINING high resolution and high sensitivity with short sampling times and a broad spectral range, the new Artemis Raman microspectrometer from Craic can be deployed on many different types of light microscope. This instrument facilitates the measurement of Raman spectra…
Weekly news: Citizen science is still underexploited
WE’VE all been hearing a lot about ‘citizen science’over the last few years, and there is no doubt that this phenomenon is here to stay. We see volunteers taking part in projects as diverse as counting butterflies in urban parks…
Nanoparticle tracking boosts cancer metastasis research
BEFORE using nanoparticle tracking analysis with the Nanosight LM-10, oncology researchers at the Department of Pediatrics at Weill Cornell University, USA, measured exosome size by the only other available method – electron microscopy. In research recently published in Nature Medicine,…
High-sensitivity thermal imaging for scientific research
PROMISING the highest sensitivity on a portable thermal imaging camera for scientific research and development, Flir Systems says its SC650 and SC450 camera packs offer ‘no-compromise’ flexibility. With its uncooled vanadium oxide (VoX) microbolometer detector, the Flir SC650 generates 640×480…
Lab balance is ideal for moisture determination
MOISTURE determination is an essential part of quality control procedures in many operations, to ensure product uniformity throughout production. Cole-Parmer says that its new Symmetry MB moisture determination balances offer an efficient new option for incoming inspection and receiving, quality…
Storing light sensitive materials in the lab
MANY laboratory samples are sensitive to degradation by light, presenting particular challenges in handling and storage. Now Asynt has launched a new range of black screw-top centrifuge tubes which will solve this problem for many users, providing secure storage of…
Liquid controls for tumour markers are ready to use
THE LATEST Acusera tumour marker control from Randox covers 15 of the most common cancer antigens and tumour markers, and includes assayed, instrument-specific target values to enable laboratories to monitor accuracy and precision. Supplied in ready-to-use liquid format makes this control…
Giant laboratory workstation holds 1400 Petri dishes
THE LARGEST workstation in the Don Whitley range, the A95, has the capacity to hold up to 1400 Petri dishes. Notwithstanding its large size, this four-port anaerobic workstation also claims to speed up laboratory operations. Its 30 litre airlock has…
Microscope camera handles colour and monochrome
A NOVEL dual-sensor microscope camera from Olympus will produce both high-sensitivity monochrome (black and white) images and high-quality colour images, without the need to switch cameras. The Olympus DP80 has two separate CCD sensors, making it a versatile device which…
Faster next-generation sequencing with these RNA kits
NEXT-generation sequencing (NGS) is set of relatively new technologies that are having a big impact on scientific research in fields including biomarkers, diagnostics, and drug discovery. Although the term is applied to a number of different systems, not all of…
Latest gene expression analysis technologies compared
A FREELY-downloadable white paper from Plexpress discusses the various gene expression analysis technologies now commercially available, in order says the company to “help scientists make an informed choice”. Plexpress has its own high-throughput gene expression analysis platform, called Trac, which…
Weekly news: ‘geek chic’ contravenes thermodynamics
OUR TIME has come. Where once to be a nerd was deeply uncool, today it is the epitome is stylishness. It seems that everywhere we look, the latest role models are adored more for their intellect than – as was…
Safe elemental determination of halogens, phosphorus, and sulphur
ELEMENTAL analysis of halogens, phosphorus, and sulphur by oxygen flask combustion can be performed safely and economically using the OFCU-1 unit, says Exeter Analytical. Oxygen flask combustion is a common preparatory step when determining bromine, chlorine, fluorine, and iodine, as…
Laboratory Sales Ltd (LSL) rebrands as Wheaton
FOLLOWING its acquisition by US-based laboratory supplies company Wheaton in 2009, UK company Laboratory Sales Limited (LSL) is changing its name to Wheaton. The newly-rebranded company will continue to provide a full line of liquid handling and packaging products, and…
Clinical chemistry analyser runs 720 tests per hour
THE LATEST clinical chemistry analyser from Diatron, the Pictus 700, can conduct up to 720 tests per hour on samples as small as 0.2ul. The fully-automated, random-access Pictus 700 has a 95-position sample tray and 72 reagent channels accessed via…
Flow chemistry chiller takes reactions to -88C
COOLING flow chemistry reactions below about -70C has traditionally presented challenges in the laboratory, requiring the use of pressurised gas and heat exchangers. Now Uniqsis says it has developed an advanced chiller unit, the FlowSyn Polar Bear, which works with…
Assay kit gives rapid fructose determination
A NEW enzyme-based test to determine fructose in food and fermentation samples gives a result in only 15 minutes, says Bioo Scientific. The MaxSignal Fructose assay kit is described as a flexible format assay that uses a well-known enzymatic reaction…
Caption competition: microscope makes student sad
THIS picture was sent to us by Meiji Techno, which has just commissioned a new suite of 365 microscopes at the University of Liverpool, UK. The university’s new central teaching laboratory was opened last month, October 2012, just in…
Better cell growth on these microplates
THE LARGE surface area of each well on the Krystal 24 microplate enables ‘unmatched’ cell growth, says Porvair Sciences. Each well holds a volume of 3.1ml, giving a large surface area, and the microplates are tissue culture treated to ensure…
Evaporator offers economy for small volume work
A NEW low cost, small volume evaporator for synthetic and medicinal chemists has been launched by KD Scientific. The Centrifan PE dries solvents directly in the vial, which the company says increases evaporation efficiency. Many of the problems associated with alternative…
New association for UK lab managers
TRADE association for the instrumentation sector in the UK, Gambica, is in the process of launching a spin-off association for laboratory managers. The British Laboratory Managers Association, BLMA, is likely to have its first meeting in the spring of 2013,…
Light-scattering detectors ‘out-perform the opposition’
TWO NEW evaporative light-scattering detectors for liquid chromatography will deliver more sensitivity, higher efficiency, and better reproducibility that any alternative currently available, says Agilent. Promising up to nine times the sensitivity of rival detectors, the 1290 and 1260 Infinity evaporative…
Weekly news: will the latest lab trade show succeed where so many have failed?
THE LATEST attempt to establish a national-scale exhibition for the laboratory sector in the UK was launched this week, with the Lab Innovations show held at the NEC in Birmingham. This two-day event, held on Wednesday and Thursday, attracted around…