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The supramolecule mimics the structure of haemoglobin (below) with iron(III) at it's centre © Wiley-VCHJapanese researchers have created a supramolecule that binds to cyanide ions in a similar way to the blood protein haemoglobin. This could pave the way for faster, more effective cyanide antidotes.The effects of cyanide poisoning are well known to fans of spy stories and murder mysteries. It rapidly shuts down respiration, and high doses can kill in a matter of minutes. Every year, industrial accidents result in several cases of cyanide poisoning, and there is growing concern that it could be used in a terrorist...

The two-step method to detect cyanide. (A) Adding a chemosensor to a blood sample, followed by extracting the purple chemosensor–cyano complex from the sample. (B) Washing the column with water The colour of cyanide poisoning is purple, according to researchers in Switzerland who have developed a method that enables them to quickly detect blood cyanide levels through a simple colour change. Cyanide poisoning as a result of smoke inhalation can have serious or fatal consequences unless an antidote is rapidly administered. Current methods for determining cyanide poisoning, including microdiffusion, microdistillation and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry detection, can take up to an...

A UNITED State Federal judge ordered the detention on Monday of an Ethiopian-born U.S. citizen who was arrested at Detroit's airport last week for carrying nearly $79,000 in cash and articles on suitcase bombs and the Sept. 11 attacks. Sisayehiticha Dinssa, 34, was arrested on Nov. 14 on arrival in Detroit after a dog smelled narcotics on his cash, according to federal prosecutors who had appealed a decision for him to be released on bond as a threat and a flight risk. Dinssa is charged with failing to declare he was bringing more than $10,000 into the United States, a...