‘Nearly 10,000′ visit museum reopening

Almost 10,000 people attended the grand reopening of the Anchorage Museum in Alaska last weekend.

According to KTUU, the site, which is now open to the public following a ten-year, 80,000 square-foot expansion, saw large visitor numbers on Saturday due to a free admission offer organised by the museum.

Currently on display is a gold exhibit put together to celebrate the golden anniversary of Alaska becoming a state and James Pepper Henry, director of the museum, told the news source that a large amount of "cultural material" is included in the exhibition.

"You'll see gold coins from ancient Rome and Greece, you'll see gold from sunken ships and you'll see Susan Sarandon's Oscar and Harrison Ford's Golden Globe," he was quoted as saying.

Also included in the exhibition, which runs until the beginning of August, is a Faberge Easter egg and a Paloma Picasso-designed Tiffany brooch, along with an explanation of how gold is produced and mined.
The news feeds on this site are independently provided by Adfero Limited © and do not represent the views or opinions of the World Gold Council.

UCL to offer nanotechnology course

University College London (UCL) is to begin offering a course focusing on the use of nanotechnology in medicine.

The establishment's Division of Surgery and Interventional Science is organising the year-long MSc, which can also be spread over two years for part-time students.

Modules on nanotechnology - in which gold is a frequently-used component - tissue engineering and stem cell technology are included, along with the opportunity to carry out hands-on research relating to bionanotechnology techniques.

"To our knowledge, this is the first [programme] that focuses on nanotechnology as applied to regenerative medicine," Professor Alexander Seifalian stated.

"The course is 50 per cent taught and 50 per cent cutting-edge research," he added, noting that it is "ideal" for students looking for either a starting point for a PhD or for the qualifications needed for a job in industry.

Elsewhere in the nanotechnology research sector, the University of Pittsburgh in the US recently received a $500,000 (£305,000) grant, which will be invested in a nanoscience research centre.
The news feeds on this site are independently provided by Adfero Limited © and do not represent the views or opinions of the World Gold Council.

Nanotechnology aids drug delivery research

An Australian nanotechnology company has made progress in the development of a new drug delivery technique.

NanoVentures Australia (NVA) has developed a new mechanism that could potentially be used in the manufacturing of low-cost inhaler devices, Azo Nanotechnology reports.

The firm's predecessor Nanotechnology Victoria had invested extensively in the development of new surface acoustic wave (Saw) technology, which allows fluid to be atomised as droplets.

Working in partnership with Monash University's Micro NanoPhysics Research Laboratory, the company utilised nanotechnology - which often involves gold use - to make the breakthrough.

It is hoped that the Saw technology will lead to the development of an inhaler that can deliver drugs like insulin, after previous attempts to develop such a device were found to be unsuccessful.

Chemistry professor at Portland State University in the US Mingdi Yan recently claimed that nanotechnology can play a key part in the future of medical science, as it could be used to deliver drugs that target specific cells in the human body.
The news feeds on this site are independently provided by Adfero Limited © and do not represent the views or opinions of the World Gold Council.

MIT and INL to carry out nanotechnology research

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL) have collaborated to create a new research enterprise.

Known as MIT-INL, the project will result in the creation of ten senior research positions for scientists and around $35 million (£21 million) of funding for research into the potential of nanotechnology, in which gold is often a vital element.

Dean of engineering at MIT Subra Suresh signed the deal on Saturday (May 30th) in Lisbon and welcomed the possibilities that have been created by the formation of the partnership.

"This new collaboration provides a unique opportunity for faculty and students at MIT to engage in exciting new fundamental research," he stated, adding that the enterprise will create a "major new international research centre" that will attract scientists from all over Europe.

In related news today, the University of Sheffield will next month hold an event focusing on how nanotechnology can be used to improve research in the medical sector.
The news feeds on this site are independently provided by Adfero Limited © and do not represent the views or opinions of the World Gold Council.

University of Sheffield to hold nanotechnology event

The University of Sheffield is set to hold an event focusing on how nanotechnology can be used to make breakthroughs in the medical industry.

Organised in partnership with the Institute of Nanotechnology, the one-day exhibition will show how new technologies are being utilised to help cure diseases.

Topics to be discussed at the show include the possibilities of employing nanotechnology - in which gold is often a vital component - to treat cancer, as well as the development of new optical imaging techniques and breakthroughs in regenerative medicine development.

A number of researchers from the university will be speaking at the event - which takes place on July 8th - as well as representatives from local businesses.

The Nanotechnology Knowledge Transfer Network recently called on firms involved in nanotechnology research to promote their work by attending two European trade shows taking place next month - Prague's EuroNanoForum and the NanoMaterials Conference in Bonn.
The news feeds on this site are independently provided by Adfero Limited © and do not represent the views or opinions of the World Gold Council.

Western Goldfields combines with New Gold

New Gold has announced the completion of its move to combine with Western Goldfields.

A transaction that merged the latter company into the former's operations received final court approval after being backed by shareholders from both firms.

The Mesquite Mine, located in California, is now a New Gold property as a result and the newly-combined company is expected to see production of between 330,000 and 360,000 ounces of gold this year.

New Gold has also predicted that the figure will reach 400,000 by 2012.

President and chief executive Robert Gallagher stated that the deal comes as part of a growth strategy promised to shareholders

"We are excited to bring the Mesquite Mine into our portfolio of assets as we continue to focus on growth by enhancing our operations," he said.

Among New Gold's other properties is the Peak Mines project in Australia, which is forecast to produce up to 100,000 ounces of the precious metal during 2009.

The news feeds on this site are independently provided by Adfero Limited © and do not represent the views or opinions of the World Gold Council.

Popularity of gold jewellery ‘remains high in China’

Gold jewellery continues to remain popular among people in China, it has been observed.

Chinese jeweller Aypearl pointed to statistics showing that the country may be an attractive one for companies to enter, as gold jewellery sales total RMB30 million (£2.67 million) annually.

In addition, demand for such items was found to have been growing at a rate of around 15 per cent and currently stands at 200 tonnes per year.

Zhang Longzhi, vice-president of the All-China Association of Industry and Commerce, remarked: "After over 20 years' development, the jewellery industry has become an important industry in our national economy."

Aypearl also noted that some experts have predicted the country will become one of the world's most competitive centres for jewellery processing and trading over the next decade.

Last month, a report by Companies and Markets suggested that the Australian mining industry has received a boost from increased buying of gold by Chinese firms.

The news feeds on this site are independently provided by Adfero Limited © and do not represent the views or opinions of the World Gold Council.

White gold pieces added to Fantasia collection

New white gold jewellery has been added to an Italian designer's range.

According to fibre2fashion, jeweller Roberto Coin is enhancing his Fantasia collection with new 18-c pieces.

The portal noted that a white gold bangle has been produced along with a pair of stud earrings that are ideal for evening wear.

Mr Coin himself explained that the pieces are intended to "pay grand tribute" to the "grace and beauty of a woman".

"The Fantasia collection presents highly sophisticated designs with a timeless appeal that are sure to be treasured by discerning women," he added.

Other items offered by the designer include white gold pendants, as well as bracelets and rings.

Last week, Lauren Klein stated that the precious metal can make for a perfect graduation gift, with the jeweller suggesting that quality pieces can complement the "special" occasion.

Manager Sarah Leight highlighted some of its own items, including a yellow gold honeycomb necklace pendant.

The news feeds on this site are independently provided by Adfero Limited © and do not represent the views or opinions of the World Gold Council.

Gold ring returned after 50 years

A woman who lost a gold ring 50 years ago has had it returned to her.

Joyce Tindell's senior class ring went missing three years after graduating from high school in 1956, News Channel 9 reports.

She explained that her daughter had dropped the ring and it rolled into a vent, leading her to believe she would never see it again.

However, a man carrying out demolition work recently came across the gold item and contacted the school in an attempt to track down the owner.

"I was in amazement that he tried to find where it belonged. He could have sold it or done anything with it," Ms Tindell, who is planning to wear the ring to an upcoming reunion, was quoted as saying.

Last month, a man who lost his gold wedding ring while packing supplies to send to a new hospital in Guinea found out that it had been discovered there.

The news feeds on this site are independently provided by Adfero Limited © and do not represent the views or opinions of the World Gold Council.

Gold pendant ‘will promote environmental issues’

A gold jewellery designer has launched a new product aimed at promoting environmental responsibility.

David Weitzman of Ka Gold Jewelry created the Mother Earth pendant in order to raise awareness of ecological issues.

To this end, proceeds from the gold item will go towards charities and other organisations that advocate environmental sustainability.

Mr Weitzman said of the piece: "The jewellery is a constant reminder to whoever wears it that he or she has the ability to influence the future of planet Earth."

Other Ka Gold Jewelry designs have featured a range of spiritual symbols, with the company stating that its products "mix sacred science, art and spirit".

Last week, Neunique announced that its Samsara range of jewellery, which includes a number of gold items, will be used to help a charity for women.

One-fifth of the proceeds are to be donated to New-York based Bottomless Closet, founder of Neunique Sophie Blake explained.

The news feeds on this site are independently provided by Adfero Limited © and do not represent the views or opinions of the World Gold Council.

Next Page »