USM working on cancer-fighting polymer

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - University of Southern Mississippi scientists are working on a technique to fight cancer that involves a polymers so tiny they can be absorbed by cancerous cells in order to stop them in their tracks. "They get the cancer cells to basically kill themselves," said Southern Miss Polymer Science Professor Charles McCormick. Aiding McCormick is an team of about 10 graduate, post-grad and undergrad polymer science students called the McCormick Research Group. The group is now working with researchers at the University of Alabama Birmingham's Comprehensive Cancer Center. They began collaborating this year. (Source: Hattiesburg American, 06/24/11)

Exports, STEM highlight Mississippi ranking

Among the states, Mississippi ranks No. 5 for export growth, according to the Enterprising States 2011 study just released by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Mississippi is also ranked 10th in cost of living, 11th in per capita income growth and higher education efficiency, and 12th in productivity growth and business birth rate. Mississippi is also ranked 20th in science, technology, engineering and math job growth as well as 20th in entrepreneurial activity. (Source: Tcp, 06/23/11) Study: U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Wellman plant being sold

DAK Americas LLC of Charlotte, N.C., announced Thursday an agreement to buy the polyethylene terephthalate resin business of Wellman Inc. for $185 million. The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2011 pending regulatory approval. The acquisition includes the PET resin production facilities in Bay St. Louis, Miss. The site has 165 employees and a production capacity of 950 million pounds a year of PET resin. (Source: Sun Herald, 06/16/11)