NMR Knowledge Base / Ezine
Death proteins and trigger points
Date: Nov 15, 2008
Author: David Bradley
US researchers have used NMR to identify a previously undetected trigger point on a naturally occurring "death protein" that helps the body get rid of damaged or diseased cells. The researchers suggest that their findings may offer a novel target for new drugs that could be used to treat cancer by forcing malignant cells to undergo apoptosis, or cellular suicide.
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Athletic support
Date: Nov 1, 2008
Author: David Bradley
Researchers have used NMR to show that endurance-trained athletes have a higher resting muscle metabolism than couch potatoes. The work suggests that the dissociation of oxidation and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production could be another route by which exercise improves insulin sensitivity and burns excess energy and may have implications for understanding the development of type 2 diabetes.
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Exploded view
Date: Oct 15, 2008
Author: David Bradley
US researchers have used NMR to study the products of research into a new high explosive material that can nevertheless be melt cast into a charge with any shape.
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Resolving an apparent discrepancy between theory and experiment: spin-spin coupling constants for FCCF
Date: Oct 9, 2008
Author:
Previous theoretical studies of spin-spin coupling constants for FCCF (difluoroethyne) have reported significantly different values of 3J(F-F). In an effort to resolve these discrepancies, the authors have reinvestigated spin-spin coupling in FCCF, with emphasis on 3J(F-F).
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Anticocaine
Date: Oct 1, 2008
Author: David Bradley
A mutant enzyme that breaks down cocaine in the bloodstream 2000 times faster than the body's natural enzymes could lead to a rapid-response treatment for acute overdose or lead to a new approach to treating drug addiction.
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Doping the superbugs
Date: Sep 15, 2008
Author: David Bradley
Substances found in marijuana could be used to fight potentially lethal superbugs, such as antibiotic-resistant bacteria, without the mood-altering effects, according to researchers in Italy and the UK. Marijuana (Cannabis sativa L. Cannabinaceae) extracts may also provide an alternative to synthetic antibacterial substances used in personal hygiene products, including hand wash and cosmetics.
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Dance of the xenons
Date: Sep 1, 2008
Author: David Bradley
An NMR study of xenon atoms has demonstrated a fundamental new property - what appears to be chaotic behaviour in a quantum system ? in the magnetic spin of these frozen atoms. The work could lead to improvements in our understanding of matter as well as in magnetic resonance imaging.
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Stay young and beautiful
Date: Aug 15, 2008
Author: David Bradley
A sensitive NMR probe has been used by US scientists to identify tiny amounts of a novel group of pheromones from the nematode worm C elegans. They say the pheromones act not only as the organism's mating signal but are involved in triggering hibernation in times of reduced food supply.
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Salty solution to desalination
Date: Aug 1, 2008
Author: David Bradley
NMR spectroscopy has been used to assist in the development of chlorine-resistant membranes for use in water desalination plants. The new membrane materials could avoid degradation by chlorine disinfectants and reduce operating costs and inefficiencies.
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Atmospheric NMR
Date: Jul 15, 2008
Author: David Bradley
NMR spectroscopy has been used to study the kinetics of atmospheric pollutants in the gas phase for the first time. The method provides an empirical correlation between the atmospheric lifetimes of atmospheric pollutants and their relative reaction rates with chloro radicals at ambient temperatures.
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