NMR Knowledge Base / Ezine
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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Parahydrogen induced polarization of barbituric acid derivatives: 1H hyperpolarization studies
Date: Jul 4, 2008
Author:
Parahydrogen induced polarization (PHIP) has turned out to be a versatile technique to obtain hyperpolarized molecules exhibiting strong NMR signals via a chemical approach. In this paper, the authors investigate the PHIP of unsaturated barbiturates (interesting physiologically active compounds) with a standard rhodium catalyst.
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Prions - the Agent Smith of disease
Date: Jul 1, 2008
Author: David Bradley
NMR spectroscopy has revealed significant difference between the infectious and non-infectious form of prions, errant proteins that replicate by converting other proteins into copies of themselves. The finding could lead to new insights into how prions cause brain diseases, such as CJD and Alzheimer's and may one day lead to a way to stop their spread.
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Sniffing out longer-lasting beer
Date: Jun 15, 2008
Author: David Bradley
NMR spectroscopy and a chromatography based sniff test have yielded results that could help brewers improve the flavour and shelf-life and beer thanks to work by scientists in Venezuela. The team has identified alpha-dicarbonyls as important compounds that reduce beer's flavour and point to a new approach to improving shelf life.
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