Compounds

Potential source distribution of formaldehyde (a), acetylene (b), and xylenes (c) at the Qinling Mountain in summer 2020. Credit: Xue Yonggang The increasing concentration of ozone (O3) is a key factor contributing to the deterioration of air quality in China. O3 and its precursors, especially volatile organic compounds (VOCs), could be transported by air masses, leading to interactions of O3 precursors from biogenic and…

An international study reveals that certain organic compounds (PAHs) found in the Ryugu asteroid and Murchison meteorite likely originated in the cold areas of space. This finding, derived from controlled burns of plants and comparative analysis, challenges previous beliefs and offers new insights into the chemistry of celestial bodies and the potential for extraterrestrial life.The examination of organic compounds known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), obtained from the Ryugu asteroid and Murchison meteorite,…

Chemists have innovated a method to convert persistent PFAS into valuable fluorine-decorated N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs), potentially revolutionizing applications in several chemistry and materials science fields.Scientists have developed an innovative approach to incorporate harmful perfluoroalkenes into N-heterocyclic carbene ligands.Commonly known as “forever chemicals,” PFAS (Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) are notorious for their persistence in both the environment and our bodies. However, chemists…

A study, recently published in Nature and based on data from the SHERLOC instrument on NASA’s Mars Perseverance rover, reveals findings potentially indicative of organic molecules on Mars, suggesting a more complex organic geochemical cycle than previously understood. As seen in this artist’s concept, the SHERLOC instrument is located on the end of the robotic arm of NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover. Credit: NASA/JPL-CaltechScientists gain vital insights into <span class="glossaryLink"…

Researchers at MIT and Tufts University have developed a new AI model called ConPLex that vastly accelerates drug discovery by predicting drug-protein interactions without the need to calculate the molecules’ structures. The model can screen over 100 million compounds in a single day, which could significantly reduce drug development failure rates and costs.By applying a language model to protein-drug interactions, researchers can quickly screen large libraries of potential drug compounds.Huge libraries of drug compounds…

A sharp weekend crypto selloff led by a slump in smaller digital tokens set off a fresh wave of anxiety among investors, following a week in which a crackdown by the US Securities and Exchange Commission on the sector gained significant pace.Altcoins including Cardano's ADA tumbled as much as 25% on Saturday before paring a sliver of the decline, while tokens including Solana's SOL, Polygon's MATIC and Avalanche's AVAX posted double-digit percentage drops. Bitcoin, the largest digital asset, slid about 3% as of 11 a.m.…

Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain High school students who experience violence or bullying at school are more likely to bring weapons like a gun, knife, or club to school than those who have not experienced violence, according to a new study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Because weapons increase the potential for…

When you think of all the human hair that gets cut off and discarded every day in salons around the world … well, that's a lot of wasted hair. That said, scientists in India have devised a new technique for extracting compounds from it, for use in products like wound dressings and sunscreen.Among other things, human hair is composed largely of a protein known as keratin (as are our fingernails) along with a pigment called melanin, which gives it its color.Although both substances have numerous potential applications,…

By European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases April 22, 2023Researchers have identified protective drugs that can minimize the negative impact of antibiotics on the gut microbiome without affecting their ability to fight harmful bacteria. The study found that certain antibiotics can have long-lasting negative effects on gut bacteria, but combining them with drugs such as anticoagulants and anti-inflammatory medications can protect gut bacteria without compromising the antibiotics’…

In vitro tests have shown that two substances, A5 and C1, derived from the total synthesis of apomorphine hydrochloride, inhibit glioblastoma cell proliferation, suppress tumor stem cell formation, and boost temozolomide’s effectiveness. Further research and in vivo studies are needed to confirm their potential as novel glioblastoma treatments.In vitro tests were performed with cultured cells of glioblastoma, an aggressive type of cancer with few treatment options. The next step is to test the effects of the substances in…