Nitrogen gets in the fast lane for chemical synthesis

IMAGE: Rice University postdoctoral researcher Zhe Zhou is lead author of a paper on the discovery of a one-step method to turn silicon-based silyl enol ether into nitrogen-bearing alpha-aminoketones, valuable building… view more  Credit: Jeff Fitlow/Rice University HOUSTON – (Feb. 8, 2019) – Rice University scientists have given organic chemists a boost with their latest discovery…

Anther rubbing, a new movement discovered in plants, promotes prior selfing

Most plants have developed mechanisms to prevent self-fertilization and its detrimental effects of inbreeding depression. Traits promoting selfing in plants have been approached mainly from the perspective of a loss of function, or even only considered as a by-product of non-adaptive evolutionary processes. However, the shift from cross-fertilization to selfing has been identified as one…

How exercise may protect against Alzheimer’s

NEW YORK, NY (Feb. 8, 2019)–Athletes know a vigorous workout can release a flood of endorphins: “feel-good” hormones that boost mood. Now there’s evidence that exercise produces another hormone that may improve memory and protect against Alzheimer’s disease, according to a study co-led by Ottavio Arancio, MD, PhD, a researcher at Columbia University’s Vagelos College…