The search for life, on and off our planet, can be done by conventional methods with which we are all familiar. These methods are sensitive and specific, and are often capable of detecting even single cells. However, if the search broadens to include life that may be different (even subtly different) in composition, the methods and even the approach must be altered. Here we discuss the developm...

It is often unclear which factor plays a more critical role in determining a group's performance: the diversity among members of the group or their individual abilities. In this study, we addressed this "diversity vs. ability" issue in a decision-making task. We conducted three simulation studies in which we manipulated agents' individual ability (or accuracy, in the context of our investigatio...

Combinations of ligand, reducing agent, and reaction conditions have been identified that allow alteration in the rate- and regioselectivity-determining step of nickel-catalyzed aldehyde-alkyne reductive couplings. Whereas previously developed protocols involve metallacycle-forming oxidative cyclization as the rate-determining step, this study illustrates that the combination of large ligands, ...

Au nanocrystals (AuNCs) with a size of 10-20 nm decorated on graphene oxide (GO) were fabricated successfully through a hydrothermal reduction and crystallization route without any extra reductants and capping agents. The hydrophobic areas of GO benefit the formation of nanocrystals (NCs) with {111} facets totally exposed; however, the hydrophilic areas are detrimental to the crystallization. T...

For fifty years, dithiothreitol (DTT) has been the preferred reagent for the reduction of disulfide bonds in proteins and other biomolecules. Herein we report on the synthesis and characterization of 2,3-bis(mercaptomethyl)pyrazine (BMMP), a readily accessible disulfide-reducing agent with reactivity under biological conditions that is markedly superior to DTT and other known reagents.

The synthesis of nanomaterials with control over size, shape and chemical composition continues to be a major challenge in nanoscience. The requirements of nanomaterial synthesis are becoming more sophisticated and, in addition to anisotropic structures, there is much excitement surrounding the development of recipes for the synthesis of core–shell and hollow nanostructures. Much of the motivat...

Anthocyanidins were synthesized to study the effect of methoxy substitution on the B ring to their antioxidant property. Comparative FRAP studies show 2'- and 4'-methoxy substituents have higher antioxidant activities, which may be attributed to both resonance and inductive effects.Graphical abstract:Anthocyanidins as reducing agents.

A series of small and well defined cobalt nanoparticles were synthesized by the chemical reduction of cobalt salts in water using NaBH4 as a reducing agent and using various polymeric stabilizers. The obtained nanocatalysts of similar mean diameters (ca. 2.6 nm) were fully characterized and tested in the aqueous phase Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis (AFTS). Interestingly, the nature and structure of ...

The activity of yeast invertase as a function of oxidation-reduction potential has been investigated using a large number of oxidants and reductants. The activity is constant over the range of E(h) from -270 to +600 mv., but above E(h) = +600 mv. there is a sharp decrease in activity reaching 0 at E(h) = +1,000 mv. The inhibiting action of strong oxidants is upon the enzyme rather than on the s...

An efficient route for the synthesis of all four diastereomers of PMP-protected α-amino-γ-butyrolacton to access γ-hydroxynorvaline was established. The asymmetric key steps comprise an organocatalytic Mannich reaction and an enzymatic ketone reduction. Three reaction steps could be integrated in a one-pot process, using 2-PrOH both as solvent and as reducing agent. The sequential construction ...