Addressing the saga of nitrosamine contamination in drugs

In June 2018, a potentially carcinogenic nitrosamine impurity, N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), was detected in valsartan, a medication used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure. Soon after, NDMA and further small dialkyl N-nitrosamine impurities were discovered in other sartan active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), and later in stomach acid regulator ranitidine, and diabetes medicines piaglitazone and […]

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Transformation analysis reveals structural similarities in FDA-approved drugs

Researchers in Switzerland have used a combination of reaction informatics tools to compare pairs of molecular structures by considering how to transform one into the other.1 While some pairings entailed feasible transformations, others required multiple and complex structural rearrangements. The team likened the second set of transformations to alchemical transmutations , to emphasise their complexity. […]

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‘Transformative’ carbonyl cross-metathesis used to synthesise alkenes

Selective cross coupling of carbonyls to form alkenes, especially non-symmetrically, is an important reaction in organic synthesis. However, only a few methods are available and none provide efficient cross-selectivity in carbonyl–alkene reactions. Now, an international team has introduced two strategies for cross-metathesis of carbonyls, enabling carbene-to-ylide transfer and di-metalation to make alkenes. David Nagib at […]

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NIH to insist foreign partners share lab notebooks and data

The US National Institutes of Health (NIH) has announced that it will implement a policy that requires grant holders to monitor the lab notebooks, raw data and all documentation underpinning research carried out by collaborators based outside the US. The policy is slated to take effect from 1 January, 2024, despite researchers’ concerns that it may represent overreach by the […]

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New Royal Society fellowship to support Black researchers

The Royal Society Career Development Fellowship will open to applications from scientists with Black heritage – a largely underrepresented group in UK Stem academia – this November with the aim of kickstarting their research careers. Up to five fellowships will be awarded in the first year to outstanding candidates who are completing or have recently […]

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Incorrect casual assumptions

No, she bleedin’ weren’t! That was my buddy the HISTSCI_HULK expostulating whilst he was indulging in his annoying habit of peering over my shoulder whilst I’m reading. She never was! That’s simply wrong! Hulky was getting his nickers in a twist about the following claim: Hypatia was by all accounts, a fine astronomer and a […]

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