Is Red Wine Good For Your Health?

According to a recent article by Emily Singer, a chemical found in red wine can mimic the life-extending effect of calorie-restricted diets in yeast, researchers have found. The founding could provide a new explanation for beneficial effects of red wine. And the replication of the results in mammals- although still a long way off-would raise hopes that the compound could one day be used to slow age-related diseases in humans.

"seventy years ago, we found that caloric restriction in rats increased life span. And over the last 70 years people have been looking for the way to explain it" says the lead researcher David Sinclair at the Harvard Medical School in the US. "Now we have shown we can control the longevity pathway with a small molecule."

The compound is a polyphenol called resveratrol, and is found in grapes. previous research has shown it can protect against heart disease in humans, but whether the life extending properties it shown on yeast will extend to mammals is unknown. "It's long way from yeast to humans' says David Finkelstein at US National Institute on Aging in Washington D C. "But it points the way to go."

Good News about Chocolate Lovers

According to a recent article from the American Chemical Society (ACS), there is a recent scientific findings that provided new evidence that chocolate may be healthier than is usually assumed.
One of the reasons chocolate is unique is the temperature at which it melts: between 94 oF and 97 oF. The human body, at 98.6 oF is just above the chocolate's melting temperature. Chocolate contains more than 300 chemicals. Caffeine, a stimulant, is the most well known, but it is present only in small amounts. Another stimulant is theobromine, found in amounts slightly higher than caffeine. The two molecules are identical except for one methyl group (CH3), but it is not yet clear how they act together in chocolate.

Another chemical known to make us happy when we eat chocolate is anandamide, so named because it means "bliss" in Sanskrit. This compound is also produced by the brain and blocks out pain and depression. However, when produced by the brain, its quickly broken down, so its effects don't last. According to the same source, anandamide molecules from chocolate stay in the body longer.

Anandamide

Science of chemistry links

Anybody that is learning chemistry needs to refer to periodic table of elements. Although, inorganic or general chemistry uses the most, organic chemistry requires the knowledge of periodic trends and periodicity to well understand organic chemistry reaction. Here is one of the link Jenni has come across "periodic table" that explains everything you need to know about the elements. Also, people taking introductory organic chemistry should find good help from the orgachemistryhelp site as well. Please, feel free to share or comment any of these topics.

Learn how to take notes in chemistry course

In Chemistry course and in science in general student need to learn how to take notes. There is no way you could pay full attention to instructor's explanations if you want to write down everything. The best way to deal with this is to use the bullet type technique and have common abbreviations. This will give you more time to listen and focus on the concept. The method of studding chemistry is quite different compare to biology or mathematics. One thing they all have in common is practice. Ex. explain photosynthesis: this could be done using chemical formulas (organic chemistry), in words only or combination of both (Biochemistry). This means your chemistry skills can help you give better explaination.

Back to School Ideas to eliminate stress

As you are getting ready for your classes this fall, make sure you go over the following must do list:
1) Finish registration of all desired courses and do not overload too much especially if you have more than one science like chemistry course combined with math.
2) Make extra effort and get the online access codes as this will help you a lot with your studies.
3) Build a study team from 2 to maximum of 4 students. There is no such thing as "I cannot study in group" learn to do it as you will not regret the effort.
4) Make sure you have a study schedule built and start studying regularly. Do not wait until the test has been announced before you start.
5) Do not hesitate to seek tutoring if it is available at your school and look online for help.
6) Have fun doing it as you cannot afford not preparing your future.

End of this semester and what is next?

As this semester has ended it does not mean you have to forget everything you have learned. Make sure you go over the materials you have not well understood and use online free tutorials to clarify these points before your class at fall. You will be be taking uper level courses and don't expect these courses to be as simple as the one(s) you have just completed. As a matter of the fact, you can even get your textbook and start reading and learning the materials before your classes start. Happy summer break and keep in touch!