The structure of the title complex, [Ag(C11H15N3S)2]PF6, has monoclinic (P21/c) symmetry, and the silver atom has a distorted square-planar geometry. The coordination complex crystallized from mixing silver hexa­fluorido­phosphate with a concentrated tetra­hydro­furan solution of N,N-di­ethyl­phenyl­azo­thio­formamide [ATF; systematic name: 3,3-diethyl-1-(phenyl­imino)­thio­urea] under ambient conditions. The resultant coordination complex exhibits a 2:1 ligand-to-metal ratio, with the silver(I) atom having a fourfold AgN2S2 coordination sphere, with a single PF6 counter-ion. In the crystal, however, one sulfur atom from an ATF ligand of a neighboring complex coordinates to the silver atom, with a bond distance of 2.9884 (14) Å. This creates a polymeric zigzag chain propagating along the c-axis direction. The chains are linked by C—H⋯F hydrogen bonds, forming slabs parallel to the ac plane.

In the title compound, C17H21NO4S, the 1,4-di­hydro­pyridine ring has an envelope conformation with the Csp3 atom at the flap. The thio­phene ring is nearly perpendicular to the best plane through the 1,4-di­hydro­pyridine ring, the dihedral angle being 82.19 (13)°. In the crystal, chains running along the b-axis direction are formed through N—H⋯O inter­actions between the 1,4-di­hydro­pyridine N atom and one of the O atoms of the ester groups. Neighbouring chains are linked by C—H⋯O and C—H⋯π inter­actions. A Hirshfeld surface analysis shows that the most prominent contributuion to the surface contacts are H⋯H contacts (55.1%).

Gray whales survived many cycles of global cooling and warming over the past few million years, likely by exploiting a more varied diet than they do today, according to a new study by University of California, Berkeley, and Smithsonian Institution paleontologists.

The post Varied diet has allowed gray whales to survive millions of years, study reveals appeared first on Smithsonian Insider.

A new study by astrophysicists at the University of Utah and the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory in Cambridge, Mass., has found a new explanation for the growth of supermassive black holes: they repeatedly capture and swallow single stars from pairs of stars that get too close.

The post Steady diet of binary star partners makes black holes grow “supermassive” appeared first on Smithsonian Insider.

A rising spike in West Nile virus is taking health officials across the country by surprise as this year more than 2,600 people in 45 states and the District of Columbia, have been stricken with severe symptoms of this mosquito-transmitted disease.

The post As robins disperse, West Nile mosquitoes switch diet to humans: Q&A with Smithsonian ornithologist Peter Marra appeared first on Smithsonian Insider.

The discovery of starch granules in the calculus on Neandertal teeth provides direct evidence that they made sophisticated, thoughtful food choices and ate more nutrient-rich plants, for example date palms, legumes and grains such as barley.

The post Starch grains found on Neandertal teeth debunks theory that dietary deficiencies caused their extinction appeared first on Smithsonian Insider.

By charting the slopes and crags on animals’ teeth as if they were mountain ranges, scientists at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History have […]

The post 3D study of teeth in modern mammals opens window to extinct animal diets appeared first on Smithsonian Insider.

The title compound exhibits exceptionally weak inter­molecular C—H⋯π hydrogen bonding of the ethynyl groups, with the corresponding H⋯π separations [2.91 (2) and 3.12 (2) Å] exceeding normal vdW distances. This bonding compliments distal contacts of the CH (aliphatic)⋯π type [H⋯π = 3.12 (2)–3.14 (2) Å] to sustain supra­molecular layers.

The title compound, C14H16, exhibits exceptionally weak intermolecular C—H...π hydrogen bonding of the ethynyl groups, with the corresponding H...π separations [2.91 (2) and 3.12 (2) Å] exceeding normal vdW distances. This bonding complements distal contacts of the CH (aliphatic)...π type [H...π = 3.12 (2)–3.14 (2) Å] to sustain supramolecular layers. Hirshfeld surface analysis of the title compound suggests a relatively limited significance of the C...H/H...C contacts to the crystal packing (24.6%) and a major contribution from H...H contacts accounting 74.9% to the entire surface.

Cancer-causing chemicals that occur naturally in foods are far more numerous in the human diet than synthetic carcinogens, yet both types are consumed at levels so low that they currently appear to pose little threat to human health, a committee of the National Research Council said in a report released today.

One out of every four dogs and cats in the western world is now obese. Like humans, dogs and cats that are obese run a higher risk of developing diabetes, heart disease, or other health problems.

The vast majority of healthy people adequately meet their daily hydration needs by letting thirst be their guide, says the newest report on nutrient recommendations from the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies.

Most Americans and Canadians up to age 70 need no more than 600 international units (IUs) of vitamin D per day to maintain health, and those 71 and older may need as much as 800 IUs, says a new report from the Institute of Medicine.

A new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine outlines how to examine whether specific levels of nutrients or other food substances (NOFSs) can ameliorate the risk of chronic disease and recommends ways to develop dietary reference intakes (DRI) based on chronic disease outcomes.

Although the process used to develop the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) has become more evidence-based since its inception more than 30 years ago, it is not currently positioned to effectively adapt to changes such as food diversity and chronic disease prevalence, while also ensuring the integrity of the process, says a new congressionally mandated report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.

A new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine reviews current evidence and updates intake recommendations known as the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) for sodium and potassium that were established in 2005.

28 Aug 2016: The Mediterranean diet is associated with a reduced risk of death in patients with a history of cardiovascular disease, according to results from the observational Moli-sani study presented at ESC Congress 2016 today.1

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More people are eating gluten-free, although the prevalence of celiac disease appears to have remained stable in recent years, according to an article published online by JAMA Internal Medicine.

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Producing and consuming food has a significant environmental impact. In the search for a sustainable diet, researchers in Sweden explored a method of food production that does not exceed the level of globally available arable land per capita, and involves raising livestock on pasture or by-products not suitable for humans (the ‘ecological leftovers’ principle). The researchers developed three diets based on this method and evaluated their environmental impact compared with current diets.

Despite Atlantic cod and haddock extending further into Arctic waters, a new study reveals there is little competition for food between the invaders and native polar cod. However, it is uncertain whether climate change will increase competition between the species as range expansion of the Atlantic species progresses.

The land use associated with food imports to Germany outweighs that of exported food, leaving the country with a 'land debt', new research suggests. However, reducing the amount of animal products in the diet and minimising food waste could enable the country to achieve a positive land balance, the researchers conclude.

Different European regions have very different diets and environmental conditions, meaning their water consumption varies widely. Despite this, switching to vegetarian diets in keeping with regional variation would substantially reduce water consumption in all areas, a new study concludes. Where people choose to eat meat, adopting a healthy diet low in oils and sugar will also reduce water consumption, although to a lesser degree.

To test the possible health impacts of human exposure to methylmercury through fish consumption, researchers fed mice a diet containing fish at levels that corresponded to a typical Western diet for humans. The mice suffered adverse health impacts after two months of being fed this diet, including reduced body growth rates and modified gene expression patterns.

Neonicotinoids are pesticides applied to plants to protect them from insects. The use of neonicotinoids may lead to contamination of aquatic environments through, among other routes, the input of contaminated plant material into waterways. While it is well established that direct exposure to contaminated water endangers aquatic invertebrates, scientists have now published findings indicating that dietary exposure through the consumption of contaminated plant material puts leaf-shredding species at increased risk. The researchers recommend that policymakers registering systemic insecticides (those whose active ingredients are transported throughout the plant tissues) consider dietary exposure, and its potential implications for ecosystem integrity, in addition to other exposure pathways.

Foods that are healthy also tend to be sustainable. Should the USDA guidelines reflect that?

New dietary guidelines put a limit on added sugar, and changed their tune on dietary cholesterol. Good news for egg lovers.

On the heels of the government's dietary guidelines, Environmental Working Group releases its own version, free from food industry interference.

Actress and animal advocate Natalie Portman adjusts her vegetarian diet due to 'dairy cravings.' Portman, who recently won a Best Actress Oscar for 'Black Swan,

Polar bears have shifted to a diet of more land-based food in response to climate change and melting sea ice.

What qualifies as whole grain is different from processed food with 'high fiber' labels. Think assorted grains.

If you're trying to clear up your complexion, there are studies that link certain foods and nutrients to improvements in your skin.

Here are five delicious ideas for getting more healthy cocoa in your daily diet without any guilt.

Kale has a wide array of health benefits. Here's how to add this superfood into your diet.

Oats are an essential part of a healthy diet. We go way beyond ordinary oatmeal with these outstanding recipes for breakfasts, snacks and even burgers!

Walnuts offer so many health benefits, you'll want to add them to every meal. And we can help you with that!

Chia seeds are touted for their fantastic health benefits. And thankfully there's a way to get them into just about every meal.

Get healthier by focusing on vegetable-based dishes Monday through Friday and eating meat only on the weekends.

Katie Leclerc's character gets a food truck on 'Switched at Birth.'

Idea of including environmental impact of food production won't fly this year.

The Food Network host known for her outrageously caloric concoctions talks about how she's losing weight and why exercise isn't as 'addictive' as she'd been to

A new book, 'The 8-Hour Diet,' has science and sensibility behind it.

Advocating for fitness and good nutrition wasn't enough to save these health experts from an early demise.

For people over 75, a diet high in sugar and fat doesn’t have much of a negative health impact.

Actor says he's currently subsisting on a meager 500 calories per day for Ron Howard's new film 'In the Heart of the Sea'

Following a Mediterranean diet may help prevent diabetes in people who are at risk for heart disease.

U.S. News and World Report dishes the dirt on the best diets of the year.

Recent research finds that grapefruit juice stems weight loss by 18 percent in mice and may be as effective as diabetes drugs.

The American Heart Association wants parents to keep the added sugar in children's diets to less than 25 grams a day. Here's why and how to do it.

Many city dwellers are opting to give up driving their own cars for a month to take Zipcar's Low-Car Diet challenge. Could you go car-lite for 30 days?

Climate change journalist George Monbiot says he was wrong when he claimed 'the only ethical response is to stop eating meat.'