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Stimulants produced by plants are among the most widely used drugs in the world. In the latest edition of Periodic Graphics in Chemical & Engineering News, we look at why plants make these compounds and the ways in which the molecules produce stimulant effects. View the full graphic on the C&EN site.
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![ChemVsCOVID infographic marking 18 Dec 2020, the date on which the Alpha variant was designated as a variant of concern. The first column discusses tracking variants. Coronavirus variants arise from mutations in the virus RNA, its genetic code. These mutations occur over time as the virus copies itself. The mutations can be used to identify variants and track their spread. As of December 2021, over 6,000,000 SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences have been submitted to the shared GISAID database, from most of the countries in the world.
The second column discusses variant consequences. Most mutations in the virus genome have little or no effect on the characteristics of the virus. But some mutations in the code cause more meaningful changes, such as those affecting the spike protein. The spike protein helps the virus enter cells. It’s the main target of vaccines and our body’s immune response. Changes to the spike protein’s structure may increase the virus’s infectivity and ability to evade immune responses.](https://i0.wp.com/www.compoundchem.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/18-12-2020-–-COVID-variant-tracking-webv2.png?resize=1024%2C1024&ssl=1)
On this day a year ago, the Alpha variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus was designated a variant of concern. The final graphic in the #ChemVsCOVID series with the Royal Society of Chemistry looks at how variants are tracked and what causes the differences between them.
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This week, the UK has confirmed it plans to fortify non-wholemeal flour with folic acid. It’s not the first country to do so: the United States has been fortifying flour with folic acid since 1998. Most countries in South America and a number in Asia also have mandatory fortification programs. This graphic looks at the reasons for fortification with folic acid – and making it also got me wondering why the practice isn’t more widespread in Europe.