Football Pain? Solve it with Solvent

A friend pointed me towards ESPN's recent interview with former Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman Tony Casillas. When asked about the recent hullabaloo regarding deer antler spray, Casillas reportedly answered: "That's nothing. We used to use this stuff called DMSO..."

DMSO? Dimethyl sulfoxide? Like, the polar aprotic solvent we all know and love from the Swern oxidation?

The very same.*

I hadn't realized that the compound had such a long history in medicine. Suppose I should have remembered hearing Breslow once talk about DMSO as his inspiration for the development of SAHA (vorinostat). Still, after the heated warnings I've always received from tox folks while handling DMSO stock solutions (Double gloves! Wipe up spills ASAP!), I'm hesitant to try it myself.

*A note of caution: I'm not endorsing rubbing DMSO on your balky knee or tennis elbow. You should always ask a medical professional before trying something like that. Please don't say "I read this on a blog..."

'Beast Mode' Secret - Candy!

It's almost playoff season in the NFL, and some teams are getting hot at just the right time. Teams like the Seattle Seahawks, and their bruising running back Marshawn Lynch.

Apparently 'Beast Mode' begins with a Skittle shower
Source: ESPN Sport Science | Marshawn Lynch

Here comes the chemistry: an ESPN Sport Science video posted yesterday explains one of the secrets behind Marshawn's "Beast Mode" - the seemingly unstoppable extra bursts of power Lynch displays as the game goes on. Noshing on candy while standing on the sideline seems to grant him special powers, as shown by some "science-y" experiments (n = 1 for everything, alas) which tested grip strength, agility, and reaction time.

Though the tests might not be top-notch, the message still carries: I'll watch any sports video that attempts to explain how glycolysis and insulin work together to regulate blood sugar levels.

(We'll also forgive them for just showing animated red blood cells, when they could have zoomed in on mitochondria, or perhaps laid out the whole Krebs cycle. Maybe next time?)

ESPN Anchormen - Secret Chemists?

Just in time for Super Bowl 46 (XLVI, for those playing in ancient Rome), The New York Times recently published a humorous collage of ESPN sportscasters' cliches over the past six months of NFL coverage. One tract specifically caught my eye:

"Ray Rice, dynamite running back — he's literally the catalyst for this Ravens offense."

Ray Rice: The Grubbs II of the Ravens' offense

Wow, two chemical terms in the same sentence! I understand, then, that Ray Rice, in addition to being a nitroglycerin-soaked fiber cylinder with a blasting cap, can also reduce kinetic barriers (tackles?) to fundamental reaction steps (gaining touchdowns, no doubt). 

I can see the similarity, if I look hard enough. After all, both football and chemistry research share collisions, (grid)iron, receivers, and a love of all things statistic. 

Just don't compare high "turnover numbers" (TON)...the NFL doesn't look as kindly on those as scientists do!

Enjoy the big game, everyone. Go Pats!