Free Republic

The MONTHLY Gardening Thread is a gathering of folks that love soil, seeds and plants of all kinds. From complete newbies that are looking to start that first potted plant, to gardeners with some acreage, to Master Gardener level and beyond, we would love to hear from you. If you have specific question about a plant/problem you are having, please remember to state the Growing Zone where you are located. This thread is a non-political respite. No matter what, you won’t be flamed, and the only dumb question is the one that isn’t asked. It is impossible to hijack the...

Queen bee standing on a supersedure cell (peanut-shaped structure, center). Within the supersedure cell is a new queen bee that the workers have reared as a replacement. Credit: Shelley Hoover ============================================================================ New research reveals how viral infections in queen bees disturb colony stability and pinpoints a specific pheromone that may help preserve unity and productivity within hives. It may sound like the plot of a medieval drama: a once-powerful ruler, weakened by illness, is overthrown by her own followers. In honey bee colonies, however, such dramatic power shifts are real—and they happen frequently, carrying both benefits and risks for the...

Lentil plant grown at Fuerteventura. Credit: Fayna Brenes =============================================================== Ancient lentils preserved in volcanic silos link modern Canarian crops to 2,000-year-old North African origins. Lentils cultivated in the Canary Islands today have roots that extend nearly 2,000 years into the past. This finding comes from the first-ever genetic study of archaeological lentils, conducted by researchers at Linköping University and the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in Spain. Because these lentils have been adapted for centuries to thrive in hot and arid environments, they may offer valuable genetic traits for future crop breeding in response to ongoing climate change....

A new study explores a radical idea: instead of killing cancer, what if we could heal it? In glioblastoma patients, a simple nutraceutical combination of resveratrol and copper appeared to reduce tumor aggressiveness and key cancer hallmarks without side effects. A new study indicates that glioblastoma becomes less aggressive after treatment with resveratrol and copper, a potentially game-changing finding that could pave the way for a radically new approach to cancer therapy. Treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy are all designed with a single goal in mind: to destroy cancer. However, what if this long-standing approach is wrong, and...

There was a thread earlier entitled "Too Many Americans Want a Civil War." Referring to the Kirk assassination, the author warned "how close the country had come to a 'potential' civil war." I've got news for him, and everyone else. Technically speaking, we're not "potentially" in Civil War II, it's already begun. Anyone involved with or familiar with various factions of the intel community, which geek-out on societal analysis, will tell you it's here. The 3 phases of civil war are, technically, classified as follows: 1. Routine Peaceful Competition Remember, not too long ago, when we could argue vociferously, especially...

You can share an article by clicking on the share icons at the top right of it. The total or partial reproduction of an article, without the prior written authorization of Le Monde, is strictly forbidden. For more information, see our Terms and Conditions. For all authorization requests, contact syndication@lemonde.fr. https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2025/11/14/swiss-gruyere-crowned-the-2025-world-cheese-champion_6747449_4.html The World Cheese Awards first prize winner, a gruyère AOP special over 18 months cheese presented by Swiss cheese maker Hitz Pius, from the Vorderfultigen cheese company, during the 37th edition of the World Cheese Awards, in Bern, Switzerland, November 13, 2025. GABRIEL MONNET / AFP A Swiss gruyère...

NATIONAL PICKLE DAY National Pickle Day recognizes the tart, sometimes sweet, and even spicy pickle. Each year on November 14th, pickle lovers pop open pecks of their preferred preserved pickle. It may be a Dill, Gherkin, Cornichon, Brined, Kosher Dill, Polish, Hungarian, Lime, Bread and Butter, Swedish and Danish, or Kool-Aid Pickle. No matter your choice, eat them all day long. #NationalPickleDay The term pickle comes from the Dutch word pekel, meaning brine. In the United States, the word pickle typically refers to a pickled cucumber. However, just about any fruit or vegetable can be pickled. The process typically starts...

Researchers enriched the product with tomato powder, spices, and a mixture of fat sources made up of sunflower, olive, and linseed oils. Credit: Unicamp ====================================================================== Scientists in Brazil and Germany developed a new plant-based meat using sunflower flour. The product delivers strong nutritional benefits, including protein, healthy fats, and key minerals. Its neutral taste and sustainable, non-GMO origin make it a promising alternative to soy- or pea-based proteins. Sustainable Meat Alternative From Sunflowers Researchers from the Institute of Food Technology (ITAL) and the University of Campinas (UNICAMP), both located in São Paulo, Brazil, worked with scientists from the Fraunhofer IVV...

Lindsey Halligan Shows More Receipts

Colorectal cancer is striking younger adults at alarming rates, driven by lifestyle and genetic factors. Colorectal cancer (CRC) develops when abnormal cells grow uncontrollably in the colon or rectum, forming tumors that can eventually invade nearby tissues or spread to other parts of the body. It typically begins as small, benign growths called polyps, which can take years to become cancerous. Globally, CRC ranks among the top three most common cancers, affecting millions of people each year. Traditionally viewed as a condition that primarily affects older adults, it is now emerging in far younger populations, raising growing concern among doctors...

Can you imagine that? They don't care. "I just made a motion to bring it straight to the dadgum floor and they blocked it. They blocked it!" "I tried to do unanimous consent, tried to get the Epstein files, get it straight to the floor to cut out all this nonsense. And, you know, and the Democrats blocked it oddly enough!" "Now here they've had it for four years and they, obviously, if there was something there about Trump, they would have released it." "This is politics. It has nothing to do with doing what's right!" "And it's Washington DC...

Researchers found that brain network patterns can predict how individuals with depression respond to traditional Chinese medicine. Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a severe mental health disorder that is projected to become the most widespread and financially burdensome illness across the globe by 2030. While advances in antidepressant treatments have been significant, doctors still lack clear, objective methods for determining which medication will work best for each person. Nearly one-third of patients experience little to no improvement from their first prescribed antidepressant, making personalized treatment an ongoing challenge. A recent study published in General Psychiatry examined whether traditional Chinese medicine...

The MONTHLY Gardening Thread is a gathering of folks that love soil, seeds and plants of all kinds. From complete newbies that are looking to start that first potted plant, to gardeners with some acreage, to Master Gardener level and beyond, we would love to hear from you. If you have specific question about a plant/problem you are having, please remember to state the Growing Zone where you are located. This thread is a non-political respite. No matter what, you won’t be flamed, and the only dumb question is the one that isn’t asked. It is impossible to hijack the...

Scientists have pinpointed a single genetic alteration that transforms tomato pigmentation, revealing how a minute molecular shift can ripple through complex metabolic pathways. Credit: Shutterstock A single mutation in the YFT3 gene turns tomatoes yellow by disrupting a crucial pigment-producing enzyme. Researchers have discovered that a single genetic change in the YFT3 gene disrupts a vital enzyme involved in producing carotenoids, the pigments responsible for tomato coloration. The gene encodes the isopentenyl diphosphate isomerase enzyme, which maintains the delicate balance between IPP and DMAPP, two essential C5 molecules in isoprenoid synthesis. When one amino acid (Serine) is replaced by another...

The smell wafted through the air in the October sunshine. At least one Harvard scientist has likened it to “rancid butter and vomit,” while Jennifer Iida, a spokesperson for Sacramento’s Department of General Services, called it downright “pungent and unpleasant.” It was the sweet aroma of two 75-year-old ginkgo trees in California State Capitol Park, and it’s gotten so bad, officials have taken matters into their own hands, surrounding the trees with metal barriers affixed with zip-tied and laminated signs to ward the public away. As the Sacramento Bee first reported, the issue isn’t just the odor. It’s the slip...

A new species of butterfly has just been named after Iryna Zarutska, the Ukrainian refugee who was brutally murdered on the Charlotte, NC light rail in August. The butterfly is very beautiful and has been officially named “Iryna’s Azure.” Take a look: Matt Van Swol @matt_vanswol · Follow 🚨#BREAKING: A scientist who discovered a new species of butterfly has named it after Iryna Zarutska to ensure "she is never forgotten." The scientist said, "Her name will be forever immortalized as a butterfly..." The butterfly is called "Iryna's Azure." 🚨WOW! A scientist has just named a newly-discovered butterfly species after Iryna...

It turns out that more peanut exposure earlier on means fewer allergy cases later. Health experts suggested in years past that mothers with familial predispositions to developing allergies should avoid peanut consumption during pregnancy and breastfeeding and that parents should avoid giving their children peanut products and other common allergens before the age of 3. According to a National Institutes of Health-backed study published on Monday in the American Academy of Pediatrics' medical journal, Pediatrics, the strategy of avoidance appears to have been the wrong approach. Background After observing the prevalence of peanut allergy among children in Western countries double...

There's probably a lot going on in your life that can be turning you into a ball of stress (guilty!). But what if all it took to help you unravel that stress ball was a little yarn, a favorite feel-good book, or a great cookie recipe? If you're looking for a low-cost, high-reward self-care treat, taking up a grandma-inspired hobby may be just what the doctor ordered to help you unwind after a busy or stressful day. And it turns out, knitting, baking, and other cozy pursuits can have plenty of benefits for you (beyond a cute scarf or a...

This 1958 Porsche-Diesel Junior 108L tractor is said to have been purchased by the seller out of Germany in 2020 and has been refurbished. The tractor is finished in red with beige wheels, and power is from an air-cooled 822cc diesel single paired with a dual-range three-speed manual transmission. Equipment includes headlights, turn signals, taillights, a hinged engine cover, dual power take-offs, a drawbar, front and rear pin hitches, a red and tan-painted steel seat, a fender-mounted jump seat, and a two-row cultivator. This Porsche-Diesel tractor is now offered in Pennsylvania with a bill of sale. Porsche-Diesel Junior tractors were...

Rose hips or “haws” are the most commonly consumed part of a plant that is best known for its aesthetic appeal. Today, you are more likely to find roses in a vase at the center of a table than on your dinner plate. There are however, a number of culinary and medicinal uses for rose hips.