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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.

Oct. 21 (UPI) -- The California Highway Patrol warned Fresno-area travelers of "a berry sticky situation" resulting from a truck losing its load of blueberries into the roadway. CHP Fresno said on social media that the blueberry spill occurred Monday evening in the southbound lanes of Highway 99, near the eastbound Highway 180 interchange. The CHP shared photos of berries on the road, as well as the sticky, purple mess caused by berries being run over by vehicles. A California Department of Transportation crew was summoned to the highway to clear the jam from traffic.

A little-known microbe in your gut produces methane and may help your body extract more calories from food, according to a study led by Arizona State University. Deep inside your gut lives a vast community of microbes, and among them is one unusual resident that produces methane. This lesser-known methane-producing microbe may influence how efficiently your body absorbs calories from food, according to new research from Arizona State University. This community of microbes is collectively known as the microbiome. In some people, the gut microbiome generates large amounts of methane, while in others it produces very little. Researchers discovered that...

The newly developed Muscat Shiragai grape offers a sweet, smooth flavor with a subtle Muscat aroma. Credit: Okayama University of Science ============================================================================= A team from Okayama University of Science has developed a new wine grape variety, “Muscat Shiragai.” A team of researchers led by Professor Emeritus Takuji Hoshino at Okayama University of Science (OUS) has developed a new wine grape variety called “Muscat Shiragai.” The grape was produced by crossing the wild Shiraga grape, which naturally grows only along the Takahashi River basin in Okayama Prefecture, with the well-known Muscat of Alexandria. The group has submitted the new variety for...

A new study reveals that avian influenza virus can persist in raw milk cheeses made from contaminated milk, posing potential risks to consumers. Credit: Shutterstock ====================================================================== Cornell scientists found H5N1 virus can persist in raw milk cheese for months. More acidic cheeses appear to prevent the virus from surviving. Raw milk cheeses made from contaminated milk were found to contain active avian influenza virus, posing potential health concerns for consumers, according to new research. However, no trace of the virus was identified in samples of highly acidic raw milk cheeses. Feta cheese, for example, represents one of the more acidic...

Maria Branyas, then age four, sitting on a wooden fence with her family in 1911 in New Orleans. (Credit: Arxiu de la família Branyas Morera - Own work, Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons) ================================================================ Study suggests Maria Branyas Morera’s daily yogurt habit could have shaped her tremendously healthy gut microbiome ========================================================================= In A Nutshell * Maria Branyas Morera lived to 117, yet DNA methylation tests showed her cells acting about 23 years younger than her chronological age. * Her daily yogurt habit coincided with unusually high levels of Bifidobacterium, a gut microbe common in younger people, and extremely low inflammation...

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...

Burgers that include insects blended with meat can be a tasty way to eat healthier, help the environment, and still get high levels of protein. (Photo by Charoen Krung Photography on Shutterstock) =============================================================== Two billion people regularly feast on bugs around the world. Is it time for the rest of us to adapt our diets? In A Nutshell * Researchers are testing burgers that blend insect protein with meat or plants. * Lab studies suggest up to 25% meat replacement is possible without losing taste. * Insects offer protein with lower land, water, and emissions than livestock. * Consumer acceptance,...

Recent research suggests fermented kimchi may improve key markers like blood sugar and blood pressure, hinting at unexpected health benefits hidden within this traditional Korean food. Credit: Stock Research shows that eating fermented kimchi can help improve fasting glucose, lower triglycerides, and reduce high blood pressure. Researchers at the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources (CAHNR) conducted a review examining the health effects of kimchi, a traditional Korean dish that has seen rising popularity worldwide. Kimchi is typically prepared from fermented cabbage and radish, seasoned with salt, chili powder, garlic, and ginger. Although it was once relatively uncommon in...

"President Trump's presence in the UK is a multi-layered operation with one ultimate goal: to demonstrate conclusively that the old Atlanticist order is dead, and a new, America-First-aligned structure has taken its place. This is theater, but it's theater with a decisive, real-world objective....." "So, in laymen's terms what you need to do is Forget the handshakes and the photo-ops. This is a victory lap and an occupation. Trump is in the UK to formally accept the surrender of the British political class and to plant the flag of his movement on the soil of America's oldest ally. He is...

NATIONAL CHEESEBURGER DAY National Cheeseburger Day on September 18 honors America's favorite sandwich with a slice of cheese. Let's celebrate this delicious food holiday together! #NationalCheeseburgerDay A few days ago, we celebrated National Double Cheeseburger Day. This food holiday is the lighter version. While only a single stack, this tasty burger still earns a celebration! There are many theories to the beginning of the cheeseburger dating back to the 1920s. One story suggests that Lionel Sternberger invented the cheeseburger in 1926 while working at his father’s Pasadena, California sandwich shop, The Rite Spot. During an experiment, he dropped a slice...

Billions of people regularly eat insects. In the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca, chapulines – toasted grasshoppers – stand out as a beloved seasonal treat that follows the start of the rainy season, a period that runs from late May through September. My new book, “Eating Grasshoppers: Chapulines and the Women who Sell Them,” dives into the history and cultural significance of entomophagy (eating insects) and this unique snack. Chapulineras – the women who sell chapulines – often learn their craft from their mothers and grandmothers. Most will use nets or mesh bags to capture grasshoppers in their “milpa” –...

Despite being a staple food for millions of people worldwide, the genetic secrets of the sweet potato have long remained a mystery to scientists. That is, until now. New research has revealed the complexities behind the genetic makeup of these tubers, widely considered to be a superfood for their health benefits. What science reveals about them is surprising, revealing a previously unknown evolutionary history involving a “hybrid ancestry” behind the beloved vegetables. The research, led by Professor Zhangjun Fei at the Boyce Thompson Institute, was recently published in Nature Plants. The Hybrid Ancestry of Sweet Potatoes Sweet potatoes carry six...