Climate change is affecting the maple syrup industry – The maple syrup industry in America’s Northeast is a huge economic contributor to that region. Rising average temperatures in recent years has been drastically affecting the biological clock of maple trees, making it a challenge to correctly time the sap harvest.

Flavonoids may not function as antioxidants in humans – Flavonoids, found in green tea and dark chocolate, are usually heralded as important for human nutrition because of their antioxidant characteristics. However, a recent study from the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University suggests that flavonoids may not be functioning in the human body as antioxidants, but rather as foreign molecules that trigger mechanisms that kill cancer cells.

Tomato product enhances nutritional quality of meat – Tecnalia Technological Centre is identifying novel uses for food by-products. One example of this is using tomato “fibers” to enhance the texture, nutritional value, or flavor of meat and bakery goods.

Genetically modified rice to grow in Kansas – The USDA recently approved the farming of genetically modified rice in Kansas, citing in a report that the GM rice poses very little risk to the environment. The company producing the rice, Ventria, will use dedicated equipment and mill the rice on-site.

News Briefs: Developments in cellulosic ethanol; DNA sequencing reveals key to viable ethanol production