There are many examples of beneficial relationships between two different species. One species helps another in return for a favor, much like how we humans interact with each other. What happens, however, when one party does not hold up their end of the deal? Humans retaliate to take revenge in sometimes...
The Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI) research team believes that they have found a great biosynthetic substitute for Number2 (D2) diesel fuel: bisabolane. A member of the terpene class, bisabolane is a chemical found in plants commonly used for fragrances. This is the first time bisabolane is being...
Plant pollen is responsible for the perpetuation of plant species, for bringing us beautiful flowers each spring, and for giving us tasty fruits. But, pollen may have another, more unexpected, effect on our world. It turns out that pollen is transported not only by bees and other nectar-seeking creatures...
For those who have felt severe discomfort in their joints, the pain is unpleasantly disturbing. Osteoarthritis, a joint disorder, is often caused when the cartilage between joins becomes painfully worn down, resulting in uncomfortable stiffness of the joints. However, a recent discovery by University...
Botanists have recently stumbled upon a flower in the mountain area of Murcia, Spain that has yet to be found elsewhere. After further analyzing this strange plant, they concluded that it is the species Astragalus nitidiflorus legume, also known as “Tallante’s chickpea.” The plant was last recorded...
If you take a close look–very close–at different species of birds and insects as they court wildflowers, you’ll discover a pleasing variety of feeding styles. Most bees, for example, use their tongues to get at the flower’s nectar, rather like a spoon. Other animals, such as butterflies,...
Everything that uses fossil fuels contributes to carbon emissions and, unfortunately, this includes biofuel production. In fact, researchers at Michigan State University showed that the carbon cost of converting land use to corn and soybean is equivalent to burning fuel.
In order for biofuels...
The next time you go to an Indian restaurant and decide to order your curry “spicy” instead of the usual “mild,” think twice. You might be overcome by a feeling of doom and desperation, though it will probably pass soon. But exactly how hot is too hot? Can eating too many chili peppers actually...
If someone told you that your eating habits could beneficially alter some of your genes, would this change the way you eat? Now seems to be a good time to think about this, since a group of international scientists and researchers from McGill and McMaster universities have found out some interesting...
Popeye the Sailor from that old cartoon, definitely made the right decision when consuming a can of spinach regularly. Eating leafy, green vegetables, like spinach, bok choy, and broccoli help make you stronger and improve your immune system defenses. Researchers have been studying this effect...
Data from the past thirty-three years show that the population of gray jays in Algonquin Park, a Canadian boreal forest and the birds’ yearlong habitat, is shrinking. As in many other cases of species decline, scientists suspect climate change may be to blame for the overall dwindling. But as a...
With Halloween just around the corner, all I can think about is the delicious chocolate I will be munching on. Although I love Twix and Snickers candy bars, my very favorite are the gourmet Godiva and Ghirardelli chocolates. Regardless, all of these chocolates contain the base ingredient: cacao.
Cacao...
This week we dig deeper into last week’s topic: how to produce bioethanol sustainably. Recent research reveals that a pretreatment step could increase the amount of ethanol derived for switchgrass.
Why use switchgrass for ethanol? This warm seasoned grass can be easily produced in high yield...
The holidays we love are just around the corner, so now may be the time to prepare ourselves from adding on a few extra pounds. Joshua Lambert, an assistant professor at Penn State, conducted an experiment that focused on the study of weight gain of obese mice fed with and without components of green...
At the Forest Service Southern Research Station (SRS), ecologists are working hard to manage the land in order to mitigate changes we’ve stimulated in the climate. Models for the region predict more varied and extreme rainfall patterns. Based on data gathered at Coweeta Hydrological Laboratory...
Orchids inhabit six continents and nearly every habitat on Earth – a surprising accomplishment and evidence of amazing adaptive capabilities. What, you may ask, is the secret to their prowess? Reproductive success, according to Michael Pollan in an introduction to a new book by Christian Ziegler...
Vegetable oil, flour, milk, tofu and many other foods incorporate the widely cultivated edible plant species known as soybean. Even the immature version of soybean can be cooked and consumed and finally served as edamame. Many animals feed off of soybean on a daily basis and rely on its nutritious...
Say goodbye to artificial sweeteners and sour foods! New research has revealed the secret to creating the perfect taste of sweetness by understanding the science behind a certain “miracle fruit” that has the power to turn a sour taste into a sweet one.
This fruit was first discovered in...
An international team of researchers have developed a new method for converting the world’s most abundant organic compound, cellulose, into bioethanol.
Scientists at the University of York identified GH61, an enzyme in a fungus that converts cellulose to smaller sugars. This enzyme has the...
I am sure we have all wondered whether “going organic” is actually worth the extra effort or money. When time is at stake, it seems more convenient to buy easily-accessible, non-organic groceries. Nonetheless, if you are interested in getting possible health benefits from certain organic products,...
While conventional wisdom tells us to rid our gardens and farmlands of weeds, a new study indicates that we may, in fact, be better off with them than without them.
In agricultural societies such as ours, we strive to maximize efficiency and to reduce waste; on a farm, this tenet typically...
