"Sour" grapes: Berry damage, fruit flies worsen wine
Damaged grape berries combined with vinegar flies are a recipe for promoting sour rot, a disease that lowers vineyard yields and wine quality, according to a Cornell study reporting on field experiments in New York state......»»
Tomato ripening study highlights cell wall component interactions
Tomato fruit ripening involves intricate biochemical and structural changes, particularly within the cell wall, which are vital for the fruit's final texture and quality. These changes include modifications in polysaccharides and proteins, but the sp.....»»
How engineered walnuts combat drought through grafting
Drought is a major threat to walnut production globally, often resulting in lower yields and weaker trees. While grafting has traditionally been used to improve the resilience of fruit and nut trees, the exact mechanisms of signal transfer between ro.....»»
On wildfires, experts say the West needs to rethink its response
Wildfires and the pain they cause to people, property and the planet are here to stay. And if Western management practices don't change to anticipate more and more record fire years, that pain may spread and worsen......»»
Big polluters urged to pay as key Pacific summit opens in Tonga
Emissions-belching nations were challenged to stump up for climate-related damage as a key Pacific islands summit opened on Monday, with low-lying Tuvalu declaring: "If you pollute, you should pay.".....»»
Climate change a mixed blessing for sun-starved Irish vintners
At a tiny outpost in the wine world, Ireland's handful of winemakers are cautiously eyeing long-term growth potential as climate change warms up its cool climate......»»
From genome to grocer"s aisle: Decoding the Chinese cherry for firmer fruits
A significant milestone in horticultural genomics has been reached with the successful decoding of the tetraploid Chinese cherry genome. A recent study provides essential insights into the genetic factors that influence fruit firmness, a critical tra.....»»
Study finds Lausanne toxic soil did not worsen health
Soil pollution from an old incinerator in the Swiss city of Lausanne has not resulted in increased health risks to the local population, a study concluded Wednesday......»»
Cellular DNA damage response pathways might be useful against some disease-causing viruses
New research reveals that triggering a cell's DNA damage response could be a promising avenue for developing novel treatments against several rare but devastating viruses for which no antiviral treatments exist, possibly including human papilloma vir.....»»
Multidirectional negative-stiffness isolation system offers improved seismic protection
Seismic isolation is crucial for safeguarding buildings from earthquake damage. While traditional systems are effective, they struggle with multidirectional forces and adequate damping. These challenges highlight the need for innovative solutions tha.....»»
Researchers develop post-wildfire landslide susceptibility model
In June 2016, the San Gabriel Complex Fire raged through southern California. As it burned, the fire caused damage that negatively affected the surrounding area long after the flames died down. In 2019, three years after the fires had been extinguish.....»»
The application of Sapindus mukurossi extract in sebum-control shampoos
Sapindus mukurossi, a fruit from a deciduous tree in the Sapindaceae family, is widely cultivated in Southern China. Before the advent of modern synthetic detergents, its peel was commonly used to make soap due to its high saponin content......»»
Meteorites give the Moon its extremely thin atmosphere
Impacts that vaporize bits of the lunar surface maintain the Moon's thin atmosphere. Enlarge / Artist's rendition of the LADEE mission above the lunar surface. (credit: NASA/ Dana Berry) The Moon may not have much of an.....»»
Exploring Huntington"s disease: Researchers discover that protein aggregates poke holes in the nuclear membrane
Researchers at Utrecht University in the Netherlands have identified a new way in which the toxic protein aggregates associated with Huntington's disease may damage nerve cells and cause them to die......»»
Newly discovered protein stops DNA damage
Researchers from Western University have discovered a protein that has the never-before-seen ability to stop DNA damage in its tracks. The finding could provide the foundation for developing everything from vaccines against cancer, to crops that can.....»»
Zebrafish use surprising strategy to regrow spinal cord: Findings could help identify ways to heal spinal cord damage
Zebrafish are members of a rarefied group of vertebrates capable of fully healing a severed spinal cord. A clear understanding of how this regeneration takes place could provide clues toward strategies for healing spinal cord injuries in people. Such.....»»
Wildfires are growing under climate change, and their smoke threatens farmworkers, study says
As wildfires scorched swaths of land in the wine country of Sonoma County in 2020, sending ash flying and choking the air with smoke, Maria Salinas harvested grapes......»»
Exotic eye worm rapidly invades US by spreading from testes of fruit flies
The spread to bears shows the worm is gaining ground and new hosts in the US. Enlarge / An adult Thelazia callipaeda in the eye of a cat. In a battle of bear versus exotic eye worm, the eye worm wins—and that's bad ne.....»»
Larger teams in academic research worsen career prospects, study finds
As the Paris Olympics captured the world's attention, it proved apparent that winning medals often hinged on the success of teamwork. While such an approach clearly works in sports, new research suggests teamwork is not always the desired method ….....»»
At its core, life is all about play—just look at the animal kingdom
At Cambridge University Library, along with all the books, maps and manuscripts, there's a child's drawing that curators have titled "The Battle of the Fruit and Vegetable Soldiers.".....»»
Greek firefighters calm deadly Athens inferno
Greek emergency services fought back Tuesday against a massive wildfire that scorched the Athens suburbs, killing a woman, causing widespread damage and sending thousands of people fleeing from their homes......»»