Brainy bumblebees still succumb to the temptations of caffeine and sugar
A bumblebee's brain is smaller than a sesame seed. But it can still accomplish quite a bit......»»
Multiple goals, multiple solutions, plenty of second-guessing and revising—here"s how science really works
A man in a lab coat bends under a dim light, his strained eyes riveted onto a microscope. He's powered only by caffeine and anticipation......»»
Flow of sweetness: Key sugar transporters identified for enhanced camellia seed growth
Seed development is crucial for plant reproduction and crop yield, largely dependent on efficient sugar transport and metabolism. In many plants, the detailed mechanisms of sugar import remain unclear, despite extensive research on model species......»»
How bacteria attach their cloaks of invisibility to immune defenses
Bacteria have different strategies for protecting themselves. Some bacterial pathogens surround themselves with a shell made of many sugar chains that lie close together, also known as capsular polymers. This protects the bacteria from drying out and.....»»
A chemist explains the chemistry behind decaf coffee
Three methods strive to retain the bean's flavor while removing its caffeine. Enlarge (credit: matusgajdos17 / 500px via Getty Images) For many people, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee is the start of a great day. But.....»»
Retaining flavor while removing caffeine—a chemist explains the chemistry behind decaf coffee
For many people, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee is the start of a great day. But caffeine can cause headaches and jitters in others. That's why many people reach for a decaffeinated cup instead......»»
A high-quality pectin that "gels with" low sugar products
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)'s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists developed a high quality and inexpensive pectin that can successfully gel in low sugar products and still be scalable for commercial production......»»
Interdisciplinary approach provides new insights into molecular mechanisms of cholera infection
Cholera infections caused by Vibrio cholerae bacteria can be life-threatening and the trigger is the cholera toxin produced by the bacteria. It binds to the surface of intestinal cells—more precisely, to certain "sugar lipids" (GM1 gangliosides, GM.....»»
Some artificial sweeteners are forever chemicals that could be harming aquatic life
With so much health advice to avoid excessive sugar in our diets to reduce risks obesity and tooth decay, some people choose to use artificial sweeteners as an alternative in hot drinks and recipes......»»
High throughput prediction of sugar beet root weight and sugar content using UAV derived growth dynamics
A research team employed an RGB camera on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to collect time series data on sugar beet canopy coverage and height. This data was used to predict root weight and sugar content with high accuracy. This innovative technique.....»»
Nectarivores: A world of sweet-toothed critters
If you have a sweet tooth, you'll be familiar with the burst of energy known as a sugar rush. But what if your survival depended on it? Would you love it as much? Animals get the nutrients they need from different sources......»»
MagSafe Monday: O-Mag Magnetic Webcam Mount is the perfect way to use Continuity Camera on your Mac
There’s no sugar coating it: The iPhone’s camera is a drastically better camera for video meetings over the Mac’s webcam. Even as Apple has upgraded the Mac’s webcam in recent years, it still doesn’t hold a candle to the iPhone. allows you.....»»
Chocolate made with fewer calories, less waste
“Whole fruit chocolate” uses cocoa pulp and inner shell in lieu of sugar. Enlarge (credit: YelenaYemchuk) Commercialization has not dealt kindly with the Mayan Food of the Gods. Modern chocolate products are filled w.....»»
Study reveals how a sugar-sensing protein acts as a "machine" to switch plant growth—and oil production—on and off
Proteins are molecular machines, with flexible pieces and moving parts. Understanding how these parts move helps scientists unravel the function a protein plays in living things—and potentially how to change its effects. Biochemists at the U.S. Dep.....»»
Amid two wrongful death lawsuits, Panera to pull the plug on “charged” drinks
A large previously contained nearly as much caffeine as the FDA's daily safe limit. Enlarge / Dispensers for Charged Lemondade, a caffeinated lemonade drink, at Panera Bread, Walnut Creek, California, March 27, 2023. (credit: Ge.....»»
Lego-pushing bumblebees reveal insect collaboration dynamics
A new study reveals that cooperation by bumblebees isn't simply a result of accumulated individual efforts. Rather, these miniature-brained creatures are not just hard-working pollinators, but also show signs of being master collaborators......»»
Research shows bumblebee nests are overheating due to climate change, threatening future populations
As a result of the climate crisis, global warming is driving up temperatures around the world—and bumblebees, like humans, are struggling to cope with homes that can't beat the heat......»»
New sugar-based catalyst could offer a potential solution for using captured carbon
A new catalyst made from an inexpensive, abundant metal and common table sugar has the power to destroy carbon dioxide (CO2) gas......»»
A systematic review of three key sugar metabolism proteins: HXK, SnRK1 and TOR
Sugar signaling is one of the most important regulatory signals for plant growth and development, and its metabolic network contains many regulatory factors. Sugar signaling molecules regulate cellular activities and organismal development by interac.....»»
Sugar in baby food: Why Nestlé needs to be held to account in Africa
Nestlé has been criticized for adding sugar and honey to infant milk and cereal products sold in many poorer countries. The Swiss food giant controls 20% of the baby-food market, valued at nearly US$70 billion......»»
Sugar gums have a reputation as risky branch-droppers but they"re important to bees, parrots and possums
I had the good fortune to care for the sugar gum at The University of Melbourne's Burnley Gardens in Victoria where I worked for many decades. It was a fine tree—tall and dominating. Less than a year after my retirement, it shed a couple of major l.....»»