How salt can taste sweet: The myriad mechanisms of taste perception
Humans perceive five basic taste sensations: sweet, umami, bitter, salty, and sour. Specific foods trigger taste recognition of these sensations through the activation of different receptors in our taste buds. In the case of table salt, the concentra.....»»
Discovery of a hidden epigenetic clock in mitochondria reveals a "lifespan limit line"
Building on their work on epigenetics of aging and transposable elements, researchers Dr. Ádám Sturm and Dr. Tibor Vellai from Eötvös Loránd University have made another advance in understanding the molecular mechanisms of aging. Their latest st.....»»
From antiquity to adaptation: Tracing the genetic journey of east Asian chestnut varieties
Uncovering the genetic saga of Castanea trees, a study maps their evolutionary journey and local climate adaptations. This research reveals the genetic markers and molecular mechanisms that have allowed these nut fruit trees to adapt and flourish acr.....»»
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.....»»
Quality control: Neatly arranging crystal growth to make fine thin films
Table salt and refined sugar look white to our eyes, but that is only because their individual colorless crystals scatter visible light. This feature of crystals is not always desirable when it comes to materials for optical and electrical devices, h.....»»
Advances in bermudagrass research highlight genetic insights, potential for environmental resilience
A research team has reviewed recent studies to highlight the significant progress in understanding the growth and stress response mechanisms in bermudagrass, a widely distributed and valuable grass species. A recent review reveals the genetic diversi.....»»
Blind cavefish have extraordinary taste buds that increase with age, research reveals
Over thousands of years, cavefish evolved and lost their vision, earning the moniker "the blind cavefish," but some cavefish also developed an inordinate number of taste buds on the head and chin......»»
Trojan horse method gives malaria parasites a taste of their own medicine
More than a quarter of Australians over the age of 50 take cholesterol-lowering drugs to prevent heart disease and strokes, but our bodies also need cholesterol to survive. Now, scientists from The Australian National University (ANU) say its role as.....»»
First biogeographic map of ants reveals nine global realms
The distribution of species around the globe is not a random process but an outcome resulting from several evolutionary mechanisms as well as past and current environmental limitations. As a result, since the mid-19th century, biologists have identif.....»»
I trust NASA’s safety culture this time around, and so should you
"The lessons of Columbia have not been forgotten." Through a cloud-washed blue sky above Launch Pad 39A, Space Shuttle Columbia hurtles toward space on mission STS-107. (credit: NASA) My first real taste of space journa.....»»
Genetic study uncovers onion bulb shape, size secrets
A new study by the Department of Plant and Agroecosystem Sciences, University of Wisconsin details the genetic mechanisms influencing the shape and volume of onion bulbs, along with the effects of daylength on the bulbing process. This research provi.....»»
Battling bugs with big data: Sweet potato"s genomic-metagenomic pest shield
Sweet potato, a staple in combating global hunger, faces significant threats from pests like whiteflies and weevils, impacting plant growth and yields. A new study harnesses the power of genomic and metagenomic data to predict pest abundance and iden.....»»
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......»»
A review of the Epichloë festucae antifungal protein Efe-AfpA
A research team has reviewed the mechanisms behind endophyte-mediated disease resistance in strong creeping red fescue (Festuca rubra subsp. rubra) and identified the antifungal protein Efe-AfpA produced by Epichloë festucae as a key factor against.....»»
Unlocking the secrets of salt stress tolerance in wild tomatoes
As our climate changes and soil salinity increases in many agricultural areas, finding crops that can thrive in these challenging conditions is crucial. Cultivated tomatoes, while delicious, often struggle in salty soils. Their wild cousins, however,.....»»
Nanomaterials may enhance plant tolerance to high soil salt levels
Soil salt concentrations above the optimal threshold for plant growth can threaten global food security by compromising agricultural productivity and crop quality. An analysis published in Physiologia Plantarum has examined the potential of nanomater.....»»
AI promises to solve Earth"s big environmental problems—but there"s a hitch
Artificial intelligence (AI) has revolutionized our lives in myriad ways, from personalizing our social media feeds to giving us driving directions and monitoring our health......»»
Improving cat food flavors with the help of feline taste-testers
Cats are notoriously picky eaters. But what if we could design their foods around flavors that they're scientifically proven to enjoy? Researchers publishing in ACS' Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry used a panel of feline taste-testers to i.....»»
Researchers elucidate mechanisms behind protein selectivity in adenosine receptor
In a new study, a multinational research team led by Dr. Adnan Sljoka (RIKEN) and Prof. Akio Kitao (Tokyo Tech), in collaboration with Prof. Scott Prosser (University of Toronto), has carried out experimental and computational studies to elucidate th.....»»
Sustainable and reversible 3D printing method uses minimal ingredients and steps
A new 3D printing method developed by engineers at the University of California San Diego is so simple that it uses a polymer ink and salt water solution to create solid structures. The work, published in Nature Communications, has the potential to m.....»»
Mysterious family of malware hid in Google Play for years
Mandrake's ability to go unnoticed was the result of designs not often seen in Android malware. Enlarge A mysterious family of Android malware with a demonstrated history of effectively concealing its myriad spying acti.....»»