Scientists at the Virginia Bioinformatics Institute and Duke University Medical Center have pinpointed a fungal gene that appears to play an important role in the development and virulence of Alternaria brassicicola, a destructive fungal pathogen that results in considerable leaf loss in many economically important crops worldwide, including canola, cabbage and broccoli.
Decaffeinated coffee plants, pest-resistant cotton, and Vitamin A-producing rice varieties have all been developed by introducing genes into plants. Scientists also create modified plants to identify and characterize the functions of specific genes. The current issue of Cold Spring Harbor Protocols — released online today — includes a set of techniques for the creation of transgenic plants.
A cadre of world-renowned scientists working in the most promising areas of cancer research have come together to work as a team at one institution ? Memorial Health ? to accelerate findings for the prevention and treatment of cancer.
Researchers have improved upon an edible coating for fresh fruits and vegetables by enabling it to kill deadly E. coli bacteria while also providing a flavor-boost to food. Composed of apple puree and oregano oil, which is a natural antibacterial agent, the coating shows promise in laboratory studies of becoming long-lasting alternative to conventional produce washes, according to a team of scientists from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the University of Lleida in Spain.
An observational study of about 82,000 males and females in Sweden found a lower risk of pancreatic cancer in subjects with a high intake of folate-rich foods — green, leafy vegetables; cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage; oranges; legumes and whole grains.
Pass on the salt. Cut back on the sugar. Some easy recipe adjustments may be in order for healthier cooking. The November issue of Mayo Clinic Women’s HealthSource answers questions about healthier cooking.
Osteoporosis, a disease characterized by low bone mass that often leads to fractures of the hip, spine and wrist, affects more than 5 million Californians, most of whom are women.(1) In observation of World Osteoporosis Day on October 20, Dairy Council of California offers tips to help women and their families reduce their risk of osteoporosis throughout their lifetimes by eating a healthy diet rich in calcium and other bone-building nutrients, and participating in weight-bearing cardiovascular activities.
Diet plays a key role in controlling your blood sugar. A healthy-eating plan tailored to your needs will do that and more. Majority of people affected with diabetes are overweight or obese. In fact, your risk of getting diabetes increases the more weight you put on.
After all these years, mom was right. She knew broccoli was good for you, she just didn’t know it was this good. “Everyone knows broccoli is good for you and that it contains compounds known to lessen the occurrence of some types of cancer. We want to know how these compounds work and what their specific targets may be,” says Janet V. Cross, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Pathology at the University of Virginia School of Medicine.
If you someday become diagnosed with skin cancer and survive, one of the most worrisome issues you will face will be preventing a recurrence of the cancer. After successful treatment, your doctor will continue to schedule regular follow-up appointments to ensure that you remain skin cancer-free. Even regular medical attention is no substitute for exercising good skin care habits.