November 10, 2006
Wheaton scientists decode sea urchin genome
Norton Mirror, MA -... urchin Genome Sequencing Project Consortium, led by the Human Genome Sequencing ... scientists is contained a special issue of Developmental Biology appearing on ...
GM crop row: Processors block herbicide resistant soya
Agri-Biz & Commodities - Harish Damodaran 'The variety was not required for small, marginal farms here' How they see itGM varieties could impact its carefully cultivated niche image in the world market. Soyameal enjoys a premium in EU for being
Face transplant policy changed
Leading doctors, who had serious reservations, now give cautious backing to face transplants.
Atopic Dermatitis — Peeling the Onion

Common Ancestry Of Bacterium And Plants Could Be Key To An Effective New Treatment For Chlamydia
Rutgers researchers have discovered that the chlamydia bacterium, which causes a sexually transmitted disease (STD), shares an evolutionary heritage with plants. That shared evolutionary heritage, which is not found in most other bacteria, points to a prime target for development of an effective cure for chlamydia infections.
'Nanorust' Cleans Arsenic From Drinking Water
The discovery of unexpected magnetic interactions between nanoparticles of rust is leading to a revolutionary, low-cost technology for cleaning arsenic from drinking water. In the November 10 issue of Science, researchers from Rice University's Center for Biological and Environmental Nanotechnology describe the technique, which could aid millions in developing countries who have no feasible way of cleaning arsenic from poisoned wells.

November 09, 2006
Natural Hazards: Volcanic Activity on Soufriere Hills
The Soufriere Hills Volcano on the Caribbean island of Montserrat emitted volcanic ash and steam in early October 2006. Volcanic emissions continued throughout October and into November.
Microflora of minimally processed frozen vegetables sold in Gaborone, Botswana - (Journal of Food Protection Volume 69, Number 11, pp. 2581-2586(6))
Abstract: Two hundred samples of minimally processed, frozen, and prepacked potato chips, peas, corn, and a variety of combined vegetables from supermarkets in Gaborone, Botswana, were examined microbiologically. Determination of aerobic mesophilic plate count, aerobic psychrotrophic plate count, lactic acid bacteria, yeasts and molds, coliforms, Listeria spp., and Staphylococcus aureus were done. Chips had the lowest mean log values for all of the microorganisms enumerated except yeasts and molds. The mean log values for single vegetables ranged from 3.6 to 9.1, 3.4 to 8.9, 2.9 to 5.6, and 2.1 to 6.5 log CFU/g aerobic mesophilic plate count, aerobic psychrotrophic plate count, lactic acid bacteria, and yeasts and molds, respectively. The microbial profiles of peas and corn were almost similar (P < 0.001). The mean values for combined vegetables were clustered within 4.6 and 5.4 and 4.2 and 5.2 log CFU/g aerobic mesophilic plate count and aerobic psychrotrophic plate count, respectively. All of the vegetables had a coliform population distribution ranging from 0 to <104 most probable number per g. The predominant gram-negative bacteria isolated included members of Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonaceae (86.2%). Escherichia coli was not detected in all of the samples. The organisms isolated included those responsible for spoilage in frozen vegetables, namely Pseudomonas, Klebsiella, Corynebacterium, lactic acid bacteria, and Flavobacterium. The predominant lactic acid bacteria were Lactobacillus spp. (55.9%). Other spoilage organisms were yeasts, and Cryptococcus spp. (55.4%) was predominant. Pathogens, namely Listeria monocytogenes, were also isolated at a rate of 2 to 10%, of which 4% was from corn, 2% each from peas and country crop, and 10% from stir-fry. Bacillus cereus was also isolated and accounted for 7.7% of the microorganisms from corn. S. aureus was isolated from all of the vegetables. Enterotoxigenic strains were from corn, peas, mixed vegetables, and stir-fry, and all of them produced enterotoxin A. In addition, the isolates from stir-fry vegetables also produced enterotoxins B and C. The study reveals the presence of pathogens and emerging opportunistic pathogens in the ready-to-use or ready-to-eat vegetables. If E. coli is the only indicator for safety and acceptability, consumers may be exposed to foodborne diseases. Inclusion of other groups as indicator organisms is suggested. Retailers are urged to invest in standby generators to maintain the cold chain.
Prevalence of potentially pathogenic Bacillus cereus in food commodities in The Netherlands - (Journal of Food Protection Volume 69, Number 11, pp. 2587-2594(8))
Abstract: Randomly selected food commodities, categorized in product groups, were investigated for the presence and number of Bacillus cereus bacteria. If positive, and when possible, five separate colonies were isolated and investigated for the presence of four virulence factors: presence of genes encoding three enterotoxins (hemolysin BL [HBL], nonhemolytic enterotoxin [NHE], and cytotoxin K) and the ability to produce cereulide. In addition, the presence of psychrotrophic and mesophilic signatures was determined. The genes for NHE are found in more than 97% of the isolates, those for HBL in approximately 66% of the isolates, and the gene for cytotoxin K in nearly 50% of the isolates. Significant associations between product groups and (combinations of) virulence factors were the relatively low percentage of isolates from the "flavorings" group containing genes encoding NHE and the higher-than-average occurrence of both the genes encoding HBL and NHE in the "pastry" group. Cereulide was produced by 8.2% of the isolates but only in combination with the presence of genes for one or more other virulence factors. Most isolates (89.9%) were mesophilic; minorities of the isolates were psychrotrophic (4.4%) or of intermediate signature (5.7%). In the product group "milk and milk products," the incidence of strains with psychrotrophic or intermediate signatures is significantly higher than in the other product groups. In the product groups "flavorings," "milk and milk products," "vegetable(s) and vegetable products," "pastry," and "ready-to-eat foods," a relatively high number of samples contain high numbers of B. cereus bacteria. Within the product group "ready-to-eat foods," the products containing rice and pasta show a relatively high incidence of high numbers of B. cereus bacteria.
After its mixed experience with Bt cotton and field trials of genetically engineered food crops, the Andhra Pradesh government wants a say in what new crop is allowed and what is not. It is also see...
After its mixed experience with Bt cotton and field trials of genetically engineered food crops, the Andhra Pradesh government wants a say in what new crop is allowed and what is not. It is also seeking representation in the Genetic Engineering Approval
Archer Daniels to Look Beyond Corn for Fuel Sources
Archer Daniels Midland said it would seek to maintain its leadership in biofuels by diversifying its production sources beyond corn.
New regulatory body likely for GM crops
NEW DELHI, NOV 8: India is likely to have a new regulatory body for genetically modified (GM) crops. While addressing the conference of economic editors here on Wednesday agriculture minister Sharad Pawar said, "The setting up of a National Biotechnology

November 08, 2006
Exhibition: Sowing the seeds
Until now you had to travel to the Mendel Museum in Brno, Czech Republic, to see the relics of Gregor Mendel's life. But in September, the Field Museum in Chicago opened its doors to the exhibition Gregor Mendel: Planting the Seeds of Genetics. Visitors
A breed apart
The US Food and Drug Administration may soon approve the use of cloned livestock for food. But regulatory roadblocks aren't the only thing keeping clones off the menu, as Heidi Ledford reports.
Rabbit Antithymocyte Globulin or Basiliximab in High-Risk Renal Transplantation?
Marlene Busko