Schoolteacher farmer and international carbon consultant Beatrice Ahimbisibwe too knows the value of planting trees.
In 2003 she began reforesting a one-hectare plot on her farm in Uganda after signing up for Uganda-based Ecotrust's Trees for Global Benefits carbon-credit program.
which absorb and store carbon from the air. As a farmer she wanted to invest in her land.
Thanks to the carbon credit program she could address both interests simultaneously. The first to join the program Ahimbisibwe gets paid in increments over its 10-year life for planting and growing trees.
First with the carbon payments she has received Ahimbisibwe has educated her two children built a permanent home purchased furniture
and serves as a carbon consultant locally and internationally. Her story should remind the world of the amazing conservation impact local women can make
and the chemical feel-good factor comes from the world s most widely consumed psychoactive drug.
Less than 200 years ago the invention of the chocolate press by Casparus van Houten senior made it possible to separate roasted cocoa beans into cocoa butter
and cocoa butter to produce an eating chocolate and in 1847 the Bristol Quaker firm of Fry s closely followed by Cadbury s in Birmingham made the first chocolate bar.
The taste of chocolate comes from a mixture of chemicals many resulting from the roasting process in
which sugars and amino acids combine forming members of a family of molecules called pyrazines which contribute the nutty roasted and chocolately sensations.
which also happens to be the molecule that makes chocolate poisonous to dogs. Then there is serotonin a natural neurotransmitter
Another chocolate molecule believed to be important was discovered less than 20 years ago: anandamide. This binds to receptors in the brain known as cannabinoid receptors.
These receptors were originally found to be sensitive to the most important psychoactive molecule in cannabis Î-THC.
Likewise anandamide and similar molecules found in chocolate are thought also to affect mood. Phenylethylamine another family of chemicals is found in chocolate in very small amounts.
It is a naturally occurring substance with a structure that is closely related to synthetic amphetamines which of course are also stimulants.
and it acts by producing endorphins the brain s natural feel-good#molecules. The bad news however is that eating chocolate is probably not the best way of getting our hands on phenylethylamine as enzymes in our liver degrade it before it can reach the brain.
There are yet more other molecules in chocolate especially in dark chocolate like flavonoids which some scientists think may help improve cardiovascular health
which isn t a molecule the melt-in-your mouth sensation. The fatty triglycerides in cocoa butter can stack together in six different ways each resulting in a different melting point.
Only one of these forms has the right melting point of about 34 degrees so that it melts in your mouth not in your hand#.
Sulakvelidze added that phage bio-control products are an alternative to chemical washes and irradiation two mechanisms commonly used to kill bacteria in ready-to-eat food products.
Protect Public health Not Toxic Chemicals (Op-Ed) The FDA has linked ractopamine to nearly a quarter-million reported adverse events in pigs (more than half of those pigs were sickened
and waterfowl experts agree the overwhelming cause of angel wing is an unhealthily high protein and/or carbohydrate-based diets.
They respond to chemicals with lock -and-key mechanisms that resemble how animals smell. Plants have specific photoreceptors
which are proteins that respond to different wavelengths of light. They know when they're being touched Simon Gilroy a professor of botany at the University of Wisconsin-Madison told Live Science.
When part of a plant gets eaten that causes distress chemicals to propagate through the plant
which responds with chemical changes to make itself less tasty to the predator Gilroy said. Not only can plants send signals within their own bodies
A disease or pest infestation in a neighboring plant sends out chemical signals that cause nearby plants to respond.
It gives off a chemical so the plant defends itself. Researchers have shown also corn seedlings lean toward sounds with a 220-Hertz frequency the same tune emitted by the plants'roots
In 4-ethyloctanal we identified a novel chemical that had never been demonstrated in nature before.
when 4-ethyloctanal reacts with oxygen it converts to a related compound called 4-ethyloctanoic acid
7 Tales of Naughty Acts in the Wild In other words it seems this single molecule alters both female goats'behavior
but now the new study has identified the actual compound at work said John J. Mcglone a Texas Tech University professor who was involved not in the study.
macrofossil remains of psychoactive plants residues from fermented alcoholic drinks psychoactive alkaloids (chemical compounds) on artifacts and skeletal remains and artistic depictions of psychoactive plants and drinking scenes.
The main psychoactive compound of marijuana is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) which is most abundant in the female plants (Cannabis plants are typically
They also tend to consume less saturated fat and fewer added sugars the researchers said.
and potassium and less saturated fat according to researchers who published their results in 2009 in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association.
and bran but it is enriched often with B vitamins. So there are some benefits to white rice but brown rice contains more fiber minerals and phytonutrients.
which is a good thing for getting more vitamins and fiber in one's diet Kaiser said.
and polluted region in China more quickly excreted the cancer-causing chemical benzene from their bodies through their urine.
and colon-and liver-cleansing schemes to rid the body of harmful chemicals. In this new study a team led by Dr. Thomas Kensler who holds joint positions at Johns hopkins university in Baltimore
Kensler said that broccoli consumption initiates chemical reactions that assemble molecules that attach to benzene compounds making these benzene compounds more water soluble and easier to pass through the urine.
or herbs consumed periodically can flush the body of all of these nasties regardless of their chemical composition or place of storage.
The liver the primary organ to detoxify chemicals never needs to be cleaned because it doesn't work like the lint filter it's commonly portrayed to be.
The liver detoxifies chemicals by changing their composition into a less-reactive state. Chemicals that the liver can't detoxify simply pass through it unchanged at the risk of harming other organs.
The colon never needs to be cleaned either. The theory of autointoxication in which a dirty colon creates toxins that are reabsorbed into the body was disproved nearly 100 years ago
or juice can locate all these diverse chemical families within the body and safely and magically escort them out of the body.
All of the genetic material collected from endangered breeds at SVF is stored using liquid nitrogen and should remain viable indefinitely for future use.
the world's oldest known wine cellar found in the ruins of a sprawling palatial compound in Upper Galilee.
The compound was at its peak between 1900 B c and 1600 B c. Artifacts and paintings found at the site suggest this community had contact with Egypt Mesopotamian cultures to the north
Most evidence relied on residual fats found in pottery shards but many of these traces had degraded over time
and found that the chemical and bacterial composition matched the snacks buried with the mummies.
The lava cools so quickly that gas bubbles are trapped inside creating a rock filled with spongelike holes.
The Volcanic Ash Advisory Centers are very competent now to be able to track atmospheric particles
which are very high in folate a nutrient that is especially important during pregnancy. The scientists investigated the concentration of nutrients in the blood of 84 pregnant women who conceived at the peak of the rainy season
Methylation generally depends on nutrients such as folate choline methionine and vitamins B2 and B6 the researchers said.
In the study methylation in the infants'genes was linked to various nutrient levels in the mother's blood.
Preconceptional folic acid is used already to prevent defects in embryos. Now our research is pointing towards the need for a cocktail of nutrients
and are a great way to add healthy fat to your diet. Healthy fat sometimes called monounsaturated fat in the form of oleic acid accounts for about three-quarters of the calories in an avocado.
Monounsaturated fats can help lower cholesterol and improve heart health. Avocados also have a higher percentage of protein about 4 grams than other fruits.
Their sugar levels are also comparatively low. Avocados contain many essential vitamins and minerals. They are a good source of vitamins K B9 B6 B5 C
and E. They are also high in magnesium phosphorus iron and potassium containing even more potassium per gram than bananas.
Additionally avocados are a good source of fiber which aids digestion and helps keep you regular.
Fresh avocados contain important carotenoid antioxidants lycopene and beta-carotene the highest concentration of which is located in the dark green flesh closest to the peel.
1/5 medium California (1. 1 oz/30 g) Calories 50 Calories from Fat 35*Percent Daily Values(%DV) are based on a 2000
Heart Avocados amounts of Vitamin e glutathione and monounsaturated fat all help to keep your heart healthy.
but the Vitamin b6 and the folic acid found in avocados can help regulate it. One seven-year study published in 2013 found that avocados were associated with a reduced risk of metabolic syndrome
Avocados also improved cholesterol for people that already had good lipid levels but were shown to be especially effective in those with mild cholesterol problems Avocados can help in this way because of their high amount of the beta-sitosterol compound
which is associated with lowering cholesterol. Regulating blood sugar This is another way that avocados high fat content is good for you.
The monounsaturated fats can help stop insulin resistance which helps to regulate blood sugar levels. Furthermore the soluble fiber in avocados can help keep blood sugar levels steady
Pregnancy and preventing birth defects Avocados are full of folic acid providing about 23 percent of the recommended daily value.
Folic acid is essential to preventing birth defects like spina bifida and neural tube defect. Cancer The phytochemicals in avocados may help prevent certain cancers especially prostate mouth and skin cancers.
The Vitamin c in avocados also helps keep your intestinal tract strong and healthy by promoting collagen growth.
Skin The Vitamin c and Vitamin e in avocados helps keep your skin nourished and glowing. Avocados are used commonly to help treat psoriasis.
As with many other fruits avocados primary risks are related to overconsumption. Because of their high fat and caloric levels (about 200 calories per 100 grams) eating too many avocados can lead to weight gain.
They are also quite filling meaning that eating too many avocados may not leave you enough room to get other essential nutrients such as protein.
and a special form of Vitamin k associated with fermentation may at least contribute to this effect.
And given it is a good source of many essential nutrients including protein calcium Vitamin a Vitamin b12
and riboflavin there are also sound nutritional reasons for consuming this product. Of course people who are lactose-intolerant should be careful about how much and
The 3 Types of Fats Explained Dr. Thomas Brenna professor of nutritional sciences at Cornell University has done a thorough review of the literature on coconut oil.
Saturated fat Saturated fat is found mostly in foods from animals and some plants. Foods from animals include meats and dairy products.
Plant foods that contain saturated fat include coconut oil palm oil and cocoa butter. Saturated fat raises both the bad cholesterol and the goodcholesterol.
Unsaturated fat Polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats are unsaturated the two fats. They're found mainly in many fish nuts seeds and oils from plants.
Some examples of foods that contain these fats are salmon trout herring avocados olives walnuts and liquid vegetable oils such as soybean corn safflower canola olive and sunflower.
Studies show that eating foods rich in unsaturated fats lowers LDL (bad) cholesterol and raises HDL (good) cholesterol.
Trans fat Most trans fat is made by adding hydrogen to vegetable oil through a process called hydrogenation
which makes the oil less likely to spoil. Using trans fats in the manufacturing of foods helps foods stay fresh longer have a longer shelf life
and have a less greasy feel. Hydrogenation is common in margarine and shortening. Trans fat is a cholesterol nightmare.
Trans fat raises your LDL cholesterol and lowers your HDL cholesterol. Why is coconut oil getting internet attention and a lot of buyers in health food stores?
As Dr. Willett points out coconut oil seems especially effective in giving HDL a boost. There are several forces creating this phenomenon.
They can also be a good way to get magnesium and vitamins C and B6.
and help with production of white blood cells all due to the high level of Vitamin b6 that bananas contain she told Live Science.
1 medium banana (4. 5 oz/126 g) Calories 110 Calories from Fat 0*Percent Daily Values(%DV) are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Plus Vitamin b6 can help you sleep well and magnesium helps to relax muscles. Bananas are high in fiber
Vitamin b6 can also help protect against type 2 diabetes and aid in weight loss according to Flores.
The fruits contain a small but significant amount of Vitamin a which is essential for protecting your eyes maintaining normal vision and improving vision at night according to the National institutes of health.
Vitamin a contains compounds that preserve the membranes around your eyes and are an element in the proteins that bring light to your corneas.
Like other fruits bananas can help prevent macular degeneration an incurable condition which blurs central vision.
Bananas may be helpful in preventing kidney cancer because of their high levels of antioxidant phenolic compounds.
They also do not contain enough fat or protein to be a healthy meal on their own or an effective post-workout snack.
Eating bananas becomes significantly risky only if you eat too many. The USDA recommends that adults eat about two cups of fruit a day or about two bananas.
If you eat dozens of bananas every day there may be a risk of excessively high vitamin and mineral levels.
According to the NIH consuming more than 500 milligrams of Vitamin b6 daily can possibly lead to nerve damage in the arms and legs.
You would have to eat thousands of bananas to reach that level of Vitamin b6. It turns out that the biggest risk from a banana peel might really be slipping on it.
It contains high amounts of Vitamin b6 and B12 as well as magnesium and potassium. It also contains some fiber
and protein According to a 2011 article in the journal of Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology banana peels also have various bioactive compounds like polyphenols carotenoids and others.
or chemical contamination as the most likely reason for CCD. In short waves of either chemical contamination
or viral infections are overwhelming the honeybees and the hives. Last summer for instance researchers from the University of Maryland and the USDA collected pollen from seven major types of crops along the East Coast where CCD has been especially destructive where bees had been in serious decline and fed
What the study indicated is that there may not be a single cause of CCD it could be a complex web of many chemicals that involves different types and classes of pesticides and fungicides.
#Methane Rising As Funding Cuts Threaten Monitoring Network Levels of methane a climate-changing greenhouse gas have been rising since 2007.
But U s. federal budget woes are shrinking the monitoring network that tracks greenhouse gases such as methane
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric administration (NOAA) monitors many potent greenhouse gases such as methane carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide at observatories around the world.
Invisible blanket Methane gas lasts just nine years in Earth's atmosphere but is about 34 times more potent at trapping infrared radiation (the greenhouse effect) than carbon dioxide
Greenhouse Gases: The Biggest Emitters (Infographic) One mystery in the global methane record is why Asia's strong economic growth
Gases rise measurements decline NOAA complements its air-sample measurements with continuous measurements at six observatories in Hawaii Alaska Greenland Antarctica American samoa
and California and tall towers throughout the United states. The agency also tracks greenhouse gases by plane and other countries contribute to the network.
and track greenhouse gases. NOAA spends about $6 million each year on the program. As a result of funding cuts in 2012 the agency slashed some monitoring from aircraft and ground stations.
and gas industries can emit significant amounts of methane. But no one knows how much methane escapes nor its potential effect on regional or global temperatures.
The warming Arctic could add significant amounts of methane gas to the atmosphere as permafrost melts
and releases huge quantities of gas trapped in previously frozen ground. While some studies indicate methane may already be escaping from the Arctic ground atmospheric levels of methane in the Arctic have not increased yet Dlugokencky said.
Magnesium is necessary to synthesize proteins DNA and RNA. It plays a role in our metabolism
and cells use magnesium to transport calcium and potassium ions across the cell walls. Healthy magnesium levels are key to nerve function muscle contraction heartbeat and healthy bones.
The treatment involved a pig bladder that had been stripped of its cells leaving only a scaffold made of tough proteins.
Biological scaffolds when they degrade release signal molecules said Dr. Stephen Badylak of the University of Pittsburgh who led the study.
In the study the protein scaffold that holds the cells of a pig bladder in place worked by attracting stem cells to the site the injury
This would ensure that the protein scaffold had the effect the doctors were seeking and any healing they saw was not due to some other factor.
It occurs because proteins found in some fresh fruits and vegetables are similar to allergy-causing proteins found in pollens such as ragweed birch mugwort and grasses.
Not long after some people with seasonal allergies eat uncooked fruits and raw vegetables as well as some nuts and spices these people's immune systems recognize a similarity between the food and pollen's proteins.
This is called cross reactivity. The thinking in the field is that the pollen allergy is the driver behind the immune response to the food said Dr. Wayne Shreffler director of the Food Allergy Center at Massgeneral Hospital for Children in Boston.
That's because the food's allergy-causing protein is broken easily down by cooking or processing.
Using satellites to measure atmospheric concentrations of climate change-fueling carbon dioxide originating from coal-fired power plants could help verify other countries claims about their emissions of greenhouse gases helping regulators in the U s
. and abroad to enforce current and future international greenhouse gas emissions regulations a new Los alamos National Laboratory study shows.
By using remote sensors on the ground to measure the carbon emissions from two of the Southwest s largest coal-fired power plants the study published in May in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences demonstrated the strategy
and technology satellites may use to measure carbon emissions from CO2 sources all over the globe.
The use of satellites to measure carbon emissions is called space-based verification #and it could be a way to check the accuracy of other countries claims about how much carbon they emit.
For example coal accounts for 70 percent of energy used in China today primarily for electricity production
. But there are discrepencies in China's greenhouse gas emissions data and satellite remote sensing could eventually provide accurate data that would help make it easier to enforce international emissions regulations.#
#Scientists have had technical challenges using satellites to measure greenhouse gases because of their limited coverage area
and assess future satellite monitoring strategies#he said adding that research in using satellites to monitor atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations will flourish
when NASA launches its Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 satellite in July. The Los alamos team clearly demonstrated the value of remote sensing for monitoring greenhouse gas emissions said David Crisp the Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 (OCO-2) science lead at NASA s Jet propulsion laboratory.
Crisp is unaffiliated with the Los alamos study.##oeto fully exploit this capability we need to acquire measurements like this at high spatial resolution over the entire globe#Crisp said.
#Today sensors on the ground are more accurate at measuring greenhouse gases than satellites but the OCO-2 is expected to take the next technological leap in satellite-based greenhouse gas measurement technology he said.
For CO2 emissions to be monitored accurately from space it would take a coordinated network of satellites similar to existing weather satellites he said.
but some countries have greenhouse gas-detecting satellites being launched within the next five years. Beyond the demonstration of possible satellite-based greenhouse gas detection technology the Los alamos study had some surprising results about the two New mexico power plant s emissions.
The study found that 70 to 75 percent of the regional atmosphere within about 6 miles of the power plants is polluted with their emissions.
Plants are rich in protective compounds and help consumers avoid the cancer-causing substances found in animal products.
The reason fruits and vegetables help lower cancer risk is that they contain protective compounds such as the phytochemicals that Talalay discovered in broccoli in the 1990s that reduce the risk of several cancers
and if substituted for red meat can help reduce exposure to fats and other chemicals that promote cancer
and heart disease. 3. Limit or avoid dairy products to reduce the risk of prostate cancer. Studies have linked dairy to prostate cancer
The reason is that cancer-causing chemicals called heterocyclic amines (HCAS) are created when creatine and amino acids in skeletal muscle aka meat are cooked at high temperatures.
This oily substance#closely related to urshiol the toxic compound found in poison ivy poison oak and poison sumac#acts as an irritant causing an allergic rash on the skin.
And like most nuts cashews are also a good source of Vitamin e and cancer-fighting phytochemicals.
I wake up every morning with good intentions wanting to help save the planet by reducing my carbon footprint.
Can a poor family struggling to earn three meals a day really make decisions based on carbon footprint?
China and India saw their per capita carbon emission from fossil fuel and cement production go from about two tons and one ton respectively in 1990 to almost eight tons and two tons respectively in 2012.
The human mind simply is not capable of worrying all day every day about carbon footprint. We should be worrying about the big picture finding solutions rather than relying on the pipe dream of simply reducing consumption to save the planet.
It is beyond doubt that we have been ramping up the carbon in land air and water and this is increasing temperatures on our planet.
We still don't know how much excess energy trapped by the continued increase of greenhouse gases is being stored On earth somewhere perhaps in the oceans
of which can be solved by massive but economic and environmentally safe desalination. There are some nifty examples of the bold human imagination ranging from super sustainable cities to the intelligence revolution.
In the meantime we must continue to try to reduce our carbon footprint until these game changers come along with efforts like http://confessionsfilm. com/oneearth
and their bodies use stored fat to stay alive. Most bears are solitary and only interact with their young.
No solution to climate change can be found without reducing deforestation which accounts for more than 11 percent of greenhouse-gas emissions.
An added advantage in protecting community forest rights is that the quality of the forests tends to be better often containing about one-third more carbon per hectare than areas outside community forests.
The report shows that these community forests contain 37 billion tons of carbon more than 29 times that emitted annually by all the passenger vehicles On earth.
Legal recognition of community forest rights and protecting those rights stops this carbon going into the atmosphere.
The meal also has 93 grams of saturated fat which is nearly five days'worth CSPI says.
And of course oranges are well known for their Vitamin c content said Laura Flores a San diego-based nutritionist.
1 medium orange (5. 5 oz/154 g) Calories 80 Calories from Fat 0*Percent Daily Values(%DV) are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Immune system Most citrus fruits have a good deal of Vitamin c and oranges have high levels even compared to their tangy brethren.
Vitamin c protects cells by scavenging and neutralizing free radicals explains a 2010 article in the medical journal Pharmacognosy Reviews.
Vitamin c also helps keep skin looking beautiful by helping fight against skin damage caused by the sun and pollution.
It is vital to collagen production and may help reduce wrinkles and improve the skin's overall texture according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Oranges contain Vitamin c fiber potassium and choline which are all good for your heart so the fruits may give your ticker a big boost.
She noted another heart-related benefit pointing out that oranges are high in folate which is beneficial in lowering levels of homocysteine a cardiovascular risk factor.
and improve blood sugar lipids and insulin levels in people with type 2 diabetes. The American Diabetes Association lists oranges along with other citrus fruits as a superfood for people with diabetes.
Oranges are Vitamin a rich. This nutrient contains carotenoid compounds like lutein beta-carotene and zeaxanthin which can help prevent age-related macular degeneration an incurable condition that blurs central vision.
Vitamin a also helps your eyes absorb light and it improves night vision. Furthermore the American Optometric Association reports that Vitamin c can help reduce the risk of cataracts
and may slow the progression of macular degeneration. The Vitamin c in oranges is associated with a reduced risk of colon cancer due to preventing DNA mutations from taking place Flores said.
Studies have shown that about 10 to 15 percent of colon cancers have a mutation in a gene called BRAF.
A 2004 study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology showed that consuming bananas oranges
It is also possible to have too much Vitamin c (more than 2000 mg a day. An excess of this nutrient may lead to diarrhea nausea vomiting heartburn bloating
and unless you're eating an organic orange peel covered in chemicals. If you do eat the peel you'll get a good amount of nutrients.
Flavonoids are compounds found in many foods. They are known to have antihypertensive and anti-inflammatory effects
Additionally orange peels contain vitamins A c B6 and B5; calcium; riboflavin; thiamin; niacin; and folate. One way to get some of the nutrients is by eating the inner part of the peel and leaving the tough outer part.
The pith of the orange the white part between the skin and fruit can be sour
or bitter but actually contains just as much Vitamin c as the fruit itself with a good deal of fiber Flores said.
Some fun facts about oranges include:(Sources: Top Food Facts Science Kids & Florida Citrus Commission) Learn more about oranges and other healthy foods at The World's Healthiest Foods.
Browse the USDA's National Nutrient Database for nutrient content of thousands of different foods a
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