The adoption of millet in Bronze Age Europe led to a gradual shift in land use, with the new crop allowing communities to exploit previously marginal areas. This change was associated with increased food security and was not limited to specific social groups or ages.
A new technique using thermal desorption GC/MS on human dental calculus detects minute millet consumption in medieval Ukraine, revealing subtle dietary practices. This approach opens up a new way to detect species-specific plant consumption and provides insights into medieval communities' dietary histories.
Researchers reconstructed past crop repertoires, showcasing how communities diversified their agriculture to ensure food security amidst changing environmental conditions. The study offers valuable lessons for modern agriculture, informing sustainable practices and policies in the face of greater climate variability.
Researchers at Vilnius University have discovered the mechanism of CRISPR-Cas10, a bacterial defense system that activates the 'protein scissors' CalpL to cleave viral signals and regulate gene expression. This study provides new insights into the complex signaling pathway and its potential practical applications.
Researchers discovered a novel family of effector proteins called Cami1 that inhibit translation in bacteria attacked by viruses. By cleaving specific mRNAs, Cami1 prevents the production of viral proteins, allowing the bacterium to conserve resources.