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To get the full flavor, you need the right temperature

A new study by Dr. Gary Pickering and colleagues from Brock University found that changes in food temperature alter the intensity of sour, bitter, and astringent tastes but not sweetness. The research involved 74 participants who tasted sweet, sour, bitter, and astringent solutions at varying temperatures.

SourceSpringer·JournalChemosensory Perception·DateMay 14, 2012

Iowa State, Ames Lab chemists aid study of mutated plants that may be better for biofuels

A research team including Iowa State University chemists has found that genetic mutations to cellulose in plants can improve the conversion of cellulosic biomass into biofuels. The team discovered that mutated plant cell walls produce less crystalline cellulose, making it easier to break down into fermentable sugars.

SourceIowa State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 28, 2012

The quest for sugars involved in origin of life

A team from the University of the Basque Country has successfully isolated ribose, a fundamental sugar, in the gas phase. This achievement provides crucial information about the structure and stability of sugars, which are essential for understanding the origins of life on Earth and potentially elsewhere in the universe.

SourceElhuyar Fundazioa·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateFeb 16, 2012

Scripps Research team proves plausibility of new pathway to life's chemical building blocks

The Scripps Research Institute has proven the plausibility of a new pathway to life's essential sugars called the glyoxylate scenario, potentially pushing past the formose reaction hurdle. This alternative pathway, led by Ramanarayanan Krishnamurthy, reveals efficient conversion of DHF and glyoxylate to ketoses.

SourceScripps Research Institute·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJan 31, 2012

Scientists discover new clue to the chemical origins of life

Researchers at the University of York have successfully recreated a process that could be responsible for the origin of carbohydrates in life. By using simple left-handed amino acids as catalysts, they produced predominantly right-handed sugars, shedding light on how these building blocks came to dominate nature.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalOrganic & Biomolecular Chemistry·DateJan 24, 2012

A new genre of tires: Call 'em 'sweet' and 'green'

A new genre of eco-friendly tires is being developed using genetically engineered microbes that produce raw materials from sugar. Companies like Goodyear and Michelin are partnering with biotechnology firms to create sustainable alternatives to traditional petroleum-based tires, which could debut within the next 3-5 years.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News·DateDec 14, 2011

E. coli bacteria engineered to eat switchgrass and make transportation fuels

Researchers at the Joint BioEnergy Institute have successfully engineered E. coli bacteria to digest switchgrass biomass and synthesize its sugars into all three major transportation fuels: gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel. This breakthrough reduces fuel production costs by consolidating two steps into one, enabling a single-step operation.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 29, 2011

Shoe strings and egg openers

Researchers at Max Planck Institute identify novel Rubisco activase in red algae that repairs useless proteins by opening active centers like a shoe string. This discovery could aid in designing more efficient plants and microorganisms that convert CO2 into valuable biomass.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature·DateNov 8, 2011

Dividing corn stover makes ethanol conversion more efficient

Researchers at Purdue University have developed a more efficient method for converting corn stover into cellulosic ethanol by separating its three distinct parts: the rind, pith, and leaves. This new approach enables better utilization of enzymes to break down cellulose, resulting in increased ethanol production with reduced costs.

SourcePurdue University·JournalBiotechnology and Bioengineering·DateOct 25, 2011

MIT research: Sugar high for bees

A study by MIT researchers found that bees and similar nectar feeders are most efficient when feeding on more sugary, or viscous, nectar, while suction feeders prefer less sugary nectar. This suggests a correlation between the morphology of flowers and their pollinators.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 12, 2011

Edible carbon dioxide sponge

Researchers at Northwestern University have discovered edible compounds that efficiently detect, capture and store carbon dioxide. The porous crystals, made from sugar, salt and alcohol, are simple to prepare and turn red when full of CO2.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateSep 23, 2011

NSF grant supports research on origin of life

Researchers led by Virginia Tech biochemist Bob White are studying Methanocaldococcus jannaschii to understand the origin of life. They have found that this ancient organism uses a primitive metabolic process, which could help unravel the mystery of how life first emerged on Earth.

Biofuels from the sea

Researchers found that July is the best month for kelp harvesting due to its high carbohydrate levels and low metal content. The use of kelp as a biofuel source has potential to provide a storable energy source, mitigating the limitations of other renewables like wind power.

SourceSociety for Experimental Biology·JournalBioresource Technology·DateJul 3, 2011

UK study shows that 6.5 hours of additional dietary support in a year improves blood sugar control in recently diagnosed diabetics; exercise provides no extra benefit

A UK study found that 6.5 hours of additional dietary advice sessions lead to improved blood sugar control in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes. In contrast, exercise did not provide additional benefits when combined with diet intervention, except for those with high HbA1c levels.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateJun 25, 2011