Taste

Ancient scrolls are being ‘read’ by machine learning — with human knowledge to detect language and make sense of them

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Using a non-invasive method that harnesses machine learning, an international trio of scholars retrieved 15 columns of ancient Greek text from within a carbonized papyrus from Herculaneum, a seaside Roman town eight kilometres southeast of Naples, Italy.

Key Points: 
  • Using a non-invasive method that harnesses machine learning, an international trio of scholars retrieved 15 columns of ancient Greek text from within a carbonized papyrus from Herculaneum, a seaside Roman town eight kilometres southeast of Naples, Italy.
  • The work of reading and analyzing the new Greek and Latin texts recovered from the papyri will fall to human beings.

Buried in ash

  • Like Pompeii, Herculaneum was buried by the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE.
  • But in 1752, excavation uncovered hundreds of papyrus scrolls in the library of an elaborate Roman villa.

Carbonized papyri


Starved of oxygen, the intense heat of Vesuvius’ pyroclastic flow carbonized (but did not ignite) the papyri. Resembling lumps of coal to the eye, 18th-century excavators did not immediately recognize them as ancient books.
The papyri are so brittle that many were destroyed by early attempts to access their texts. Studying them has therefore always required ingenuity. In 1754, a conservator and priest at the Vatican library devised a machine for slowly unrolling them.
More recently, multispectral photography has dramatically improved their legibility. But until now, a non-invasive method that would leave the scrolls intact remained out of reach. Its development marks a significant breakthrough. McOsker notes there are 659 items in the catalogue listed as “not unrolled,” but some of these are parts of scrolls.

Sparking innovation

  • The latter are essential as a reference point (or “control”) for innovative approaches.
  • The competition’s design encouraged transparency and collaboration: data published in the pursuit of smaller goals benefited all competitors.

Text mentions music, taste, sight

  • A PhD student studying machine learning, an engineer studying computer science and a robotics student were declared
    the victors.
  • According to McOsker, the text they retrieved mentions music twice, as well as the senses of taste and sight.

Hundreds of rolls to be studied

  • With hundreds of rolls yet to be studied, the new method of recovering the contents of the Herculaneum papyri is only getting started.
  • The production of scans at sufficiently high resolution can’t be done via ordinary equipment, but requires access to a facility with a particle accelerator.
  • Via current techniques, which involve a fair bit of manual manipulation, fully segmenting one scroll would cost US$1–5 million.

Critical minds needed

  • Their role is to analyze the model’s output of legible ancient Greek — and in so doing determine which approaches are most effective.
  • It requires mastery of ancient languages and ideas as well as the puzzle-solver’s ability to fill in the inevitable gaps.
  • For the challenge truly to succeed, we’re going to need critical minds as well as whizbang technology.


C. Michael Sampson receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada for 'the Books of Karanis,' a project that studies fragmentary Greek literature from the Egyptian village Karanis.

An apple cider vinegar drink a day? New study shows it might help weight loss

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 13, 2024

An experimental study, released today, looks into whether apple cider vinegar could be effective for weight loss, reduce blood glucose levels and reduce blood lipids (cholesterol and triglycerides).

Key Points: 
  • An experimental study, released today, looks into whether apple cider vinegar could be effective for weight loss, reduce blood glucose levels and reduce blood lipids (cholesterol and triglycerides).
  • The results suggest it could reduce all three – but it might not be as simple as downing an apple cider vinegar drink a day.

What did they do?

  • A control group consumed an inactive drink (a placebo) made (from lactic acid added to water) to look and taste the same.
  • The study was also double-blinded, which means neither the participants or the scientists involved with collecting the data knew who was in which group.

So, what did they find?

  • After a period of three months apple cider vinegar consumption was linked with significant falls in body weight and body mass index (BMI).
  • On average, those who drank apple cider vinegar during that period lost 6–8kg in weight and reduced their BMI by 2.7–3 points, depending on the dose.
  • The authors also report significant decreases in levels of blood glucose, triglycerides, and cholesterol in the apple cider groups.

Is this good news?

  • Firstly, study participants were aged from 12 to 25, so we can’t say whether the results could apply to everyone.
  • And while the researchers kept records of the participants’ diet and exercise during the study, these were not published in the paper.
  • This could be important and influence results if people who did not lose weight quit due to lack of motivation.


Read more:
Turns out the viral 'Sleepy Girl Mocktail' is backed by science. Should you try it?

Any other concerns?


Apple cider vinegar is acidic and there are concerns it may erode tooth enamel. This can be a problem with any acidic beverages, including fizzy drinks, lemon water and orange juice. To minimise the risk of acid erosion some dentists recommend the following after drinking acidic drinks:

Read more:
Apple cider vinegar: is drinking this popular home remedy bad for your teeth? A dentist explains

Down the hatch?

  • This study provides us with some evidence of a link between apple cider vinegar and weight loss.
  • This would provide more robust evidence that apple cider vinegar could be a useful aid for weight loss.


Evangeline Mantzioris is affiliated with Alliance for Research in Nutrition, Exercise and Activity (ARENA) at the University of South Australia. Evangeline Mantzioris has received funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council, and has been appointed to the National Health and Medical Research Council Dietary Guideline Expert Committee.

Redwood trees are growing almost as fast in the UK as their Californian cousins – new study

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 13, 2024

My team’s new study

Key Points: 
  • My team’s new study
    is the first to look at the growth of giant sequoias in the UK – and they seem to be doing remarkably well.
  • However, the changing climate means Californian giant sequoias are under threat from more frequent and extreme droughts and fires.
  • More than 10% of the remaining population of around 80,000 wild trees were killed in a single fire in 2020 alone.

Tree giants from the US


What is much less well-known is that there are an estimated half a million sequoias (wild and planted) in England, dotted across the landscape. So how well are the UK giant sequoias doing? To try and answer this, my team used a technique called terrestrial laser scanning to measure the size and volume of giant sequoias.

  • This gives us a map of tree structure in unprecedented detail, which we can use to estimate volume and mass, effectively allowing us to estimate the tree’s weight.
  • If we know how old the trees are, we can estimate how fast they are growing and accumulating carbon.
  • No native tree in the UK is taller than about 47 metres.
  • Normally, you need to take samples from a tree’s core to get an accurate age estimate but that can damage the tree.

Imagine their potential

  • More recently, there has been a resurgence in planting giant sequoias in the UK, particularly in urban settings.
  • This is because of their carbon storage potential and perhaps because people seem to really like them.
  • But these giant sequoias are here to stay and are becoming a beautiful and resilient part of our landscape.


Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?
Get a weekly roundup in your inbox instead. Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. Join the 30,000+ readers who’ve subscribed so far.
Mathias Disney receives funding from UKRI via NERC, the National Centre for Earth Observation (NCEO), European Space Agency, NASA and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute.

EQS-News: Press Release: Dr Jean-Yves Parisot assumes CEO position from Dr Heinz-Jürgen Bertram

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 13, 2024

- Dr Jean-Yves Parisot, an internationally experienced executive from within the company, takes over

Key Points: 
  • - Dr Jean-Yves Parisot, an internationally experienced executive from within the company, takes over
    Dr Heinz-Jürgen Bertram is handing over the CEO position at Symrise AG to Dr Jean-Yves Parisot.
  • The Supervisory Board also renewed the contract of Dr Jean-Yves Parisot for another four years until the end of September 2028.
  • We are deeply grateful to Heinz-Jürgen Bertram for his achievements.”
    “We are excited that Jean-Yves Parisot, an internationally experienced executive from within the company, will take over as CEO.
  • Dr Heinz-Jürgen Bertram, CEO of Symrise AG: „Today Symrise is an industry leader, combining innovation capability, excellent quality, and sustainability.

EQS-News: Symrise AG again raises sales significantly in 2023

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 13, 2024

The Symrise Group generated sales of € 4,730 million in the 2023 fiscal year, an increase of 2.4 % in the reporting currency.

Key Points: 
  • The Symrise Group generated sales of € 4,730 million in the 2023 fiscal year, an increase of 2.4 % in the reporting currency.
  • Heinz-Jürgen Bertram, Chief Executive Officer of Symrise AG: “2023 was again a successful year of growth for Symrise.
  • Despite the good sales development in the 2023 fiscal year, earnings remained below expectations.
  • The cost of goods sold increased slightly faster than sales, which was mainly attributable to higher raw material and manufacturing costs.

Wordans Expands Its Reach in Canada, Offering Affordable Men's Fashion Solutions Nationwide

Retrieved on: 
Monday, March 4, 2024

As more Canadians prioritize value for money without compromising on quality, Wordans recognizes the opportunity to fill this gap by offering affordable yet fashionable clothing options.

Key Points: 
  • As more Canadians prioritize value for money without compromising on quality, Wordans recognizes the opportunity to fill this gap by offering affordable yet fashionable clothing options.
  • With an emphasis on accessibility and inclusivity, Wordans is committed to making fashion choices available to individuals from all walks of life.
  • By bringing affordable men's fashion solutions to more Canadians nationwide, Wordans aims to make a meaningful impact on the retail landscape.
  • Founded on the principles of affordability and quality, Wordans is a leading provider of wholesale clothing solutions in Canada.

Next Level Energy Wins People's Choice for Best Product at Coffee Fest Orlando

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 22, 2024

Next Level Energy, a pioneer in innovative beverage solutions, announces that their flagship product, Synergy, was awarded the People's Choice for Best Product at the prestigious Coffee Fest in Orlando. Synergy stands out in the crowded energy drink market and to coffee enthusiasts.

Key Points: 
  • Mount Pleasant, Texas--(Newsfile Corp. - February 22, 2024) - Next Level Energy, a pioneer in innovative beverage solutions, is thrilled to announce that their flagship product, Synergy , has been awarded the People's Choice for Best Product at the prestigious Coffee Fest in Orlando.
  • Unlike traditional energy drinks, Synergy offers a refreshing taste reminiscent of a sports drink, combined with a healthy caffeine kick.
  • "We were incredibly honored to receive this recognition at Coffee Fest," said James at Next Level Energy.
  • In addition to Synergy, Next Level Energy's range of energy bases has become increasingly popular for crafting 'refreshers' in coffee shops.

Vivid Sydney 2024 Program Unveiled

Retrieved on: 
Monday, March 11, 2024

SYDNEY, AU, Mar 11, 2024 - (ACN Newswire) - Vivid Sydney, the Southern Hemisphere's largest multi-artform festival, today unveiled its captivating program for 2024.

Key Points: 
  • SYDNEY, AU, Mar 11, 2024 - (ACN Newswire) - Vivid Sydney, the Southern Hemisphere's largest multi-artform festival, today unveiled its captivating program for 2024.
  • Australia's largest event will transform Sydney with mesmerising light installations and 3D projections from Circular Quay to The Goods Line; genre-spanning music performances and creative showcases; a formidable Vivid Ideas program featuring experiences that will open minds; and a mouth-watering Vivid Food program.
  • Staged across Sydney, Vivid Sydney festival locations and venues include Circular Quay, the Sydney Opera House, The Rocks, State Library of New South Wales, Walsh Bay, Walsh Bay Arts Precinct, Barangaroo, Darling Harbour, University of Technology Sydney, The Goods Line, Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, Carriageworks, and more.
  • Vivid Sydney 2024 will engage audiences across four pillars: Vivid Light, Vivid Music, Vivid Ideas and Vivid Food.

CRISPR Technology Takes Center Stage at SXSW 2024 for the First Time

Retrieved on: 
Friday, March 8, 2024

Durham, N.C., March 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The panel “The First CRISPR Foods Have Arrived” at this year’s SXSW Conference included leading agricultural scientists, researchers, and innovation drivers.

Key Points: 
  • Durham, N.C., March 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The panel “The First CRISPR Foods Have Arrived” at this year’s SXSW Conference included leading agricultural scientists, researchers, and innovation drivers.
  • “We have steadily seen an increase in consumer interest around using technology for produce innovation.
  • “With effective application of the technology, we can use CRISPR to deliver major societal and climate benefits through improvements in the food and agriculture sector.
  • This is an incredibly exciting time.”
    As CRISPR technology has advanced, it has attracted a new generation of researchers across the world.

IDFA Relaunches Live and Active Cultures Seal for Yogurt and Cultured Dairy Product Makers to Showcase Benefits of Gut Health

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, March 7, 2024

WASHINGTON, March 07, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- To help consumers better identify yogurt, frozen yogurt, and other cultured dairy products containing live and active yogurt cultures, the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) is relaunching its Live & Active Cultures (LAC) Seal for manufacturers.

Key Points: 
  • WASHINGTON, March 07, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- To help consumers better identify yogurt, frozen yogurt, and other cultured dairy products containing live and active yogurt cultures, the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) is relaunching its Live & Active Cultures (LAC) Seal for manufacturers.
  • IDFA’s LAC Seal is the only widely recognized, independent verification that a dairy product contains significant levels of live and active yogurt cultures.
  • When it comes to yogurt and similar cultured dairy products, the words "live and active cultures" are persuasive.
  • Gut health and nutrition rank among the top drivers for consumers who purchase yogurt and similar cultured dairy products.