Seaweed

A century of research shows eating these compounds can help protect against heart disease and Alzheimer's

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, October 26, 2023

Perhaps the word “polyphenol” means little to you, but they certainly mean a lot to your health. Polyphenols are a family of chemical compounds present in foods of vegetable origin and seaweed that have been studied over the last century for their health effects.The beginning: taste and technologyUses date back to Ancient Egypt, when chemicals in the bark of certain trees were found to bind with the collagen in animal skin, making leather.

Key Points: 


Perhaps the word “polyphenol” means little to you, but they certainly mean a lot to your health. Polyphenols are a family of chemical compounds present in foods of vegetable origin and seaweed that have been studied over the last century for their health effects.

The beginning: taste and technology

  • Uses date back to Ancient Egypt, when chemicals in the bark of certain trees were found to bind with the collagen in animal skin, making leather.
  • This sensation, known as astringency, comes from the interaction between tannins and salivary proteins in your mouth.

Natural antioxidants

  • Polyphenols are natural antioxidants, which means they can counteract harmful free radicals in the body.
  • When animals eat a plant, the polyphenols’ antioxidant properties then in turn counteract free radicals in the animal’s body.
  • This antioxidant effect from foods is important for human health, since many diseases (cardiovascular diseases, cancer, type 2 diabetes, etc.)

Much more than antioxidants

  • This happened when several studies found that, once consumed, polyphenols are transformed by our bodies, mostly by our gut microbiota.
  • But the good news was that, besides their antioxidant activity, polyphenols were also discovered to have many more properties.
  • This has not only been observed in test tubes, but also in multiple clinical trials in different populations.

The gut-brain axis

  • Although much more research is still needed, some promising evidence shows that polyphenols may also help our cognitive function and improve our sleep.
  • There is, however, something known as the gut-brain axis.
  • This new field of research is very much in its infancy, with much left to be explored.

The future for polyphenol research

  • We have come a long way in our knowledge of dietary polyphenols over the last century.
  • Hopefully, we will have answers to some of these questions in years to come.
  • Jara Pérez Jiménez ha recibido, como investigadora principal, fondos en los últimos cinco años del Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (España) y la Comisión para la Uva de la Mesa de California.
  • Margaret Slavin has received, as principal investigator, funding over the past five years from the United States Department of Agriculture, George Mason University, and the American Egg Board/Egg Nutrition Center.

More than 200 scientists from 19 countries want to tell us the Southern Ocean is in trouble

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, October 18, 2023

While the Southern Ocean around Antarctica has been warming for decades, the annual extent of winter sea ice seemed relatively stable – compared to the Arctic.

Key Points: 
  • While the Southern Ocean around Antarctica has been warming for decades, the annual extent of winter sea ice seemed relatively stable – compared to the Arctic.
  • In 2018 the international scientific community agreed to produce the first marine ecosystem assessment for the Southern Ocean.
  • So the resulting “summary for policymakers” being released today is like an IPCC report for the Southern Ocean.

Why should we care about sea ice?

    • Sea ice is to life in the Southern Ocean as soil is to a forest.
    • Less sea ice is a danger to all wildlife – from krill to emperor penguins and whales.
    • The sea ice zone provides essential food and safe-keeping to young Antarctic krill and small fish, and seeds the expansive growth of phytoplankton in spring, nourishing the entire food web.

An open and collaborative process

    • We sought input from a wide range of people across the entire Southern Ocean science community.
    • We sought to answer questions about the state of the whole Southern Ocean system - with an eye on the past, present and future.
    • We deliberately modelled the multi-disciplinary assessment process on a working group of the IPCC to distill the science into an easy-to-read and concise narrative for politicians and the general public alike.

So what’s in the report?

    • These organisms, from microscopic plants to whales, face a changing and challenging future.
    • Important foundation species such as Antarctic krill are likely to decline with consequences for the whole ecosystem.
    • The assessment stresses climate change is the most significant driver of species and ecosystem change in the Southern Ocean and coastal Antarctica.

What’s next?

    • The commission is the international body responsible for the conservation of marine ecosystems in the Southern Ocean, with membership of 26 nations and the European Union.
    • The Southern Ocean is a crucial life-support system, not just for Antarctica but for the entire planet.
    • Now we’re up and running, we can continue to support evidence-based conservation of Southern Ocean ecosystems into the future.

We landed a camera on Venus before seeing parts of our own oceans – it’s time to ramp up observations closer to home

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, October 17, 2023

Its much denser atmosphere enables a greenhouse effect on steroids, with surface temperatures approaching 500°C.

Key Points: 
  • Its much denser atmosphere enables a greenhouse effect on steroids, with surface temperatures approaching 500°C.
  • We have managed to land a camera on the surface of Venus, with the Soviet space probe Venera 9 in 1975.
  • Like the “Earth rise” image captured during the Apollo 8 mission in 1968, this again proved the power of visual imagery.

Direct observations

    • But as powerful and all-encompassing as these observations are, we still make surprise discoveries, such as vent systems on the seafloor and life in under-ice cavities.
    • This is why we need to continue exploring and ramp up our capacity to measure the oceans directly.
    • Nowhere is this more true than in the Southern Ocean, the connector of all oceans.

Fostering collaboration

    • While it is not quite Venus in terms of difficulty, measurements have to target and prioritise the major science questions.
    • Earlier this year, more than 300 researchers gathered for the first Southern Ocean Observing Symposium in Hobart to express their growing concern.

The risks of the unknown

    • It isn’t cheap to track changes in such a remote location.
    • Sending ships and deploying robust instrumentation, and then retrieving the gear and data, all adds up.
    • The lack of direct observations is one reason we continue to be surprised by changes in the region.

Could 'marine cloud brightening' reduce coral bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef?

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, October 17, 2023

Australia’s Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program – a collaboration between several universities, CSIRO and the Australian Institute of Marine Science – is exploring whether cloud brightening could reduce coral bleaching.

Key Points: 
  • Australia’s Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program – a collaboration between several universities, CSIRO and the Australian Institute of Marine Science – is exploring whether cloud brightening could reduce coral bleaching.
  • We started exploring cloud brightening after the mass bleaching event in 2016.
  • Then we began pilot testing in the central Great Barrier Reef near Townsville during January 2020.

A bright idea

    • Recently, scientists have begun to consider regional rather than global application of cloud brightening.
    • Could brightening clouds directly over the Great Barrier Reef for a few months reduce coral bleaching during a marine heat wave?
    • The sea salt particles sprayed in the process typically only persist in the atmosphere for one to several days.
    • Read more:
      We are poised to pass 1.5℃ of global warming – world leaders offer 4 ways to manage this dangerous time

How do you brighten a cloud?

    • A warm cloud (as opposed to an ice cloud) is a collection of small water droplets floating in the air.
    • Every droplet begins with the condensation of water vapour around a nucleus, which can be almost any kind of tiny particle suspended in air.
    • Typically, in the lower atmosphere over land there are thousands to tens of thousands of these tiny particles suspended in every cubic centimetre of air.
    • To brighten such clouds, we can spray large quantities of microscopic seawater droplets into the air.

Testing the theory

    • Although scientists have researched cloud brightening for more than 30 years, no one had ever directly tested the theory.
    • In Australia, we have now developed technology to a point where we are starting to measure the response of the clouds.

Not so far-fetched

    • The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change estimates humanity’s unintentional release of aerosols offsets around 30% of the warming effect due to greenhouse gases.
    • Sulphates in ship exhaust are such a potent source of aerosols for droplet formation, the passage of ships leaves cloud trails called ship tracks.

AIS (Archipelagic & Island States) Forum 2023 highlights Blue Economy to mitigate climate change

Retrieved on: 
Monday, October 9, 2023

The HLM will have four themes: adaptation and mitigation against climate change, promoting a sustainable blue economy, handling plastic waste in the oceans, and strengthening sustainable maritime governance.

Key Points: 
  • The HLM will have four themes: adaptation and mitigation against climate change, promoting a sustainable blue economy, handling plastic waste in the oceans, and strengthening sustainable maritime governance.
  • Climate change is a common enemy for island countries," Alexander Muhammad Khan, Indonesian representative to the AIS Research and Development (RnD) Conference.
  • Since its formation in 2018, the AIS Forum has made efforts to realize the Blue Economy, including the Blue Financing Strategic Framework, which will be highlighted in the discussion on the blue economy during the HLM.
  • AIS Forum further highlights the importance of the Blue Economy by holding the AIS Blue Economy High-Level Dialogue on October 9, another side event for the 2023 HLM.

The Rise of Urban Escape: Millennials and Gen X Embrace Regenerative Living and Permaculture

Retrieved on: 
Monday, October 16, 2023

"As more people recognize the benefits of an urban escape, organizations and communities are emerging to support and facilitate this lifestyle transition.

Key Points: 
  • "As more people recognize the benefits of an urban escape, organizations and communities are emerging to support and facilitate this lifestyle transition.
  • My family lived like that for generations and it's exciting to be able to pass that on to more people."
  • - April Jordan, Communications Manager, 5th World
    Millennials and Gen Xers, in particular, are increasingly valuing experiences over material possessions and are seeking a more fulfilling lifestyle.
  • Embracing regenerative living and permaculture allows them to find balance and fulfillment."

Barnacle Foods Launches Habanero Hot Sauce made with Alaska-grown Kelp

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, October 11, 2023

Today, Barnacle Foods announced the newest product: Habanero Hot Sauce.

Key Points: 
  • Today, Barnacle Foods announced the newest product: Habanero Hot Sauce.
  • Today, Barnacle Foods announces the newest product in their line-up: Habanero Hot Sauce made with Alaska-grown kelp.
  • After a year of recipe perfecting, we're excited to share Habanero Hot Sauce – made with fresh Alaska grown kelp, made by our team in Juneau, Alaska" said Rosa Spaeth, R&D Manager at Barnacle Foods.
  • Purchase at www.barnaclefoods.com alongside other kelp-based hot sauces, chili crisp, seasonings, salsas, and gifts, or shop at retail partners nationwide.

IFF to Reveal Breakthrough Science at AAPS 2023 PharmaSci 360

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, October 4, 2023

NEW YORK, Oct. 4, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- IFF's Pharma Solutions division is poised to showcase its extensive portfolio of leading excipients and present proprietary research that will address pivotal formulation challenges, and spotlight new innovation possibilities at AAPS 2023 PharmSci 360 in Orlando, Florida at booth 2242.

Key Points: 
  • There will also be a panel discussion on novel excipients and a rapid-fire presentation on formulating biologics for oral delivery.
  • Notably, experts will present novel research on the significance of vibrational assistance, and suitable particle size selection in continuous manufacturing application.
  • True Rogers, R&D scientist has been selected for a special AAPS poster session on Tuesday, Oct. 24 from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.
  • At IFF (NYSE: IFF), an industry leader in food, beverage, health, biosciences and scent, science and creativity meet to create essential solutions for a better world – from global icons to unexpected innovations and experiences.

New Covalent Platform Sets Industry High Standard for Forward Carbon Removal Credits

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, October 3, 2023

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 3, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Climate technology startup Covalent announced today the first forward-crediting platform for carbon removal (CDR) projects that ensure at least 1,000 years of permanence, connecting innovators with new financing. The independent validation of forward credits accelerates early-stage CDR projects working to quickly scale climate change solutions. The announcement, made at Carbon Unbound Europe, launches a new era of trust for the carbon removal industry.

Key Points: 
  • The independent validation of forward credits accelerates early-stage CDR projects working to quickly scale climate change solutions.
  • The announcement, made at Carbon Unbound Europe, launches a new era of trust for the carbon removal industry.
  • "By connecting CDR projects with project financing, Covalent accelerates the scaling of the carbon removal industry."
  • Following the launch, nearly 1 million forward carbon removal credits were issued on the platform by Carbon Limit, a Florida-based firm that creates CaptureCrete, a cement additive enabling concrete to actively absorb carbon dioxide (CO2).

Climate change challenges marine conservation efforts in Atlantic Canada

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, October 3, 2023

This summer alone, 23 per cent of the world’s oceans experienced a heat wave, corresponding to an area roughly equivalent to the entire Atlantic Ocean.

Key Points: 
  • This summer alone, 23 per cent of the world’s oceans experienced a heat wave, corresponding to an area roughly equivalent to the entire Atlantic Ocean.
  • While climate change impacts are pervasive, marine protected areas and refuges can safeguard species, and improve ecosystem resilience, by minimizing additional human impacts.

Marine conservation in Canada

    • In Canada, there is a surprising lack of conservation planning and management to address the effects of climate change.
    • Our recent study showed that most marine protected areas (especially in Atlantic Canada) are located in regions set to undergo rapid, substantial changes, making them unsuitable as marine life sanctuaries.
    • These results emphasize the need to account for climate change impacts and adaptations in marine conservation planning in Canada and beyond.

Projecting marine climate change

    • To effectively address the climate change challenges for marine conservation in Atlantic Canada, current conservation efforts need to become more adaptive both in their planning and management.
    • Most marine protected areas in Canada are not planned or managed with the effects of climate change in mind.
    • The first step in determining which areas and species are most at risk from climate change is to use projections from ecosystem models under different climate change scenarios.

Developing hotspots

    • Based on the results, our research identified both climate change hotspots and refuges.
    • We also investigated whether those hotspots or refuges overlap with existing marine conservation areas.
    • Most areas overlapped with climate change hotspots, none with climate change refuges.

Climate futures are present

    • The reality is that climate change is not just a future scenario but is already altering Canada’s ocean.
    • Today, the ocean has never been warmer, with some regions breaking temperature records, stressing the need to start today to adapt ocean governance and marine conservation to climate change.