Virus scare for wheat crops
In agricultural research, new breakthroughs have helped elaborate the  workings of two strains of potentially lethal viruses destroying important food crops like wheat and maize.

Research into the Maize Streak Virus (MSV) destroying Africa’s most important food crop has thrown light on the strain’s emergence and its rapid spread across the continent. According to University of Cape Town researchers, MSV has descended from relatively harmless wild grass affecting strains by a process called recombination. In this process, genes are selectively exchanged between the strains making the offspring more powerful. Two grass adapted MSVs recombined over the years to produce the present- day “wide-host range” strain that can infect maize severely and survive harsh weather conditions more effectively than its parents.

Transmitted by leafhoppers (Cicadulina mbila), major symptoms include severely dwarfed cobs and yellowing. More tests are required to develop resistance strategies, said the study.

In Texas, the Triticum mosaic virus poses threat to wheat crops while being difficult to detect and contain, say Texas Agrilife Research scientists. It is transmitted by the wheat curl mite (Eriophyes tulipae). This also carries the wheat streak mosaic virus. Both the viruses cause yellowing and stunting.

Previous research had shown that the wheat streak virus reduces water uptake in plants. The researchers are now studying the water uptake and yield reduction of the plants affected by the Triticum mosaic virus. If detected earlier, it can help prevent waste of irrigation.
Down To Earth Feature Service


As good as wine...
The claim: Grape juice has the same benefits as red wine. The facts: By now the cardiovascular benefits of a daily glass of wine are well known. But many teetotalers wonder whether they can reap the same rewards from wine's unfermented sibling, or are they simply left out altogether.

Grape juice may not provide much buzz, but you can still toast to good health when it comes to its ability to avert heart disease.

Alcohol in moderation can relax blood vessels and increase levels of HDL, the “good” cholesterol. But the substances believed to provide much of red wine's heart benefits - resveratrol and flavonoids - are also found in grape juice, especially the variety made from red and dark purple Concord grapes.

Independent studies have found that like alcohol, grape juice can reduce the risk of blood clots and prevent LDL (“bad” cholesterol) from sticking to coronary arteries, among other cardiac benefits. One, conducted by scientists at the University of Wisconsin and published in the journal Circulation, looked at the effects of two servings of Concord grape juice a day in 15 people with coronary artery disease. After two weeks, the subjects had improved blood flow and reduced oxidation of LDL. Oxidized LDL can damage arteries.

Other studies in humans and animals, including one last year in the journal Atherosclerosis, have shown that daily consumption may lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels. But beware: Some varieties of juice have sugar and artificial ingredients.

The Bottomline: Studies suggest that some kinds of grape juice may provide the cardiac benefits of red wine.
New York Times News Service