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Female flowers 'communicate' whether to accept or reject male pollen grains
Washington, Oct 24 ANI: In a new study, University of Missouri researchers have found that flowers use specific pollen proteins to 'communicate' whether they would accept or reject the pollen grains, required for fertilisation. When pollen grains arrive, the pollen the male part of the flower 'communicates' with the pistil the female part of the flower, where molecules take the place of words and allow the pollen to identify itself to the pistil. Insights into this 'communication' may pave the way for methods to control the spread of transgenes from genetically-modified crops to wild relatives, offer better ways to control fertilization between cross species, and lead to a more efficient way of growing fruit trees. "Unlike an animal's visual cues about mate selection, a plant's mate recognition takes place on a molecular level. The pollen must, in some way, announce to the pistil its identity, and the pistil must interpret this identity. To do this, proteins from the pollen and proteins from the pistil interact; this determines the acceptance or rejection of individual pollen grains," said Bruce McClure, associate director of the Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center and researcher in the MU Interdisciplinary Plant Group and Division of Biochemistry. For the study, the researchers used two specific pistil proteins, NaTTS and 120K, as sample to see what pollen proteins would bind to them. The researchers chose the above pistil proteins because they directly influence the growth of pollen down the pistil to the ovary where fertilization takes place. The team observed that three proteins, S-RNase-binding protein SBP1, the protein NaPCCP and an enzyme, bound to the pistil proteins. The above action made the researchers to believe that these proteins may contribute to the signalling processes that affect the success of pollen growth. "Our experiment was like putting one side of a Velcro strip on two pistil proteins and then screening a collection of pollen proteins to see which of the pollen proteins have the complementary Velcro strip for binding. If it sticks, it's a good indication that the pollen proteins work with the pistil proteins to determine the success of reproduction," said McClure. In their study, the researchers used Nicotiana alata, a relative of tobacco commonly grown in home gardens as "flowering tobacco." The study, "Pollen Proteins Bind to the C-Terminal Domain of Nicotiana Alata Pistil Arabinogalactan Proteins," was published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry. ANI
2008-10-24 08:00:00
American, Canadian tea merchants to promote Darjeeling tea in US, Canada
Darjeeling, Oct 18 ANI: American and Canadian tea importers and retailers have shown a keen interest in the tea grown in Darjeeling as they find its taste exotic.The 87- odd tea gardens producing the exotic tea for connoisseurs across the world are the real glory of Darjeeling, which is also known as the "Queen of the Hills".A delegation of ten members, comprising retailers and exporters from America and Canada, is currently, visiting Indian tea gardens. They reportedly are impressed with the rich flavor and aroma of Darjeeling tea. They relished the taste of the brew and described it as unparalleled.They say that they would promote the consumption of Indian tea, especially Darjeeling Tea in their countries."It's our hope that we can take this information and help in building passion we have back in US, Canada to encourage more tea consumption and production and interest in not only Indian tea but Darjeeling tea specially," said Ben Robertson, a member of the American delegation.The fine quality of Darjeeling tea is the result of the intensive labour put in by tea cultivators. A Darjeeling tea bush produces only 100 gm of tea a year. Over 20,000 individually hand-plucked shoots yield barely one kg of fine tea. What makes the tea more unique is the fact that the same bushes have four- staged harvesting, yielding four varieties, each unique and distinct from the other. The peak-harvesting season for Darjeeling tea is April-June.The Indian exporters foresee in tea traders visit from the American continent as an opportunity to expand their wings in the US market."At the moment the market of Indian tea is just small but it is growing very fast compared to anywhere else, market is growing very fast. Indian tea by far is considered the best anywhere in the world, but only thing is we have not been able to inform about it," said Rajib Lochan, Indian tea estate owner and exporter.India produces some 10,000 tones of Darjeeling tea every year and labels it with a certification mark. Since the amount of tea sold worldwide under the name Darjeeling is estimated at more than 40,000 tones, most of it being faked.India exports the Darjeeling tea, mainly to Middle East, Pakistan, Russia, Germany and UK. Exports in 2007 were about six million kg and India has targeted an increase of 20-25 per cent this year. ANI
2008-10-18 06:00:00
Foothill tribals protest against separate Gorkhaland
Siliguri, Oct 17 ANI: Hundreds of people of a tribal community protested in Siliguri against the demand of the Gorkha ethnic community for a separate hill state.Gorkhas, who are ethnic Nepalis, have been fighting for a separate state of "Gorkhaland" to be carved out of the northern hill districts of West Bengal.However, the tribals inhabiting the foothills, - the Doars and Terai regions, have protested against the creation of Gorkhaland, claiming that they represent over 60 per cent of the population in the region.While Doars falls under Jalpaiguri district, Terai comes under Darjeeling district dominated by the ethnic Santhals, Mahtos, Bhils, Mundas, Oraons and Nepalese."Our demands are that Terai and Doars should not be included in the proposed Gorkhaland. All the Hindi speaking people in the area want that Hindi should be made the medium of language in schools and universities. We also demand opening of the closed tea gardens in the Terai and Doars region," Rajesh Toppno, Assistant Secretary of Adivasi Bikash Parisad Tribal Development Council.At least 1,200 people died in the first Gorkhaland campaign in the 1980s, but protests ended a few years later after Gorkha leaders accepted limited autonomy.The Gorkha population in West Bengal is around one million out of 80 million people, although the overwhelming majority is concentrated in Darjeeling. ANI
2008-10-17 05:01:18
In the Region | New Jersey: End Nears for Unloved Housing
Montgomery Gardens, a six-tower public housing project built 58 years ago next to what was then the Jersey City Medical Center, has a date with demise.
2008-10-15 16:00:00
60's baby boomers not 'developing new third age lifestyles'
Washington, October 10 ANI: Britain's post-war baby boomers, who experienced an unusual boost in birth rates, are far from 'developing new third age lifestyles, and want to retire the traditional way.The first of the baby boomers are often acknowledged for being the primary age group that experienced the social change of becoming a more prosperous consumer society following the effects of Great Depression and World War II.Yet, according to an academic research supported by the Economic and Social Research Council and Arts and Humanities Research Council, they want to spend their retirement days conventionally either travelling or using second homes or by watching TV, playing records or taking long walks.Dr Rebecca Leach explained the study's revelations that "provide only limited evidence that first wave boomers are developing new third age lifestyles." The study further found that most people hoped to maintain their present lifestyles and activities, if their health and finances allowed them to.Though the range of lifestyles themselves had become greater for the 60's generation, only three per cent of the people questioned revealed that they practiced health provision falling under the 'alternative' consumption category.The research led by Dr Leach at Keele University and King's College, London, particularly focused on examining the extent to which the baby boomers saw themselves as a distinct generational group and this might affect their consumption patterns.It was revealed that only a minority of 41 per cent categorised themselves as boomers, while some members of the group saw themselves in a totally different light-such as the baby bulge group, the burden group, the lucky generation, the political generation, etc.The research also showed that the familial responsibilities of the baby boomers have increased rather than reduced with 43 per cent, born between 1945-1952, having at least one child living at home while 37 per have financial responsibility for other members of the household - usually children.Progress in life expectancy meant that 43 per cent of people aged 50-57 still had a mother alive, and 20 per cent a father. They displayed a shifting change towards inheritance, where according to the study, with more aging groups wanting to enjoy life with their wealth rather than be bothered about leaving their inheritance.Consequently, this change played a significant role in their lifestyles, with housing taking a priority. 33 per cent of boomers owned their homes outright and 52 per cent had mortgages, while 15 per cent had second homes.Other lifestyle alternatives that were of particular interest with the boomers was global travel and cosmopolitan food choices, with 81 per cent of the people surveyed went on holiday abroad at least every two years.Dr Leach said: "Travel was a major consumption item for boomers and loomed large in projects for retirement."Less evident was any wholesale transfer of teenage consumption concerns into midlife: boomers might have been the first teenagers, but they have now grown up. Consumer interests have matured, notably around interests linked to homes, gardens and travel."The research further unfolded that most boomers - 70 per cent - felt younger than their actual age and identified themselves more with their children than their parents or older generational age bands.They "see ageing as something that requires managing but is not overly problematic." Dr Leach showed that while 69 per cent of people interviewed agreed that it was possible to plan for retirement, 71 per cent were themselves making either no plans or only limited ones. The researchers also took into consideration the fact that boomers were also early exponents of a consumer society"In the same way that music, fashion and mobility were used to construct a teenage identity, consumption can be seen to play a similar role in mid-life: the notion of the big trip or the retirement project - usually a hobby or home building project - providing a focus for boomers' spending as well as a source of self worth and esteem."Dr. Leach substantiated that though the baby boom generation was believed to identify with all that followed in its changing society, the reality of it all was under estimated.She said: "There are lots of assumptions about baby boomers: that they are wealthy, radical individuals who are spending the kids' inheritance; but this research shows that the reality is much more complex and ordinary - some of what it means to be a 'boomer' is because of shared life experiences but some of it is driven by the same challenges health, wealth, jobs and family as those faced by all of us." ANI
2008-10-10 02:59:38
Lakshmi Mittal is Special Sits loser
London, Sept.11 ANI: Indian-born billionaire businessman Lakshmi Mittal is sitting on a big paper loss.With a net worth estimated by Forbes magazine to be 45 billion dollars, the 48 per cent slump in the RAB Special Sits fund this year and the 66 per cent fall in the RAB share price, will not make much of a dent in his finances, but will trouble him nonetheless.The most valuable asset in Mittal's investment portfolio is his 43 per cent stake in ArcelorMittal. Although the stock has fallen more than 36 per cent from its June high, the shares are still worth some 26.5bn 㴅bn.Other equity holdings include a 50 per cent stake in Caspian Investment Resources, a Kazakhstan oil group that one of Mittal's investment vehicles acquired in 2006 for 980 million dollars, as well as a 17 per cent stake in Platmin, the London- and Toronto-listed platinum miner, worth 57 million pounds at current market prices.Last December, Mittal joined the ranks of billionaire football club owners after snapping up a 20 per cent stake in Queens Park Rangers, though the Championship club finished a dismal 14 out of 24 in the second tier division last season.According to the Financial Times, Mittal is no stranger to conspicuous consumption. His residence at Kensington Palace Gardens was bought from Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone in 2004 for 57 million pounds, making it the world's most expensive house at that time. Since then, he is reported to have bought two other major properties in London, one for 117 million pounds and the other for 70million pounds.In June 2004, he reportedly spent 34 million pounds on his daughter Vanisha's wedding to investment banker Amit Bhatia. The wine tab alone was estimated at 1.5 million pounds. ANI
2008-09-11 07:00:00
Is it truly dirt-cheap Probably not
At your local garden center, the cheapest dirt, which often goes by the name of &quotpremium topsoil," may cost $5 for a 40-pound bag, about a buck more than a year or two ago.
2008-09-10 13:23:11
Classifying porn is easy, says Oz watchdog
Melbourne, Sept 5 ANI: Though many say that a regular dose of pornography can be confronting, repetitive and devoid of plot, but for Australia's Classification Review Board, it is one of the easier things to watch.However, they say that they find it more difficult to classify regular child movies like Shrek that may contain double entendres.The board is an independent body that makes classification decisions about films, computer games and publications.According to Alexandra Greene, 31, a qualified lawyer on the Board since 2003, while graphic scenes of sex or violence may be confronting they are generally easy to classify.She said that about 16 per cent of all the material that she and the other members of the board have to watch is usually "adult product" and then they have to classify it as G, PG, M, MA, R, X or refusing its classification."You get used to the adult product, you get used to seeing it and you know what to expect but I that makes you the opposite of desensitised. You know what you're supposed to look out for and when it comes up it jumps out at you," News.com.au quoted, as saying.She added: "It does get repetitive; it's the same old thing. They go through the same scenes, vignettes and motions. They can only go so far with it, there is not much more they can invent."It's one of the easier things to do because all we really have to look out for is violence and some fetishes that aren't permitted."Greene also said that her role is not to censor but inform people about what they are about to watch and when need arises, to restrict the content from being viewed.However, she said that the double entendres in children's films such as Shrek and The Cat in the Hat's title character calling a garden tool " a dirty hoe" tread a line that can be hard to define."I saw an interview with Scottish comedian Ronnie Barker where he said double entendres were OK because the children couldn't understand it and the adults would get a laugh," said Greene."But now it's that adults get offended because they're worried their kids might understand." ANI
2008-09-05 10:00:00
'Grey Gardens' can't add much color as musical
RATING: ALERT VIEWERGrey Gardens: Musical based on the documentary "Grey Gardens." Book by Doug Wright. Music by Scott Frankel. Lyrics by Michael Korie. Directed by Kent Nicholson. Through Sept. 14. TheatreWorks at Mountain View Center for the Performing...&ltp>&lta href="http://feeds.sfgate.com/~a/sfgate/rss/feeds/entertainmenta=ZXiepU">&ltimg src="http://feeds.sfgate.com/~a/sfgate/rss/feeds/entertainmenti=ZXiepU" border="0">&ltdiv class="feedflare">&lta href="http://feeds.sfgate.com/~f/sfgate/rss/feeds/entertainmenta=jlc9cK">&ltimg src="http://feeds.sfgate.com/~f/sfgate/rss/feeds/entertainmenti=jlc9cK" border="0"> &lta href="http://feeds.sfgate.com/~f/sfgate/rss/feeds/entertainmenta=5dCs8k">&ltimg src="http://feeds.sfgate.com/~f/sfgate/rss/feeds/entertainmenti=5dCs8k" border="0"> &lta href="http://feeds.sfgate.com/~f/sfgate/rss/feeds/entertainmenta=gBoxOk">&ltimg src="http://feeds.sfgate.com/~f/sfgate/rss/feeds/entertainmenti=gBoxOk" border="0"> &lta href="http://feeds.sfgate.com/~f/sfgate/rss/feeds/entertainmenta=ibFpRK">&ltimg src="http://feeds.sfgate.com/~f/sfgate/rss/feeds/entertainmenti=ibFpRK" border="0">&ltimg src="http://feeds.sfgate.com/~r/sfgate/rss/feeds/entertainment/~4/374046652" height="1" />
2008-08-25 05:18:46
Harold Lion, 85; Sound Engineer Recorded Presidents, Celebrities
Harold H. Lion, 85, an enterprising sound man who recorded presidents and celebrities, and who founded two long-standing recording companies, died Aug. 7 at the Renaissance Gardens nursing center at Greenspring Village retirement community in Springfield. He had complications from Alzheimer's...&ltp>&lta href="http://feeds.washingtonpost.com/~a/wp-dyn/rss/metro/obituaries/index_xmla=pMGDNC">&ltimg src="http://feeds.washingtonpost.com/~a/wp-dyn/rss/metro/obituaries/index_xmli=pMGDNC" border="0">&ltimg src="http://feeds.washingtonpost.com/~r/wp-dyn/rss/metro/obituaries/index_xml/~4/371607404" height="1" />
2008-08-22 13:50:02

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Female flowers 'communicate' whether to accept or reject male pollen grains

American, Canadian tea merchants to promote Darjeeling tea in US, Canada

Foothill tribals protest against separate Gorkhaland

In the Region | New Jersey: End Nears for Unloved Housing

60's baby boomers not 'developing new third age lifestyles'

Lakshmi Mittal is Special Sits loser

Is it truly dirt-cheap Probably not

Classifying porn is easy, says Oz watchdog

'Grey Gardens' can't add much color as musical

Harold Lion, 85; Sound Engineer Recorded Presidents, Celebrities