Tag Archives: orange

Orange Lichen Aids Paleontologists in Locating Dinosaur Fossils

Posted on by
Reply

Lichens, comprising symbiotic fungi and algae (and/or cyanobacteria), are crucial ecological components that inhabit various substrates, including fossils. A recent study highlights their role as biological indicators of fossils in western North America, and demonstrates that they can be identified through remote sensing techniques.

Preferential colonization of dinosaur bones by lichens. Image credit: Pickles et al., doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2025.09.036.

Dr. Brian Pickles from the University of Reading noted, “This research showcases how extant organisms can assist in uncovering ancient life forms.”

“It’s fascinating to realize that these lichens, which essentially represent miniature ecosystems, thrive on the remains of dinosaurs that went extinct over 75 million years ago.”

“Utilizing drone technology to identify spectral signatures in lichens could transform how paleontologists search for fossils.”

In their research, Dr. Pickles and his team identified two lichen species, Rusabschia elegans and Xanthomendoza trachyphylla, which colonized 50% of exposed fossil bones while affecting less than 1% of nearby rock fragments.

This preference can be attributed to the alkaline, calcareous, and porous nature of dinosaur bones that these lichens favor.

“Although the tendency of lichens to thrive on fossil bones has been observed for decades, it has never been quantitatively assessed until now,” stated Dr. Caleb Brown, a researcher at the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology.

“During our first encounter with a high concentration of exposed fossil bone, such as in a bone bed, our attention often shifts from the bones themselves to the vibrant orange lichen ‘meadows.’

The researchers deployed a drone fitted with specialized sensors to pinpoint lichen-colonized fossils from aerial imagery boasting a resolution of 2.5 cm.

Lichens reveal distinct spectral characteristics, exhibiting lower reflectance in blue wavelengths and increased reflectance in the infrared spectrum.

This innovative method presents considerable benefits for exploration in paleontology, particularly in remote locations where conventional ground surveys are challenging.

This strategy could expedite fossil discoveries while minimizing field expenses and ecological impacts.

The findings are rooted in decades of anecdotal observations made by paleontologists.

In 1980, paleontologist Darren H. Tanke observed that the orange pigmentation of lichens on centrosaurus bones might soon be detectable via satellite. The potential for locating bones using aerial drone technology appears more achievable than ever.

“This drone study sets the foundation for employing aircraft and satellites to map larger expanses,” remarked Dr. Derek Peddle, a researcher at the University of Lethbridge.

“Our newly developed lichen index will aid in fossil identification across vast terrains.”

“It’s exhilarating to merge our imaging technology with the expertise of this international team to enhance dinosaur discovery through remote sensing of lichens.”

The team’s publication appears in this week’s issue of Current Biology.

_____

Brian J. Pickles et al., 2025. Remote sensing of lichens by drone to detect dinosaur bones. Current Biology 35 (21): R1044-R1045; doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2025.09.036

Source: www.sci.news

Scientists Discover Genetic Variations Responsible for Orange Coat Color in Cats

Posted on by
Reply

This mutation is associated with Rho GtPase Activated Protein 36 (ARHGAP36). Research conducted by a team from Stanford University School of Medicine suggests that this anomaly occurs in genes of various mammals.

The orange mutation linked to sex in domestic cats results in various reddish/yellow patches in their fur, clearly demonstrating random X inactivation in female turtles and calico cats. Unlike most coat color genes, other mammals lack evident homologs for the orange associated with gender. Research by Kaelin et al. shows that this mutation results from a 5 kb deletion leading to ectopic and melanocyte-specific expression of the ARHGAP36 gene. Image credit: Kaelin et al., doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2025.04.055.

Various mammals exhibit orange shades—like tigers, golden retrievers, orangutans, and red-headed humans—but this is particularly prevalent in domestic cats (Felis catus). The orange coloration is sex-linked and is observed more frequently in males.

“In many species with yellow or orange pigments, these mutations almost exclusively occur in one of two genes, neither of which is sex-linked,” states Christopher Kaelin, PhD, a researcher at Stanford University School of Medicine and the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology.

Scientists have pinpointed typical mutations that stimulate skin pigment cells to generate yellow or orange pigments instead of the default brown or black; however, they only had vague notions about locating corresponding mutations in cats.

They were aware that the mutation, termed sex-linked orange, was located on the X chromosome due to the predominance of male orange cats.

Male cats with this sex-linked orange will exhibit a complete orange coat, while females must inherit the mutation from both X chromosomes to appear fully orange.

A female cat possessing one copy of the sex-linked orange will showcase a partially orange coat with a pattern known as Tortoiseshell, or with patches of orange, black, and white known as Calico.

This variability arises from a phenomenon in females called random X inactivation, where one X chromosome becomes inactive in each cell.

Consequently, a mosaic pattern of pigment cells develops, some expressing the sex-linked-orange and others not.

“I observed this genetic anomaly over 100 years ago,” Dr. Kaelin recalled.

“It was the genetic puzzles that sparked my interest in Sex Link Orange.”

Building on prior research that dissected segments of the X chromosome housing mutations, Dr. Kaelin and his team methodically concentrated on the sex-linked orange mutation.

“Our ability to do this was facilitated by the development of genomic resources for cats made available in the last five to ten years,” Dr. Kaelin explained.

“This includes a fully sequenced genome along with various cat breeds.”

The researchers also obtained DNA samples from cats at neutering and spaying clinics.

Initially, they searched for a variant of the X chromosome common among orange cats and identified 51 candidates.

They excluded 48 of the candidates as they were also present in several non-orange cats.

Among the remaining three variants, one was speculated to play a significant role in gene regulation: ARHGAP36.

“When we identified it, ARHGAP36 had no association with pigmentation,” Dr. Kaelin stated.

This gene, well-conserved across mammalian species, has drawn attention from cancer and developmental biology researchers.

ARHGAP36 is typically expressed in neuroendocrine tissues, where its overexpression can lead to tumors; however, its association with pigment cells remained unknown.

Notably, it was discovered in a pumpkin-colored cat by Dr. Kaelin and his colleagues.

“ARHGAP36 is not present in mouse, human, or non-orange cat pigment cells,” Dr. Kaelin noted.

“The orange cat mutation appears to induce ARHGAP36 expression within pigment cells, where it is normally not present.”

This irregular expression in pigment cells disrupts intermediate steps in known molecular pathways governing coat color.

In other species, typical orange mutations interrupt earlier stages in that pathway; however, in cats, sex-linked oranges confuse the latter stages.

“It’s certainly an unusual mechanism for gene alteration in specific cell types,” said Dr. Kaelin.

The team’s findings are detailed in a study published this week in the journal Current Biology.

____

Christopher B. Kaelin et al. Molecular and genetic properties of sex-linked orange coat colors in domestic cats. Current Biology Published online on May 15th, 2025. doi:10.1016/j.cub.2025.04.055

Source: www.sci.news

Scientists say orange peel could be a crucial factor in enhancing cardiovascular health

Posted on by
Reply

A study by researchers from the University of Florida, Texas State University, and the United States Department of Agriculture suggests that an extract of the polar fraction of orange peel, which contains a compound called feruloylputrescine, may reduce cardiovascular disease.

Lee othersThe inhibitory effects of orange peel polar fraction (OPP) and orange peel non-polar fraction (OPNP) on the production of trimethylamine (TMA) and trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) in response to L-carnitine treatment were compared. In vivo and In vitro.

Recent studies have shown that some gut bacteria may contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease.

During digestion, gut bacteria produce trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) when certain nutrients are ingested, and levels of TMAO can help predict future cardiovascular disease.

In a new study, Dr. Yu Wang from the University of Florida and colleagues investigated the potential of orange peel extract to reduce the production of TMAO and trimethylamine (TMA).

They tested two types of extracts: a polar fraction and a non-polar fraction.

To obtain the polar fraction, they extracted orange peels using polar and non-polar solvents.

“Think of a salad dressing. The things that are in the water and vinegar section are polar compounds. The things that are in the oil section, away from the water, are non-polar compounds,” says Dr. Wang.

“The solvents we used are not exactly the same as water and oil, but they have a similar polarity.”

The authors found that extracts of the non-polar fraction of orange peel effectively inhibited the production of harmful chemicals.

The researchers also identified a compound in the polar fraction extract of orange peel called feruloylputrescine, which also significantly inhibited the enzyme involved in TMA production.

“This is a novel discovery that highlights a previously unrecognized potential health benefit of feruloylputrescine in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease,” Dr Wang said.

“The discovery regarding orange peel is significant because five million tonnes of orange peel are produced annually in orange juice production nationwide.”

“About 95 percent of Florida oranges are used for juice. About half of the peels are used to feed cows. The rest are discarded.”

“But the FDA considers natural orange peel extract to be safe for human consumption, so we're looking to get more out of the peel.”

“These findings suggest that orange peels, which are often discarded as waste in the citrus industry, could be repurposed into valuable health-promoting compounds, such as ingredients in dietary supplements and foods,” Dr Wang said.

“Our study paves the way for the development of functional foods enriched with these bioactive compounds, providing a new therapeutic strategy for heart health.”

of result Appears in Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

_____

Hana Lee others2024. Discovery of novel bioactive compounds from the polar fraction of orange peel and their inhibition of trimethylamine and trimethylamine N-oxide by a metabolomic approach. In vitro and In vivo Assay: Feruloylputrescine inhibits trimethylamine by suppressing the cntA/B enzymes. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 72(14):7870-7881; doi:10.1021/acs.jafc.3c09005

Source: www.sci.news

Research: Daily consumption of 100% orange juice reduces blood sugar levels compared to orange drink

Posted on by
Reply

A new study from Toronto Metropolitan University says 100% orange juice and sugar-sweetened beverages are not equivalent when it comes to their effects on food intake and blood sugar response, and should not be placed in the same category when making beverage decisions.

Consuming 100% orange juice before a meal reduces food intake at the next meal and lowers daily blood glucose concentrations in healthy, normal weight adults when compared to orange drink.

The World Health Organization suggests reducing free sugar intake to no more than 10% of daily energy intake to reduce the risk of unhealthy weight and tooth decay.

Consistent with these recommendations, some national dietary guidelines recommend reducing sugar intake from all sources.

However, these recommendations do not differentiate between sources of free sugars and are primarily based on data from observational studies, so the physiological mechanisms underlying the observed effects cannot be readily determined.

“Our findings highlight the importance of considering the source of sugar when considering overall health effects,” said Dr. Nick Bellissimo of Toronto Metropolitan University, senior author of the study. I am emphasizing that.”

The randomized, repeated measures study included 36 adult men and women with normal BMI levels who received 1 cup of 100% orange juice, orange flavored, 2 hours after a breakfast consisting of cereal, 2% milk, and 2% milk. Ingested sugar-sweetened beverages and water. Breakfast bar.

Blood sugar responses, average appetite, and subjective emotions were measured every 15 minutes for 60 minutes in 34 participants.

Glycemic responses and energy intake for the rest of the day were measured in 31 participants using continuous blood glucose monitors and food records.

Subjective sweetness and pleasantness were measured immediately after ingesting the test beverage.

Glycemic responses, average appetite, and subjective emotions were measured every 15 minutes for 60 minutes.

Food intake was measured 60 minutes after the pizza lunch.

Blood sugar levels were lower with 100% orange juice than with orange drink at 15, 30, and 45 minutes, but not after 60 minutes.

Blood sugar levels for the rest of the day were lower after drinking 100% orange juice compared to drinking orange or water.

The findings also showed that food intake at lunch and throughout the day was lower after consuming 100% orange juice compared to consuming orange drink.

Participants also had higher subjective comfort measures and enjoyed 100% orange juice more compared to orange beverages and water.

Using 100% orange juice instead of sugary drinks may reduce your total daily calorie intake and help regulate blood sugar levels.

100% orange juice contains flavonoids such as hesperidin, which can affect sugar absorption by slowing glucose transport, causing a delayed blood sugar response.

Consumption of 100% orange juice is associated with increased flavonoid intake, decreased added sugar, and higher quality diet.

The researchers said, “Consumption of 100% orange juice as a preload resulted in higher caloric compensation, lower total daily energy intake, and lower blood glucose concentrations compared to orange beverages.”

“Future longitudinal studies are needed to assess whether the habit of replacing sugar-sweetened beverages with 100% orange juice contributes to a healthier body weight and improved glycemic control.”

of paper It was published in the magazine nutrients.

_____

Stephanie Robayo other. 2024. Effects of her 100% orange juice and moderate sugar-sweetened beverages on subjective appetite, food intake, and glycemic responses in adults. nutrients 16 (2): 242; doi: 10.3390/nu16020242

Source: www.sci.news