"Florida researchers develop medically safer hybrid grapefruit"

            The article I read entitled, “Florida researchers develop medically safer hybrid grapefruit” talks about creating a hybrid grapefruit that people can eat even if they are on medications that warn them not to eat grapefruit while taking the medicine.  Many people take medications that have adverse effects if mixed with grapefruit.  According to citrus researcher and breeder, Fred Gmitter, “The problem with grapefruit is a family of organic chemical furanocoumarins believed to inhibit enzymes from breaking down certain medication, leading to drugs entering the blood stream in higher concentrations that intended, causing an overdose.” (Furanocoumarins, or furocoumarins, are a “class of organic chemical compounds produced by a variety of plants.” http://www.chacha.com/question/what-is-furanocoumarin ).

                To test that this grapefruit is good for people on these medications, they did “tests of the juice in human cell cultures”.  When they got the results, they pointed out that there would be no dangerous side effects but to make absolutely sure of this they would need to conduct “human clinical trials”.  The University of Florida, is already working on “commercializing the hybrid, a cross between pomelos and red grapefruit” which could take up to five to seven years to produce in large volume.

                All of the characteristics of the hybrid grapefruit overpower the characteristics of a regular Florida grapefruit.  The hybrid was tested in focus groups and met approval because it was “seedless, and larger, juicier, sweeter and less bitter than a standard grapefruit”.

                At the end of the article, Gmitter talks about receiving many phone calls from people complaining about not having grapefruit and how they miss it. Gmitter explains once word got out about this hybrid grapefruit, people who had been told not to eat grapefruit due to their medications, were calling complaining about not having grapefruit, where can they get this new grapefruit and how they miss grapefruit. “I miss my Florida grapefruit, when can I have this grapefruit, I miss grapefruit so much.”

                I know firsthand what it means not to be able to eat grapefruit due to medication.  A year ago, I was prescribed Verapamil for my migraines.   My doctor told me that eating grapefruit would increase the strength of the medicine.  This would not be good since Verapamil is designed to lower your blood pressure.  I am happy that I have been off Verapamil for a year now and can enjoy the pleasure of eating grapefruit and don’t need to worry if it’s a hybrid.

Check this article out!

http://news.yahoo.com/florida-researchers-develop-medically-safer-hybrid-grapefruit-215238841.html

"It's in Our Genes: Why Women Outlive Men"

            

“Newborn baby boy and girl. Scientists are beginning to understand one of life's enduring mysteries -- why women live, on average, longer than men. (Credit: © Barbara Helgason / Fotolia)”

           The article I read talks about a study on how men live shorter lives then women. As you can see the answer to the study is in the title, “It’s in our Genes: Why Women outlive Men”. At the Monash University their research tells us “how mutations in the DNA of the mitochondria can account for differences in the life expectancy of males and females.” The mitochondria mutation is the reason why women can outlive men. Of course everyone in B period Biology knows why the mitochondrion is so important to the body. It’s important because it converts the food we eat into energy that our body needs.
              Looking at fruit flies, Dr. Damian Dowling and PhD student Florencia Camus and Dr. David Claney discovered, “uncovered differences in longevity and biological aging across male and female fruit flies that carried mitochondria of different origins”. They believe the “genetic variation across these mitochondria were reliable predictors of life expectancy in males, but not in females.”
            Based on the research, it states that the mitochondrial mutations will cause “faster male aging across the animal kingdom”.  The mutations in the mitochondria happen as a result of a “quirk” in how the mitochondria genes are “passed down from parents to their offspring”, Since the mitochondria genes come from the mother. If a mutation doesn’t affect the mother, it could as generations go on affect a future generation. Dr. Dowling states, “Over thousands of generations, many such mutations have accumulated that only harm males, while leaving females unscathed”.                                                                                                                                                            
             The research shows that the mitochondria are “hotspots for mutations affecting male health”.  Currently, research is being done to try to find ways for males to “arm themselves” genetically to stop the effects of these mutations.                                                                                                                       

           Wow!  Does this mean in B period Biology, which is made up of 8 females and 10 males, we females will outlive our male classmates?  It won’t be true all the time as other factors contribute to our life expectancy. How about what we put into our bodies?  Proper diet and exercise can only add to a healthier longer life. (Again, everyone should read “Fast Food Nation”.)  To me, this study assumes every person’s life has the same exposure to stress and the environment.  Science can’t predict every outcome but I’m sure glad they’re trying.

Check this article out!

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/08/120802122503.htm