Nestled on a gently sloping segment of land on the quiet, western end of St. Helena, California, Spottswoode Estate contains a remarkable piece of environmental history. The property became one of the first vineyards in the Napa Valley to farm 100% organically in 1985, eventually evolving into a leader in sustainable farming for the famous wine-growing region.[...]

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London : Macmillan, 1896.

In this protocol, DNA fragments are separated according to size by electrophoresis through low-melting-temperature agarose, and then recovered by melting the agarose and extracting with phenol:chloroform. The protocol works best for DNA fragments ranging in size from 0.5 to 5.0 kb. Yields of DNA fragments outside this range are usually lower, but often are sufficient for many purposes.

Qing Xu, Sylvie Huet, Eric Perret and Guillaume Deffuant: The drivers of conversion to organic farming, which is still a residual choice in agriculture, are poorly understood. Many scholars argue that farm characteristics can determine this choice but do not exclude the role of social dynamics. To study this issue, we developed an agent-based model in which agents' decisions to shift to organic farming are based on a comparison between satisfaction with the current situation and potential satisfaction with an alternative farming strategy. A farmer agent’s satisfaction is modelled using the Theory of Reasoned Action. This makes it necessary to compare an agent's productions over time with those of other agents to whom the former attributes considerable credibility (“important others”). Moreover, farmers make technical changes that affect their productions by imitating other credible farmers. While we first used this model to examine simple and abstract farm populations, here we also adapted it for use with data from an Agricultural Census concerning the farm characteristics of dairy farming in 27 French “cantons”. Based on domain expertise, data and previous research, we propose certain laws for modelling the impact of conversion on the farm production of milk and the environment. The simulations with “real” populations of farms confirm the important impact of farm characteristics. However, our results also suggest a complex impact of social dynamics that can favour or impede the diffusion of organic farming through dynamic implicit networks of similarity and credibility. We confirm the great importance of demographic changes in farm characteristics.

Poultry farmers John and Linda Brown were recognized during Delaware Ag Week for their efforts to improve water quality and reduce nutrient runoff with the 2018 Delaware Environmental Stewardship Award.

Le pr�sident malgache avec la d�l�gation bissau-guin�enne lors de la remise des dons de Covid-Organics, le 1er mai dernier. ......

The African Union (AU) said it has held discussions with officials from Madagascar to find out more about a herbal drink recently touted by the island nation’s president as a possible treatment for Covid-19.According to a statement issued on Tuesday, AU Commissioner for Social Affairs Amira El Fadil held a meeting with the chargé d’affaires of Madagascar’s embassy in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa on April 30, at which it was agreed that more information would be provided about the…

The remote Fijian island of Cicia has launched a novel business in organic produce that could prove to be a template for other developing communities around the world. The island declared itself chemical free and fully organic eight years ago and is now producing food that's attracting the interest of foreign buyers. Tara Cleary reports.

Title: Health Tip: Understanding Organic Foods
Category: Health News
Created: 4/27/2010 8:10:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 4/27/2010 12:00:00 AM

Paclitaxel has been considered to cause OATP1B-mediated drug-drug interactions at therapeutic doses; however, its clinical relevance has not been demonstrated. This study aimed to elucidate in vivo inhibition potency of paclitaxel against OATP1B1 and OATP1B3 using endogenous OATP1B biomarkers. Paclitaxel is an inhibitor of OATP1B1 and OATP1B3, with K_i of 0.579 ± 0.107 and 5.29 ± 3.87 μM, respectively. Preincubation potentiated its inhibitory effect on both OATP1B1 and OATP1B3, with K_i of 0.154 ± 0.031 and 0.624 ± 0.183 μM, respectively. Ten patients with non–small cell lung cancer who received 200 mg/m² of paclitaxel by a 3-hour infusion were recruited. Plasma concentrations of 10 endogenous OATP1B biomarkers—namely, coproporphyrin I, coproporphyrin III, glycochenodeoxycholate-3-sulfate, glycochenodeoxycholate-3-glucuronide, glycodeoxycholate-3-sulfate, glycodeoxycholate-3-glucuronide, lithocholate-3-sulfate, glycolithocholate-3-sulfate, taurolithocholate-3-sulfate, and chenodeoxycholate-24-glucuronide—were determined in the patients with non–small cell lung cancer on the day before paclitaxel administration and after the end of paclitaxel infusion for 7 hours. Paclitaxel increased the area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) of the endogenous biomarkers 2- to 4-fold, although a few patients did not show any increment in the AUC ratios of lithocholate-3-sulfate, glycolithocholate-3-sulfate, and taurolithocholate-3-sulfate. Therapeutic doses of paclitaxel for the treatment of non–small cell lung cancer (200 mg/m²) will cause significant OATP1B1 inhibition during and at the end of the infusion. This is the first demonstration that endogenous OATP1B biomarkers could serve as surrogate biomarkers in patients.

This case study aims to identify the cubic capacity and geometry of the geological body of silt–organic sediments in the environment of a former gravel pit situated in a drainless depression of the alluvium of the Čierna voda River. It is located in the well-known geotourism locality of Slnečné Jazera in Senec, in the SW of Slovakia. To identify the body, electrical resistivity tomography was combined with the use of sonar. The research shows that this approach is appropriate for a number of activities that are subjects of engineering-geological investigations. The cubic capacity and geometry of specific aqueous engineering-geological environments must be determined in connection with the need for the management, control, quantification and extraction of selected sedimentary bodies. In addition, the management of sustainable development of reservoirs, sedimentation basins, industrial ponds, settling pits and natural pools for recreation (the subject of the case study) is important to control the limit amounts of sediments in such environments. The results of this study may be applied in analogous engineering-geological conditions. The drainless depression Slnečné Jazera contained a body of silt–organic sediments amounting to 23 000 m³ (41 Olympic-size pools of 25 m x 12.5 m x 1.8 m). The maximum thickness of the bottom sediments was about 6.3 m on the alluvium with an articulated morphology owing to the submerged digging of gravel. The proposed approach improved the control of extraction of the sedimentary body and optimized the engineering-geological conditions in this geotourism locality.

Organic anion transporter 1 (OAT1), expressed at the basolateral membrane of renal proximal tubule epithelial cells, mediates the renal excretion of many clinically important drugs. Previous study in our laboratory demonstrated that ubiquitin conjugation to OAT1 leads to OAT1 internalization from the cell surface and subsequent degradation. The current study showed that the ubiquitinated OAT1 accumulated in the presence of the proteasomal inhibitors MG132 and ALLN rather than the lysosomal inhibitors leupeptin and pepstatin A, suggesting that ubiquitinated OAT1 degrades through proteasomes. Anticancer drugs bortezomib and carfilzomib target the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. We therefore investigate the roles of bortezomib and carfilzomib in reversing the ubiquitination-induced downregulation of OAT1 expression and transport activity. We showed that bortezomib and carfilzomib extremely increased the ubiquitinated OAT1, which correlated well with an enhanced OAT1-mediated transport of p-aminohippuric acid and an enhanced OAT1 surface expression. The augmented OAT1 expression and transport activity after the treatment with bortezomib and carfilzomib resulted from a reduced rate of OAT1 degradation. Consistent with this, we found decreased 20S proteasomal activity in cells that were exposed to bortezomib and carfilzomib. In conclusion, this study identified the pathway in which ubiquitinated OAT1 degrades and unveiled a novel role of anticancer drugs bortezomib and carfilzomib in their regulation of OAT1 expression and transport activity.

An aging global population combined with sedentary lifestyles and unhealthy diets has contributed to an increasing incidence of obesity and type 2 diabetes. These metabolic disorders are associated with perturbations to nitric oxide (NO) signaling and impaired glucose metabolism. Dietary inorganic nitrate, found in high concentration in green leafy vegetables, can be converted to NO in vivo and demonstrates antidiabetic and antiobesity properties in rodents. Alongside tissues including skeletal muscle and liver, white adipose tissue is also an important physiological site of glucose disposal. However, the distinct molecular mechanisms governing the effect of nitrate on adipose tissue glucose metabolism and the contribution of this tissue to the glucose-tolerant phenotype remain to be determined. Using a metabolomic and stable-isotope labeling approach, combined with transcriptional analysis, we found that nitrate increases glucose uptake and oxidative catabolism in primary adipocytes and white adipose tissue of nitrate-treated rats. Mechanistically, we determined that nitrate induces these phenotypic changes in primary adipocytes through the xanthine oxidoreductase–catalyzed reduction of nitrate to NO and independently of peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor-α. The nitrate-mediated enhancement of glucose uptake and catabolism in white adipose tissue may be a key contributor to the antidiabetic effects of this anion.

The enormous black hole at the centre of the Milky Way was active millions of years ago, and its intense X-rays may have formed some molecules necessary for life

A new study found that organic nitrates do not have clinically relevant effects on bone mineral density or bone turnover in postmenopausal women, and the medications caused significant side effects.

This organic farming program is turning residential backyards into market gardens to tackle food security, food mileage and social isolation.

Australia's largest organic edible hemp crop is being harvested in Victoria's north west with agronomists talking up its food and fibre potential.

Valensa International announced Non-GMO Project has been awarded to Valensa’s Organic Spirulina, Chlorella and Microalgae products.

The Organic Trade Association and The Organic Center on Thursday applauded Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Susan Collins (R-ME) for introducing The Organic Agriculture Research Act of 2018.

By now, most of us have read the miscellaneous (numerous) statements from companies like Whole Foods, Organic Valley, Stonyfield, and the Non-GMO Project in defense of their participation in the

Using fresh organic ginger and locally grown oranges, the eco-friendly Medlock Ames has created a drink that is complex, fresh and tangy.

The French agriculture ministry has sentenced Emmanuel Giboulot six months in jail for not taking preventative measures against a bacterial vine disease.

Help stop the rise of antibiotic resistance by buying a bird that's been raised drug-free.

An estimated 2,000 synthetic chemicals can be used in conventional packaged foods; for organic the number is 40.

Physically and mentally, growing plants without chemicals has a transformative effect.

Craving the perfect cup of tea on a chilly morning? Here are some companies with ethical business practices worth supporting.

This industrial designer's 3D/4D printed, life-like forms ask the question of whether we can design and engineer "intelligent" plants that can adapt to environmental changes.

Mud Jeans are bringing apparel to the circular economy.

From retiring dairy cows to asking whether

Find all your sunny-day basics made with fair-trade fabrics and natural dyes.

When four American families switched to all-organic diets for a week, the results were dramatic.

What makes this post great for today

It's a disappointing conclusion, but surely there are other reasons why Earth-friendly food production is a good idea.

New research identifies the emotions that motivate some people to make ethical choices day after day.

Based on the belief that we carry black or white pebbles with us, depending on the choices we make in our lives (black pebbles represent self-focused, irresponsible decisions; white pebbles represent a life of sound,

Talk about slashing food miles; 'fresh from the roof' is as local as it gets.

Want to do something really different for Thanksgiving this year? Come have an organic dinner on the lawn of Monsanto's World Headquarters and watch the latest show from Rev. Billy and the Stop Shopping Choir.

Now you can get your morning coffee fix celebrity-style, thanks to an alliance between Leonardo DiCaprio and LaColumbe coffee -- plus, all proceeds support sustainable initiatives.

The contents of your bag reveal more about you than you might think, but what about your choice of bag itself? District Cotton, a New York City-based company dedicated to fashion with a conscience, has a couple of sturdy options that are as socially

Ed. note: This is now the seventh post in the Green Basics series of posts that TreeHugger is writing to provide basic information about important ideas, materials and technologies for new greenies (or those who just need a quick refresher). Read on and

Though known colloquially as food that is grown to be more healthy (and is more expensive), in order for organic food to be certified as such, it must be produced under specific, legally-regulated standards and be subject to testing in order to retain