Spirulina blue-green algae may help COVID-19 patients avoid getting seriously ill, according to a study by Israeli and Icelandic scientists. Their research, published in the Marine Biotechnology journal in February, found that an extract of photosynthetically enhanced Spirulina reduces by 70 percent the release of an immune-system protein that can cause a cytokine storm in the lungs and lead to acute respiratory distress and organ damage. “The potential health benefits of Spirulina are well documented,” the authors noted. “This blue-green algae contains C-phycocyanin (C-PC), a pigment-binding protein, which enhances antioxidation, anti-inflammation, and anti-tumor activities.” It is believed that cytokine storms…
Author: zenger.news
The shelf life of food just got a technical boost. Anyone who’s confronted a wilted stalk of celery or moldy cucumber in the veggie bin will appreciate a new package from Israel-based StePac. It’s designed to significantly lengthen the shelf life of fresh produce and reduce waste in the supply chain and consumers’ homes. The innovative packaging solution is a resealable standing pouch made with the company’s proprietary Xgo-modified atmosphere and humidity technology, which slows aging and ripening. Divine Flavor, a San Diego-based grower-owned distributor of fruits and vegetables and part of Grupo Alta, tested and adopted StePac’s new standing…
Mexico’s Magical Town Program highlights picturesque towns in all states of the country with the goal of bringing economic and touristic opportunities to the areas. “[The program] grants states subsidies intending to diversify and improve the quality of tourism products and services, stimulate and promote public and private investment and generate economic benefits, employment, social and economic development for the receiving community,” said Juan Bosco Pérez, former Director of Tourism of Veracruz’s Municipal Government. The Municipality of Orizaba, in central Veracruz, has been recognized as Magical Town. (Christian Valera Rebolledo/Café Words)Mexico’s Magical Towns attract thousands of tourists who want to…
A carnival-less Veracruz is not Veracruz. So, against all odds, the famous annual Carnival will occur amid the COVID-19 pandemic — as a digital event to comply with health regulations. Virtual events are not unique: Tlacotalpan’s Candlemas Fair was also held online, as will be Papantla’s Summit Tajín. The carnival organizers decided to let those interested in the carnival activities enjoy it from the comfort of their homes because the municipality of Veracruz, where the event usually takes place, concentrates the majority of cases of coronavirus infections and deaths. “It is a shame that, despite the authorities’ efforts, the Carnival…
BALNEARIO CAMBORIU, Brazil — A heart-melting moment was captured when two newborn sisters immediately ‘hugged’ each other after being born in the Brazilian municipality of Balneario Camboriu. The twin-sisters, Liz and Beatriz, were attached to different placentas and are non-identical siblings, according to the hospital officials. The delivery date of the twin-sister duo is yet unknown, but the siblings already knew each other from the womb. Their hug, believed to be the very first, melted many hearts in the delivery room. “Liz hugged Beatriz like it was, ‘phew sis, you’re out here with me!’” said Luana Guimaraes, mother of the…
Protected since British rule, India has finally liberalized its geospatial sector, allowing Indian firms to collect, store, and share such data for services like mapping, transport, and e-commerce, among others, without prior government approval. Till now, the government and the Survey of India — the country’s surveying authority — had the sole right to access and use geospatial data. The guidelines, released on Feb. 15, seek to create a level-playing field for private domestic firms and reduce dependence on foreign firms like Google, and TomTom, among others, that provide location and mapping services. India is expecting the deregulation will lead…
The pandemic has wreaked havoc in many industries, including music. Many guitarists, pianists, violinists, drummers, and even singers, lost their livelihood as their income depended entirely on live performances. Although the COVID-19 outbreak has generated a wave of unemployment at an unprecedented global level, it has also allowed thousands of people to demonstrate their ability to adapt. Despite obstacles to overcome, musicians have not stopped playing, using their creativity to continue their artistry. Some share their talent through social media. Some offer private concerts by video call, charging a lower fee than live events. Others keep practicing, so they do…
Central Mexico’s Tlaxcala region contains arid land with agaves growing everywhere. Its people learned how to benefit from the leaves of this plant during pre-Hispanic times, wrapping armadillo, rabbit or venison meat in them and cooking it in underground ovens. That was an early version of barbacoa. Today, recipes for the traditional Mexican dish call for goat, lamb, beef, chicken, venison or rabbit, depending on what the cooks can find. “There are different ways of preparing barbacoa, depending on the region,” said Mariela Ramírez, a Mexican cook who has sold it on demand for five years. Not only the meat…
No one enjoys getting a biopsy, in which a tissue sample is surgically taken and analyzed in a lab for signs of disease, such as cancer. It’s not only unpleasant for the patient, but has clinical drawbacks: A biopsy doesn’t always extract the diseased tissue and isn’t helpful in detecting disease at early stages. These concerns have encouraged researchers to find less invasive and more accurate diagnostic methods. Prof. Nir Friedman and Ronen Sadeh of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have developed a blood test that enables lab technicians to diagnose cancer and diseases of the heart and liver by…
Sports can occasionally double as diplomacy. Ping-Pong helped open relations with China, while judo has eased relations for one Iranian and his Israeli counterparts. Iranian judoka Saeid Mollaei won a silver medal at the International Judo Federation’s Grand Slam Feb. 19 in Israel. He is not only the first Iranian to achieve victory in the country, but the first to compete in it. Mollaei represented Mongolia in the under-81 kilograms (178 lbs.) category, where he came in second place after losing to Sharofiddin Boltaboev from Uzbekistan. Mollaei become a Mongolian citizen after failing to return to Iran following the Tokyo…