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Booze-Proof Hornets Could Hold Key to Studying Alcoholism

The AHA! Team — Mon, 20 Jan 2025 06:15:10 +0000

Zachy Hennessey via Israel21c – Researchers find that hornets have several copies of the gene responsible for producing the enzyme that breaks down alcohol. A new discovery from researchers at Tel Aviv University has identified a surprising champion of alcohol tolerance – the Oriental hornet. In their recently-published study, the researchers put the Oriental hornet in the spotlight, where it stands alone — and completely sober — as the only known animal capable of consuming high concentrations of alcohol continuously without experiencing any adverse effects. This finding could revolutionize scientists’ approach to alcohol-related research. “This is a remarkable animal that shows no signs of intoxication or illness even after ingesting huge amounts of alcohol,” notes the research team, spearheaded by Sofia Bouchebti and Prof. Eran Levin at TAU’s School of Zoology and Steinhardt Museum of Natural History. Oriental hornets could potentially be used to develop new models for studying alcoholism and the metabolism of alcohol. What makes this discovery particularly striking is how it contrasts with other species’ reactions to alcohol. While alcohol naturally occurs in nature through the fermentation of sugars by yeasts and bacteria in ripe fruits and nectar, most animals — including humans — can’t handle significant amounts without serious consequences, such as impeded balance and embarrassing phone calls. Even fruit flies, which commonly dine upon fermenting fruits, show signs of intoxication after a nibble too many (proving that nature has a particularly cruel sense of humor and that the best things in life are out to kill us). Incredible ability to handle alcohol So, what makes the hornets able to drink the rest of the animal kingdom under the table? To find this out, the research team conducted a series of increasingly ambitious experiments to test the hornets’ extraordinary capabilities. In perhaps the most striking demonstration, hornets were given a diet consisting of 80 percent alcohol — a concentration that would be lethal to most organisms (though this is still being rigorously tested by college students). Remarkably, these insects not only survived but showed no behavioral changes or health impacts throughout their normal three-month lifespan. Levin explains the key to the puzzle, discovered via analysis of the hornet’s genome: “The hornet possesses several copies of the gene responsible for producing the enzyme that breaks down alcohol; this genetic adaptation may be related to their incredible ability to handle alcohol.” The evolution of this unique ability might be rooted in the hornets’ longstanding relationship with yeasts. The insects naturally harbor yeasts in their digestive systems, creating a symbiotic relationship that may have driven their adaptation to alcohol tolerance. With alcohol-related deaths accounting for 5.3% of global mortality, the implications of this research could make for more than an interesting “did you know” at the next social function you attend. “We believe that, following our research, Oriental hornets could potentially be used to develop new models for studying alcoholism and the metabolism of alcohol,” Levin concludes. To read the original article click here.

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4 Weird but Sustainable Sources of Protein

The AHA! Team — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 06:04:22 +0000

Zachy Hennessey via Israel21c – Thanks to the marvel of technology, experts have found ways to extract protein from some pretty bizarre ingredients. As global food security becomes an increasing problem, a cadre of Israeli startups is concocting solutions straight out of a science fiction novel. Forget lab-grown meat and plant-based burgers—those are yesterday’s recipes. These innovative companies are diving into the ocean, crawling under rocks and climbing trees in their quest for sustainable alternative protein sources. “The first wave of plant-based meat and dairy alternatives with companies like Beyond Meat, Impossible Foods, Oatly, and others has done an incredible job at bringing this new category into the mainstream of the food industry. However, consumers are now demanding healthier, tastier, and more affordable products,” says Yonatan Golan, cofounder and CEO of algae-focused food-tech startup Brevel. “Unfortunately, existing sources of plant-based proteins have come near their limit in terms of providing these attributes, and thus the whole food industry is very actively searching for new and better sources of protein to develop version 2.0 of plant-based alternatives,” he continues, adding that the protein ingredient industry is expected to reach $300 billion by 2035. Let’s take a closer look at four of these surprising innovations that are pushing the boundaries of what we consider food… Jellyfish: Not just for stinging anymore When most people think of jellyfish, they picture a gelatinous menace floating in the ocean, ready to ruin a perfectly good beach day. But Qortein, a Rahat-based startup with $400,000 in funding, sees something entirely different: a sustainable and nutritious food source. Qortein specializes in processing jellyfish biomass for use in the food, nutrition, and nutri-cosmetic industries. Their innovative approach not only provides a new protein source but also addresses the growing problem of jellyfish blooms in our oceans. As warming seas and overfishing disrupt marine ecosystems, jellyfish populations have exploded in many areas, causing problems for fisheries and coastal communities. By turning this environmental challenge into a nutritional opportunity, Qortein is killing two fish with one stone (or two jellyfish with one net?). Its products aim to promote consumer health while providing a sustainable alternative to traditional protein sources. Who knows? In a few years, jellyfish jerky might just become your new favorite snack. Bugs: The creepy crawly future of protein If the idea of snacking on jellyfish seems a bit too adventurous, how about munching on some crickets instead? While entomophagy (the practice of eating insects) has been common in many cultures for millennia, it’s only recently gaining traction in the West as a sustainable protein alternative. The numbers speak for themselves: the insect protein market, valued at $143.6 million in 2019, is projected to grow at a hefty compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 45%, reaching an estimated $1.3 billion by 2025. Israeli startups are at the forefront of this six-legged revolution: Hargol FoodTech in Elifelet, with $5.09 million in funding, has developed a line of protein bars called “Holy Locust.” Yes, you read that right – locust protein bars. It’s a clever nod to the biblical story of John the Baptist surviving on locusts and wild honey in the desert. Who knew that ancient survival food would become the next health-food trend? Meanwhile, the increased interest in utilizing insects as protein has given birth to a secondary field of bugs-as-food startups, focused on providing solutions to companies that are producing insect-based foods. A fine example of such companies is FreezeM, a food-tech startup based in Nahshonim with $14.2 million in funding. Instead of selling insects directly, they’re creating breeding hubs in which to grow black soldier flies — a breed of insect popular for its protein density. These hubs provide ready-to-use suspended neonates – essentially, insect “seeds” – to farmers who then grow the larvae using organic waste. This model lowers the barriers to entry for insect farming, accelerating the industry’s growth. Banana leaves: Farm waste to protein source When you think of bananas, you probably focus on the fruit itself. But what about the massive leaves that are usually discarded once they fall from the tree? Day 8, a startup established in 2023 by scientists-turned-entrepreneurs, sees untapped potential in these overlooked plant parts. Day 8 specializes in extracting RuBisCO, a plant protein that’s highly sought after in the food industry, from discarded banana leaves. RuBisCO (which stands for Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase-oxygenase, in case you were wondering) is the most abundant protein on Earth, playing a crucial role in photosynthesis. It’s also a complete protein, containing all nine essential amino acids that the human body can’t produce on its own. With initial funding of $750,000 and a seed round aiming to raise an additional $2 million, Day 8 is turning what was once considered agricultural waste into a valuable protein source. It’s a perfect example of circular economy principles in action, reducing waste while creating a new, sustainable food ingredient. Algae: The edible moss of the sea Last but certainly not least, we have Brevel, a startup that’s brewing up a storm with its ghost protein derived from fermented algae. Set to open a massive 2,500-square-meter production plant in Kiryat Gat next year, this venture has secured $18.5 million in funding to bring algae-based products to market. Brevel’s approach combines the best of both worlds: the nutritional density of microalgae with the scalability of fermentation technology. The company’s indoor bioreactors will be capable of producing hundreds of tons of highly nutritious microalgae powder annually. This powder can be used to create a variety of plant-based products, especially alternative milk. “Microalgae have been known for many decades to be a potential solution for a sustainable future as they are packed with protein — more than 50% — are very healthy, non-allergenic, grow very fast and require very little resources. However, to put it bluntly, microalgae are not tasty and are very expensive, so they cannot become a major ingredient in food,” admits Brevel’s CEO, the afore-quoted Yonatan Golan. “Brevel managed to solve both of these challenges by developing a breakthrough technology both in how the microalgae are grown and in how the protein is extracted. We have a white, tasty, healthy and affordable protein powder,” he says. “We believe that sustainable nutrition on a global scale is not only possible but is just around the corner and we are super excited to lead on this new path.” To read the original article click here.

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8 new weapons in the anti-mosquito arsenal

The AHA! Team — Thu, 18 Jul 2024 08:48:05 +0000

Abigail Klein Leichman via Israel21c – Cases of West Nile virus highlight the urgency of dealing with disease-carrying mosquito populations, which are only growing… Cases of West Nile virus in areas of Israel and other countries this summer highlight the urgent need for solutions against female mosquitoes, which are the ones that bite to get blood that helps them produce eggs. If a mosquito becomes infected with a virus from a person or animal it bites, the virus then multiplies in its body. Then the insect becomes a vector, transmitting viruses through saliva deposited when biting your skin. The American Mosquito Control Association estimates that more than 1 million people die each year from mosquito-borne diseases including West Nile, malaria, dengue, Zika, yellow fever and more. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) predicts a rise of these diseases in many parts of North America due to the warming climate that allows mosquitoes to thrive. Andrea Ammon, director of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, said, “Europe is already seeing how climate change is creating more favorable conditions for invasive mosquitoes to spread into previously unaffected areas and infect more people with diseases such as dengue.” Here’s an overview of ways in which Israeli scientists and entrepreneurs are working to solve this growing problem. In the lab A highly effective, yet natural, skin-coating repellent offering both mechanical and chemical protection is in advanced stages of development at Hebrew University. The formula contains indole, a fragrant extract from flowers, and cellulose nanocrystals (CNC), an abundant renewable plant substance. The project grew out of a research collaboration among PhD student Daniel Voignac from the Department of Applied Physics and Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology; Prof. Yossi Paltiel; Prof. Jonathan Bohbot, head of the university’s Neurobiology Of Insect Olfaction Lab; serial inventor/entrepreneur Prof. Oded Shoseyov and PhD student Evyatar Sar-Shalom.

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8 Simple Ways You Can Help Beneficial Bugs Survive

The AHA! Team — Fri, 24 May 2024 08:04:28 +0000

Abigail Klein Leichman via Israel21c – ‘Good’ insects like bees and parasitoids are essential to our existence but their survival is threatened. Here’s what you can do assure their future. Mosquitoes can be dangerous. Flies are annoying. Cockroaches are disgusting. But not all bugs are bad. On the contrary, many types of insects are essential to our existence. And some, including the bees that pollinate our food crops, are in danger. According to the Daily Climate, “every year there are slightly fewer butterflies, fewer bumblebees — fewer of almost all the myriad little beasts that make the world go round.” A recent study found that insect populations on land are decreasing by 0.92 percent per year. That would mean 24% fewer insects in 30 years. Some scientists fear this decline could damage ecosystems beyond the point of recovery. A Canadian study in 2020 found that North American bumblebee populations have nearly halved, and European bumblebees decreased by 17%. So, what can we do to preserve beneficial insects, even if we are not scientists or agronomists? We asked Tamar Keasar, a professor of insect ecology and behavior at the Department of Biology and the Environment on the Oranim campus of the University of Haifa. Her lab studies pollination ecology and biological control in Israel’s agricultural and natural areas. Keasar suggests eight simple actions you take in and around your own home. Share these tips with family, friends and neighbors, to conserve beneficial insects near our homes, and to enjoy their amazing ecological services. 1. Provide nesting places for bees “We are all familiar with honeybees. But there are many other kinds of bees that help pollinate our crops and wildflowers. Israel has more than a thousand species of wild bees,” Keasar says. “Unlike honeybees, most wild bees do not live in colonies. Instead, each female bee makes her own nest where she lays eggs. Some wild bees nest in the soil, and others nest within dry twigs, old walls and even snail shells,” she explains. “By exposing some sunny, dry ground in your backyard, you can create a bee-friendly nesting area. Or you can set up bunches of reeds or even drinking straws to create a ‘bee hotel’ in any outdoor area.” 2. Treat swarms gently “A honeybee swarm may appear near your home or in your garden. This happens when large groups of bees leave the hive where they grew up, and search for a new place to settle. Don’t panic! While you probably don’t want the bees to remain next to your home, many beekeepers would love to have them,” says Keasar. Contact your local beekeepers’ association or bee rescue volunteers, who know how to capture and remove the swarm carefully. 3. Grow plants for bees “Bees get their entire nutrition from flowers. In hot and dry countries such as Israel, flowering plants are rare in the summer and fall, so bees may go hungry. But you can help,” says Keasar. “By growing summer- and autumn-flowering plants, you can tide bees over these difficult seasons. Local plants with nectar- and pollen-rich flowers are best. If you live in Israel, consider planting a carob or a tamarisk tree.” 4. Grow a variety of plants for parasitoid wasps Parasitoid wasps are tiny insects — most are smaller than 1/16th of an inch, or 2 millimeters – and they do not sting humans. “Despite being very diverse and abundant, we often don’t notice parasitoids because of their small size,” says Keasar. “Yet parasitoids are important beneficial insects because they help control pests that infest our food crops and gardens. The young stages of parasitoids wasps feed on other insects, such as aphids or moths — many of which are crop pests,” she says. “The adults, on the other hand, often eat flower nectar and this improves their survival and reproduction. Unlike bees, parasitoids usually feed from small shallow flowers that they can access with their tiny mouthparts. They will thrive on a small bed of flowering buckwheat or coriander in your backyard or balcony.” 5. Diversify your garden “Humans need a varied diet to obtain all the nutrients they need, and so do beneficial insects. For example, bees need to feed on pollen from different plants to achieve the correct balance between different types of fatty acids,” Keasar explains. While many modern farms have huge fields dominated by a single crop, you can provide a healthier balanced diet for bees and parasitoids by growing mixtures of different flowers in your garden or on your balcony. 6. Monitor before you spray We often use pesticides to control nuisance insects such as cockroaches, mosquitoes or ants in our homes and gardens. Sometimes, we use insecticides as a prevention strategy before we even see these pests at home. Keasar advises not to do this. “Insecticides carry health hazards for humans and pets; they are expensive; and they harm beneficial insects. ‘Good bugs’ may suffer from insecticides through lower survival, reduced fertility, or impairment of flight, learning and navigation,” she explains. “To reduce these hazards, look out for the household pests, and spray to control them only after they’ve actually infested your home.” 7. Use selective insecticides When you do spray, choose a bug killer targeted to the specific insect you’re trying to get rid of, rather than a broad-range product. “Using such selective insecticides against household pests carries lower risk for bees, parasitoids and other beneficial insects. Look for, and avoid, insecticides labeled as highly toxic to bees, wildlife and aquatic invertebrates.” 8. If you like butterflies… In the United States, the iconic black-and-orange monarch butterfly is declining in numbers to the point where it may be declared an endangered species. But Keasar explains that butterflies generally aren’t considered beneficial because their larvae are serious agricultural crop pests. And the adults are only marginally important as pollinators. However, if you are interested in conserving butterflies for their beauty, the steps you take can have the side effect of preserving other insects that may be more beneficial or more threatened, but less pretty and charismatic. The US Fish & Wildlife Service suggests planning a “pollinator garden” with plants that bloom in different seasons and can be placed in fully or partially sunny areas. Native milkweed is a particular favorite of monarch butterflies. To read the original article click here.

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Israeli Air Purifiers Fight Covid in 400 UK, Irish Buses

AHA Publisher — Fri, 15 Jan 2021 08:00:18 +0000

Abigail Klein Leichman via Israel21c – Four hundred touring coaches, repurposed to transport essential workers in the United Kingdom and Ireland, have been outfitted with air filtration and disinfection devices from Israeli startup Aura Air. The device has a pre-filter to catch large particles of dust, pollen, insects and animal hair. A patented three-layer HEPA filter catches particles as small as 0.3 microns, absorbs volatile organic compounds and bad odors, and neutralizes viruses, bacteria, fungi and mold. It also includes an ultraviolet LED-based component, the Sterionizer, which generates positive and negative ions to purify and freshen air. The system’s sensors and algorithms constantly monitor and analyze particles in the air as well as temperature, humidity and carbon dioxide. Passengers can view results via an app, and alerts are sent to the driver if any levels go above a certain threshold indicating a possible hazard. In pilots of the technology at a hotel and other locations in the United States, and at Sheba Medical Center in Israel, Aura Air neutralized various viruses, including the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, at a rate of 99.9%. Aura Air devices are sold to corporate customers such as schools, train stations and offices in Israel, Europe, the United States and the Far East, as well as to individual customers through the company’s website. Aura Air was founded by brothers Aviad and Eldar Shnaiderman and and has 14 employees. The devices are manufactured in Israel in collaboration with Beit El Industries. To read the original article click here. For more articles from Israel21c click here.

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