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You know those conspicuously narrow paper condiment cups that make it tough to dip more than a few fries, let alone a burger? Ever notice they’re built to fan out? More »
from Lifehacker
It’s not just bacterial diseases that are developing resistance to the medicines required to be administered to keep animals from dying on factory farms.
If you tend to avoid cheese at all costs to keep your weight in check, you might want to think about including a little in your meals—because a new study suggests that a those who eat cheese are at reduced risk of developing diabetes. More »
from Gizmodo
If you’re watching your fat intake, or just prefer lighter baked fare, here’s one way to have your cake and eat it too: use avocado instead of butter when you fire up the mixer. You can cut the amount of saturated fat in your muffins, cakes, or cupcakes by close to half, and while the food will definitely be lighter, it’ll still be delicious and rich. More »
from Lifehacker
As the Midwest continues to suffer through its worst drought in more than 50 years and corn prices near record highs, sixth generation farmer Pam Johnson stares out her window, praying for rain.
The first successful vaccines, like Jenner’s smallpox vaccine and the first Salk vaccine against polio, were based on viruses that do not cause illness or severe symptoms. Vaccine development has since shifted largely to the use of proteins that are used by the disease-causing agents, but there are still some cases where a dead or attenuated virus is the most effective method of generating immunity.
The use of viruses for vaccines, however, has always come with a bit of a concern. When it comes to viruses, one-in-a-million events happen all the time, and evolution gives any viruses used in vaccines a lot to work with: many related viruses in the wild, and animal genomes that are littered with pieces of former viruses. Now, researchers have discovered a case where two different agricultural vaccines have recombined to create a new, virulent strain of the disease they were intended to prevent.
In poultry, a form of herpesvirus (gallid herpesvirus 1) causes a respiratory disease that is sometimes fatal; even if it doesn’t kill the animals, it causes a reduced egg production. As a result, several vaccines have been developed against the virus responsible, based on attenuated forms that do not cause serious illness. Three of these vaccines are approved for use in Australia: two based on viral strains that are present in Australia, and a third developed against a strain common in Europe.
from Ars Technica
Food manufacturers are slow to change practices regarding antibiotic use in food.
