http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/plants_animals/beer_and_wine/ The science of wine, beer and whisky. Learn health benefits of wine drinking, then read about cheese and wine combinations and more. en-us Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:05:01 EST Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:05:01 EST 60 http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/logosmall.gif http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/plants_animals/beer_and_wine/ For more science articles, visit ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091103121618.htm Drunken fruit flies have helped researchers identify networks of genes -- also present in humans -- that play a key role in alcohol drinking behavior. This discovery provides an indication of why some people seem to tolerate alcohol better than others, and points toward a potential target for drugs aimed at preventing or eliminating alcoholism. Sat, 07 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091103121618.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091021115013.htm Scientists are reporting the first scientific explanation for one of the most widely known rules of thumb for pairing wine with food: "Red wine with red meat, white wine with fish." The scientists are reporting that the unpleasant, fishy aftertaste noticeable when consuming red wine with fish results from naturally occurring iron in red wine. Wed, 21 Oct 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091021115013.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091015084549.htm A naturally produced molecule called resveratrol, found in the skin of red grapes, has been shown to lower insulin levels in mice when injected directly into the brain, even when the animals ate a high-fat diet. Tue, 20 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091015084549.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091006093341.htm A new study shows that the brain plays a key role in mediating resveratrol's anti-diabetic actions, potentially paving the way for future orally delivered diabetes medications that target the brain. Fri, 09 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091006093341.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091005161332.htm The first demonstration of a renewable method for hydrogen production from wastewater using a microbial electrolysis system is underway at the Napa Wine Company in Oakville. The refrigerator-sized hydrogen generator will take winery wastewater, and using bacteria and a small amount of electrical energy, convert the organic material into hydrogen. Tue, 06 Oct 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091005161332.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090923163910.htm By unraveling an unexpected twist in grapevine DNA, German researchers have shown that a long-established tool for distinguishing among Old World, New World, and hybrid varieties is unreliable. Classification matters because 19th-century hybrids that helped save the European wine industry from American pests also left a legacy of "foxy" tasting wine. This biomolecular detective work opens the way for accurate classification, accelerated breeding, and potentially the production of European-tasting wines from American species and cultivars. Thu, 24 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090923163910.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090917111507.htm A conversation over a glass of wine turned into a research effort to create new, healthy wine-flavored products. The German and Spanish research team say they have invented a way of making powder from by-products of red wine production, which could be used in everything from yogurt and chocolates to creams and face masks. Fri, 18 Sep 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090917111507.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090912124050.htm Wine tastes different to those who are given information on the product before a wine tasting, tests where the test people received information on the wine before and after the tasting have shown. Mon, 14 Sep 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090912124050.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090907142347.htm Brewing engineers in Germany are investigating a new process combination that could enable beer makers to cut their energy consumption by as much as 20 percent. They propose a new production chain linking combined heat and power stations, which so far have proven unsuitable for breweries, with a thermo-chemical zeolite heat storage system. They further plan to model the energy balance of an entire brewery to realize savings from the cleaning system through the bottling plant. Thu, 10 Sep 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090907142347.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090908203429.htm Turning grape juice into wine is a stressful business for yeasts. A researcher in Spain has identified the genes in yeast that enable it to respond to stress and is investigating ways to improve yeast performance by modifying its stress response mechanism. Wed, 09 Sep 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090908203429.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090817143604.htm The polyphenols found in red wine are thought to help prevent Alzheimer's disease, and new research has shown that some of those compounds in fact reach the brain. Mon, 07 Sep 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090817143604.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090807120952.htm A chemical found in blueberry leaves has shown a strong effect in blocking the replication of the hepatitis C virus, opening up a new avenue for treating chronic HCV infections, which affect 200 million people worldwide and can eventually lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer. Mon, 10 Aug 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090807120952.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090803122726.htm Heavy drinkers of beer and spirits face a much higher risk of developing cancer than the population at large, say epidemiologists and cancer researchers. Heavy consumption of beer and spirits have now been linked to 6 different cancers. People in the highest consumption category increased their risk of developing esophageal cancer sevenfold, colon cancer by 80 percent and even lung cancer by 50 percent. Tue, 04 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090803122726.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090730103742.htm Scientists have unraveled a mystery that has perplexed scientists since red wine was first discovered to have health benefits: How does resveratrol control inflammation? New research not only explains resveratrol's one-two punch on inflammation, but also show how it -- or a derivative -- can be used to treat potentially deadly inflammatory disease, such as appendicitis, peritonitis and systemic sepsis. Mon, 03 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090730103742.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090729092541.htm Scientists have developed a new system for comparing the sensory performance of electronic noses against that of the fly -- a breakthrough which should lead to improved e-nose performance. Thu, 30 Jul 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090729092541.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090724091341.htm A fully functioning micro-brewery is to be built at The University of Nottingham. The facility will enhance its research in brewing science. Fri, 24 Jul 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090724091341.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090707142138.htm Scientists have developed salt-tolerant plants using a new type of genetic modification, bringing salt-tolerant cereal crops a step closer to reality. Wed, 08 Jul 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090707142138.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090624093353.htm Some food groups in the Mediterranean diet are more important than others in promoting health and longer life according to new research. Wed, 24 Jun 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090624093353.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090608091339.htm In a surprise discovery that may help boxed wine shake off its image as a gauche alternative to bottles, scientists in Canada are reporting that multilayer aseptic cartons (a.k.a. 'boxes') may help reduce levels of substances that contribute odors to wine and can lower its quality.  Mon, 15 Jun 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090608091339.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090611174052.htm Resveratrol shows therapeutic potential for cancer chemoprevention as well as cardioprotection. Resveratrol may aid in the prevention of age-related disorders, such as neurodegenerative diseases, inflammation, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Low doses of resveratrol improve cell survival as a component of cardio- and neuro-protection, while high doses increase cell death. Fri, 12 Jun 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090611174052.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090511115003.htm Scientists are reporting use of a first-of-its-kind approach to craft genetically engineered microbes with the much-sought ability to transform switchgrass, corn cobs, and other organic materials into methyl halides -- the raw material for making gasoline and a host of other commercially important products. The new bioprocess could help pave the way for producing biofuels from agricultural waste, easing concerns about stress on the global food supply from using corn and other food crops.  Wed, 13 May 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090511115003.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090512111157.htm Scientists have studied the effect of reservatrol — a molecule of plant origin present in wine and several fruits — in rats with non-alcoholic hepatic esteatosis, an accumulation of fat in the liver when alcohol is not involved. Wed, 13 May 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090512111157.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090430122046.htm After analysing different points of the process of the transformation of grape juice to wine, researchers concluded that the type of container (wooden cask or steel tank) employed notably influences the fermentative aroma of Chardonnay wine, and that oak cask-fermented wines have, in general, a greater concentration of superior alcohols and esters of medium-sized chains of fatty acids. Thu, 07 May 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090430122046.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090429205609.htm Drinking up to half a glass of wine a day may boost life expectancy by five years -- at least in men, suggests new research. Thu, 30 Apr 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090429205609.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090419202029.htm Everyday foods, beverages, and spices contain healthful compounds that help us fight harmful inflammation. And, in doing that, these phytochemicals—the resveratrol in red wine or the catechins in green, white and black teas, for instance—may also reduce our risk of diseases associated with chronic inflammation, including cancer and diabetes. Mon, 27 Apr 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090419202029.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090421154322.htm Pre-diagnostic wine consumption may reduce the risk of death and relapse among non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients, according to an epidemiology study. Fri, 24 Apr 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090421154322.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090422121902.htm The process of selecting and blending genes to create artificial networks -- synthetic biology -- holds promise for many applications. But developing artificial networks takes time and is often frustrating. A research team has found a way to speed up the construction process by assembling a library of 20 versions of two gene promoters and a simple synthesis technique to create component libraries for synthetic library. This accessible method using combinatorial libraries removes the "tweaking" of gene network engineering. Fri, 24 Apr 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090422121902.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090421101635.htm A recent study shows that beer fermentation conducted with genetically modified brewer's yeast may result in more efficient lager brewing and a lower environmental footprint. Wed, 22 Apr 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090421101635.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090406132819.htm Bananas are a staple crop of Rwanda. The fruit is eaten raw, fried and baked — it even produces banana beer and wine. Around 2 million tons are grown each year but the fruit is only a small percentage of what the plant produces. The rest — skins, leaves and stems — is left to rot as waste. Now scientists are looking at ways to use that waste to produce fuel, developing simple methods of producing banana briquettes that could be burnt for cooking and heating. Wed, 08 Apr 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090406132819.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090401164037.htm It has long been known that red wine causes teeth to stain. But white wine? A recent study found that drinking white wine can also increase the potential for teeth to take on dark stains. Fri, 03 Apr 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090401164037.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090321103807.htm Researchers have introduced "Delicious," a new muscadine grape cultivar. "Delicious" ripens early, produces high yields and is disease-resistant. The black fruit features exceptional taste and texture with an edible skin, making it well-suited for fresh fruit consumption and the potential for wine production. The name "Delicious" was selected based on the comments of vineyard visitors who sampled the fruit. Tue, 24 Mar 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090321103807.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090310084846.htm Gevrey-Chambertin, 12 km from Dijon, France, is famous throughout the world for its Burgundy wines. It is now clear that winegrowing in this region goes back to the Gallo-Roman era at the spot known as "Au dessus de Bergis". The archeological dig revealed 316 rectangular pits aligned in 26 rows, interpreted as being the remains of a vineyard from the first century AD. Mon, 16 Mar 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090310084846.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090309092838.htm The largest study of its kind to evaluate the effect of red versus white wine on breast cancer risk concludes that both are equal offenders when it comes to increasing breast cancer risk. Tue, 10 Mar 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090309092838.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090304132621.htm Various grape extracts and their compounds were found to be effective at inhibiting Helicobacter pylori, one of the leading causes of gastritis in humans. Sun, 08 Mar 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090304132621.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090303161423.htm Men and women who consume two or more alcoholic drinks a day could increase their risk of developing pancreatic cancer, according to a new study. Thu, 05 Mar 2009 08:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090303161423.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090219141513.htm Scientists have discovered a new molecular relationship critical to keeping cells healthy across a long span of time: a protein called SIRT1, important for caloric restriction and lifespan and activated by resveratrol, regulates heat shock factor 1 (HSF1), keeping it active. HSF1 in turn senses the presence of damaged proteins in the cell and elevates the expression of molecular chaperons to keep a cell's proteins in a folded, functional state. "We have identified a pathway that can be manipulated to alter lifespan," said one of the researchers. Sat, 28 Feb 2009 05:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090219141513.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090217125555.htm Under sunny, arid conditions, wine grapes can become sunburned, which can adversely affect productivity and fruit maturity. Researchers investigated a particle film, which increases light reflection and reduces leaf temperature, on several crops. The film acts as a sunscreen by reflecting the harmful ultraviolet rays off of the leaves and fruit, but still allows the right radiation for photosynthesis through to nourish the plant. Fri, 27 Feb 2009 08:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090217125555.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090211161842.htm Scientists have sequenced over seventy strains of yeast, the greatest number of genomes for any species, bringing into focus the small branches of Darwin's Tree of Life. Sat, 21 Feb 2009 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090211161842.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090213114325.htm There may be greater genetic variation between different yeasts of the same species than between humans and chimpanzees. This is one of the findings of a new study. This study heralds a new era in evolutionary genetics research -- the mapping of an individual's DNA. Sun, 15 Feb 2009 05:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090213114325.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090122100824.htm A new, late-ripening apple named WineCrisp which carries the Vf gene for scab resistance was developed over the past 20 plus years through classical breeding techniques, not genetic engineering. License to propagate trees will be made available to nurseries. Mon, 26 Jan 2009 02:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090122100824.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090112093511.htm Spanish researchers used a computer program able to distinguish grapevines from other crops in satellite images. The tool has been successfully used in the El Bierzo area of León, and can be used to calculate the potential wine production of an area under cultivation. Tue, 13 Jan 2009 02:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090112093511.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081223123530.htm All that chocolate might actually help finish the bumper Christmas crossword over the seasonal period. According to Oxford researchers working with colleagues in Norway, chocolate, wine and tea enhance cognitive performance. Wed, 24 Dec 2008 05:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081223123530.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081204133610.htm Moderate alcohol intake is associated with higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids in plasma and red blood cells. The study suggests that wine does better than other alcoholic drinks. This effect could be ascribed to compounds other than alcohol itself, representing a key to understand the mechanism lying behind the heart protection observed in moderate wine drinkers. Fri, 05 Dec 2008 11:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081204133610.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081201101702.htm In order to investigate the greenhouse gas effect in Europe, one has to measure the concentrations of CO2 from fossil fuels at different places all over the continent. This could be done with 14C tests of air samples, but the same types of measurements can also be carried out on plants that have absorbed CO2. To that end one would need plant material that is known to come from a specific region and also know which year it grew in. Tue, 02 Dec 2008 14:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081201101702.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081121092454.htm Scientists have discovered the mechanism behind how compounds in red wine called polyphenols slow the cognitive declines of Alzheimer's. Sun, 23 Nov 2008 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081121092454.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081103090855.htm Steeped in tradition, Europe's vintners have found themselves hard pressed to compete with the modern processes used to produce New World wines. Now European researchers are offering the continent's winemaking industry the opportunity to improve quality, save water and reduce pesticide use without giving up age-old practices. Mon, 17 Nov 2008 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081103090855.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081028103105.htm A growing body of research data suggests that consuming foods rich in polyphenols from grapes, including red wine, helps reduce the risk of heart disease, according to a review article in Nutrition Research. Sat, 01 Nov 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081028103105.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081029084040.htm Could eating grapes help fight high blood pressure related to a salty diet? And could grapes calm other factors that are also related to heart diseases such as heart failure? A new study performed in animals suggests so. Fri, 31 Oct 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081029084040.htm