https://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 Fri, 15 May 2026 01:22:27 EDT Fri, 15 May 2026 01:22:27 EDT 60 https://www.sciencedaily.com/images/scidaily-logo-rss.png https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/plants_animals/beer_and_wine/ For more science news, visit ScienceDaily. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/04/260426012250.htm The famous mezcal “worm” has long puzzled scientists, but DNA testing has finally cracked the case. Researchers found that all sampled larvae were actually agave redworm moth caterpillars—not a mix of species as once believed. While the discovery clears up a long-standing mystery, it also raises concerns about sustainability. Growing demand for mezcal and edible larvae could put pressure on wild populations and the agave plants they depend on. Sun, 26 Apr 2026 09:34:14 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/04/260426012250.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260325005908.htm Flower nectar often contains small amounts of alcohol, meaning pollinators like hummingbirds are drinking it all day long. Despite consuming human-equivalent amounts, they show no signs of intoxication—suggesting a surprising evolutionary tolerance. Wed, 25 Mar 2026 07:05:29 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260325005908.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260313001759.htm Scientists at Arizona State University have uncovered surprising new ways bacteria move, even without their usual whip-like propellers called flagella. In one study, E. coli and salmonella were found to spread across moist surfaces by fermenting sugars and creating tiny fluid currents that carry them forward — a newly identified behavior researchers call “swashing.” In another study, a different group of bacteria was shown to control its movement using a microscopic molecular “gearbox” that can reverse direction like a biological snowmobile. Fri, 13 Mar 2026 01:21:04 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260313001759.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260210040605.htm A bonobo named Kanzi surprised scientists by successfully playing along in pretend tea party experiments, tracking imaginary juice and grapes as if they were real. He consistently pointed to the correct locations of pretend items, while still choosing real food when given the option. The results suggest that imagination may not be exclusive to humans after all. Tue, 10 Feb 2026 23:04:44 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260210040605.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251130205418.htm Chimpanzees naturally ingest surprising amounts of alcohol from ripe, fermenting fruit. Careful measurements show that their typical fruit diet can equal one to two human drinks each day. This supports the idea that alcohol exposure is not a modern human invention but an ancient primate habit. The work strengthens the “drunken monkey” hypothesis and opens new questions about how animals use ethanol cues in their environment. Mon, 01 Dec 2025 11:40:42 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251130205418.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251103093014.htm Okayama scientists have crafted a new wine grape, Muscat Shiragai, merging the wild Shiraga and Muscat of Alexandria. The variety is part of a larger collaboration between academia, industry, and local government to boost regional identity through wine. Early tastings revealed a sweet, smooth flavor, and wider cultivation is planned. Mon, 03 Nov 2025 22:25:06 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251103093014.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251103093007.htm In the Gulf of California, a pod of orcas known as Moctezuma’s pod has developed a chillingly precise technique for hunting young great white sharks — flipping them upside down to paralyze and extract their nutrient-rich livers. The behavior, filmed and documented by marine biologists, reveals a level of intelligence and social learning that suggests cultural transmission of hunting tactics among orcas. Mon, 03 Nov 2025 10:30:05 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251103093007.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250821004243.htm Scientists have decoded the microbial and environmental factors behind cacao fermentation, the critical process that defines chocolate’s taste. By recreating the fermentation with controlled microbial communities, they’ve paved the way for more consistent, high-quality chocolate. Thu, 21 Aug 2025 08:18:51 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250821004243.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250816113505.htm Once on the brink during the last ice age, great white sharks made a remarkable recovery globally, but their DNA reveals a baffling story. Classic migration explanations fail, leaving scientists with a mystery that defies reproductive and evolutionary logic. Sat, 16 Aug 2025 12:42:34 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250816113505.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250801020109.htm Ape behavior just got a name upgrade — “scrumping” — and it might help explain why humans can handle alcohol so well. Researchers discovered that African apes regularly eat overripe, fermented fruit off the forest floor, and this habit may have driven key evolutionary adaptations. By naming and classifying this behavior, scientists are hoping to better understand how alcohol tolerance evolved in our ancestors — and how it might have helped shape everything from safety in the trees to social drinking rituals. Fri, 01 Aug 2025 04:18:38 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250801020109.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250722044704.htm Fermenting stevia with a banana leaf-derived probiotic turns it into a powerful cancer-fighting agent that kills pancreatic cancer cells while sparing healthy ones. The secret lies in a metabolite called CAME, produced through microbial transformation. Fri, 25 Jul 2025 22:30:33 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250722044704.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250717013901.htm Dogs trained by everyday pet owners are proving to be surprisingly powerful allies in the fight against the invasive spotted lanternfly. In a groundbreaking study, citizen scientists taught their dogs to sniff out the pests’ hard-to-spot egg masses with impressive accuracy. The initiative not only taps into the huge community of recreational scent-detection dog enthusiasts, but also opens a promising new front in protecting agriculture. And it doesn’t stop there—these canine teams are now sniffing out vineyard diseases too, hinting at a whole new future of four-legged fieldwork. Thu, 17 Jul 2025 11:02:40 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250717013901.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250520121254.htm Photovoltaic systems are increasingly being installed not only on roofs but also on open land. This does not always meet with citizens' approval. What is known as agrivoltaics (Agri-PV), however, is viewed more favorably, as researchers have now been able to show. In this case, the solar cells are installed in spaces used for agriculture -- such as on pastures or as a canopy over grapevines. According to a survey of almost 2,000 people, this form enjoys much higher acceptance than normal solar parks. Tue, 20 May 2025 12:12:54 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250520121254.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250506105345.htm A new study shows that adding fruit and microbes to alfalfa, a protein-rich feed for livestock, improves fermentation and biogas production. Tue, 06 May 2025 10:53:45 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250506105345.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250505170833.htm Research led by VCU and Rutgers University provides new insights into how the people we love affect our health. Mon, 05 May 2025 17:08:33 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250505170833.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250421163053.htm Wild chimpanzees have been pictured eating and sharing fruit containing alcohol. Mon, 21 Apr 2025 16:30:53 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250421163053.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250418113003.htm Food scientists evaluated 11 commercially available yeast strains to identify their strengths based on chemical analysis and sensory panel opinions. Most of the yeasts that were tested are strains that have been developed or screened to not ferment maltose, the primary sugar created from malted barley in the beer-making process. Fri, 18 Apr 2025 11:30:03 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250418113003.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250415143224.htm Researchers recently reported that American palates are likely to accept pearl millet -- a hardy, gluten-free grain that has been cultivated for centuries in rugged, drought conditions in Africa and India -- as an acceptable substitute in recipes that use wheat flour. Tue, 15 Apr 2025 14:32:24 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250415143224.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250414162040.htm A new study suggests that sauerkraut could help protect your gut, an essential part of overall health. Mon, 14 Apr 2025 16:20:40 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250414162040.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250410130744.htm A study showed that different processing methods significantly affect the biochemical composition of plant-based foods. Current food classification systems do not sufficiently acknowledge the biochemical composition of the product. Thu, 10 Apr 2025 13:07:44 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250410130744.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250410130511.htm A recent study found that people may perceive fewer negative effects of alcohol if they are also using cannabis at the same time. Thu, 10 Apr 2025 13:05:11 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250410130511.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250409173113.htm Heavy drinkers who have eight or more alcoholic drinks per week have an increased risk of brain lesions called hyaline arteriolosclerosis, signs of brain injury that are associated with memory and thinking problems, according to a new study. Wed, 09 Apr 2025 17:31:13 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250409173113.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250409155053.htm Bird species that do well in urban areas are more colorful and less brown. Wed, 09 Apr 2025 15:50:53 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250409155053.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250408121847.htm A new study maps how specific lactic acid bacteria can enhance both the flavor and nutritional quality of plant-based dairy alternatives. The findings may have wide-reaching perspectives for the further development of sustainable foods. Tue, 08 Apr 2025 12:18:47 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250408121847.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250408121329.htm Researchers have worked to optimize the use of coffee grounds in pour-over coffee. They recommend pouring from as high as possible while still maintaining the water's flow. In particular, the group found the thick water jets typical of standard gooseneck kettles are ideal for achieving this necessary height and laminar flow. Displaced grounds recirculate as the water digs deeper into the coffee bed, allowing for better mixing between the water and the grounds, and thus, results in a stronger coffee with fewer beans. Tue, 08 Apr 2025 12:13:29 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250408121329.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250407172910.htm Despite its uniquely rich inventory of organic molecules, Saturn's largest moon, Titan, may be able to support only a minuscule amount of biomass, if life exists on the moon, according to a study using bioenergetic modeling. Mon, 07 Apr 2025 17:29:10 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250407172910.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250403123059.htm A genomic study of hydrogen-producing bacteria has revealed entirely new gene clusters capable of producing large volumes of hydrogen. Thu, 03 Apr 2025 12:30:59 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250403123059.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250403122811.htm A switch of just two weeks from a traditional African diet to a Western diet causes inflammation, reduces the immune response to pathogens, and activates processes associated with lifestyle diseases. Conversely, an African diet rich in vegetables, fiber, and fermented foods has positive effects. This study highlights the significant impact of diet on the immune system and metabolism. Thu, 03 Apr 2025 12:28:11 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250403122811.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250402122157.htm Miso is a traditional Japanese condiment made by fermenting cooked soybeans and salt. Researchers successfully made miso on the International Space Station (ISS). They found that the miso smelled and tasted similar to miso fermented on Earth -- just with a slightly nuttier, more roasted flavor. The team hopes this research will help broaden the culinary options available to astronauts, improving the quality of life for long-term space travelers. Wed, 02 Apr 2025 12:21:57 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250402122157.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250324141952.htm Maintaining a healthy diet rich in plant-based foods, with low to moderate intake of healthy animal-based foods and lower intake of ultra-processed foods, was linked to a higher likelihood of healthy aging -- defined as reaching age 70 free of major chronic diseases and with cognitive, physical, and mental health maintained, according to a new study. The study is among the first to examine multiple dietary patterns in midlife in relation to overall healthy aging. Mon, 24 Mar 2025 14:19:52 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250324141952.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250319143417.htm Food scientists have reclassified dietary fibers -- beyond just soluble and insoluble -- to better guide nutritional decisions and drive targeted health food products. Wed, 19 Mar 2025 14:34:17 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250319143417.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250310131644.htm Researchers have conducted a study that scours 'the vast and often contradictory literature on the carcinogenicity of red and white wine' to assess whether this assumption holds up, and to compare the cancer risks associated with wine type. Mon, 10 Mar 2025 13:16:44 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250310131644.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250304143358.htm Researchers achieved a breakthrough in understanding the vulnerability of microbes to the alcohols they produce during fermentation of plant biomass. Tue, 04 Mar 2025 14:33:58 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250304143358.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250211235646.htm Certain groups of consumers appear to be open to drinking smoke-impacted wines, a finding in a new study that could provide market opportunities for winemakers increasingly dealing with the effects of wildfire smoke on grapes. Tue, 11 Feb 2025 23:56:46 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250211235646.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250205142759.htm An international team of scientists has tentatively found some of the earliest indications of alcoholic drink production in the Patos Lagoon region of Brazil. State-of-the-art analysis of pottery fragments showed traces of beverages made from vegetables, likely to have been tubers, sweetcorn, and palm. Wed, 05 Feb 2025 14:27:59 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250205142759.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250205131243.htm Sour beers have become a fixture on microbrewery menus and store shelves. They're enjoyed for their tart, complex flavors, but some can require long and complicated brewing processes. Researchers have now brewed new sours in less time using a seemingly strange ingredient: field peas. The experimental beers had fruity -- not 'beany' -- flavors and other attributes comparable to a commercial Belgian-style sour, but with shorter, simpler brewing steps. Wed, 05 Feb 2025 13:12:43 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250205131243.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/01/250131110701.htm DNA evidence has confirmed killer whales in Australia hunted a white shark for its liver. Based on DNA analysis from the bite wounds on the carcass of a large white shark washed ashore near Portland in Victoria in 2023, the study identified that killer whales were responsible for consuming the mid-section containing the nutritionally rich liver. Fri, 31 Jan 2025 11:07:01 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/01/250131110701.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/01/250131110429.htm It's well known that consuming sugary drinks increases the risk of diabetes, but the mechanism behind this relationship is unclear. Now researchers show that metabolites produced by gut microbes might play a role. In a long-term cohort of US Hispanic/Latino adults, the researchers identified differences in the gut microbiota and blood metabolites of individuals with a high intake of sugar-sweetened beverages. The altered metabolite profile seen in sugary beverage drinkers was associated with a higher risk of developing diabetes in the subsequent 10 years. Since some of these metabolites are produced by gut microbes, this suggests that the microbiome might mediate the association between sugary beverages and diabetes. Fri, 31 Jan 2025 11:04:29 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/01/250131110429.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/01/250130140808.htm The microalga Nannochloropsis oceanica holds potential as a valuable source of sustainably produced nutrients such as protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamin K2. A new study shows that cultivation conditions, particularly temperature and light, play a significant role in the yield. Thu, 30 Jan 2025 14:08:08 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/01/250130140808.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/01/250130135525.htm A new study has highlighted the potential of resveratrol, a natural compound found in grapes, blueberries, and raspberries, to enhance female fertility. The systematic review found that resveratrol can improve the quantity and quality of egg cells, offering hope for new, less invasive fertility treatments. Thu, 30 Jan 2025 13:55:25 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/01/250130135525.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/01/250129162254.htm Scientists have discovered the anti-icing secret of polar bear fur -- something that allows one of the planet's most iconic animals to survive and thrive in one of its most punishing climates. That secret? Greasy hair. After some polar sleuthing, which involved scrutiny of hair collected from six polar bears in the wild, the scientists homed in on the hair 'sebum' (or grease) as the all-important protectant. This sebum, which is made up of cholesterol, diacylglycerols, and fatty acids, makes it very hard for ice to attach to their fur. While this finding sheds fascinating new light on our understanding of polar bear -- and even Inuit -- ecology, it may also have a suite of unrelated applications, with a similar concoction of artificially made sebum promising to be useful as an anti-ice surface coating, or in next-gen ski skins used by skiers and snowboarders. Wed, 29 Jan 2025 16:22:54 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/01/250129162254.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/01/250117112038.htm Researchers, citizen scientists and their 'truffle dogs' -- have discovered two new species of truffle. Tuber canirevelatum, meaning the 'dog-found' truffle, was named in honor of truffle dogs and Monza, the dog who discovered it with her trainer Lois Martin. The other, Tuber cumberlandense, was named for the Cumberland Plateau where it was found by Margaret Townsend and her truffle dog, Luca. Fri, 17 Jan 2025 11:20:38 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/01/250117112038.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/01/250116133604.htm When a bird drapes its nest with snake skin, it isn't just making an interesting decor choice. Researchers find that for some birds, it keeps predators at bay. Thu, 16 Jan 2025 13:36:04 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/01/250116133604.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/01/250108143607.htm A global fungal invader is threatening blueberries everywhere. NC State researchers found that Erysiphe vaccinii, the culprit behind powdery mildew, has escaped its U.S. roots and spread across multiple continents within a dozen years. The fungus, likely carried by plant trade, costs growers millions in fungicides each year. Scientists have now built a genetic database to help farmers detect and combat the strains before they spread further. Wed, 08 Jan 2025 14:36:07 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/01/250108143607.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/01/250102162637.htm One or two doses of psilocybin, a compound found in psychedelic mushrooms, may improve the mental health of cancer patients when accompanied by psychotherapy, a new study suggests. A second new study found that treatment with psilocybin resulted in lasting, positive personality changes in patients with alcohol use disorder. Thu, 02 Jan 2025 16:26:37 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/01/250102162637.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/01/250102162308.htm Growers and conservationists have a new weapon to detect invasive spotted lanternflies early and limit their spread: dogs trained to sniff out egg masses that overwinter in vineyards and forests. Thu, 02 Jan 2025 16:23:08 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/01/250102162308.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/12/241218132207.htm Light and moderate consumption of wine is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular complications, according to a multicenter study. The study is based on the analysis of a biomarker of wine intake -- specifically, tartaric acid, present in grapes. It was carried out in 1,232 participants in the PREDIMED project, a major scientific epidemiological study in nutrition on the effects of the Mediterranean diet on cardiovascular health. Wed, 18 Dec 2024 13:22:07 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/12/241218132207.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/12/241213125148.htm A new study of plant-based drinks reveals a common issue: they are lacking in proteins and essential amino acids compared to cow's milk. The explanation lies in their extensive processing, causing chemical reactions that degrade protein quality in the product and, in some cases, produce new substances of concern. Fri, 13 Dec 2024 12:51:48 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/12/241213125148.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/12/241212145708.htm Using data from 23 studies of what psychologists call 'inequity aversion,' researchers combed through results of more than 60,000 observations involving 18 animal species. In what they said was the 'largest empirical investigation of non-human inequity aversion to date,' the team reconstructed data analyses and used a new metric that adds depth to the concept of fairness. Thu, 12 Dec 2024 14:57:08 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/12/241212145708.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/12/241211124716.htm Many vitamins are produced in chemical factories, often synthetically, but researchers have succeeded in developing a natural and simple method for producing vitamin B2: by gently heating lactic acid bacteria. This could be a game-changer in developing countries, where many suffer from vitamin B2 deficiency, enabling fortification with B2 directly in local kitchens. Wed, 11 Dec 2024 12:47:16 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/12/241211124716.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/12/241210183516.htm The city of Berkeley's first-in-the-nation soda tax a decade ago, along with more recent Bay Area tax increases on sugar-sweetened drinks, have not only led to reduced sales. They are also associated with significant changes in social norms and attitudes about the healthfulness of sweet drinks. Tue, 10 Dec 2024 18:35:16 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/12/241210183516.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/12/241206111954.htm Over the past two decades, scientists discovered that the majority of melanic wing color variants are controlled by a single genomic region surrounding the protein-coding gene 'cortex'. It was assumed, then, that cortex was the melanic color switch. A team of international researchers has now discovered that cortex does not affect melanic coloration. Instead, a previously ignored microRNA (miRNA), is the actual color switch. Fri, 06 Dec 2024 11:19:54 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/12/241206111954.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/11/241126134819.htm Engineers and biochemists have brought their skills together to make it possible for untrained users to confirm contamination in fluids using a biogel test that changes color in the presence of such bacteria as E. coli, listeria and other frequent testing targets. Tue, 26 Nov 2024 13:48:19 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/11/241126134819.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/11/241120122139.htm Fiber is something that most of us get far too little of. To change that, we need to actually enjoy eating it. Food researchers have now invented a 'disguise' that solves the problem of the dry and gritty mouth feel of fibers. Wed, 20 Nov 2024 12:21:39 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/11/241120122139.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/11/241115125034.htm From the Carnival in Rio de Janeiro to the shoulders of pirates: parrots are synonymous with color for people across the world. In a new study, scientists uncover a 'switch' in the DNA of parrots that controls their wide gamut of colors. Fri, 15 Nov 2024 12:50:34 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/11/241115125034.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/10/241030150809.htm Anecdotes abound of wildlife behaving 'drunk' after eating fermented fruits, but despite this, nonhuman consumption of ethanol has been assumed to be rare and accidental. Ecologists now challenge this assumption. They argue that since ethanol is naturally present in nearly every ecosystem, it is likely consumed on a regular basis by most fruit- and nectar-eating animals. Wed, 30 Oct 2024 15:08:09 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/10/241030150809.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/10/241029120757.htm Today, people increasingly seek non-alcoholic versions of beer or wine. Despite boasting different flavors, these two drinks share many aromas, which makes it difficult to produce alcohol-free versions that mimic the real thing. Researchers report on a literature analysis and experiment to characterize the chemical compounds that give beer and wine their unique fragrances. They say their findings could aid the development of flavorful, non-alcoholic substitutes. Tue, 29 Oct 2024 12:07:57 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/10/241029120757.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/10/241018162557.htm Specific molecular property of lignin in trees determines difficulty of using microbial fermentation to turn trees and other plants into industrial chemicals. Fri, 18 Oct 2024 16:25:57 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/10/241018162557.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/10/241015141615.htm A team tests the protective effect of a fermented black garlic extract against inflammation and the progression of prostate cancer in a study conducted on human prostate cancer cell models in the laboratory. Tue, 15 Oct 2024 14:16:15 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/10/241015141615.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/10/241008201406.htm Stressed bees are much more likely to make pessimistic choices and lack a buzz in life. Tue, 08 Oct 2024 20:14:06 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/10/241008201406.htm