MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'cacao'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:37:05 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2376220&cid=t_108608_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F04%2F27%2Fchocolate-and-mood-disorders%2F Isn’t it great that we can have something that is not only good for us, but fun to use? I’m talking about chocolate! Yes sir, dark gold, pure happiness! You’ve probably heard the buzz about dark chocolate, and how it’s good for your blood pressure, lowers cholesterol, prevents cancer and can fix nearly anything that is wrong with you, except that expanding waistline. (And for the record — white chocolate is not really chocolate at all. It’s milk solids and fat. No cocoa. Nada.) The basic ingredients of dark chocolate include cacao beans, sugar, soy lecithin (an emulsifier to preserve texture), and flavorings. This yummy treat, which contains fewer milk solids than its more popular cousin, milk chocolate, often is rated by the percentage of cocoa solids in the bar. The ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2376220 Mon, 27 Apr 2009 16:33:37 +0100 2376220 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1984949&cid=t_108608_131_f&fid=35005&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Ffungalcompgenomics%2F%7E3%2F463183919%2F Genome survey sequencing (1.9X coverage) was generated for Moniliophthora perniciosa, the cause of witches' broom disease on cacao plants. The sequence for this basidiomycete plant pathogen was published in BMC Genomics this week. The authors report a higher number of ROS metabolism and P450 genes. Evaluating whether these copy number differences are significantly different from other basidiomycete fungi and are lineage specific expansions will help determine if these families played a role in the adaptation of this plant pathogen. This work provides an important stepping stone in understanding and eventually controlling this pathogen which is devastating cacao plantations. An associated review describes what we have and can learn about Witches' broom disease. See related: Will you alway... Fungal Genomes and Comparative Genomics blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1984949 Sun, 23 Nov 2008 21:23:17 +0100 1984949 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1522208&cid=t_108608_131_f&fid=35005&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Ffungalcompgenomics%2F%7E3%2F312751464%2F NPR had a story this weekend on Cocoa plantation collapse and the ecological aftermath of the changes the witches' broom fungus Moniliophthora perniciosa has wreaked. The genome sequence project for this Homobasidiomycete fungus (also known as Crinipellis perniciosa, phylogenetic relationships discussed by Aime and Philips-Mora 2005) is underway at the Laboratory Genomica e Expressao at UNICAMP, Brazil.  The witches's broom (not this witches' broom) is named because of the bristly form it induces in the cacao plants. The genome project will hopefully improve the diagnosis and treatment work that is needed.  Beyond the insatiable need for chocolate, the NPR story does talk about the impact on farmers, the economy, and the environment with the loss of these cacao plantations. Some links:... Fungal Genomes and Comparative Genomics blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1522208 Mon, 16 Jun 2008 03:57:26 +0100 1522208 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=838066&cid=t_108608_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F09%2F03%2Fis-somebody-planning-to-reverse-diabetes-with-candy%2F This study was funded by confectionary giant Mars, Inc. In case Mars doesn't ring a bell - maybe some of their products might: Snicksers, 3 Musketeers, Milky Way, and M & M's to name a few. With the results of this research, and the deep pockets behind it -- maybe Mars is contemplating coming out with a diabetes-reversing candy bar? I suggest they call it The Sweet Escape (start the music!)Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments (Source: The Diabetes Blog) The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=838066 Mon, 03 Sep 2007 04:00:00 +0100 838066 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=511244&cid=t_108608_87_f&fid=34866&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecardioblog.com%2F2007%2F03%2F30%2Fchocolate-may-reduce-the-risk-of-blood-clots%2F Filed under: Diet, Prevention, ResearchLooking back on some recent posts, I realized that there has been too much negativity going on. While I do feel it is important to pass along research related to heart-related complications and dangers, I sometimes feel like a purveyor of doom. So, in efforts to 'add some heart' to this blog, I thought I'd mention something sweet. Well, semi-sweet, anyway. Yet another study -- this time conducted at Johns Hopkins Univeristy -- has found dark chocolate to be highly beneficial to circulation and overall heart health. The research, presented at a recent American Heart Association meeting, revealed a clear connection between the consumption of chocolate and the reduced risk of blood clots. The flavonoids in chocolate affect how effectively platelets clum... The Cardio Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=511244 Fri, 30 Mar 2007 04:00:00 +0100 511244