That’s made possible by proteins called photoreceptors that absorb light and convert it into a signal that turns genes on or off.

Until now, scientists haven’t fully understood the molecular mechanism underlying that process, which allows plants to recognize when they’re in the shade and grow toward the sun, and to sense what season it is so they can bloom in spring.

Researchers at the University of California, Riverside have identified the portion of a plant photoreceptor responsible for light-dependent changes in gene expression, as illustrated in a paper published recently in Nature Communications.

The study was led by Meng Chen, an associate professor of cell biology in UCR’s College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences.

Chen and his colleagues have been studying a group of photoreceptors called phytochromes that are sensitive to red and far-red light, and are conserved in plants, fungi, and bacteria. The research was done in Arabidopsis thaliana, a small flowering plant that is widely used by biologists as a model species because it is easy to grow and study.

Phytochromes control plant growth and development by changing the amount or stability of another group of proteins called transcription factors whose job is to turn genes on and off.

While the findings are highly technical, what the researchers found was two areas which shared responsibility for sensing light, possibly paving the way for producing more crops on less land, as they won’t compete for light in the same way.

The post Shine a light on plant growth appeared first on Manitoba Co-operator.

Among the most debilitating eye diseases are glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, cataracts and diabetic retinopathy. You can nourish your eyes with smart food choices.

Macular degeneration is one of the leading causes of blindness, and scientists have found that diet can play a role in preventing this eye disease. The “macula” is a region close to the optic nerve at the back of our eyes that allows us to see clearly and distinguish colours. It is composed of lutein and zeaxanthin, which are pigments also found in colourful fruits and vegetables.

Some good sources of zeaxanthin are kale, collard and spinach greens, orange bell peppers and corn. Some good sources of lutein are kale, green leafy vegetables, spinach, corn, peas and yellow and orange vegetables. Egg yolks are another excellent source of lutein.

Consider your eyes when you peruse a farmers’ market or make your grocery list.

Along with a healthful diet with leafy greens, peppers, corn, peas and other veggies, these are some tips from the National Eye Institute to take charge of your vision.

See an eye-care professional routinely. If you are age 50 or older, have a dilated eye exam annually or as recommended by an eye-care professional. Age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma can be detected through regular eye exams.

If you smoke, take steps to quit.

Get regular physical activity.

Maintain normal blood pressure. Do you know your numbers?

Wear sunglasses and a brimmed hat when you are outside in bright sunshine.

Wear safety eyewear when you are working or playing sports.

– Julie Garden-Robinson, PhD, L.R.D., is a North Dakota State

University Extension Service food and nutrition specialist and associate professor in the department of health,

nutrition and exercise sciences

The post Vegetables For Healthy Eyesight appeared first on Manitoba Co-operator.

Horses and humans see the world differently. The skittish reaction of a horse to a piece of paper skittering across its path on a windy day may be seen as silly to a person looking on, but it’s perfectly understandable if you’re a horse. The person probably never gave a second thought to that piece of paper, yet the horse instinctually reacted with fear and apprehension.

The physiology of horses’ eyesight has evolved to help them quickly locate danger and react appropriately. The equine eye is unique in that it has both monocular and binocular vision. Humans exclusively use binocular vision – that is using both eyes to focus on one thing, and using the images from each eye to blend into one picture. Horses do this as well, but they can also switch to monocular vision – using each eye independently. As a result the brain often is receiving two images at the same time.

So a horse’s eye is adept at detecting movement, and less adept at quickly focusing on an object. They respond first to movement, and then move to a place of safety in order to focus upon the cause of the movement.

This means that when you are riding down the trail and see a strange object ahead, you’ll recognize what you’re seeing long before your horse does. An easy way to know if your horse is using binocular or monocular vision is to see which way his ears are pointing. If both ears are pointing in the same direction, he is focused on one thing.

HOW WIDE IS THE HEAD?

Horses can see almost 360 degrees around them, with the exception of two important blind spots – one behind them and one directly in front of them. The blind spot in front of your horse can vary in length according to the width of your horse’s head. Horses with narrower heads have less of a blind spot, and horses with a wider head have a blind spot of anything up to around four feet in front of them.

Horses have better eyesight than humans in the dark, yet it takes them longer than humans to adapt from light to dark conditions, and vice versa. For a while longer than us, they will not be able to see well until they can focus again, making them feel uneasy.

INJURY PRONE

The prominent eyes of a horse tend to be more prone to eye injuries than other domestic animals. Foreign bodies such as splinters, grit or grass awns also become lodged in the eye. Since the cornea, the clear, thin outer layer of the eyeball, is so prominent it commonly sustains the brunt of the injury.

Eye injuries are extremely painful, causing the horse to squint, and hold the eyelids shut very tightly. Excessive tears and discharge run down the bridge of their nose. The eyelids may swell, and redness can occur in the white part of the eye. The accompanying inflammation that follows injury usually results in a grey, cloudy film within the cornea. This whitish-grey film is a bandage of sorts, bringing with it healing elements. Once the wound is healed the discolouration fades. This may take days to months to completely resolve.

As healing advances the eye once again becomes quiet with the squinting, tearing, discharge and redness becoming less. Keeping the horse in subdued light, or creating a temporary patch by duct taping a fly mask over the affected eye, provides comfort and relief to the healing eye. A warm compress infused with a few drops of lavender oil held over the eye is also a soothing practice. Talk gently to a horse with an eye injury; it is reassuring.

A horse with an eye injury is best examined as soon as possible by a veterinarian to determine the extent of the injury, and a treatment plan. A complete examination of a painful eye often requires sedation. The type of therapy used is dictated by the type and extent of the injury, complications encountered, and the disposition of the horse. With appropriate treatment, most corneal injuries have successful outcomes.

Carol Shwetz is a veterinarian specializing in equine practice at Westlock, Alberta.

———

CAROL SHWETZ

DVM

The post Seeing The World From An Equine Point Of View – for Aug. 5, 2010 appeared first on Manitoba Co-operator.

Some colour schemes just never go out of style and blue and white is a colour c omb i n a t i o n that works in most any home. Because there are so many shades of blue one can certainly take the blue and white theme to a whole new level. For example, the timeless blue and white pattern of Wedgewood Jasperware could become the inspiration for a lovely master bedroom. Creamy white linens, draperies and window/ door trim set against soft-blue walls would make for a restful, elegant space. Add decorative white accents and you’d have a bedroom that is stylish and timeless.

Blue and white checks are synonymous of a country décor. Checks are reminiscent of picnics and relaxed fun, which in my opinion are things that are always in style. I still have the blue and white faux tile backsplash in my kitchen that I’ve had for years. I updated the look recently by incorporating a celery green paint in the room which works well with the darkblue and white accents.

Denim blue and off white (like a cotton T-shirt) are a great colour combination for a boy’s room. Recycle old blue jeans by using them to create toss cushions, bolsters and floor pillows that the boys can toss around without worry. To keep the room light and airy opt for a faded-denim blue rather than a dark-denim paint colour.

I still like a nautical theme in a bathroom. There’s nothing as clean looking as crisp navy and bright white. These are usually easy colours to find in accessories and linens so it’s a fun prospect for a room redo. Billowy white shower curtains (reminiscent of boat sails) against darkblue walls will make a huge visual statement. If you prefer a less dramatic look or are worried about the space being too dark use the navy only in accessories and linens and leave the balance of the room in fresh white. Fun ideas like using boat cleats as towel or robe hooks will add to the theme.

A steel blue and cool white might be a good choice in a modern décor. To keep the décor from appearing gloomy I’d throw in a splash of colour (like orange, red or purple) in a large painting, poster or other artwork.

THE RIGHT WHITE

In order for your blue and white theme to work you must ensure that you purchase the correct shade of white to go along with your chosen shade of blue. Ask your paint supplier for assistance or use the paint manufacturer’s colour palettes as your guide. There’s lots of information on the Internet at various paint supplier sites so it shouldn’t be too hard to find the right colour pair.

INSPIRATION

If you like the idea of a blue and white décor but are unsure of which blue to use you can garner your inspiration from many sources. Perhaps your china boasts a blue and white pattern that you can carry into the dining room or the kitchen. A great piece of fabric can be an inspiration not only for the colours but for the design as well. You may even have a shade of blue in your current carpeting or furniture that you have to work with. Don’t let this be a negative. Find a shade of white that will work with your existing blue and update your space with a few coats of paint. Bring in accessories that carry both colours to bring it all together. That once-dreaded blue carpet might just become part of a great space.

Don’t forget that you can be creative with the application of the paint as well. Paint all four walls blue or break it up by painting only the focal wall in blue. Don’t forget the ceiling. A soft-blue ceiling can be dreamy in a bedroom. Make the room appear larger by painting wide, horizontal stripes around the entire room. Paint freehand patterns using your colours to create a truly unique space; large geometrics or whatever suits your fancy. There are tons of ideas for creating a vibrant space just with the paint itself.

Two simple colours can add up to one great décor. From timeless classics to a space with a modern twist, blue and white are a great combination when planning to make a décor change. Have fun considering your options and let me know how it turns out.

connieoliver@shaw.ca

The post You Can’t Go Wrong With Blue And White appeared first on Manitoba Co-operator.