Leaf Litter
Raking in Notes From All Over

October, 2007

A Grape Cure for Cancer

An extract from the skin of muscadine grapes has been proven to significantly inhibit the growth of cancerous prostate cells. The muscadine grape (Vitis rotundifolia), native to the southeastern United States, is unlike other grape varieties in that it has anthocyanins, antioxidants that have also been shown to suppress breast cancer cells, blood vessel growth in certain tumors, and enzymes that spread cancerous tumors. Scientists are excited about the findings, not just because of the potential for abating cancerous cells, but also because products made from the muscadine grape will have fewer side effects in clinical trials.

Why Did the Endangered Cat Cross the Road?

The Iriomote cat, a resident of Iriomote Jima, a Japanese island, has been declared critically endangered” by the Japanese government. While once considered a unique species, the Iriomote cat is now believed to be related to the Southeast Asian leopard cat, first arriving on Iriomote Jima 200,000 years ago. There are only 2,318 human residents on the island, but they are being blamed for the cats’ decreasing numbers, mostly because the main highway runs directly through the cats’ habitat. In addition to the roadkill deaths, the Iriomote cat may meet its demise due to the chytrid fungus, which infects the native frogs upon which the cats feed.

Popcorn Hazardous to Your Health

While it’s been proven that fumes from artificial butter flavoring causes illnesses in popcorn factory workers, the first case of lung disease in a consumer has been reported by a pulmonary specialist at Denver’s National Jewish Medical and Research Center. The disease, commonly called “popcorn lung,” is caused by prolonged exposure to diacetyl, a butter flavoring ingredient. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says it is “carefully considering the safety and regulatory issues (the new case) raises.”

The Farm Bill—Five Years Later

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s 2002 Farm Bill has received a major facelift for 2007. While “Big Agriculture” companies are still receiving a large portion of the billions of dollars in government support, smaller entities such as specialty crop producers, and beginning– and socially-disadvantaged farmers and ranchers will qualify for more funding. These changes are credited to the 52 Farm Bill Forums across the country, which, in 2005, collected more than 4,000 comments that were analyzed by USDA economists. The USDA says its aim is to “bolster support for emerging priorities.”

© 2007 Wendy Dager

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