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sliced beets and beet juice juice

To beet or not to beet? Researchers test theories of beet juice benefits

1/19/15

Athletes who down beet juice before exercising to increase blood flow and improve performance may be surprised at the results of a recent study conducted at Penn State's Noll Laboratory. While beetroot juice rich in nitrates did not enhance muscle blood flow or vascular dilation during exercise, researchers found that it did "de-stiffen" blood vessels under resting conditions, potentially easing the workload of the heart.

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Professor studies groundhog hibernation to benefit mankind

1/29/09

Pennsylvanians look to the groundhog each Feb. 2 to forecast the weather. According to legend, if he sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter weather; if not, an early spring is predicted. However, understanding what happens during hibernation may have potential benefits for mankind beyond predicting the weather, according to Stam Zervanos, professor emeritus of biology at Penn State Berks.

A new theory of life

1/29/07

Beneath the kelp beds off the coast of southern California, in an oxygen-free and carbon-monoxide rich environment, an obscure undersea microbe called Methanosarcina acetivorans is thriving, due to its unique metabolism.

While other microbes make methane from carbon monoxide, researchers have shown that this species also produces acetate—commonly known as vinegar—in a unique metabolic process that may shed new light on the evolution of life and lay the foundation for a new source of clean fuel.