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Editorials

Trees for Life Journal: A New Adventure in Service

Jeffrey Faus

The Trees for Life Journal will go beyond the usual concept of a scientific journal, and provide a forum for open and free exchange of ideas among anyone interested in beneficial trees and plants. (more)

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Editorials

Trees for Life Journal: A Bridge Between Science and Traditional Knowledge

Balbir S. Mathur

This journal is an attempt to bring the traditional knowledge of beneficial plants and trees to the attention of academicians and, in turn, deliver their insights to where they are needed. (more)

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Essays

Paulownia: An Agroforestry Gem

Timothy Hall

Paulownia trees have been popular in Asia for centuries. They are now attracting more interest for their wide variety of benefits, including potential for sustainable agroforestry systems. (more)

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Essays

Underexploited Tropical Plants with Promising Economic Value: The Last 30 Years

Noel Vietmeyer, Ph.D.

The celebrated author of the landmark book Underexploited Tropical Plants with Promising Economic Value, formerly with the National Academy of Sciences in Washington, D.C., relates experiences from his life as a "crop champion." (more)

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Essays

Using Science to Help the Poor: Low-Budget Research Ideas. Part 3: Research Opportunities

Martin Price, Ph.D.

Several specific research topics are suggested, including plant tissue culture, making an antibiotic ointment from the Moringa tree, and use of the African Egusi melon as a milk substitute. (more)

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Essays

Using Science to Help the Poor: Low-Budget Research Ideas. Part 2: Observations and Suggestions

Martin Price, Ph.D.

Research focused on helping people in underdeveloped areas can be elegant and have real academic value. Strategies for effective low-cost research include an interdisciplinary approach, creative fundraising, and alternative ideas for allocating time and personnel. (more)

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Essays

Using Science to Help the Poor: Low-Budget Research Ideas. Part 1: From Biochemist to Advocate for the Underserved

Martin Price, Ph.D.

Research focused on helping people in underdeveloped areas may be a “path less traveled by,” but it also presents a wealth of opportunities. This first part of a three-part series tells the story of one man who chose to follow that path. (more)

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Traditional Uses

Old Wives' Tales: Modern Miracles—Turmeric as Traditional Medicine in India

N. K. Pandeya, D.O.

Turmeric has been used for centuries in India as a traditional medicine to cure infections. Studies have shown that a chemical in turmeric stops the growth of melanoma. More research is needed to find out the mode of action of turmeric’s immune-boosting, anti-cancer and antibiotic properties as a potential natural remedy. (more)

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Reviews

Radioprotective Activities of Podophyllum hexandrum: Current Knowledge of the Molecular Mechanisms

Raj Kumar, Pankaj Kumar Singh, Rajesh Arora, Raman Chawla, Rakesh Kumar Sharma

PEER REVIEWED

Studies are beginning to show the ability of some plant extracts to protect against radiation. This review highlights the radioprotective effects of the Himalayan Mayapple. (more)

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Reviews

Moringa oleifera: A Review of the Medical Evidence for Its Nutritional, Therapeutic, and Prophylactic Properties. Part 1.

Jed W. Fahey, Sc.D.

PEER REVIEWED

The Moringa tree (Moringa oleifera) has been praised for its nutritional and medicinal properties, and many claims have been made regarding its benefits. This first in a series of brief reviews looks at the published scientific evidence on this tree. (more)

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New Uses

Can Fresh Vegetable Sprouts be Produced for Human Consumption in Areas With Poor Water Quality? (A Pilot Study)

Jed W. Fahey and Katherine K. Stephenson

Water leached from growing broccoli sprouts is shown to inhibit the growth of E. coli bacteria. Sprouts (green vegetables) have long been known to be a good source of nutrition, but where water supplies are contaminated, growing them can be risky. This finding hints that some sprouts could be safer than others. (more)

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Research Articles

Proximate Composition and In-vitro Anti-sickling Property of Nigerian Cyperus esculentus (Tiger Nut Sedge)

C. C. Monago and A. A. Uwakwe

PEER REVIEWED

Sickle cell anemia is a potentially lethal, lifelong, inherited disorder for which there is no cure. The authors present encouraging evidence of the anti-sickling properties of a local and commonly eaten Nigerian plant. (more)

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Research Articles

Trichosanthes tricuspidata: A Medicinally Important Plant

Snehlata Bhandari, Upma Dobhal, Mamta Sajwan and N. S. Bisht

Traditional medicine practitioners have used Trichosanthes tricuspidata in the treatment of a wide range of ailments. The authors review current scientific knowledge and call for further research to explore the potential of this little-exploited plant. (more)

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Research Articles

Distribution of Mangrove Species within Bhitarkanika National Park in Orissa, India

V. P. Upadhyay, P. K. Mishra and J. R. Sahu

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Mangrove swamps, some of the most productive wetlands on the planet, are under intense pressure from development, population spread and pollution. This report evaluates species density and distribution in a national reserve using standard ecological sampling methodology. (more)

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Research Articles

Standardization and Organoleptic Evaluation of Drumstick (Moringa oleifera) Leaves Incorporated Into Traditional Indian Recipes

Vanisha S. Nambiar and Shilpa Parnami

Introduction of Moringa leaves into people’s diets can only be successful if the leaves are incorporated into foods at adequate levels and in a way that is palatable. The authors evaluate how best to use Moringa, and how much to use, in traditional Indian recipes. (more)

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Research Articles

Role of Rosemary Leaf Extract Against Various Doses of Gamma Radiation

Garima Sancheti and P. K. Goyal

PEER REVIEWED

There may be tremendous practical value to understanding how to neutralize or reduce the damaging (and lethal) effects of radiation on the human body. Treatment of mice with rosemary extract prior to irradiation is reported herein to prolong life and reduce the symptoms of radiation sickness. (more)

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Research Articles

Rapid Ethnobotanical Survey of the Maya Mountains Range in Southern Belize, Central America: A Pilot Study

Todd Pesek, Marvin Cal, Victor Cal, Nick Fini, Chris Minty, Peter Dunham, Pablo Sanchez, Luis Poveda, John Arnason

PEER REVIEWED

A new field survey method involves indigenous traditional healers in identifying rare, disappearing, and previously unreported medicinal plants. A model is presented for sharing the benefits of such plants with a wider audience while preserving local culture. (more)

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Research Articles

Social Marketing: A Baseline Survey Report of District Bargarh, Orissa

B. R. Poonia

PEER REVIEWED

A survey of people’s knowledge and use of Moringa tree leaves in several communities in India serves as a baseline for a test of social marketing techniques. (more)

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Research Articles

Plant Foods as Sources of Pro-Vitamin A: Application of a Stable Isotope Approach to Determine Vitamin A Activity

Michael Grusak

PEER REVIEWED

Vitamin A deficiency is a serious problem in the developing world. A method for measuring beta-carotene absorption in the body helps scientists understand the potential of plant foods to provide vitamin A. (more)

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Last Updated Monday, April 10 2006 @ 08:01 AM EDT

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You are invited to share your thoughts on any topic related to beneficial plants and trees.

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