Decoding The Secret Behind Succulent Treats

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Ever wondered why some strawberries are super sweet, while others not so much or why some chocolates taste creamier than others? It's all to do with the same thing that makes each human being different - the genes. Now, scientists believe they have unlocked the code that will take them one step closer to even more delicious versions of not only these two treats, but others as well.

The two separate studies conducted by a team from 38 organizations from all over the world, was led by scientists from France's CIRAD, an organization that tackles agricultural issues. Their mission is to not only create tastier produce, but also, one that is healthier and more resilient to disease.

For the chocolate study, the scientists selected Criollo - A cacao tree that was first cultivated by humans during the Mayan era, about 3,000 years ago. Amongst the 28,798 genes identified, were two that help protect the plant against disease. Also identified, were the genes that influence the amount of natural antioxidants, aroma, color and flavor.

In the case of strawberries, the scientists picked the wild Woodland Strawberry, which they uncovered has an astonishing 35,000 genes or about one and half times the number found in humans. Similar to the cacao tree, they were able to segregate the ones responsible for diseases, aroma, color and flavor.

The scientists are now hoping to use this information to cultivate plants that can resist diseases, which in turn will lead to better yields and more sustainable farming, especially in the case of the highly susceptible cacao tree.

Also, since the strawberry is part of the Rosaceae family of plants, which includes apples, peaches, pears, raspberries and roses, they are hoping to use similar techniques to boost the production of other fruits as well.

Genes are chemicals that determine the traits or characteristics that all living things inherit from their parents. In the case of humans they determine things like how a person looks, how tall he/she is, whether he/she has curly or straight hair etc. etc. Each of the between 20,000-25,000 genes, housed inside the nucleus of every human cell, carry their own blueprint or pre-determined function. It is the malfunction of these protein molecules that leads to all kinds of diseases in living creatures, which is the reason scientists study them so closely.

Sources: topnews.us, cbc.ca,kidshealth.org

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608 Comments
  • pianostar
    pianostarover 9 years
    chocolate and strawberries are like my fave fruit ever!
    • Leroyover 9 years
      Crystalmori- The reason DOGO News has no offensive comments is because (unlike most sites) they have moderators who delete offensive comments and post the good ones...
      • crystalmori
        crystalmoriover 9 years
        Hooray for the awesome moderators then! And thank you for the explanation. :)
        • peanut630
          peanut630over 9 years
          Hey,Crystal! I' already following you, and I'm wondering how you get so many followers. I think I only have 24, and I want more people to follow me.
          • wildpeep
            wildpeepover 9 years
            you just have to follow a lot of people and they might follow you because the more people ur following the more activitys you ave and more people will want to follow you
            • ikyra_marie
              ikyra_marieover 9 years
              I'll Follow you! :)
              • gso44
                gso44over 9 years
                I have 12 followers and I just started half a year a go
              • crystalmori
                crystalmoriover 9 years
                There are people who have like 400 followers, so you might want to try asking some of them for more info. Like peacheslarue, frankiebaby (800+ ? Wow), swirlylollypops, and ikyra_marie.
                • crystalmori
                  crystalmoriover 9 years
                  Well, I haven't really been trying to get followers, so I don't know how much help I can be. But one thing is it doesn't happen overnight. I think I've been a member for about a year. *checks* Make that two.... However, I've only really been active since last summer. But usually people on Dogo are kind enough that if someone wants followers, as long as you ask politely and are willing to follow them back, they will usually be willing. Also, just be yourself, and try to be kind.
                  • sp11
                    sp11over 9 years
                    I have joined DOGO like 2 months ago.... I have like no followers......
                  • nikukyu
                    nikukyuover 9 years
                    Me too, I think I started DOGO last summer... I remember looking at the avatars of my five followers and being so happy! *looks into distance* But, fast forwarding a year, and here I am, with 170+ followers! I used to comment stuff like, 'follow me and I'll follow you!' Nowadays I don't comment stuff like that, I usually reply at others comments-I just love a good discussion!
                    • analise
                      analiseover 9 years
                      Ha, i had Dogo 5 yrs ago and just found my account again :)
                    • crystalmori
                      crystalmoriover 9 years
                      For me though, I've just posted comments and stuff normally. If people like your personality and think what you have to say is worth knowing, they will definitely follow you!
                    • bigmelo
                      bigmeloover 9 years
                      *gasp* Advertising! :D
                      • bigmelo
                        bigmeloover 9 years
                        Just kidding - don't be afraid to engage in conversations with anyone. Be yourself, & the followers will come... :D
                        • bigmelo
                          bigmeloover 9 years
                          Speaking of that, I'll follow you, peanut630! :D
                          • crystalmori
                            crystalmoriover 9 years
                            Can I call you Mello?
                            • nikukyu
                              nikukyuover 9 years
                              Your nickname, big ell would be...marshmello! Yup, I still remember! I won't call you that often-just when I'm in the mood:D
                    • nikukyu
                      nikukyuover 9 years
                      OhMyGod Crystal you HAVE to read this!!
                      • crystalmori
                        crystalmoriover 9 years
                        Thank you, nikukyu.
                        • nikukyu
                          nikukyuover 9 years
                          Ooh, I forget to say;sometimes I will call you as 'crystal' instead of your full nameXD Hope that's okay!
                          • crystalmori
                            crystalmoriover 9 years
                            Of course it's fine, nikukyu! I meant t tell you, but it seems my comment last night didn't get posted.
                            • aphpiri
                              aphpiriover 9 years
                              In that case, You can call me "Piri" instead of aphpiri.
                              • nikukyu
                                nikukyuover 9 years
                                That is so cute!
                                • crystalmori
                                  crystalmoriover 9 years
                                  Piri? ^.^ That's cute! Can I call you that, too?
                                  • aphpiri
                                    aphpiriover 9 years
                                    Sure! Really anyone can, I don't mind.^^
                                    • felicisowl
                                      felicisowlover 9 years
                                      I think I started when the Harry Potter boarding room article thing came out, and well, I don't have many followers, and I've been deleting some of them because I didn't want any at first.. Now I welcome followers, but I don't have that many. Well it's alright :) You can call me Owlie or Feli when you're not in the mood to call me by my full name :)
                        • hemmguin
                          hemmguinover 9 years
                          What would happen to the world if we didn't have chocolate?
                          • lake
                            lakeover 9 years
                            Those are at golden Coral 🍫🍓
                          • littlemissy
                            littlemissyover 9 years
                            Chocolate covered strawberrys omg I love that
                            • blossom
                              blossomover 9 years
                              YUMMY CHOCOLATE
                            • kimberly56
                              kimberly56over 9 years
                              YES CHOCOLATE
                              • nikukyu
                                nikukyuover 9 years
                                DOGOnews, DOGOnews, it's the place where kids can learn. DOGOnews, DOGOnews, it's just the right site for youuuuu *singing on the tune of Let it go. You know, the 'let It Goooo' part😝*
                                • optimistic-edit
                                  optimistic-editover 9 years
                                  Creative! Have you tried singing Let it Go in French? It's so fun
                                  • animefan3
                                    animefan3over 9 years
                                    Yup it is
                                    • basi344
                                      basi344over 9 years
                                      I love it!
                                      • aphpiri
                                        aphpiriover 9 years
                                        We all care what kids have to sayyy~! Let the fun live onnnnn! We're all commenting and we're here to stay.:D
                                      • shivi483
                                        shivi483over 9 years
                                        nikukyu I see all your friends are doing these stuff what are they? sounds awesome
                                        • shivi483
                                          shivi483over 9 years
                                          Dogo news is actully awesome than what I expected to be honest
                                          • crystalmori
                                            crystalmoriover 9 years
                                            It's way more awesome than I expected, too. I mean, I've liked Dognews since before it had iDOGO, and I didn't get iDOGO for a long time after it was added. I was kind of prejudice against any kind of, well, thing like that. Because, you know, you go on Facebook or youtube and there're usually a lot of mean comments. But Dogo's different, and somehow, I just didn't expect that. Now I know. Having an iDOGO account is way better than I had ever imagined it to be.
                                            • crystalmori
                                              crystalmoriover 9 years
                                              lol, I sound like a TV ad person (kinda). But seriously, I wouldn't have known there were such nice people on here any other way. I'm so glad I found out and that I get to be part of such an awesome online community! :D
                                            • nikukyu
                                              nikukyuover 9 years
                                              I know right! I can't imagine my life before DOGO!
                                              • jhs190russel603
                                                jhs190russel603over 9 years
                                                hmmm...im not so sure about me
                                                • bigmelo
                                                  bigmeloover 9 years
                                                  I know, right? I literally can't believe I've been alive before discovering Dogo News! :D
                                                  • jhs190russel603
                                                    jhs190russel603over 9 years
                                                    im japanese are you? like this if you are
                                                    • crystalmori
                                                      crystalmoriover 9 years
                                                      Hmm. I might be part Japanese, but I live in America
                                                      • nikukyu
                                                        nikukyuover 9 years
                                                        YOU ARE?!?! *deep breath* Do you live in Japan too? I do.
                                                        • animefan3
                                                          animefan3over 9 years
                                                          Nikukyu take a deep breath😝
                                                          • nikukyu
                                                            nikukyuover 9 years
                                                            Can I steady my hand on your shoulder? *deep breath* thanks, animefan!
                                                          • peanut630
                                                            peanut630over 9 years
                                                            Hey, nikukyu, if you follow me I'll follow you!
                                                            • nikukyu
                                                              nikukyuover 9 years
                                                              Oh no, I'm so sorry that I haven't responded earlier! I've been taking a little break from DOGOnews like crystal mori had. And to answer your question: of course, I would be honored!
                                                              • peanut630
                                                                peanut630over 9 years
                                                                Hey, that rymes! It should be a line in our song!
                                                              • crystalmori
                                                                crystalmoriover 9 years
                                                                Nikukyu, would you mind helping me out with some Japanese grammar? If you are asking someone if they have returned home safely, and stating the name of the place, then do you use 'de' after the place name or 'ni'? And which one do you put after 'buji'?
                                                                • nikukyu
                                                                  nikukyuover 9 years
                                                                  well, you could say it as 'buji ni ____kara kaettekiteyokatta' I'm glad that you returned safely from ___. You should use 'kara' instead of 'de' or 'ni'. I really hope I helped!
                                                                  • crystalmori
                                                                    crystalmoriover 9 years
                                                                    But if you are asking them if they have returned safely, what then? "Buji ni America kara kaettekitara yokatta" ? But kite and kita are variations of kuru, which is more like 'to come', isn't it?
                                                                    • nikukyu
                                                                      nikukyuover 9 years
                                                                      You don't have to say 'kaettekitara's 'kithara.' You can just say, 'business in America kara kaettekite yokatta.' Sorry if this was hard to read. The comment space was so small that I can't read what I'm typing!
                                                                      • crystalmori
                                                                        crystalmoriover 9 years
                                                                        I understand! And can totally relate.... This is happening to me a lot commenting on this article. One letter at a time....
                                                                      • crystalmori
                                                                        crystalmoriover 9 years
                                                                        I think I owe you an explanation....I met this really cool Japanese girl at church, and I have her email, but there are some things I don't know how to say... I want to ask if she got back to Japan safely from here.
                                                                • gso44
                                                                  gso44over 9 years
                                                                  cool! how's japan like?
                                                                  • nikukyu
                                                                    nikukyuover 9 years
                                                                    Mmm...Wow I don't know what to say. Just, you know, normal(though my 'normal' wouldn't be as same as yours!'
                                                                    • wildpeep
                                                                      wildpeepover 9 years
                                                                      do you know popin cookin nikukyu
                                                                      • nikukyu
                                                                        nikukyuover 9 years
                                                                        uh.... What is that?
                                                                        • wildpeep
                                                                          wildpeepover 9 years
                                                                          it a japaneese DIY candy kit
                                                                          • bigmelo
                                                                            bigmeloover 9 years
                                                                            I believe it's a set of candies in which you specifically arrange to create differently-themed foods! :D
                                                                            • nikukyu
                                                                              nikukyuover 9 years
                                                                              Sounds awesome!
                                                                              • crystalmori
                                                                                crystalmoriover 9 years
                                                                                What? How does that work?
                                                                                • wildpeep
                                                                                  wildpeepover 9 years
                                                                                  u just add water to the powder and mix and put it in the microwave and u decorate and there you have a cake
                                                                                  • felicisowl
                                                                                    felicisowlover 9 years
                                                                                    It's quite complicated, lol, but it's a bunch of packaged things, and you heat them and put it in this little oven and then put them on top of each other and make food. At least, from my experience.
                                                                        • wildchild999
                                                                          wildchild999over 9 years
                                                                          hey nikukyu! this really is amazing! i mean I'm not japanese at all. but now we can interact all over the world!
                                                                  • aphpiri
                                                                    aphpiriover 9 years
                                                                    I couldn't imagine having friends in Japan before DOGO!
                                                                    • crystalmori
                                                                      crystalmoriover 9 years
                                                                      Hey, aphiri, are you really sure your account got deleted? 'aphphilippines' is still on my followers list, and when I click it to check on the profile, it's there, and it's up to date with all the things people you were following have been doing.
                                                                    • hemmguin
                                                                      hemmguinover 9 years
                                                                      I found it one day and it's been my connection to new information every day. I absolutely love knowing new things so I agree with you, I can't imagine my life without this website.
                                                                      • crystalmori
                                                                        crystalmoriover 9 years
                                                                        In my case, when I was being homeschooled, my mom wanted me to have a news site as my home page. But I didn't like hearing the mainstream news, all about bloody stuff and murder and wars, so we had to find something that wasn't like that before I would agree. Luckily, DOGOnews was here, and I've been using this site ever since. I owe this site for a lot of stuff, including introducing me to Vocaloid, without which I would probably never have become an otaku, and that would be sad. :( The saddest thing is, I wouldn't even know what I was missing out on. ;.; Thank you, DOGO!
                                                                        • crystalmori
                                                                          crystalmoriover 9 years
                                                                          Excuse me while I cry....
                                                                          • felicisowl
                                                                            felicisowlover 9 years
                                                                            I used to be homeschooled too. I mean, I used to go to school in first grade, but I got bullied. We didn't really want to move, so I was homeschooled for a few years (My mom is a great teacher :thumbs up: My dad too.. And my brother!) I go to a public school now, but the situation isn't much better. There aren't as many bullies though, but I don't have much friends. But, hey, a girl can't be called lonely when she has the comfort of God :insert word if you are a different religion: and books. Which, I do :D
                                                                            • wildpeep
                                                                              wildpeepover 9 years
                                                                              LOL I do homeschool too im in 5th grade
                                                                      • blossom
                                                                        blossomover 9 years
                                                                        Dogo news is so good I thought it was boring when I found out till my cousin told me it is awesome
                                                              • Raeover 9 years
                                                                Yum
                                                                • Raeover 9 years
                                                                  Cool