News and Links (publ. 2024-05-28)

Intriguing new details on pollen tube guidance signals

How plants 'mate' for life and repel other suitors

Japanese researchers are astounded and surprised by the technical sophistication of plant systems, specifically the details of the pollen tube development system.

In addition to the signal that promotes attraction between individuals, Mizuta and her colleagues were also surprised to find a repulsion signal. This signal was emitted upon attracting a pollen tube, discouraging the further attraction of additional pollen tubes. In addition to the 45-minute blocking process that prevents multiple sperm from fertilizing the same ovule, a repulsion signal also directs rejected suitors towards other unpaired ovules.

"I find the repulsion system fascinating," Mizuta said. "The cells that generate the attraction system are mostly synergid cells, whereas the cells that generate the repulsion system include multiple types such as somatic and gametophytic cells at multistep levels. I find it very interesting that all couplings involve this mechanism of attracting and repelling."

Unfortunately the published story falls short of giving credit to the great Designer and Engineer of these systems.

Israel My Glory articles

There were a number of great articles the last issue of Israel My Glory - May/June 2024 edition.

"The Fight to Survive: A look at the State of Israel's remarkable resilience throughout its history of defensive wars", Ty Perry.

Gives a brief history of Israel's many defensive wars since 1948.

- war for independence (1948)

- six-day war (1967)

- yom-kippur war (1973)

- first intifada (1987)

- second intifada (2000)

- hamas war (2023)

"The Forgotten Ones", Les Crawford

Documents how the Arab refugee crisis was actually caused and sustained by the Arab nations, despite Israel's bests efforts to get them resettled back into Israel.

"Israel's Never Ending Struggle", Chris Katulka

Provides some helpful history regarding Hamas, Hezbollah, and the PA.

"Time to Dismantle UNRWA?", Israel Kasnett

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has come under intense scrutiny following the revelation that approximately 10% of its 12,000 workers in Gaza are linked to Hamas, and at least 12 participated directly in the terrorist group's October 7, 2023, massacre in Israel.

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