Latest news with #Jozwiak
Newsweek
25-06-2025
- Science
- Newsweek
One Fruit May Be Evolving in Reverse
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Wild tomatoes on the Galápagos Islands are rewinding millions of years of evolution, according to a new study. Scientists at the University of California, Riverside found that these tomatoes—descended from South American ancestors likely brought to the Pacific archipelago by birds—are producing a toxic molecular cocktail not seen in millions of years. Biologists described this as a rare and striking case of "reverse evolution." Adam Jozwiak, a molecular biochemist at UC Riverside and lead author of the study, told Newsweek that while "de-evolution" makes for a striking headline, what we're really seeing is evolution taking an unexpected turn, reverting to a state that existed millions of years ago. Could something similar happen in humans? Jozwiak said in theory, yes. A bunch of wild tomatoes growing on a plant. A bunch of wild tomatoes growing on a plant. Irina Khabarova "Humans, like all organisms, are subject to evolutionary forces," Jozwiak explained. "If environmental conditions shifted dramatically over long timescales, it's possible that traits from our distant past could re-emerge, but whether that ever happens is highly uncertain. It's speculative and would take millions of years, if at all." The key players in this evolutionary reversal are alkaloids—chemicals that serve as built-in deterrents against pests. Most cultivated tomatoes produce one type of alkaloid structure, but these Galápagos tomatoes have shifted toward an older chemical form—an evolutionary echo from their distant past and similar to compounds found in eggplant. Researchers pinpointed a single enzyme, known as GAME8, that plays a central role in forming these chemicals. Normally, GAME8 adds a chemical group in a specific three-dimensional shape ('right-handed' or 'left-handed'). Mutations in GAME8 among western island tomatoes altered just a few building blocks (amino acids), flipping the shape back to the ancestral form. The research team confirmed this by inserting the modified enzyme into tobacco plants, which then produced the ancient-style alkaloid. The chemical shift is not random. Eastern islands, which are older and more ecologically diverse, host tomatoes making modern alkaloids. In contrast, the harsher environments on younger, western islands seem to favor the ancestral, eggplant-like chemicals. Researchers believe the older alkaloids may offer better defense under these tougher conditions. Jozwiak told Newsweek that the tomato species studied were wild relatives located in the Galápagos and not included in the human diet, which means there are no direct health implications for humans. "If similar changes occurred in cultivated tomatoes, it might affect how these toxins interact with our digestive system or gut microbiome, but that's purely hypothetical," he said. "For now, this discovery is important for what it tells us about evolution, not for any immediate impact on human health." Do you have a tip on a science story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about evolution? Let us know via science@ Reference Jozwiak, A., Almaria, M., Cai, J., Panda, S., Price, H., Vunsh, R., Pliner, M., Meir, S., Rogachev, I., & Aharoni, A. (2025). Enzymatic twists evolved stereo-divergent alkaloids in the Solanaceae family. Nature Communications, 16(1), 5341.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
European Commission to present 18th package of sanctions against Russia on 10 June
The European Commission is expected to present a new package of sanctions against Russia on 10 June, including the lowering of the price cap on Russian oil. Source: Europe Editor Radio Free Europe Rikard Jozwiak, as reported by European Pravda Details: According to Jozwiak, the European Commission will present a new, 18th package of sanctions against Russia for its war against Ukraine on June 10. The key proposal will be to reduce the price cap on Russian oil from US$60 per barrel to US$45. The Baltic and Northern European countries have long advocated for such a step. Background: On 20 May, the EU Council approved the 17th package of sanctions against Russia for its war against Ukraine, as well as individual sanctions for the use of chemical weapons against Ukraine, and personal sanctions for the Russian Federation's hybrid destabilisation activities against EU members and allies. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda criticised the 17th package as being too weak and called for tougher measures in the next one. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ukraine completes preparations to join EU's roam like at home zone
The European Commission received formal notification from Ukraine confirming the completion of all legislative procedures required to join the EU's Roam Like at Home zone. Source: Rikard Jozwiak, an editor at Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, as reported by European Pravda Details: Moldova is expected to submit a similar notification soon, with both countries set to join the roaming-free zone simultaneously. According to Jozwiak, Ukraine and Moldova will become part of the EU roaming zone from 1 January 2026. The roaming zone encompasses all 27 EU member states, as well as Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. This marks the first time the zone will expand to include candidate countries for EU membership. "I know that the word 'historic' is overused these days but this is exactly that," Jozwiak said. On 2 June 2025, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed the Law of Ukraine On Amendments to Certain Laws of Ukraine on the Implementation of the European Union's Legislation on Electronic Communications (reg. No. 12150). The European Commission is now expected to initiate a decision on mutual provision of the internal market regime for roaming between the EU and Ukraine, effectively enabling full accession to the roam like at home policy. Once implemented, Ukrainians will be able to use roaming services at domestic tariff rates when travelling in EU countries, with no variation in costs or conditions based on the country of residence within the EU. Background: Since Russia's war of aggression began, millions of Ukrainians in the EU have communicated with relatives in Ukraine without additional roaming charges, thanks to agreements between operators. This temporary arrangement, prompted by the displacement of many Ukrainians to European countries, was last extended in July 2024 for one year. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
EU drafts plan B to bypass Hungary's veto on Russia sanctions extension
Lawyers in Brussels are preparing a plan B to help override Hungary's veto of the June extension of sanctions against Russia. The idea came up during the negotiations before the March sanctions extension – although doubts remain as to whether it is legally flawless. Source: Rikard Jozwiak, Europe Editor for Radio Liberty, as reported by European Pravda Details: European sanctions are formally outlined in two documents: a decision and a resolution. The texts are nearly identical (countries agree upon and adopt the decision, which is then implemented through the resolution). It is the resolution that requires unanimous renewal every six months, not the decision: the decision remains in force until a qualified majority votes to repeal it. Proponents of the idea argue that this mechanism could be used to bypass Hungary's veto and maintain the sanctions. Sources told Jozwiak that the decision is viewed as "a fallback option, and a temporary one", as Hungary and its allies could challenge it in court, and the decision is not entirely legally flawless. Other plan B options are also being considered. One proposal suggests that the European Commission could introduce the 17th sanctions package against Russia, with the aim of trading the abandonment of this package for Hungary's agreement to lift its veto on the extension of existing sanctions. This would allow Budapest to claim a formal victory in blocking the new sanctions package. Another option being discussed is to impose high tariffs on Russia in all relevant areas if the sanctions cannot be extended, which does not require a unanimous decision. However, this cannot be a complete substitute for sanctions, particularly export restrictions. In addition, the option of imposing identical restrictions at the national level is being explored, similar to the approach taken by some countries regarding individuals removed from the sanctions list due to Hungary's veto. However, this solution is also imperfect, as not all member states have comprehensive national legislation on sanctions and instead rely on the European framework. In addition to the sanctions issue, Brussels is considering ways to pressure Hungary into unblocking the start of Ukraine's accession talks, which it aims to begin by June at the latest. There is speculation that offering concessions to Hungary regarding some funds suspended due to rule-of-law concerns could serve as leverage in both situations. Background: Earlier, the Financial Times reported that the EU is growing increasingly impatient with Hungary, which consistently blocks key EU decisions, with some calling for its voting rights to be revoked. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Details revealed of Hungary's "bargaining" with EU over extending sanctions against Russia
Hungary is reportedly demanding the removal of eight individuals from the EU's sanctions list against Russia in exchange for ceasing its obstruction of the next extension of sanctions. Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty editor Rikard Jozwiak on X (Twitter), citing his sources Details: Jozwiak reports that in negotiations within the EU regarding the renewal of personal sanctions imposed on around 2,400 individuals and entities in response to Russia's war against Ukraine, Hungary is insisting that eight people be removed from the sanctions list in return for approving the extension for the rest. In a counterproposal, EU negotiators suggested lifting sanctions on four other individuals. Background: Earlier, European Pravda learned from several European diplomats that Hungary has once again refused to approve the extension of some EU sanctions against Russia (individual sanctions) during a meeting of EU ambassadors (Coreper II) in Brussels on 10 March. These sanctions are set to expire on 15 March. According to one of the sources, Hungary is currently the only country blocking the extension of sanctions. It was reported earlier that the European Union has not ruled out that Hungary may block the extension of sanctions against Russia this week, as they are set to expire on 15 March. Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó pledged to oppose the renewal of EU sanctions and called on the EU to wait for the outcome of negotiations between the US and Russia on ending the war in Ukraine. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
