Natural rubber is produced by a rubber transferase (a cis-prenyltransferase). Rubber transferase uses allylic pyrophosphate to initiate the rubber molecule and isopentenyl pyrophosphate (IPP) to form the polymer. Rubber biosynthesis also requires a divalent metal cation. Understanding how molecular weight is regulated is important because high molecular weight is required for high quality rubbe...

Variation in the effectiveness of biocontrol agents on the weed Parthenium hysterophorus L. was evaluated at two properties (Mount Panorama and Plain Creek) in Queensland, Australia for four years (1996-2000) using a pesticide exclusion experiment. At Mount Panorama, higher levels of defoliation by the leaf-feeding beetle Zygogramma bicolorata Pallister and galling by the moth Epiblema strenuan...

Dear Editor, We read with great interest the article by Gardiner et al1 discussing adverse events associated with herbal medicine use in children and wish to congratulate the authors on highlighting potentially harmful effects of herbal medicine use. We also wish to raise awareness of the anti-thrombotic properties of commonly used herbal medications such as ginkgo, omega-3 oils, vitamin E, fev...

Parthenium hysterophorus L. is commonly known as “Gajar ghas" in Hindi and belongs to family Composite. It is an annual herb erect up to 1.5 m in hight. Its stems is branched and covered with trichomes. Its leaves are pale green, branched and covered with soft fine hairs. In Homoeopathy system, allergies caused by Parthenium can be treated by a drug prepared from Parthenium. Root decoction is u...