The avocado (Persea americana) in brief
Mexico’s Michoacán state has resumed USDA avocado inspections after a security crackdown following arrests tied to extortion. The move comes as U.S. officials say security forces will continue to protect inspectors, with shipments anticipated to normalize as interdiction measures prevail in the avocado belt.
Scientists reconstruct ancient forests using fossil leaf cuticles to show canopy loss during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum, revealing how forests thin, then recover slowly—an event linked to today’s rapid CO2 rise and warming.
A set of recent articles highlights fiber intake shortfalls in the US and the growing emphasis on fiber-rich foods in the UK. Nutrition experts say increasing fiber can reduce heart disease, diabetes and certain cancers, with practical tips for breakfast and daily meals.