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Five Things You Should Know About Virtual Currencies

You may have heard about the rise of virtual currency. This digital money can be used like traditional money—to purchase goods or services, usually online, or it can be exchanged for other virtual or traditional currencies such as the U.S. dollar. As with any new product, technology, or innovation, virtual currencies have the potential to attract both increased fraud and high-risk investment opportunities. If you’re thinking about investing in virtual currencies, here are five important things to consider from USA.gov:

  1. High risk of fraud – Scammers target virtual currency investors with promises of high returns, fake opportunities, and other schemes. If fraud or theft takes place, you have limited recovery options. Learn how to avoid investment fraud.
  2. Unregulated – There are no laws in place to protect investors. The currencies, issuers, and exchanges are not regulated by any government. In addition, the funds are not insured from loss if the exchange shuts down or if the value plummets.
  3. Fluctuating value – The value of virtual currencies can change dramatically—even in just one day.
  4. Security concerns – Virtual currency exchanges may stop operating or permanently shut down as a result of fraud, technical glitches, hackers, or malware. Virtual currencies also may be stolen by hackers.
  5. IRS treats virtual currencies as property – Virtual currencies are considered property for federal tax purposes. As a result, general tax principles that apply to property transactions apply to transactions using virtual currency.

If you encounter a problem with virtual currency products and services, you can submit a complaint to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). And you can report a problem concerning virtual currency investments to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

source: https://www.usa.gov/

Indigo Rose Tomato

Powerful Cancer fighting Antioxidant Anthocyanins in this new seasons tomato.

Researchers at Oregon State University have developed a tomato high in the antioxidant that gives blueberries their color giving these tomatoes a dark plum-like hue.

Indigo Rose, a truly purple tomato, from OSU's program to breed for high levels of antioxidants. (Photo by Tiffany Woods.)

Indigo Rose, a truly purple tomato, from OSU’s program to breed for high levels of antioxidants. (Photo by Tiffany Woods.)

 

“The “Indigo Rose” tomato steps out this year as the first “really” purple variety to come from a program at Oregon State University that is seeking to breed tomatoes with high levels of antioxidants, says the folks at Oregon State University.

Professor Jim Myers, in the OSU horticulture department says, “If you want a really, really purple tomato that can be as black as an eggplant, give Indigo Rose a try. Other so-called purple and black tomatoes have the green flesh gene, which prevents normal chlorophyll breakdown. A brown pigment called pheophytin accumulates and has a brownish color that makes a muddy purple when combined with carotenoids.”

Anthocyanins are in the class of flavonoids – compounds found in fruits, vegetables and beverages – that have aroused interest because of their potential health benefits.

 

Anthocyanins are glycosides of anthocyanidins, the basic chemical structure of which is shown here.

Anthocyanins are glycosides of anthocyanidins, the basic chemical structure of which is shown here. Hope this helps.

Anthocyanins (from Greek: ἀνθός (anthos) = flower + κυανός (kyanos) = blue) are water-soluble vacuolar pigments that may appear red, purple, or blue depending on the pH. They belong to a parent class of molecules called flavonoids synthesized via the phenylpropanoid pathway; they are odorless and nearly flavorless, contributing to taste as a moderately astringent sensation. Anthocyanins occur in all tissues of higher plants, including leaves, stems, roots, flowers, and fruits. Anthoxanthinsare clear, white to yellow counterparts of anthocyanins occurring in plants. Anthocyanins are derived from anthocyanidins by adding sugars. (source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthocyanin)