Talk about vintage! Scientists extract DNA from world's oldest cheese

A high-quality, aged cheddar is a fundamental component found on any respectable cheese platter.

While most types are typically aged for about 12 months, this is far surpassed by the world's oldest cheese, which has a history dating back 3,600 years.

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Researchers have extracted DNA from the cheese, uncovering its essential components.

Their analysis indicates that the ancient cheese was produced from kefir - a popular fermented milk beverage that is highly beneficial for gut health.

About 20 years ago, a team of archaeologists found strange white substances applied to the heads and necks of several mummies buried in the Xiaohe cemetery in the Tarim Basin of Northwestern China.

These mummies were approximately 3,300 to 3,600 years old, dating back to the Bronze Age.

At that point, researchers believed that these substances might be a type of fermented dairy product, but they were unable to pinpoint precisely which type.

Now, employing cutting-edge DNA analysis, researchers have finally unraveled the mystery.

They determined the presence of cow and goat DNA in the cheese samples, affirming that the white substances are indeed kefir cheese.

The samples from three different tombs contained species of bacteria and fungi, including Lactobacillus kefiranofaciens and Pichia kudriavzevii, both commonly found in present-day kefir grains.

Kefir grains are collections of microorganisms comprising various species of probiotic bacteria and yeast, which ferment milk to produce kefir cheese.

In addition to enhancing the beneficial bacteria in our stomachs, kefir is believed to have several other health benefits, including supporting bone health, regulating blood sugar levels, and promoting heart health.

"It is the oldest known cheese sample ever discovered globally," Professor Qiaomei Fu, head of the ancient DNA lab at the Chinese Academy Sciences, said.

Items such as cheese are particularly hard to preserve for thousands of years, making this find extremely rare and valuable.

Examining ancient cheese in depth can help us gain insights into the eating habits and ways of life of our forebears.

Decoding the genetic sequences of the bacteria in the ancient kefir cheese allowed the researchers the ability to follow the evolution of probiotic bacteria over the past 3500 years.

Their results contradict the widespread assumption that kefir originated solely in the North Caucasus mountain region of Russia.

They propose that the kefir culture has been preserved in the Xinjiang region of northwestern China since the Bronze Age.

The study also showed that, in comparison to ancient kefir bacteria, modern varieties are more likely to avoid triggering an immune response in the human intestine – making it easier to digest.

"This study represents a historic opportunity to witness firsthand how a bacterium developed over the last 3,000 years," Professor Fu explained.

'By investigating dairy products, we've gained a more precise understanding of ancient human life and their interactions with the environment.'

Today, kefir products include beverages, yogurts and ice creams.

The study's outcome was published in the scientific journal Cell.

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Low-budget simple two storey house designs that will inspire you

One of the greatest hurdles homeowners encounter is discovering the perfect design to model their ideal residence after. With numerous styles and floor plans to choose from, deciding on one that meets personal tastes while staying within budget can be a daunting task. Fortunately, low-budget, simple two-story house designs provide a suitable solution, combining functionality with visual appeal.

Two-story homes are a preferred choice for many homeowners, offering sufficient living space and efficient land utilization. Reasonable, low-cost designs often include open floor plans, spacious rooms, and the opportunity for beautiful views from upper levels. Nonetheless, selecting the ideal design can be overwhelming, particularly for those on a limited budget. This article presents a compilation of the most budget-friendly two-story house designs.

Affordable and Simple Two-Storey House Designs

A good two-storey house design achieves a balance between functionality and aesthetics, optimizing space while preserving comfort and a sense of natural flow throughout the home. Key elements comprise:

• A well-designed layout that optimizes navigation between different spaces.
• Plenty of natural light is provided through the thoughtful positioning of windows.
• A visually pleasing exterior that blends in well with its surroundings.

Here are some inspiring small two-storey house designs to help you visualise your ideal home.

1. Two storey cottage

This practical and straightforward house plan is one of the finest budget-friendly 2-storey house designs, especially because it effectively meets the needs of its residents. It has a satisfactory number of bedrooms to accommodate both family members and visitors. Also, the modern facade design showcases the unique character of the homeowners, with a stylish blend of various materials enhancing its appeal.

The design boasts a roomy outdoor area and a covered parking space that combines utility with a minimal footprint expansion. The parking space can be effortlessly enlarged to accommodate two cars or converted into a fully enclosed garage.

Despite its moderate size compared to modern standards, the ground floor features a combined kitchen and living area spanning around 30 square meters. This living space can be transformed from a study into a guest bedroom, thanks to the spacious bathroom with a shower stall and space for a washing machine.

The design features a boiler room, strategically positioned beneath the staircase, which facilitates optimal use of space. The staircase is crafted as a self-contained unit, consisting of a singular structure without spiral turns and a landing for improved accessibility.

On the second floor, there are three complete bedrooms that share a spacious bathroom of similar proportions to the one on the first floor. This bathroom is situated above the first-floor bathroom and furnace, facilitating service pipe distribution and allowing for a common ventilation system.

2. Two-story hillside design

This stunning, two-storey hillside house plan is carefully designed to showcase breathtaking views. The layout is optimized to provide an unobstructed panorama from both floors. The main floor features a spacious primary bedroom, serving as a serene retreat, and offering convenient access to a covered balcony, perfect for taking in the surrounding landscape.

There is a flexible space located on this level. The space advantages from generous natural illumination, thanks to the sliding glass door that connects to the outside.

Upstairs, an L-shaped kitchen flows into a spacious living area with a vaulted ceiling and adjacent breakfast nook, designed to foster interaction among visitors. Guests can seamlessly transition between indoor and outdoor spaces by opening the glass door leading to the balcony, thereby taking full advantage of the property's spectacular views.

This home design features a modern, single-story floor plan ideal for those who want a comfortable and easy-to-navigate living space. With a drive-up home, residents can park their vehicle directly in front of the main entrance, making it convenient for daily errands or visitors.

The drive-up modern house plan is intended to make a striking first impression. Characterized by large windows and a stylish exterior, this design creates a welcoming atmosphere right from the driveway. The open-format layout maximizes space, allowing for smooth movement between the living, dining, and kitchen areas.

This contemporary dwelling design is one of the most affordable modern house designs with a second floor and generous storage space options. It features double driveways at both the front and rear, with one garage accommodating two vehicles at once. Upon arrival, visitors are welcomed by a formal entryway that leads to a storage room equipped with built-in shelving at the end of the corridor.

The main living area is located on the upper floor. It receives abundant natural light thanks to the numerous glass doors and windows. The open-plan design is particularly well-suited for entertaining, especially during the warmer summer months when the glass doors can be slid open to access the spacious balcony.

The kitchen is designed with high efficiency in mind. It enables homeowners to easily prepare meals while their guests socialize, and it also features a built-in bar area.

4. Attic home design

This attic-style home design is appealing for its ingenious architectural planning methods. The exterior boasts a bark finish, although this is a matter of personal choice. The versatile design enables you to pick the construction and finishing materials that suit you best. The lower walls in the attic permit the maximum use of the roof space, consequently minimizing construction costs per square meter.

The flat surface above fully equipped with insulation works as an efficient layer to protect the living space. "There is a fireplace in the living room which creates a cozy and charming environment, especially near the dining area." The first-floor bedroom can serve as a study, a room for playing games, or a space for watching entertainment.

The open-plan outdoor space allows for pleasant evenings spent barbecuing with friends. Its dimensions can be tailored to meet specific needs without being dictated by the design parameters. It is suggested to add a canopy or trellis to protect the outdoor area from direct sunlight.

The compact garage is well-suited for most vehicles, providing protection from the weather. Nearby, a utility room is available for storing car accessories.

Located on the second floor, a short stairway leads to a small corridor giving access to the bedrooms and the bathroom. Above the technical space is a bathroom and laundry facility that uses hot water efficiently. The master bedroom is quite large and features a balcony overlooking the bay window on the first floor.

5. Simple two-storey farmhouse

This farmhouse design has an appealing exterior and a straightforward interior design. The entranceway leads into a corridor that opens up to a large living space that is connected to the kitchen. A wood-burning stove in the living space enhances the warm atmosphere.

The kitchen features a built-in eating area, which optimizes available space. A walk-in pantry and access to the covered deck can be found on this level, along with a studio suite.

The most distinctive feature of the farmhouse is the elevated vaulted loft upstairs, offering a spacious full bathroom and a walk-in closet. Three additional attic spaces are available for increased storage capacity.

Is it generally more costly to construct a two-story residence?

Constructing a two-story house typically incurs greater expenses due to factors like the necessity of a stronger foundation, the augmented need for construction materials, and the increased complexity of design and utility systems. The additional costs stem from both structural demands and the extra finishes required for two levels.

Why should you build multi-storey homes?

A two-storey house offers several advantages, including increased living space without needing a bigger lot, enhanced views and natural light, and improved separation between private and public areas. The design makes it possible to incorporate outdoor living features like balconies and decks, and its smaller footprint is suitable for urban settings.

Final word

Low-cost, compact two-storey houses offer a perfect blend of functionality and style for homeowners looking to create their ideal space without overspending. From quaint, welcoming rural homes to modern, beautiful homes in elevated settings, each design in this collection features intelligent floor plans that optimise space, natural light, and comfort. By selecting a design that suits your tastes and budget, you can turn your vision into a reality and enjoy the advantages of a well-designed home.

Kenyan news website .co.ke has also published an article on simple three-bedroom house designs that can be constructed on a limited budget. The article presents a variety of straightforward and affordable three-bedroom house plans that cater to different needs and preferences. Each plan is carefully detailed, including dimensions and layout features, which makes it simpler for prospective homeowners to envision their future living space.

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Dow plunges nearly 700 points in response to good economic news. We can explain.

The market plummeted on Friday in reaction to positive economic news that stands in need of interpretation.

In December, the unemployment rate decreased to 4.1%.

The stock market reacted with caution. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed out the day with a loss of 697 points, a decline of 1.6%. The S&P 500 fell 1.5% and the Nasdaq dropped 1.6%. Friday's results led to all three indexes being in the red for the year of 2025.

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It appears there is a strong likelihood that the Fed will decide to keep interest rates unchanged at its January meeting. Many market analysts believe regulators won't reduce interest rates again until this summer. Generally, the Fed lowers interest rates to boost economic growth and raises them to slow it down.

A robust jobs report is bearish for the stock market

The good jobs report "will be a welcome sign for the U.S. economy and the US dollar, but a negative for stocks," said Seema Shah, chief global strategist at Principal Asset Management.

Other observers concurred.

Potential investors should prepare for increased market fluctuations as expectations for fewer interest rate reductions adjust.

That metric is now 2.8 percentage points higher than what it was a month ago.

When bond prices decrease, it typically reflects an increase in the interest rate, or yield, that investors expect to earn on their investment.

The day seems more promising for bitcoin traders. The cryptocurrency increased by around 3%, based on CoinDesk data, but it still remains below $100,000.

This story has been updated with new information.

Dow Tanked by Nearly 700 Points Despite Robust Economic News. Let's Break It Down.

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53% of Americans Have at Least One Passive Income Source. Here Are 3 Options That May Work Wonders for You

Some folks might try to tell you that the concept of passive income is nothing more than a fantasy, but that's simply not true.

Get a $250 bonus and defer interest until 2026 – this credit card is the ultimate combination!

It's very possible to put yourself in a position where you have a constant flow of income without having to actively make money every month. In fact, a recent report from First National Bank of Omaha found that more than half of all Americans have at least one source of passive income.

Let's be realistic about the passive income we can earn, and understand the pros and cons of each option. Here are a few choices you might want to consider to help achieve your financial objectives.

1. A CD ladder

What's great about certificates of deposit (CDs) is they can give you a fairly sizable return on your investment without you ever having to worry too much about losing your money. Your deposits are safeguarded up to $250,000 per individual per bank, if you bank with an FDIC-insured institution.

A CD ladder is more desirable than a single CD because it provides greater flexibility. By dividing your money among several CDs with varied expiration dates, you'll be less likely to face an early withdrawal fine if you need quick access to your funds, one of the downsides of opening a CD.

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To give you an example of what a CD ladder might pay you, let's say you invest a total of $1,000 in five certificates of deposit with the following interest rates:

• 12 months at 4%
• 24 months at 3.6%
• 36 months at 3.6%
• 48 months at 3.55%
• 60 months at 3.5%

In total, you'll be bringing in $563 that you don't have to work for.

2. A stock portfolio

A stock portfolio can be a great source of passive income for several reasons. First, if you've invested in dividend stocks, you can look forward to receiving income every quarter. It's worth noting, companies that issue stocks aren't legally required to pay dividends. However, those that do choose to pay them tend to make an effort to maintain that practice.

Say you own $5,000 worth of dividend stocks. At a 3% dividend yield, you'd receive around $150 in passive income per year. However, that amount could potentially be higher in the long run because the value of your shares could increase over time, and the companies you're invested in may choose to raise their dividends, which is a common practice for many companies.

Another way to earn passive income from your stock portfolio is to hold onto your stocks for many years and let them grow in value. If you want an even simpler approach, consider buying shares in an S&P 500 ETF, which can track the performance of the market.

Over the past 50 years, the S&P 500's typical annual return has been 10%. Let's say you invest $5,000 in an S&P 500 ETF today. In 20 years, your investment could potentially reach around $33,600 (assuming the same return rate).

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3. An investment property

Purchasing an investment property can be an excellent way to earn passive income. If you can afford to buy a property and locate one in a sought-after neighborhood, you may be able to collect a respectable amount of rent - and increase it over time. Alternatively, you could purchase an investment property to rent out on a short-term basis via a platform like Airbnb.

That being said, there are some potential downsides to investing in property. For one, there's a significant amount of work involved. You can hire a property manager to handle the tasks, which would qualify as true passive income, but doing so would also eat into your profit margins.

Owning physical real estate comes with some risks. When something breaks, the cost of fixing it is yours to pay, and there's no guarantee that you'll have a steady stream of tenants to help cover those costs. So, you'll need to consider whether an investment property is a good fit for you.

The beauty of earning passive income lies in its potential to generate a steady stream of earnings over time. One may not become rich overnight, but starting early can lead to significant long-term gains.

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Amanda Balionis shows her true colors with Los Angeles wildfires relief drive

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