Researchers have devised a new method for producing genetically modified animals using haploid embryonic stem cells, which may enable genetic modification of animals that can't be modified by today's means. The technique could also potentially be used in assisted human reproduction for those affected by genetic disease.
A new report from the University of Michigan reveals that GenX adults prepare an average of 10 meals a week and eat out or buy fast food three times a week. Men are surprisingly involved in cooking and grocery shopping, with men cooking an average of 8 meals per week. The study also highlights the importance of families gathering toget...
The US Pharmacopeial Convention's new database highlights olive oil, milk, and honey as top adulterated ingredients. Food fraud, a collective term for substitution or misrepresentation of food products for economic gain, poses significant risks to consumers.
The aging baby boomer population is driving demand for food products that can help manage chronic conditions like diabetes, vision loss, and bone/joint problems. Food scientists are exploring ways to create healthier options, including clearly labeling foods as suitable for specific health needs.
Blood testing for food sensitivity is increasingly common, but its limitations and potential misuse have been emphasized by European and American allergy and immunology societies. Physicians should caution patients about the controversy surrounding IgG4 testing and advise them on alternative diagnostic approaches.
The PROMISE project aims to survey germs brought in with food and investigate their potential to cause disease. The project will pool data from throughout Europe to assess the risks posed by contaminated food of animal origin, building an extensive database of bacterial isolates.
Food-insecure mothers face increased weight gain due to skipping meals and eating cheaper, less nutritious foods to ensure their children are fed. This behavior is linked to metabolic responses that retain fat, exacerbating obesity risks.
Researchers have developed a modified protein, SuperFAK, that reduces cell damage after heart attacks by 50 percent without causing inflammation. The study suggests this protein may protect the heart during chemotherapy or following a heart attack.
Researchers have discovered a modified bone drug that can effectively kill the malaria parasite in infected mice, working at very low concentrations with no toxicity observed. The new compound, BPH-703, targets a key enzyme essential for the parasite's survival and immune evasion.
Researchers fortify soft goat cheese with fish oil to increase omega-3 fatty acid content and balance proportions. The addition of dairy helps protect fish oil from oxidation, making it a viable option for healthy food choices.
A new study by the University of Leicester found that combining anti-obesity drugs with a modified lifestyle is effective in reducing weight and body mass index. Lifestyle advice alone was also shown to lead to weight loss at 6 and 12 months, highlighting the importance of balanced diet and exercise for weight management.
A study by Max Planck scientists found that available scientific information on genetically modified insect releases is highly restricted. They call for clear and accurate descriptions to be widely circulated before releases, particularly if mosquito species are involved.
A study by Max Planck researchers found that looking at pictures of food increases the hormone ghrelin in the blood, leading to feelings of hunger. This suggests that external stimuli like advertising can contribute to weight gain in Western populations.
Researchers engineered Anopheles mosquitoes to produce higher levels of Rel2, an immune system protein that attacks malaria parasites. The study suggests that this approach could lead to the development of malaria-resistant mosquito populations.
A study by researchers at UCLA and RAND Corp. found that children's hospitals in California served largely unhealthy food, with only 7% of entrees rated as healthy. The average score for the 16 hospital food venues was 19.1 on a scale of 0 to 37.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute found that certain mutations can be maintained in populations if they have a heterozygote disadvantage, reducing their spread. This could help achieve safer release of genetically modified animals, such as mosquitoes resistant to malaria.
A new study found that middle-income earners prefer fast-food dining due to its affordability and convenience. The research suggests that policymakers should look beyond restaurant type when addressing the obesity epidemic.
Researchers used genetically modified mice with human-like enzymes to assess the health risks of food mutagens from well-done meat and fish. The results showed a significant increase in intestinal tumors after consuming substances from meat crust, highlighting the need for better models to predict human health effects.
The US FDA lacks transparency in its food additive regulatory program, with manufacturers making safety decisions without public review. The Pew Health Group's analysis highlights the need for improved public participation and science-based decision-making to protect consumers from potential hazards.
Researchers found that cash transfers could fully compensate poor households for the price increase, while a 5% drop in general food prices did little to help. Governments can save money by using cash transfers instead of subsidies, which benefit all groups but distort food markets.
A Kansas State University research team is developing food allergy education materials for hospitality management and dietetics students. The goal is to improve customer awareness and reduce allergic reactions in restaurants.
Research from the University of Edinburgh and Warwick University finds that powerful lobby groups in Europe are threatening public acceptance of genetically modified (GM) food. This has resulted in greater restriction of plant biotechnology research and development, hindering efforts to address global hunger and climate change.
New research modifies soybean seed to increase phosphorus content, improving animal nutrition and reducing feed costs. The study suggests that low phytate soybean seeds may cause low vigor seedlings, which can be easily addressed through seed treatments.
Researchers developed a genetically modified Mycobacterium smegmatis vaccine that induces strong immune response in mice, protecting them from TB infection. The vaccine effectively lowers TB bacteria levels by 1,000 times compared to the current BCG vaccine.
A new Rutgers study found that applying caffeine directly to the skin may help prevent damaging UV light from causing skin cancer. The study, which involved genetically modifying mice with diminished ATR enzyme, showed that the modified mice developed fewer tumors and had reduced risk of invasive tumors compared to unmodified mice.
North Carolina State University is leading a $25 million project to study human noroviruses across the food supply chain. The goal is to design effective control measures and reduce virus-caused food-borne illnesses, which affect over 5 million people in the US annually.
Researchers aim to enhance knowledge of barriers and opportunities for improving food security and economic viability through local and regional food system development. A thriving local food system provides ample opportunity to improve human health, reconnect people with the land, and attract new farmers.
Researchers have discovered modified rhodium that changes color in response to different gases, including nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon monoxide. This finding could lead to the development of more sensitive air quality sensors.
A new study found that ghrelin, a naturally occurring gut hormone, increases the willingness to pay for food while decreasing it for non-food items. This increase in reward signaling is specifically linked to the nucleus accumbens region of the brain.
A Lithuanian company developed a technique that has cleaned over 22,000 tons of soil using non-genetically-modified bacteria, transforming contaminated soil into usable land for plant growth. The natural process eliminates the need for chemicals or genetically-modified technologies.
A national study finds that 8% of US children under 18 have a food allergy, with peanut, milk, and shellfish being the most common allergens. The study also highlights racial and economic disparities in food allergy diagnosis and treatment.
A study of 552 Maine high school students found no correlation between the presence of fast food stores near schools and their risk of being overweight. Despite high consumption of sweetened drinks and fast food among students, proximity to unhealthy food retailers had little impact on their weight status.
Research found that recyclable cardboard can transfer harmful mineral oils to food, even if the cardboard is used for corrugated boxes and not directly in contact with food. The study suggests that alternative solutions, such as using fresh fibre paperboard or introducing functional barriers, are needed to address this issue.
Researchers successfully modified messenger RNA to override a 'red light' signal, producing a full-length protein instead. This breakthrough may aid treatment strategies for genetic disorders caused by premature stop codons.
A new study reveals that jellyfish blooms drastically alter marine food webs by shunting food energy from fish toward bacteria. The researchers found that jellyfish produce organic matter rich in carbon, which is rapidly metabolized by bacteria, reducing its potential to assimilate into the food web.
Researchers have successfully used gene-modified stem cells to protect bone marrow cells from chemotherapy's toxic effects in patients with brain tumors. The treatment involved infusing gene-modified blood stem cells into patients, which persisted for over a year without showing any harmful effects.
Access to fresh and healthy foods is crucial for long-term food security, according to Michelle Kaiser. Increasing local food production can reduce economic and environmental impacts of transporting food, enabling people to avoid processed, unhealthy foods.
A study published in Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior found that factors influencing children's use of and time spent in fast-food and full-service restaurants include parental work schedules and parenting styles. Fathers who frequently dine out with their kids tend to have a greater impact on their eating habits.
The new guidelines emphasize the importance of genetic counseling and comprehensive clinical evaluation in treatment decisions. The guidelines also recommend specialized centers for genetic testing and interpretation, covering 13 inherited cardiac conditions.
A new study reveals apparent gaps in restaurant staff's knowledge of food allergy, with common allergens not separated from other foods in one out of three kitchens. Despite lacking formal training, 80% of respondents reported confidence in providing safe meals for food-allergic customers.
Canada's food safety system lacks adequate regulation, allowing preventable contamination to harm many people and potentially lead to deaths. The current system needs improved standards and incentives for industry to prioritize food safety.
A new study identifies 44 high-risk counties with high food insecurity and prices, requiring an estimated $56 monthly boost per person to meet food needs. The study highlights disproportionate impacts of hunger on Latino and American Indian populations.
A €3 million research project aims to deliver better ways to ensure the quality and safety of animal feeds in Europe. The QSAFFE project, led by Queen's Centre for Assured, Safe and Traceable Food (ASSET), involves 11 partners from six countries and will work on developing new technology to detect contamination quickly and at low cost.
Researchers at Queen's University Belfast analyzed 2,439 food recalls over the past decade, revealing a significant increase in recalls due to operational mistakes and food fraud. The study highlights the need for improved traceability and safety measures in the food industry.
A recent study published in Psychological Science found that people can use comfort food as a social surrogate to combat loneliness. Participants who wrote about eating a comfort food reported reduced feelings of loneliness compared to those who wrote about an unfamiliar food.
Modified-release sildenafil reduced the frequency of Raynaud's phenomenon in patients with limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis by 44%, according to a recent clinical trial. The treatment was well-tolerated, with only minor or moderate side effects reported.
A new patented therapy has been developed by WSU researcher Dr. Karli Rosner, which uses genetic constructs to target cancer cells and induce apoptosis, eliminating the need for external medications. The treatment shows promise in treating various types of cancers, including melanoma, prostate, lung, and breast cancers.
Scientists have genetically modified a trial crop of banana plants to survive Tropical Race Four, a fungus that has wiped out plantations in the Northern Territory. The modified plants have been inserted with a gene that starves the fungus, preventing it from attacking the plant.
Researchers have developed a new method for treating genetic diseases using modified mRNAs, which can be administered repeatedly without increasing the risk of cancer or severe immune reactions. In mouse models, this technique successfully restored lung function in mice with a congenital lung defect.
A new study by Washington University in St. Louis anthropologist Glenn Stone suggests that genetically modified Bt cotton seeds may have overemphasized crop yield gains, potentially harming sustainable farm management. The research found a modest rise in crop yields despite decreased pesticide sprayings.
A recent Norwegian study found that nearly one in ten pregnant women consumes organic food regularly, with organic eggs and vegetables being the most popular choices. Women who consumed organic food were more likely to have higher education, lower incomes, and frequent exercise habits.
A study investigated the impact of disease-resistant genetically-modified (GM) wheat lines on insect food webs. The findings show that the differences between GM and non-GM wheat strains are similar to those found between different conventional wheat strains, suggesting no ecological problems with GM wheat.
Researchers have successfully developed genetically modified chickens that do not transmit avian influenza virus to other chickens, potentially stopping bird flu outbreaks within poultry flocks. This genetic modification has the potential to reduce the risk of bird flu epidemics leading to new flu virus epidemics in humans.
Researchers at the University of Strathclyde are developing a new type of indicator made of 'intelligent plastics' that changes color when food is about to spoil, cutting unnecessary waste by up to 8.3 million tonnes in the UK each year. This technology aims to improve food safety and reduce the economic damage caused by food waste.
A Swedish study reveals that children are exposed to an average of 50 TV adverts for food per week, dominated by fast food and sweets. The research suggests a link between food advertising and unhealthy food choices among children.
Genetic analysis suggests a single common ancestor triggered the emergence of flowers from pine cone-like structures, with water lilies as potential 'genetic fossils'. This discovery challenges expectations of distinct genetic instructions for each floral organ in early angiosperms.
A new study by Carnegie Mellon University researchers found that imagining eating a certain food decreases appetite for it. Participants who repeatedly imagined consuming a food ate significantly fewer pieces than those who performed different tasks or imagined a different food.
A Canadian study found that 22% of families with a child diagnosed with diabetes were food insecure, leading to poorer diabetes control and higher hospitalization rates. The researchers call for improved financial support and increased awareness among healthcare professionals to address this issue.
A new data-driven statistical model incorporating the surrounding landscape, pollinating insects, and human seed dispersal accurately predicts gene flow between crop plants. The study finds that human farming activity has a significant impact on gene transfer rates, while the influence of pollinators is relatively small.
Researchers at Indiana University School of Medicine introduce a potent anti-tumor gene into mice with metastatic melanoma, resulting in complete remission and permanent immune reconfiguration. The gene therapy uses modified lentivirus to deliver a T cell receptor gene that recognizes specific melanoma proteins.