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New study: 14 units a week still harmful to health

A new study published in Clinical Nutrition found that drinking less than the UK's recommended 14 units of alcohol per week increases the risk of cardiovascular events. Moderate alcohol consumption is associated with a 23% increased risk of suffering a cardiovascular event for every additional 1.5 pints of beer consumed.

SourceAnglia Ruskin University·JournalClinical Nutrition·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 28, 2022

Pandemic-related shifts in alcohol sales explored across 16 US states

An analysis of data from 16 US states reveals a major increase in wine and spirit sales during the COVID-19 pandemic, accompanied by changes in the relationship between alcohol sales and business visits. Sales of spirits and wine increased by as much as 20-40% in some states, while beer sales declined overall.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateDec 15, 2021

Cheers! Scientists have developed gene-edited barley that could better your beer

Researchers at Okayama University used CRISPR/Cas9 technology to genetically edit barley, creating mutants that resist pre-harvest sprouting and can be promoted with cold temperatures or hydrogen peroxide treatment. This breakthrough has significant implications for high-quality barley production and could lead to improved beer quality.

SourceOkayama University·JournalPlant Biotechnology Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 12, 2021

Ancient poop shows people in present-day Austria drank beer and ate blue cheese up to 2,700 years ago

Researchers found evidence of two fungal species used in blue cheese and beer production in ancient feces from Hallstatt-Dachstein/Salzkammergut. The findings suggest that people consumed blue cheese and beer during the Iron Age, nearly 2,700 years ago, and retained a non-Westernized gut microbiome structure until the Baroque period.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeObservational study·DateOct 13, 2021

The science is in: Craft beer is unique

Research using mass spectrometry proteomics identified distinct proteins in craft beers compared to mass-produced brews. The study found that single-brewery analysis revealed significant differences between beer styles, suggesting the use of unique yeast strains or brewing processes.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalScientific Reports·TypeObservational study·DateAug 5, 2021

Beer byproduct mixed with manure proves an excellent pesticide

Researchers found a significant reduction in galling on plant roots after incorporating beer bagasse and rapeseed cake into the soil with fresh cow manure. The treatment also boosted populations of beneficial microorganisms and increased crop yields by around 15% compared to control plots.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Sustainable Food Systems·DateMay 31, 2021

Micro-brewing goes more micro

A PhD student has discovered a way to conduct micro-brewing experiments using only a single barley seed in a 1.5 millilitre tube, reducing the need for large-scale brewing operations. This method could speed up the quality testing of newly-bred barley varieties and potentially lead to new styles of beer.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalScientific Reports·DateJan 27, 2021

'Sniffing out' fruity thiols in hoppy beers

Scientists have created an automated process to analyze thiols at very low concentrations in beer, shedding light on the compounds responsible for hoppy flavors. The new method uses tandem mass spectrometry and meets requirements for detecting thiols while processing samples in a safer and quicker manner.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·DateJan 6, 2021

Lab closed? Head to the kitchen

A mechanical engineer uses pancake batter to teach students about viscosity, while a group at ETH Zurich studies the stability of foam in beers and breads. The research reveals diverse mechanisms behind fluid dynamics, potentially leading to new materials and applications.

How sour beer gets so... sour (video)

Researchers analyze how acids and other compounds contribute to sour beer's unique taste, with findings that could help brewers gain more control over the flavor. The study uses NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry to track changes in organic acids and identify trace compounds that influence flavor.

How horses can save the permafrost

Researchers found that horse herds can significantly slow the loss of permafrost soils, preserving 80% of them until 2100. The approach, inspired by a Russian experiment, uses large herbivores to manipulate snow cover and reduce freezing temperatures.

SourceUniversity of Hamburg·JournalScientific Reports·DateMar 17, 2020

Can beauty be-er ignored?

A study published in Psychology of Addictive Behaviors found that intoxication reduces the distraction caused by attractive faces, allowing intoxicated individuals to focus equally on both attractive and unattractive faces. The researchers used a computer-based task to assess participants' attention while ignoring facial stimuli.

SourceEdge Hill University·JournalPsychology of Addictive Behaviors·DateFeb 13, 2020

Craft-beer boom linked to record-number of US states growing hops

A study by Penn State researchers found that the growth of craft breweries in the US is linked to an unprecedented expansion of hop production across 29 states. The number of breweries more than quadrupled from 992 to over 4,000 between 2007 and 2017, resulting in a five-fold increase in hop farms and acreage.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Wine Economics·DateJan 2, 2020

Brewing beer that tastes fresh longer

Researchers have engineered lager yeast to produce more molecules that protect beer against staling, resulting in improved flavor stability. The modified strains produced 26.3-47.3% less acetaldehyde and increased levels of sulfur dioxide, a natural antioxidant.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·DateDec 4, 2019

Neuroscience research questions current alcohol limit

A new study published in Addiction Biology found that drinking one pint of beer or a large glass of wine can significantly compromise a person's sense of agency. This sense of agency is crucial for human social behavior, implying knowledge of the consequences of actions. The researchers used an indirect measure called intentional bindi...

SourceUniversity of Sussex·JournalAddiction Biology·DateJun 21, 2019

For older people, medications are common; AGS Beers Criteria aims to make them appropriate, too

The AGS Beers Criteria update includes 30 individual medications or medication classes to avoid for most older people and 40 medications or medication classes to use with caution. The new list aims to guide health professionals and caregivers away from potentially harmful treatments while helping assess quality of care

SourceAmerican Geriatrics Society·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateJan 31, 2019