Add BrightSurf on Google Email

South and Southeast Asia lead the world on taxing sugary drinks

A new analysis tracks global sugar-sweetened beverage tax adoption across 183 countries, revealing South Asia's significant lead in tax implementation. The study found that countries with higher burdens of type 2 diabetes and obesity are more likely to adopt taxes, but not necessarily those with high rates of sugary drink consumption.

SourceTufts University·JournalThe Lancet Global Health
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Good Vitamin D status among most young children in Sweden

A recent study of over 1,800 infants in Sweden found that most young children have sufficient vitamin D levels, but intake was too low for some. The research also explored the climate impact of foods providing vitamin D, concluding that plant-based alternatives are a climate-friendly source.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalNutrition Journal·TypeObservational study

Tomato-soy juice lowers inflammation in adults with obesity

A new study found that drinking tomato-soy juice lowered pro-inflammatory proteins in healthy adults with obesity after four weeks. The findings hint at the juice's promise as a functional food that may help curb chronic inflammation and improve health outcomes for patients with pancreatitis.

SourceOhio State University·JournalMolecular Nutrition & Food Research

Updated alcohol warning labels may prompt people to cut back: Study

A new study found that updated alcohol warning labels, including those highlighting cancer risk, can better motivate consumers to cut back on drinking. The study used a nationally representative sample of adults and found that the new labels outperformed the current U.S. warning label in encouraging participants to drink less.

SourceJournal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs·JournalJournal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs·TypeSurvey
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Sugary drink taxes may not be effective in fast-food settings

A new study published in PLOS Medicine found that sugary drink taxes had no effect on beverage calorie purchases from Taco Bell locations with and without such taxes. The analysis of nearly 7 billion transactions suggests that these policies may not be effective in reducing sugar consumption in fast-food restaurants.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·TypeObservational study

Study confirms food fortification is highly cost-effective in fighting hidden hunger across 63 countries

A comprehensive systematic review found that large-scale food fortification is a highly cost-effective intervention for reducing global malnutrition, with benefits far outweighing costs. The study analyzed 56 studies from 63 countries and found that fortification programs deliver substantial health benefits relative to costs.

SourceCochrane·JournalJournal of Nutrition·TypeSystematic review

Sparkling water helps keep minds sharp during long esports sessions

A randomized study of 14 young adults found that sparkling water consumption reduced subjective fatigue and improved executive function while playing virtual soccer for three hours. Players who drank sparkling water also committed fewer fouls and had better game enjoyment compared to those drinking plain water.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalComputers in Human Behavior Reports
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

FAU study links ultra-processed foods to greater heart attack, stroke risk

A study by Florida Atlantic University found that ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are associated with a 47% higher risk of cardiovascular disease. Researchers analyzed data from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and found that those consuming high amounts of UPFs had a significant increase in heart attack and stroke ...

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalThe American Journal of Medicine·TypeMeta-analysis

Takeaways are used to reward and console – study

A study found that ordering takeaway meals is a popular self-gifting option for both rewarding good days and consoling bad days. The research suggests that this may be due to the convenience of taking away daily cooking duties, while also providing a indulgent treat.

SourceAnglia Ruskin University·JournalFrontiers in Psychology

Exploring how gut bacteria alter the flavor of Black Ivory coffee beans

Researchers found that gut microbes in Asian elephants digest pectin, reducing bitter compounds and giving Black Ivory coffee its smooth flavor. This process may lead to new methods for processing coffee beans, exploring animal-microbiome interactions in food fermentation.

SourceInstitute of Science Tokyo·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Heavy energy drink intake may pose serious stroke risk, doctors warn

A case report warns that heavy energy drink consumption may pose a serious stroke risk due to high caffeine and sugar content. The study highlights the potential cardiovascular risks associated with energy drinks and proposes increased regulation of sales and advertising campaigns to protect public health.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalBMJ Case Reports·TypeCase study

Herbs hit the sweet spot to extend shelf life of popular global drink

A team of food scientists discovered a natural way to significantly extend the shelf life of sugarcane juice from three days to 14 days by adding microwave-dried extracts of mint and coriander. The herbal extracts, extracted using novel microwave-assisted technique, slowed microbial growth and prevented spoilage.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalFood Safety and Health·TypeExperimental study

Fermentation method transforms unripe fruits into specialty coffees

Researchers developed a fermentation method using unripe fruit beans, producing high-quality beverages comparable to those made from ripe fruits. The process, known as self-induced anaerobic fermentation, adds value to the product while minimizing its defects, making it attractive to domestic and foreign markets.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalFood and Bioprocess Technology
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

How ‘scrumping’ apes may have given us a taste for alcohol

A new study has coined the term 'scrumping' to describe great apes' fondness for eating ripe, fermented fruit from the forest floor. The researchers suggest that this behavior may have played a significant role in the evolution of human alcohol tolerance.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalBioScience·TypeLiterature review

Women more susceptible to certain subjective effects of alcohol during binge drinking episodes

A clinical trial found that women experience stronger subjective effects of acute alcohol intake, such as drunkenness and sedation, compared to men. The study adjusted doses to achieve identical blood alcohol concentrations for both sexes, revealing that women's effects were more intense.

SourceGermans Trias i Pujol Research Institute·JournalFrontiers in Pharmacology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial

Rice rebels: Research reveals the grain’s brewing benefits

Research by Christian Schubert and Scott Lafontaine reveals rice's brewing benefits, including improved flavor profiles and shorter fermentation times. The study highlights the potential of rice to enhance nonalcoholic beer quality, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional brewing methods.

SourceUniversity of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture·JournalInternational Journal of Food Properties
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

One in five packaged foods and drinks sold in the United States contains synthetic dyes, study shows

A study published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics found that 19% of packaged foods and beverages sold in the US contain synthetic food dyes. Synthetic dyes are particularly prevalent in products marketed to children, with confectionery and sugar-sweetened beverages being the top categories.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics·TypeData/statistical analysis

Research reveals ‘forever chemicals’ present in beer

Researchers found PFAS in 95% of tested beers, with highest levels and most diverse mix near the Cape Fear River Basin in North Carolina. The study highlights the need for water treatment upgrades at brewing facilities as regulations on PFAS exposure change.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology

New online tool tests how tax shapes sugar-sweetened drink purchases

Researchers created an Experimental Beverage Marketplace to analyze the impact of taxes on sugar-sweetened beverage consumption. The study found that participants purchased significantly less of these drinks when a tax was applied, replicating standard economic principles.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalAppetite·TypeExperimental study
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

For a better cup of coffee, look to physics

A team of physicists at the University of Pennsylvania has discovered that pouring water from a height creates a stronger mixing effect, increasing extraction efficiency in pour-over coffee. By optimizing flow rates and pour heights, they found that more coffee grounds can be used without diminishing overall quality.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalPhysics of Fluids·TypeExperimental study

Food and non-alcoholic drink products in Mexico were substantially reformulated to be healthier following the 2020 introduction of warning labels identifying products with excessive content of calories, fat, salt, sugar, sweetener and caffeine

Following the introduction of warning labels in 2020, Mexico substantially reformed food and non-alcoholic drink products to be healthier. The reformulation resulted in a significant reduction of excessive calories, fats, salts, sugars, sweeteners, and caffeine content in these products.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·TypeObservational study

High sugar-sweetened beverage intake and oral cavity cancer in smoking and nonsmoking women

A significant association between high sugar-sweetened beverage intake and oral cavity cancer was found in this study involving nonsmoking women. The findings suggest a low baseline risk of oral cavity cancer in these women, highlighting the need for further research to validate the impact of this association.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Brewing tea removes lead from water

Researchers found that brewing tea can adsorb significant amounts of toxic heavy metals like lead and cadmium from drinking water. The study revealed that steeping time played the most significant role in removing metal ions, with longer steeping times resulting in more effective filtering.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalACS Food Science & Technology·TypeExperimental study

Gut microbes may mediate the link between drinking sugary beverages and diabetes risk

Researchers identified a potential mechanism linking sugary beverage consumption to diabetes risk through alterations in the gut microbiome and blood metabolites. High sugar-sweetened beverage intake was associated with changes in bacterial species that produce short-chain fatty acids, negatively impacting glucose metabolism.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Metabolism·TypeObservational study
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

City-level sugar-sweetened beverage taxes and changes in adult BMI

A cohort study found city-level sugar-sweetened beverage taxes associated with reduced mean body mass index (BMI) among adults. These associations were seen in demographic subgroups, including young adults who consumed the most SSBs.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open

Study links alcohol consumption to more severe nut allergy reaction

A McGill University-led study found patterns between triggers and symptoms of anaphylaxis, revealing a strong link between tree nuts and throat tightness. The research also suggests that drinking alcohol may increase the risk of severe reactions to nut allergies.

SourceMcGill University·JournalInternational Archives of Allergy and Immunology·TypeData/statistical analysis

What brings richness to sparkling wines?

Researchers have discovered 11 probable kokumi compounds in sparkling wines, which may contribute to their rich, full-bodied taste. The study identified these compounds through a combination of computer simulations and wine tastings, paving the way for further investigation into the molecular basis of kokumi sensation in wines.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Soda taxes don’t just affect sales. They help change people’s minds.

Researchers found a 28% decline in social acceptability of drinking sugar-sweetened beverages, with attitudes changing after tax increases and media attention. The shift in social norms has major implications for public health efforts.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalBMC Public Health·TypeSurvey

Intimidation tactics against researchers in tobacco, ultra-processed food and alcohol sectors

A new study reveals that researchers in tobacco, ultra-processed food, and alcohol sectors are frequently targeted with intimidation tactics. Public discreditation is the most common method used by corporations or their proxies to undermine and discredit advocates and researchers who provide evidence to policymakers.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalHealth Promotion International

The harmful frequency and reach of unhealthy foods on social media

A study analyzing social media posts found fast food restaurants and sugar sweetened beverages are the most common, with millions of mentions reaching billions of users. The research argues that normalizing unhealthy eating in the digital environment contributes to obesity challenges worldwide.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Digital Health·TypeObservational study

Making scents of aromas that differentiate beer and wine

Researchers identified key compounds that distinguish beer from wine aromas, enabling the creation of more flavorful, non-alcoholic substitutes. Stronger fruity aromas made drinks smell more like wine, while scented compounds played a bigger role in beer versus wine-like aroma perception.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

WVU researchers putting CBD to the test from behind the wheel

Researchers will examine cognitive and psychomotor functions to compare effects of CBD on driving performance between men and women. The five-year study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the substance's influence.

SourceWest Virginia University

Women more likely to choose wine with feminine labels

A recent study by Washington State University researchers found that women are more inclined to purchase wine with labels featuring feminine gender cues. The study's lead author noted that winemakers may want to pay attention to the perceptions of this understudied group, which represents 59% of U.S. wine consumers.

SourceWashington State University·JournalInternational Journal of Hospitality Management
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Fruit juice offers a fresh take on kombucha

Researchers have successfully fermented fruit juices, including apple and passion fruit, using a SCOBY to create kombucha-like beverages with boosted antioxidant levels. The resulting drinks showed promise as an alternative to traditional kombucha, with the apple juice variant ranking high in taste testing.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Agricultural Science & Technology
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Researchers develop an instant version of trendy, golden turmeric milk

Scientists create efficient method to extract and store curcumin in soy milk, extending shelf life and improving nutritional value. The breakthrough could lead to increased availability of bioavailable curcumin, a potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compound.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society

Estimated exposure to 6 potentially hepatotoxic botanicals in U.S. adults

A survey study estimates that 15.6 million US adults consume at least one potentially hepatotoxic botanical product within the past 30 days. Turmeric is the most commonly reported botanical, followed by green tea, ashwagandha, Garcinia cambogia, red yeast rice, and black cohosh products.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open

City-level sugar-sweetened beverage taxes and youth body mass index percentile

A study found that city-level sugar-sweetened beverage taxes are associated with lower body mass index percentile among youth. Policymakers may consider implementing such taxes to prevent or reduce youth overweight and obesity, ultimately reducing chronic disease risk, particularly among children under 12.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

How milk proteins interact with caffeine in espresso

Researchers used 2D infrared spectroscopy to investigate milk protein structures and dynamics in coffee beverages. The study found that milk proteins remained intact, retaining their original properties, even when exposed to caffeine and coffee grounds.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Food Science & Technology

Analyzing isotopes for nitrate in sake for combating beverage fraud in Japan

A Japanese research team analyzed oxygen and nitrogen stable isotope ratios in nitrate to differentiate between sake breweries. The study found a distinct N isotope signature across various types of sake within a single brewery, which could be used as a marker for authentication.

SourceShibaura Institute of Technology·JournalLWT·TypeExperimental study

Rice malt shows potential to play a bigger role in beer

A new study suggests rice malt can yield robust fermentations in gluten-free, all-malt beer and styles with high adjunct inclusions. Malted long-grain rice shows the most promise as a competitor to malted barley for sugar content and brewing qualities.

SourceUniversity of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture·JournalBeverages

Better kombucha brewing through chemistry

Kombucha brewers can now optimize their brews with science. The team discovered that silicone bags expose SCOBYs to more oxygen, speeding up brewing time and reducing ethanol levels. Additionally, using glucose as the SCOBY food source creates a kombucha with more gluconic acid and minimal ethanol.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

Physical activity is insufficient to counter cardiovascular risk associated with sugar-sweetened beverage consumption

A new study found that physical activity levels are insufficient to counter the increased risk of cardiovascular disease associated with consuming sugar-sweetened beverages. Even moderate consumption can lead to higher cardiovascular disease risk, emphasizing the need to limit these drinks' omnipresence in the food environment.

SourceUniversité Laval·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Study shows price discounts on healthful foods like vegetables and zero-calorie beverages lead to an increase in consumption of these foods

A randomized controlled trial found that significant price discounts on healthful foods like vegetables and zero-calorie beverages lead to increased consumption of these items. The study suggests that subsidies or modifications to the Farm Bill could promote healthier dietary intake behaviors.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial

Germany: Sugar tax could save as much as 16 billion euros

A simulation study suggests that a soft drink tax in Germany would reduce sugar consumption and illness rates, including type 2 diabetes, resulting in significant financial savings. The estimated economic benefits of introducing such a tax range from 9.5 billion to 16 billion euros over the next two decades.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalPLOS Medicine·TypeComputational simulation/modeling
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.