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Consumers sour on milk exposed to LED light

Exposure to LED light for just four hours can make milk taste like cardboard, while older milk remains at high quality for two weeks when shielded from LED exposure. Consumers overwhelmingly prefer older, fresh-looking milk over newer, LED-exposed milk.

SourceCornell University·JournalJournal of Dairy Science·DateJun 9, 2016

Breast milk hormones found to impact bacterial development in infants' guts

A CU Anschutz study finds that breast milk hormones impact the development of healthy bacteria in infants' guts, potentially protecting them from intestinal inflammation, obesity, and diseases. Researchers found a positive association between insulin, leptin, and microbial diversity in the infant's stool.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateMay 4, 2016

The unique biology of human breast milk

Breast milk plays a crucial role in shaping the infant's immune system and gut microbiome by favoring the colonization of specific bacterial groups. After one month, breast milk composition transitions to support infant growth with increased fat and nutrients.

SourceCell Press·JournalTrends in Biochemical Sciences·DateApr 19, 2016

Child care providers need more education, training on benefits of breastfeeding, human milk

A study by University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing found that 60% of child care centers do not have staff trained on the benefits of breastfeeding and human milk. The researchers recommend widespread education for child care providers and staff to ensure adherence to breastfeeding support guidelines.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Nursing·JournalMCN The American Journal of Maternal/Child Nursing·DateMar 9, 2016

Work climate contributes significantly to working moms' decision to breastfeed

A new study by the University of Houston found that supervisor and co-worker attitudes significantly impact working mothers' decisions to breastfeed. Women with supportive supervisors were eight times more likely to continue exclusive breastfeeding. The study highlights the importance of workplace climate in supporting breastfeeding mo...

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalJournal of Organizational Behavior·DateMar 9, 2016

One rule to grow them all

A new study found that a single embryonic rule regulates hominin tooth size, with variations in the expression of this rule accounting for differences in tooth size throughout human evolution. The researchers discovered that the inhibitory cascade pattern for adult molars is directly linked to the size of milk molars.

SourceArizona State University·JournalNature·DateFeb 24, 2016

Livestock donations to Zambian households yield higher income, improved diet

A University of Illinois study found that livestock donations to poor households in Zambia significantly increased people's incomes, boosting household budgets by up to 25% and enabling them to afford higher-nutrition foods like milk. The study also showed that recipients changed their diet to include more diverse food groups.

Oregano may reduce methane in cow burps

A four-year project aims to investigate the effect of supplementing dairy cows with organic oregano on reducing methane emissions. The goal is to show a 25% reduction in methane production through the addition of oregano, benefiting both the climate and organic farmers.

Grazing towards sustainability

The Global Farm Platform conference presents research findings on sustainable livestock systems, showing that traditional measures of dairy cow performance are oversimplified. Knowledge exchange between farmers and researchers reveals that robust cows can be more economically viable due to their good health, fertility, and ability to t...

Low zinc levels may suggest potential breast-feeding problems

Research suggests that genetic variation in the ZnT2 protein may be common in women and associated with abnormal zinc levels in breast milk. Women with this variation may have trouble breastfeeding and their milk may contain lower than normal amounts of zinc, posing a risk to exclusively breastfed infants.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Mammary Gland Biology and Neoplasia·DateDec 22, 2015

Battling obesity epidemic: New look at 'fat tax'

A new study analyzing six years of sales data from over 1,700 supermarkets across the U.S. found that small price differences can significantly shift consumer demand towards healthier low-calorie alternatives, particularly among low-income consumers. The study's results suggest that a 'fat tax' of just 5-10% can be effective in reducin...

Cheesy products

Researchers from the University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna tested over 100 raw milk cheeses purchased online and found that pathogenic bacteria like Listeria monocytogenes were present in two samples. Furthermore, more than half of the products lacked proper cooling, leading to increased bacterial growth during transport.

Study finds children eat healthier at daycare centers than at home

A recent study by Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center found that preschool-age children consume more calories and fewer fruits, vegetables, and milk outside of child-care centers. The study suggests excess calorie consumption away from the center is significantly associated with being overweight.

SourceCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center·JournalJournal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics·DateSep 9, 2015

MicroRNAs are digested, not absorbed

A recent study has found that microRNAs, previously thought to be digested and absorbed by the body, are actually broken down in the small intestine, rendering them ineffective for modifying physiological functions.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateSep 7, 2015