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Waste from making purple corn chips yields a natural dye, supplements, kitty litter

A new biorefinery method extracts beneficial pigments from purple corncobs, producing natural dyes, nutraceutical supplements and absorbent kitty litter, offering a sustainable solution with zero waste at the end. The process uses water as an eco-friendly agent and achieves higher pigment extraction rates compared to traditional solvents.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering·DateMar 24, 2021

Lower dose of oestrogen receptor modulator seems to reduce risk of breast cancer

A new study published in Journal of Clinical Oncology suggests that a lower dose of tamoxifen can reduce the risk of breast cancer while minimizing adverse reactions. The research involved 1,440 women who received different doses of the drug, with the lowest dose showing a significant reduction in mammographic density and side effects.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateMar 18, 2021

Study finds COVID risk communication targeting younger adults may have biggest impact

A US study suggests that young adults (under 40) perceive COVID-19 risks differently than older generations, with lower perceived risk and fewer preventive measures taken. Effective targeted communication efforts could encourage more risk reduction behaviors among younger generations.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·DateFeb 23, 2021

Patient education program with mental health component reduces cardiovascular disease risks

A 12-month patient education program that integrated mental health information significantly reduced cardiovascular disease risks, improving measures such as fasting blood sugar, LDL cholesterol, and BMI. Patients who received the program maintained most of these improvements six months later.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalPreventive Medicine Reports·DateFeb 11, 2021

Energetic costs of human-induced risk in pumas

Pumas in California experienced significant energetic costs when navigating physically difficult terrain or high-risk human disturbance areas, resulting in reduced space use. This study found that male pumas were particularly affected, with a 68% decrease in daily distance traveled and total area traversed over two months.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 25, 2021

Higher coffee intake may be linked to lower prostate cancer risk

A pooled data analysis suggests that drinking several cups of coffee daily may be associated with a lower risk of developing prostate cancer. The study found that each additional daily cup was linked to a relative risk reduction of nearly 1%, with the highest intake group showing a 9% lower risk compared to the lowest.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalBMJ Open·DateJan 11, 2021

Study in half a million adults with overweight or obesity suggests benefit of weight loss on serious health problems

A study of over 550,000 adults in the UK found that losing an average of 13% of body weight reduced the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 42%-44%, sleep apnoea by 22%-27%, high blood pressure by 18%-25%, and dyslipidaemia by 20-22%. The study suggests that intentional weight loss can markedly reduce disease risk in people with obes...

Epigenetic risk for PTSD in trauma survivors

Researchers studied epigenetic modifications associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in trauma survivors, finding a link to the gene NTRK2 and reduced PTSD risk. The study revealed that epigenetic modification of NTRK2 was predictive of PTSD risk, but its relationship with PTSD is complex and influenced by multiple factors.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 17, 2020

HPV vaccination linked to lower risk of precancerous condition

A study published in Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica found that HPV vaccination significantly reduces the risk of high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, a precancerous condition leading to cervical cancer. Vaccination coverage was high among young women born in 1993, resulting in a 30% lower risk compared to those...

SourceWiley·JournalActa Obstetricia Et Gynecologica Scandinavica·DateAug 5, 2020

Plant-based diets promote healthful aging, according to new editorial

A plant-based diet can help promote healthful aging and mitigate the global burden of disease. The diet has been shown to reduce the risk of diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cancer, and heart disease by almost 50%. Plant-based diets rich in fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes have also been tied to increased life expectancy.

SourcePhysicians Committee for Responsible Medicine·JournalJournal of the American College of Nutrition·DateJul 13, 2020

The best (and worst) materials for masks

Researchers assessed non-traditional mask materials, finding vacuum cleaner filters reduced infection risk by 83% for a 30-second exposure and 58% for a 20-minute exposure. N99 masks were found to be the most effective option, reducing average risk by 94-99%.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalJournal of Hospital Infection·DateJul 8, 2020