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Getting children to embrace healthy food

A study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that primary school children preferred snacks with enticing packaging designs over those with health information or standard labels. The researchers used a handgrip dynamometer to measure the children's motivation and taste test to determine their preferences.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateJun 23, 2015

Buffet pricing surprise

A study by Cornell Food & Brand Lab found that lower buffet prices lead to less taste satisfaction. Diners who paid more for the same food rated it as being 11% tastier and enjoyed the experience more.

SourceCornell Food & Brand Lab·JournalJournal of Sensory Studies·DateSep 24, 2014

Sugar substitutes not so super sweet after all

A study by Penn State researchers found that non-nutritive sweeteners are not as sweet as commonly believed, contrary to marketing claims. Participants could detect these sweeteners at lower levels but did not perceive them as sweeter than sugar.

SourcePenn State·JournalInternational Journal of Obesity·DateSep 4, 2014

So... do you know what is in your water?

Researchers at Virginia Tech find that 50% of the population can't detect high levels of manganese in water, leading to potential health risks. The study's findings highlight the importance of considering water safety not only in tap water but also in humidified air.

Study cracks how the brain processes emotions

Researchers at Cornell University have discovered that the human brain uses fine-grained patterns of neural activity to represent emotions in a standardized code. This code allows individuals to share similar emotional experiences, regardless of personal perspectives or cultural backgrounds.

SourceCornell University·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateJul 9, 2014

When wine hits the right nerve

Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum decode mechanism for appreciation of the barrique character, a bitter sensation on the tongue. They found that gallic acid groups are responsible for triggering this sensation, which is mediated by the trigeminal nerve.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalChemical Senses·DateMay 5, 2014

Science finds wines' fruity flavors fade first

A recent study from Washington State University challenges conventional wisdom on wine flavor finish. Researchers found that fruity flavors disappear from the palate earlier than oaky, floral, and earth flavors perception. This discovery sheds new light on the complex relationship between taste, aroma, and flavor in wine.

SourceWashington State University·JournalFood Quality and Preference·DateMay 5, 2014

Do you have a sweet tooth? Honeybees have a sweet claw

A recent study reveals the unique way honeybees process information from both front tarsi to decide whether to feed, highlighting the importance of their sense of taste in finding nectar and pollen. The sensitivity of their claws and tarsomeres plays a crucial role in detecting sweet and salty substances.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience·DateFeb 4, 2014

Love connection

Researchers developed an algorithm that pairs people according to their past interests and online mating success, rather than who they say they're interested in. The model improves return rates by 44 percent compared to existing models.

SourceUniversity of Iowa·JournalIEEE Intelligent Systems·DateDec 5, 2013

Does obesity reshape our sense of taste?

A new study published in PLOS ONE found that obese mice have fewer taste cells capable of detecting sweetness and react weakly to sweet stimuli. This impairment may contribute to overeating and weight gain by reducing the effectiveness of the body's natural appetite suppressants.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalPLOS ONE·DateNov 21, 2013