RxPG News : Food & Nutrition

Breast milk provides baby molecule to build immunity

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 13:58:36 PST

Washington, Oct 27 - A molecule holds the key to mothers' ability to strengthen the immunity of the baby through breast milk, according to a latest research.

Nutrition advice best served with family in mind

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 04:00:00 PST

Researchers at the University of Sheffield and Royal Holloway, University of London will argue today (21 October 2008) that the nation's diet is unlikely to improve significantly if healthy eating policies fail to take into account the diverse nature of contemporary family life.

Sweat it out: UH study examines ability of sweat patches to monitor bone loss

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 04:00:00 PST

Some health assessments that are routinely carried out on Earth are not practical when the patients are free-floating astronauts on long space flights, such as missions to Mars or the Moon. A new, NASA-funded study from the University of Houston department of health and human performance will examine how well sweat patches the size of adhesive strips can detect levels of chemicals that may indicate bone loss.

A stronger future for the elderly

Thu, 11 Sep 2008 04:00:00 PST

Experts at The University of Nottingham are to investigate the effect of nutrients on muscle maintenance in the hope of determining better ways of keeping up our strength as we get old.

Second Life a first for UH department of health and human performance

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 04:00:00 PST

The University of Houston department of health and human performance is expanding into the virtual world of Second Life (SL) thanks to grants from the UH Faculty Development Initiative Program (FDIP) and the Network Culture Project of the University of Southern California-Annenberg School for Communication.

Fresh from the grapevine to the table

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 04:00:00 PST

BET DAGAN, ISRAEL - Table grapes are subject to serious water loss and decay while making the long trip from the vine to dinner tables around the world. Mold and browning of the stems are the two main factors that reduce grape quality during shipping and storage in retail produce sections.

NOAA and Louisiana scientists predict largest Gulf of Mexico 'dead zone' on record

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 04:00:00 PST

NOAA-supported scientists from the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium and Louisiana State University are forecasting that the dead zone off the coast of Louisiana and Texas in the Gulf of Mexico this summer could be the largest on record.

Water: The forgotten crisis

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 04:00:00 PST

This year, the world and, in particular, developing countries and the poor have been hit by both food and energy crises. As a consequence, prices for many staple foods have risen by up to 100%. When we examine the causes of the food crisis, a growing population, changes in trade patterns, urbanization, dietary changes, biofuel production, and climate change and regional droughts are all responsible. Thus we have a classic increase in prices due to high demand and low supply. However, few commentators specifically mention the declining availability of water that is needed to grow irrigated and rainfed crops. According to some, the often mooted solution to the food crisis lies in plant breeding that produces the ultimate high yielding, low water- consuming crops. While this solution is important, it will fail unless attention is paid to where the water for all food, fibre and energy crops is going to come from.

A little milk could go a long way for your heart

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 04:00:00 PST

Grabbing as little as one glass of lowfat or fat free milk could help protect your heart, according to a new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Researchers found that adults who had at least one serving of lowfat milk or milk products each day had 37 percent lower odds of poor kidney function linked to heart disease compared to those who drank little or no lowfat milk.

New UGA invention effectively kills foodborne pathogens in minutes

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 04:00:00 PST

University of Georgia researchers have developed an effective technology for reducing contamination of dangerous bacteria on food. The new antimicrobial wash rapidly kills Salmonella and E. coli O157:H7 on foods ranging from fragile lettuce to tomatoes, fruits, poultry products and meats. It is made from inexpensive and readily available ingredients that are recognized as safe by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Study links vitamin D to colon cancer survival

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 04:00:00 PST

BOSTON--Patients diagnosed with colon cancer who had abundant vitamin D in their blood were less likely to die during a follow-up period than those who were deficient in the vitamin, according to a new study by scientists at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

'Addicted' cells provide early cancer diagnosis

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 04:00:00 PST

Scientists at the Institute of Food Research have detected subtle changes that may make the bowel more vulnerable to the development of tumours.

Substance in red wine found to keep hearts young

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 04:00:00 PST

GAINESVILLE, Fla. --- How do the French get away with a clean bill of heart health despite a diet loaded with saturated fats? Scientists have long suspected that the answer to the so-called French paradox lies in red wine. Now, the results of a new study bring them closer to understanding why.

Members of European Parliament discuss food labeling and heart health

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 04:00:00 PST

Members of the European Parliament Heart Group meet today, 3 June, in Brussels, to discuss the link between nutrition and cardiovascular diseases and how labelling of food can help people choose products that are better for their hearts and vessels. The European Commission has already made the declaration of the amount of energy, fat, sugars, salt and saturates on food packaging mandatory. Nevertheless, there is no European legislation harmonising diverse national schemes. Consumers often find nutrition labelling confusing and sometimes even misleading.

The good news in our DNA: Defects you can fix with vitamins and minerals

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 04:00:00 PST

Berkeley -- As the cost of sequencing a single human genome drops rapidly, with one company predicting a price of $100 per person in five years, soon the only reason not to look at your personal genome will be fear of what bad news lies in your genes.

Study identifies trends of vitamin B6 status in US population sample

Tue, 20 May 2008 04:00:00 PST

BOSTON- (May 20, 2008) In an epidemiological study, Tufts University researchers identified trends of vitamin B6 status in a sample of the United States population based on measures of plasma pyridoxal 5'- phosphate (PLP) levels in the bloodstream. Plasma PLP is the indicator used by the federal government to set the current Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of vitamin B6, a nutrient essential for red blood cell function and important for maintaining a healthy immune system and blood glucose levels.

Iron supplements might harm infants who have enough

Mon, 05 May 2008 04:00:00 PST

ANN ARBOR, Mich.---A new study suggests that extra iron for infants who don't need it might delay development -- results that fuel the debate over optimal iron supplement levels and could have huge implications for the baby formula and food industry.

Domestic violence associated with chronic malnutrition in women and children in India

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 04:00:00 PST

Boston, MA-- In a new, large-scale study exploring the link between domestic violence and chronic malnutrition, researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) have found that Indian mothers and children experiencing multiple incidents of domestic violence in the previous year are more likely to be anemic and underweight. The findings were published online March 26, 2008 in The American Journal of Epidemiology and will appear in an upcoming print issue of the journal.

An apple a day does keep the doctor away

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 10:21:49 PST

Washington, April 9 - There is, it appears, more than an element of truth in the old adage about an apple a day keeping the doctor away. A new study has found that eating an apple a day - or drinking its juice - is a sound way of maintaining a slimmer waistline and insuring oneself against high BP and cardiac disease.

Mounting evidence shows red wine antioxidant kills cancer

Tue, 25 Mar 2008 04:00:00 PST

Rochester researchers showed for the first time that a natural antioxidant found in grape skins and red wine can help destroy pancreatic cancer cells by reaching to the cell's core energy source, or mitochondria, and crippling its function. The study is published in the March edition of the journal, Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology.

Study links dietary folate intake to genetic abnormalities in sperm

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 04:00:00 PST

Berkeley -- Healthy men who report lower levels of the nutrient folate in their diets have higher rates of chromosomal abnormalities in their sperm, according to a new study by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

Adolescent girls with ADHD are at increased risk for eating disorders, study shows

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 04:00:00 PST

Girls with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder stand a substantially greater risk of developing eating disorders in adolescence than girls without ADHD, a new study has found.

NIH announces new initiative in epigenomics

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 05:00:00 PST

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) will invest more than $190 million over the next five years to accelerate an emerging field of biomedical research known as epigenomics.

US$ 38 million grant for fight against malnutrition

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 01:14:05 PST

The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) today announces a US$ 38 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to increase private sector engagement in the fight against malnutrition in young children.

More sun exposure may be good for some people

Mon, 07 Jan 2008 05:00:00 PST

UPTON, NY - A new study by scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory and colleagues in Norway suggests that the benefits of moderately increased exposure to sunlight - namely the production of vitamin D, which protects against the lethal effects of many forms of cancer and other diseases - may outweigh the risk of developing skin cancer in populations deficient in vitamin D. The study will be published online in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences the week of January 7, 2008.

Now '100 percent' vegetarian eggs

Fri, 21 Dec 2007 09:39:42 PST

Erode -, Dec 21 - Here's some good news for diehard vegetarians who may yet like to tuck in some eggs. India's leading egg powder manufacturer and exporter will launch a '100 percent vegetarian egg' in the coming year.

Waistline growth on high-carb diets linked to liver gene

Tue, 04 Dec 2007 05:00:00 PST

MADISON - Experts have been warning for years that foods loaded with high-fructose corn syrup and other processed carbohydrates are making us fatter. Now, a University of Wisconsin-Madison study has uncovered the genetic basis for why this is so.

Price of lower-calorie foods rising drastically, researchers find

Tue, 04 Dec 2007 05:00:00 PST

As food prices rise, the costs of lower-calorie foods are rising the fastest, according to a University of Washington study appearing in the December issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association. As the prices of fresh fruit and vegetables and other low-calorie foods have jumped nearly 20 percent in the past two years, the UW researchers say, a nutritious diet may be moving out of the reach of some American consumers.

Citrus juice, vitamin C give staying power to green tea antioxidants

Tue, 13 Nov 2007 05:00:00 PST

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - To get more out of your next cup of tea, just add juice.

Fat cells send message that aids insulin secretion

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 05:00:00 PST

The body's fat cells help the pancreas do its job of secreting insulin, according to research at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. This previously unrecognized process ultimately could lead to new methods to improve glucose metabolism in type 2 diabetic or insulin-resistant people.

U of I scientist does nutritional detective work in Botswana

Thu, 25 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

Many Americans have a soft spot for Botswana, developed while reading the best-selling #1 Ladies Detective Agency series. But few have had a chance to do any sleuthing of their own in that African country.

Parasites a key to the decline of red colobus monkeys in forest fragments

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

Forest fragmentation threatens biodiversity, often causing declines or local extinctions in a majority of species while enhancing the prospects of a few. A new study from the University of Illinois shows that parasites can play a pivotal role in the decline of species in fragmented forests. This is the first study to look at how forest fragmentation increases the burden of infectious parasites on animals already stressed by disturbances to their habitat.

Severely restricted diet linked to physical fitness into old age

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

BUFFALO, NY -- Severely restricting calories leads to a longer life, scientists have proved.

Exercise improves thinking, reduces diabetes risk in overweight children

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

Just three months of daily, vigorous physical activity in overweight children improves their thinking and reduces their diabetes risk, researchers say.

Zinc may reduce pneumonia risk in nursing home elderly

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

BOSTON � When elderly nursing home residents contract pneumonia, it is a blow to their already fragile health. Simin Nikbin Meydani, DVM, PhD of the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University and colleagues report that maintaining normal serum zinc concentration in the blood may help reduce the risk of pneumonia development in that population.

New study: pine bark extract boosts nitric oxide production

Wed, 17 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

A study to be published in the October edition of Hypertension Research reveals Pycnogenol, (pic-noj-en-all), an antioxidant plant extract from the bark of the French maritime pine tree, helps individuals by enhancing healthy nitric oxide (NO) production which leads to an increase in blood flow and oxygen supply to muscles.

The 'arms' race: Adult steroid users seek muscles, not medals

Wed, 10 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

The majority of non-medical anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) users are not cheating athletes or risk-taking teenagers. According to a recent survey, containing the largest sample to date and published in the online open access publication, Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, the typical male user is about 30 years old, well-educated, and earning an above-average income in a white-collar occupation. The majority did not use steroids during adolescence and were not motivated by athletic competition or sports performance.

Drink tea for stronger bones, suggests study

Tue, 09 Oct 2007 11:01:04 PST

Sydney, Oct 9 - Drinking tea regularly, known to have several health benefits, may be good for the bones too, say researchers in Australia.

Folic acid lowers blood arsenic levels, according to Mailman School of Public Health study

Mon, 08 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

October 8, 2007 -- A new study by researchers at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health finds that folic acid supplements can dramatically lower blood arsenic levels in individuals exposed to arsenic through contaminated drinking water. This toxic element, naturally present in some aquifers used for drinking, is currently a significant public health problem in at least 70 countries, including several developing countries and also parts of the U.S. Chronic arsenic exposure is associated with increased risk for skin, liver and bladder cancers, skin lesions, cardiovascular disease, and other adverse health outcomes. The study results are published in the October issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Limiting refined carbohydrates may stall AMD progression

Mon, 08 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

Eating fewer refined carbohydrates may slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), according to a new study from researchers at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University.

Corazonas Foods and Brandeis University partner to create cholesterol-reducing snacks

Mon, 08 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

Waltham, MA -- Corazonas Foods, Inc., creators of great-tasting, heart-healthy snack foods, has announced an exclusive licensing agreement with Brandeis University to utilize its technology in creating several new categories of heart-healthy snacks. Brandeis�s innovative technology allows high levels of plant sterols to be incorporated into snack foods while retaining the product�s outstanding flavor. The partnership�s first venture, Corazonas Heart-Healthy Tortilla Chips, are currently the first and only snack chips clinically proven to reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, a.k.a. �bad cholesterol,� by up to 15 percent. The chips have been a huge hit since debuting in early 2006, further demonstrating the overwhelming consumer demand for healthful snack alternatives without sacrificing great taste.

Kids still not drinking enough milk

Thu, 04 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

American children are drinking too little milk and what they are consuming is too high in fat, according to a Penn State study.

Avoiding sweets may spell a longer life, study in worms suggests

Tue, 02 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

A new study in the October issue of Cell Metabolism, a publication of Cell Press, reveals that worms live to an older age when they are unable to process the simple sugar glucose. Glucose is a primary source of energy for the body and can be found in all major dietary carbohydrates as a component of starches and other forms of sugar, including sucrose (table sugar) and lactose.

Low doses of a red wine ingredient fight diabetes in mice

Tue, 02 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

Even relatively low doses of resveratrol�a chemical found in the skins of red grapes and in red wine�can improve the sensitivity of mice to the hormone insulin, according to a report in the October issue of Cell Metabolism, a Cell Press publication. As insulin resistance is often characterized as the most critical factor contributing to the development of type 2 diabetes, the findings �provide a potential new therapeutic approach for preventing or treating� both conditions, the researchers said.

UMass Medical School study identifies the best weight-loss plans for heart health

Mon, 01 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

Over the past three decades, the rising obesity epidemic has been accompanied by a proliferation of weight-loss plans. However, as a new study by researchers from the University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS) reveals, these weight-loss plans vary significantly in their ability to positively affect heart health.

Joslin researchers uncover potential role of leptin in diabetes

Mon, 01 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

BOSTON�October 1, 2007�A new Joslin-led study has shown that leptin, a hormone known mainly for regulating appetite control and energy metabolism, plays a major role in islet cell growth and insulin secretion. This finding opens up new avenues for studying leptin and its role in islet cell biology, which may lead to new treatments for diabetes. This study appears in the October 2007 issue of The Journal of Clinical Investigation.

'Bad carbs' not the enemy, University of Virginia professor finds

Fri, 28 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

The latest common wisdom on carbohydrates claims that eating so-called �bad� carbohydrates will make you fat, but University of Virginia professor Glenn Gaesser says, �that�s just nonsense.� Eating sandwiches with white bread, or an occasional doughnut, isn't going to kill you, or necessarily even lead to obesity, he said.

Glycemic index values are variable, report researchers

Wed, 26 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

BOSTON � (Sept. 26, 2007) In work investigating the reproducibility of glycemic index values, researchers at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University (USDA HNRCA) have reported that multiple glycemic index value determinations (measure of the rate of glucose absorption into the bloodstream) using a simple test food, white bread, resulted in a relatively high level of inter-individual (among different individuals), and intra-individual (within the same individual) variability. Further studies will focus on better defining the magnitude and the sources of the variability. The intent is to better understand how glycemic index relates to chronic disease risk in a wide range of individuals.

New drug makes weight loss safer

Wed, 26 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

TEL AVIV � More than 60 percent of American women are overweight, with nearly a third falling into the category of obese and at greater risk of cancer, heart disease and diabetes. Until now, there has been no safe, long-term medical remedy that tackles unwanted weight gain.

Simulating kernel production influences maize model accuracy

Fri, 21 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

MADISON, WI, Sept. 18, 2007 -- Recently, researchers at Iowa State University discovered a way to increase the accuracy of a popular crop model. By zeroing in on early stages leading up to kernel formation, scientists believe they can help improve yield predictions across a variety of environmental conditions. The team of scientists reported their findings in the September-October issue of Crop Science.

Vitamin E trials 'fatally flawed'

Fri, 21 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

CORVALLIS, Ore. � Generations of studies on vitamin E may be largely meaningless, scientists say, because new research has demonstrated that the levels of this micronutrient necessary to reduce oxidative stress are far higher than those that have been commonly used in clinical trials.

Brain system serves as 'remote control' for fat metabolism

Thu, 20 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

CINCINNATI�A system in the brain already known to regulate food intake also serves as a direct �remote control� for the way fat is stored and metabolized in the body, say University of Cincinnati (UC) researchers.

Success of 'Shape Up Somerville' childhood obesity intervention to be presented

Tue, 18 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

Christina Economos, PhD, principal investigator of Shape Up Somerville: Eat Smart. Play Hard, a large-scale community intervention to curb childhood obesity, will present her research at the second annual Friedman School Symposium at Tufts, October 29th to 31st in Boston.

Researchers discover correlation between GERD and obesity in females

Fri, 14 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

A group of scientists recently discovered an association between being overweightand a disease called gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) in women.

Thousands of starving children could be restored to health with peanut butter program

Wed, 12 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

Sept. 12, 2007 -- An enriched peanut-butter mixture given at home is successfully promoting recovery in large numbers of starving children in Malawi, according to a group of researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

'Fruity vegetables' and fish reduce asthma and allergies

Tue, 11 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

Giving children a diet rich in fish and �fruity vegetables� can reduce asthma and allergies, according to a seven-year study of 460 Spanish children, published in the September issue of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology.

Soft drinks alone do not affect children's weight

Tue, 11 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

Soft drink consumption has increased in both the USA and the UK over the years and this has often been blamed for a rise in childhood body mass index (BMI). However, many of the review methodologies investigating the alleged links have been flawed. A recent scientific analysis of a nationally representative sample of children�s diets and lifestyles found no link between the amount of soft drinks children consume and their body weight.

Purdue researchers click nutrition with camera diet study

Mon, 10 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - A Purdue University team plans to help health-conscious people better gauge what's on their plates by using their cell phone cameras.

Low vitamin D during pregnancy linked to pre-eclampsia

Fri, 07 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

PITTSBURGH, Sept. 7 � Vitamin D deficiency early in pregnancy is associated with a five-fold increased risk of preeclampsia, according to a study from the University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences reported this week in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.

Soy isoflavone may inhibit common gastrointestinal illness in infants

Thu, 06 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

The soy isoflavone genistin--at concentrations present in soy infant formula-- may reduce a baby�s susceptibility to rotavirus infections by as much as 74 percent, according to a University of Illinois study published in September�s Journal of Nutrition.

Right breakfast bread keeps blood sugar in check all day

Wed, 05 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

If you eat the right grains for breakfast, such as whole-grain barley or rye, the regulation of your blood sugar is facilitated after breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It was previously not known that certain whole-grain products have this effect all day. This is due to a combination of low GI (glycemic index) and certain type of indigestible carbohydrates that occur in certain grain products. The findings are presented in a dissertation from the Faculty of Engineering at Lund University. The dissertation shows that even people who have had a breakfast low in GI find it easier to concentrate for the rest of the morning.

Sugary drinks, not fruit juice, may be linked to insulin

Wed, 05 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

BOSTON (Sept. 5, 2007) � Steady increases in consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages over the last several decades, as well as rates of Type 2 diabetes mellitus, led nutritional epidemiologists at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging (USDA HNRCA) at Tufts University and colleagues to explore the relationship between sugar-sweetened beverage consumption and insulin resistance, a precursor to Type 2 diabetes. Their findings suggest that higher consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks, but not 100 percent fruit juice, may be associated with insulin resistance, even in otherwise healthy adults.

Folate mystery finally solved

Wed, 22 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

Some biochemical processes, especially those in bacteria, have been so well studied it�s assumed that no discoveries are left to be made. Not so, it turns out, for Johns Hopkins researchers who have stumbled on the identity of an enzyme that had been a mystery for more than 30 years. The report appears in the May 15 issue of Structure.

GI concept tested in children

Tue, 21 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

Experts are struggling to find ways to contain the growing number of children who are becoming obese. One useful approach might be to encourage them to choose low glycaemic index (GI) foods. However, until now there has been little evidence that this approach will work for children in the long term.

UGA study finds common component of fruits, vegetables kills prostate cancer cells

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

Athens, Ga. � A new University of Georgia study finds that pectin, a type of fiber found in fruits and vegetables and used in making jams and other foods, kills prostate cancer cells.

Natural chemical found in broccoli helps combat skin blistering disease

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

Johns Hopkins scientists have found yet another reason why you should listen to your mother when she tells you to eat your vegetables. Sulforaphane, a chemical present at high levels in a precursor form in broccoli and related veggies (cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, etc.), helps prevent the severe blistering and skin breakage brought on by the rare and potentially fatal genetic disease epidermolysis bullosa simplex (EBS).

Compound in broccoli could boost immune system, says new study

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

Berkeley -- A compound found in broccoli and related vegetables may have more health-boosting tricks up its sleeves, according to a new study led by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley.

Obesity and lack of exercise could enhance the risk of pancreatic cancer

Wed, 15 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

PHILADELPHIA Obesity and aversion to exercise have become hallmarks of modern society and a new study suggests that a blood protein linked to these lifestyle factors may be an indicator for an increased risk of developing pancreatic cancer. Researchers from the Dana Farber Cancer Institute report their findings in the August 15 issue of Cancer Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.

New Joslin research identifies sirtuin protein instrumental in fat production and metabolism

Wed, 15 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

BOSTON--August 15, 2007--A new Joslin Diabetes Center-led study has identified a protein found in fat cells that may play a major role in how fat is produced and stored, offering a new target for treatments to prevent obesity and reduce the risk for type 2 diabetes. This latest research appears in the August 2007 issue of Cell Metabolism.

'Western' diet linked to increased risk of colon cancer recurrence

Tue, 14 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

BOSTONColon cancer patients who eat a diet high in red meat, fatty products, refined grains, and desserts a so-called Western diet may be increasing their chance of disease relapse and early death, report researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Adverse housing conditions contribute to diabetes risk

Mon, 13 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

Studying people in their homes and neighborhoods, investigators have found that poor housing conditions contribute to the risk for diabetes in urban, middle-aged African-Americans.

Whole grain may prevent high blood pressure

Sat, 11 Aug 2007 14:48:55 PST

New York, Aug 11 - Researchers in the US have found that eating one serving of whole grains every day might protect you from high blood pressure.

Where's the beef? Not enough of it is on elders' plates, muscle-metabolism study suggests

Wed, 08 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

GALVESTON, Texas Scientists at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston have good news for people who want to stay strong in their old age: older bodies are just as good as young ones at turning protein-rich food into muscle.

Parents' depression can weigh on children

Tue, 07 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

GAINESVILLE, Fla. --- A parents struggle with stress or depression can lower a childs quality of life -- and it could hinder an overweight youngsters attempts to lose weight, too, University of Florida researchers say.

Tipping points

Mon, 06 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

Growing food and fiber entails the use of fertilizer and irrigation systems and results in land clearing. These side effects of agriculture can lead to regime shiftsor tipping points which include desertification, salinisation, water degradation, and changes in climate due to altered water flows from land to atmosphere. As human populations shift to more meat-heavy diets, trade of agricultural products increases, and demand for biofuels grows, the pressure on agricultural systems is mounting. The challenge is to figure out how to meet these demands and keep the ecosystem functions that underpin productivity working. So say researchers who will participate in a symposium, Tipping points in the biosphere: Agriculture, water, and resilience during the Ecological Society of Americas Annual Meeting.

Why nectar-feeding bats need a 'power drink' to fly

Sun, 05 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

Nectar-feeding bats burn sugar faster than any other mammal on Earth and three times faster than even top-class athletes ecologists have discovered. The findings, published online in the British Ecological Society's journal Functional Ecology, illustrate that because they live life on an energetic knife edge, these bats are very vulnerable to any changes in their environment that interrupt their fuel supply for even a short period.

Scientists find why red beans and rice can be nauseating

Wed, 01 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

People cry foul when fowl is undercooked, but what about red beans and rice

Nutritional supplement cuts anemia in poor children by half

Thu, 26 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

A nutritional supplement known as Sprinkles, which can be added to children's food, reduces anemia by more than half, according to a recent study published in the Journal of Nutrition.

Monell researchers find metabolic defect in liver that can lead to obesity

Tue, 24 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

Philadelphia (July 24, 2007) -- Researchers at the Monell Chemical Senses Center have identified a genetically-transmitted metabolic defect that can lead to obesity in some individuals. The defect involves decreased production of liver enzymes needed to burn fat and may help to explain why some people become obese while others remain thin.

Links between food cravings, types of cravings, and weight management

Wed, 18 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

BOSTON -- Accepting food cravings and keeping them in check may be an important component of weight management, according to findings from the first six-month phase of a calorie-restriction study conducted at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging (USDA HNRCA) at Tufts University. Supplemental results from the Comprehensive Assessment of the Long-term Effects of Restricting Intake of Energy (CALERIE) trial provide new insights into food cravings, specific types of foods craved, and their role in weight control.

Commentary highlights impact of food-cancer drug interactions

Tue, 17 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

Alexandria, Va. A commentary in the Journal of Clinical Oncology (JCO) urges researchers to explore an intriguing approach to reduce the dose, and therefore the cost, of oral targeted cancer therapies. The commentary, by Mark Ratain, MD and Ezra Cohen, MD of the University of Chicago, examines recent pharmacologic research which found that taking the targeted therapy lapatinib (Tykerb) with food significantly increased the concentration of the drug in the body. The commentary suggests that taking lapatinib with food instead of on an empty stomach, as currently indicated, could cut the needed dose by at least 60 percent, reducing the cost accordingly. The authors stress that formal studies are needed to determine the effectiveness of this approach. The article is being published online July 16.

Increasing vegetables and fruits beyond guidelines not necessary for breast cancer survivors

Tue, 17 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

Eating a diet very high in vegetables, fruit and fiber and low in fat did not reduce breast cancer recurrence or death in early stage breast cancer survivors, according to a new study. Researchers from the Rebecca and John Moores Cancer Center at the University of California, San Diego found that this intensive diet provided no additional benefit to following the generally recommended dietary guidelines.

Pediatricians say advice to obese kids and families falls on deaf ears

Mon, 16 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

ST. LOUIS Pediatricians who talk to obese patients and their families about losing weight feel their conversation makes little difference in encouraging a lifestyle change, a small Saint Louis University study finds.

Selenium supplements may increase the risk of type 2 diabetes

Fri, 13 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Selenium, an antioxidant included in multivitamin tablets thought to have a possible protective effect against the development of type 2 diabetes, may actually increase the risk of developing the disease, an analysis by researchers at the University at Buffalo has shown.

ValleyCare and UCSF work to enhance health services in tri-valley region

Thu, 12 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

ValleyCare Health System and UCSF have signed a letter of intent to enhance health care services for women and children in the Tri-Valley region of the East Bay.

Link between carbohydrate quality and vision loss is strengthened by new data

Wed, 11 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

BOSTON -- Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and its associated vision loss may be connected to the quality of carbohydrates an individual consumes. In a study published in the July issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Allen Taylor, PhD, director of the Laboratory for Nutrition and Vision Research at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging (USDA HNRCA) at Tufts University, and colleagues confirmed earlier findings linking dietary glycemic index with the risk of developing AMD.

Sour taste make you pucker? It may be in your genes

Wed, 11 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

Philadelphia (June 11, 2007) -- Scientists at the Monell Chemical Senses Center report that genes play a large role in determining individual differences in sour taste perception. The findings may help researchers identify the still-elusive taste receptor that detects sourness in foods and beverages, just as recent gene studies helped uncover receptors for sweet and bitter taste.

Study shows cane sugar, corn sweeteners have similar effects on appetite

Tue, 10 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

A new study of sweetened beverages shows that cane sugar and high fructose corn syrup have similar effects on hunger, fullness, and food consumption at lunch. According to the study, which appears in the July issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, this may be because sucrose (table sugar) in beverages splits into glucose and fructose molecules, such as are present in high-fructose corn syrup. The results suggest that while appetite and food intake are influenced by the number of calories consumed earlier, the types of sugars consumed in those calories seem to make little or no difference.

Can an apple a day keep asthma away?

Mon, 09 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

(NORTHBROOK, IL, JULY 9, 2007) Teenagers who forego a healthy and balanced diet may have a harder time catching their breath. A new study, published in the July issue of CHEST, the peer-reviewed journal of the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP), shows that a low dietary intake of certain nutrients increases the likelihood of respiratory symptoms such as asthma, especially in teens who smoke. Furthermore, a lack of these nutrients may also lead to lower lung function.

First all-African produced genetically engineered maize is resistant to maize streak virus

Sun, 08 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

Maize streak viruses (MSV), geminiviruses that can destroy most of a maize crop, are endemic to sub-Saharan Africa and adjacent Indian Ocean islands where they are transmitted by leafhoppers in the genus Cicadulina. Maize can supply 50% of the caloric intake in sub-Saharan Africa but, in certain years, a farmers entire crop can be wiped out. Now, scientists at the University of Cape Town, South Africa, along with colleagues at the South African seed company, PANNAR Pty Ltd, have developed a resistant variety of maize that they hope will help alleviate food shortages as well as promote the reputation of genetically engineered (GE) foods in Africa. Dr. Dionne Shepherd of the University of Cape Town will be presenting the results of her recent work and that of coauthors B. Owor, R. Edema, A. Varsani, D.P. Martin, J.A. Thomson and E.P. Rybicki, at the annual meeting of the American Society of Plant Biologists in Chicago (July 8, 11:20 AM) in a major symposium on Plant Biology in Sub-Saharan Africa organized by Debby Delmer of UC Davis.

Protein's role in lipid absorption may be important to future weight-loss strategies

Thu, 05 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

July 5, 2007 -- Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have found that a protein absorbs lipids in the upper part of the intestine, and they believe its key role in this process may provide a novel approach for obesity treatment in the future.

Demonic possession and miraculous healing

Mon, 25 Jun 2007 04:00:00 PST

Latest research into health in medieval Europe taking in everything from demonic possession to miracles of healing is to be revealed at The University of Nottingham.

Can blindness be prevented through diet?

Sun, 24 Jun 2007 04:00:00 PST

Increasing intake of the omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA, found in popular fish-oil supplements, may protect against blindness resulting from abnormal blood vessel growth in the eye, according to a study published online by the journal Nature Medicine on June 24. The study was done in mice, but a clinical trial at Childrens Hospital Boston will soon begin testing the effects of omega-3 supplementation in premature babies, who are at risk for vision loss.

Omega-3 supplements affect Alzheimer's symptoms

Fri, 22 Jun 2007 16:00:00 PST

Omega-3 supplements can, in certain cases, help combat the depression and agitation symptoms associated with Alzheimer's disease, according to a clinical study conducted at the Swedish medical university Karolinska Institutet.

A new direction: Integrating best-practices to improve food responses

Wed, 20 Jun 2007 04:00:00 PST

BOSTON Implementing best-practice standards for emergency international food aid will improve the quality, timeliness and appropriateness of food aid, reports Daniel Maxwell, PhD, research director for Food Security and Complex Emergencies at the Feinstein International Center (FIC), part of the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University. In a forthcoming policy briefing paper from FIC, as well as an article in the journal Disasters, Maxwell outlines emerging best-practice standards for areas including information systems, analytical tools, and strategic targeting.

Millennium development goals: Are we on track?

Wed, 20 Jun 2007 04:00:00 PST

BOSTON In April 2007, the General Assembly of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations convened to discuss progress made towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Patrick Webb, PhD, dean for academic affairs at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University, presented on the status of the Millennium Development Goal One (MDG1): radically reducing extreme poverty and hunger.

Dietary calcium is better than supplements at protecting bone health

Tue, 19 Jun 2007 04:00:00 PST

Women who get most of their daily calcium from food have healthier bones than women whose calcium comes mainly from supplemental tablets, say researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Surprisingly, this is true even though the supplement takers have higher average calcium intake.

UT medical researcher determines link between foie gras and disease

Mon, 18 Jun 2007 04:00:00 PST

KNOXVILLE -- University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine professor and researcher Alan Solomon, M.D., director of the Human Immunology and Cancer/Alzheimers Disease and Amyloid-Related Disorders Research Program, led a team that discovered a link between foie gras prepared from goose or duck liver and the type of amyloid found in rheumatoid arthritis or tuberculosis.

University of Colorado invention may allow thirsty crops to signal farmers

Thu, 14 Jun 2007 04:00:00 PST

Corn and potato crops may soon provide information to farmers about when they need water and how much should be delivered, thanks to a University of Colorado at Boulder invention optioned to AgriHouse Inc., a Berthoud, Colo., high-tech company.

Can a Mediterranean diet help prevent colon cancer?

Wed, 13 Jun 2007 04:00:00 PST

ANN ARBOR, Mich. Are all healthy eating plans the same when it comes to cancer prevention