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Food quality may drop due to elevated levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide, shows field study

For the first time, a field test has demonstrated that elevated levels of carbon dioxide inhibit plants' assimilation of nitrate into proteins, indicating that the nutritional quality of food crops is at risk as climate change intensifies.

7 Apr 2014

Retinoic acid helps turn pre-cancer cells back to normal healthy breast cells

A derivative of vitamin A, known as retinoic acid, found abundantly in sweet potato and carrots, helps turn pre-cancer cells back to normal healthy breast cells, according to research published this month in the International Journal of Oncology. The research could help explain why some clinical studies have been unable to see a benefit of vitamin A on cancer: the vitamin doesn't appear to change the course of full-blown cancer, only pre-cancerous cells, and only works at a very narrow dose.

31 Mar 2014

Obesity: fat mass in cells expands with disuse

Over 35 percent of American adults and 17 percent of American children are considered obese, according to the latest survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Associated with diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and even certain types of cancer, obesity places a major burden on the health care system and economy. It's usually treated through a combination of diet, nutrition, exercise, and other techniques.

20 Mar 2014

Six papers published by PNAS in 2013 to receive Cozzarelli Prize

The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) Editorial Board has selected six papers published by PNAS in 2013 to receive the Cozzarelli Prize, an award that recognizes outstanding contributions to the scientific disciplines represented by the National Academy of Sciences.

6 Mar 2014

Study: Girls who play with Barbie dolls see fewer career options than boys

In one of the first experiments to explore the influence of fashion dolls, an Oregon State University researcher has found that girls who play with Barbie dolls see fewer career options for themselves than for boys.

6 Mar 2014

Viewpoints: 'Sham Surgery' for research; bigger hospitals may not bring better care

In a landmark study of a new cardiovascular device unveiled last month, patients received anesthetics, had a large-bore catheter inserted through a cut into one of their major arteries, and had dye injected into their bloodstream.

20 Feb 2014

Attention modification programs help decrease overeating in obese children

Among the multiple factors that can cause obesity is an abnormal neurocognitive or behavioral response to food cues. The brain becomes wired to seek - and expect - greater rewards from food, which leads to unhealthful overeating.

15 Feb 2014

Exposure to Manga comics promotes fruit intake and healthy snack selection

A recent pilot study in Brooklyn, New York, with minority students found that exposure to Manga comics (Japanese comic art) promoting fruit intake significantly improved healthy snack selection. As snacking accounts for up to 27% of children's daily caloric intake, and childhood obesity has been linked to inadequate intake of fruits and vegetables, the results of this study could have wide-reaching implications.

11 Feb 2014

NRP 69 aims to identify new approaches to food production

Healthy food products that are produced in an environmentally-friendly manner will boost the health of the Swiss population while protecting natural resources. The National Research Programme "Healthy Nutrition and Sustainable Food Production" (NRP 69) aims to identify new approaches to food production.

21 Jan 2014

Study identifies 3 most significant risk factors for child obesity among preschoolers

A University of Illinois study has identified the three most significant risk factors for child obesity among preschoolers: (1) inadequate sleep, (2) a parental BMI that classifies the mom or dad as overweight or obese, and (3) parental restriction of a child's eating in order to control his weight.

15 Jan 2014

Psychiatrist offers tips for dealing with holiday stress and sadness problems of the season

During the holidays, the goal should be to set the course somewhere "between Hallmark and heartache," a Vanderbilt psychiatrist says. In other words, don't strive for the perfect (you won't achieve it), and recognize and deal head-on with some of the stressors of the season.

23 Dec 2013

Clinical psychologist provides tips to survive holiday season without weight gain

Special family meals, holiday buffets and free drinks can be open invitations for disaster for the more than 50 percent of Americans who are struggling with their weight and dieting.

13 Dec 2013

Study investigates link between sedentary behavior and recurrence of colorectal adenomas

Men who spend the most time engaged in sedentary behaviors are at greatest risk for recurrence of colorectal adenomas, benign tumors that are known precursors of colorectal cancers, according to results presented here at the 12th Annual AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research, held Oct. 27-30.

29 Oct 2013

Electronic payments in school cafeterias are linked with lower nutrition and higher calories

School cafeterias that accept only electronic payments may be inadvertently promoting junkier food and adding empty calories to students' diets, say Cornell behavioral economists in the current issue of the journal Obesity.

11 Oct 2013

New study explores ways to prevent unhealthy weight gain among rural school-aged children

In the United States, children don't eat enough fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Instead, their diets typically include excessive amounts of sugars and solid fats, counter to the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommendations, increasing the risk of obesity and diabetes. A team of investigators implemented a two-year intervention study in low-income, rural areas where a disproportionately higher risk of overweight and obesity habits among children persists, leading to increased risk of diabetes and heart disease in adulthood. The children enrolled in the study consumed significantly more fruits and vegetables.

11 Oct 2013

School lunch debit card payment systems linked with lower nutrition and higher calories

To expedite long lunch lines and enable cleaner accounting, about 80 percent of schools use debit cards or accounts that parents can add money to for cafeteria lunch transactions, write David Just and Brian Wansink, professors at the Cornell Center for Behavioral Economics in Child Nutrition Programs.

9 Oct 2013

Scientists discover key function in molecule that regulates sleep, metabolism and hunger

Why does hunger keep us awake and a full belly make us tired? Why do people with sleep disorders such as insomnia often binge eat late at night? What can sleep patterns tell us about obesity?

5 Oct 2013

Tips to avoid foodborne illness

As tailgating time moves into full swing, there are great chances to visit with friends in the crisp fall air and enjoy the ambiance of the season.

5 Oct 2013

Dietary modifications can reduce gastroparesis in diabetes patients

Many diabetes patients suffer from symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and lack of appetite. A doctoral thesis from the Sahlgrenska Academy shows that a diet consisting of foods that fall apart easily, for example boiled potatoes and fish gratin, can help alleviate the condition.

5 Oct 2013

Regulatory reform needed to protect consumers from caffeine-induced harm

Caffeine is the most widely used psychoactive substance and is part of the daily diet of most people, whether they know it or not. Caffeine is being added to more products, including energy drinks and snack foods, with no regulations requiring the amount of caffeine to be included on the product label.

20 Sep 2013

Potato News and Research

Food quality may drop due to elevated levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide, shows field study

Retinoic acid helps turn pre-cancer cells back to normal healthy breast cells

Obesity: fat mass in cells expands with disuse

Six papers published by PNAS in 2013 to receive Cozzarelli Prize

Study: Girls who play with Barbie dolls see fewer career options than boys

Viewpoints: 'Sham Surgery' for research; bigger hospitals may not bring better care

Attention modification programs help decrease overeating in obese children

Exposure to Manga comics promotes fruit intake and healthy snack selection

NRP 69 aims to identify new approaches to food production

Study identifies 3 most significant risk factors for child obesity among preschoolers

Psychiatrist offers tips for dealing with holiday stress and sadness problems of the season

Clinical psychologist provides tips to survive holiday season without weight gain

Study investigates link between sedentary behavior and recurrence of colorectal adenomas

Electronic payments in school cafeterias are linked with lower nutrition and higher calories

New study explores ways to prevent unhealthy weight gain among rural school-aged children

School lunch debit card payment systems linked with lower nutrition and higher calories

Scientists discover key function in molecule that regulates sleep, metabolism and hunger

Tips to avoid foodborne illness

Dietary modifications can reduce gastroparesis in diabetes patients

Regulatory reform needed to protect consumers from caffeine-induced harm

Decoding Cannabis: Differentiating Hemp and Marijuana

Deciphering the Microbiome with The Microsetta Initiative

Leveraging the power of automation to boost research

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