ScienceDaily: Food News

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10/11/11--09:10: Oranges and mandarins are inspected using artificial vision (chan 1642038)

Scientists have created a machine that detects and separates rotten oranges, another that classifies mandarin segments according to their quality and another that helps citrus fruit pickers out in the field. All prototypes use computer vision to automatically inspect the fruits.


10/11/11--14:15: Eating your greens can change the effect of your genes on heart disease (chan 1642038)

A long-held mantra suggests that you can't change your family, the genes they pass on, or the effect of these genes. Now, scientists are attacking that belief. The researchers discovered the gene that is the strongest marker for heart disease can actually be modified by generous amounts of fruit and raw vegetables.


10/13/11--08:11: New technology could help reduce food waste (chan 1642038)

We throw out a quarter of the food we buy. New attitudes and new technology could shrink the mountain of waste from our kitchens.


10/13/11--09:15: Eating green veggies improves immune defenses (chan 1642038)

Researchers have found another good reason to eat your green vegetables, although it may or may not win any arguments with kids at the dinner table.


10/13/11--11:18: New technologies challenge old ideas about early hominid diets (chan 1642038)

New assessments by researchers using the latest high-tech tools to study the diets of early hominids are challenging long-held assumptions about what our ancestors ate.


10/17/11--09:42: Broccoli-based compound beats drug resistance in lung disease (chan 1642038)

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common lung disease that gets progressively worse over time. Inflammation has a central role in driving COPD. However, patients derive little benefit from treatment with potent anti-inflammatory drugs known as corticosteroids. Now, researchers have identified a candidate therapeutic that could potentially be used to augment the anti-inflammatory effects of corticosteroids in individuals with COPD -- a compound obtained from cruciferous vegetables.


10/19/11--23:44: The cannabis genome: How hemp got high (chan 1642038)

Throughout history, Cannabis sativa has been exploited by humanity. Hemp seed oil is rich in omega 6, and its fiber is used in the production of fabrics. Marijuana is known for its mind-altering properties. The changes to the genome that led to drug-producing plants is a mystery of cannabis evolution, but one that has now been solved, thanks to new research.


10/20/11--05:48: Laser makes sure food is fresh (chan 1642038)

Minced meat, bread, fruit juice and many other foods are packaged in a protective gas which extends their shelf life. There is currently no good method to check whether the packaging has the correct gas content. However, researchers have now developed a new laser instrument which could solve the problem. The first product is expected to be ready for market launch later in the autumn.


10/20/11--07:59: Scary can be exciting when it comes to strange traditional foods (chan 1642038)

Sheep’s head: Until now very few of us have been tempted by this traditional Norwegian dish. Eating scary food is practice in overcoming fear, according to one researcher. In the tourism industry, a few entrepreneurs have commercialized this idea and thereby raised traditional food to new heights.


10/24/11--14:26: Dietary patterns may be linked to increased colorectal cancer risk in women (chan 1642038)

Researchers may have found a specific dietary pattern linked to levels of C-peptide concentrations that increase a woman's risk for colorectal cancer.


10/25/11--08:35: New test can precisely pinpoint food pathogens (chan 1642038)

A new test developed by a team led of scientists will enable government agencies and food companies to pinpoint the exact nature and origin of food-borne bacteria with unprecedented accuracy.


10/25/11--10:59: You are what you eat: Low fat diet with fish oil slows growth of human prostate cancer cells, study suggests (chan 1642038)

A low-fat diet with fish oil supplements eaten for four to six weeks prior to prostate removal slowed down the growth of prostate cancer cells -- the number of rapidly dividing cells -- in human prostate cancer tissue compared to a traditional, high-fat Western diet, according to a new study.


10/26/11--09:24: 'Magnetic tongue' ready to help produce tastier processed foods (chan 1642038)

The "electronic nose," which detects odors, has a companion among emerging futuristic "e-sensing" devices intended to replace abilities that once were strictly human-and-animal-only. It is a "magnetic tongue" -- a method used to "taste" food and identify ingredients that people describe as sweet, bitter, sour, etc. Scientists report on use of the method to taste canned tomatoes.


10/26/11--09:24: Food chemical regulations rely heavily on industry self-policing and lack transparency, report finds (chan 1642038)

Safety decisions concerning one-third of the more than 10,000 substances that may be added to human food were made by food manufacturers and a trade association without review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, according to a new analysis. The report illustrates potential problems with the US food additive regulatory program.


11/01/11--09:59: Health risk from eating well-done meat may be underestimated (chan 1642038)

Mice are often used to test whether substances in food are harmful to humans. This requires that mice and humans metabolize substances in the same way. Humans have certain enzymes in more parts of the body than mice. The health risk associated with harmful substances in food may therefore be underestimated.


11/01/11--11:13: Switching senses: Leeches shift the way they locate prey in adulthood (chan 1642038)

Many meat-eating animals have unique ways of hunting down a meal using their senses. To find a tasty treat, bats use echolocation, snakes rely on infrared vision, and owls take advantage of the concave feathers on their faces, the better to help them hear possible prey. Leeches have not just one but two distinct ways of detecting dinner and, according to new findings, their preferred method changes as they age.


11/02/11--09:53: Benefits of nut consumption for people with abdominal obesity, high blood sugar, high blood pressure (chan 1642038)

For the first time, scientists report a link between eating nuts and higher levels of serotonin in the bodies of patients with metabolic syndrome. Serotonin helps transmit nerve signals and decreases feelings of hunger, makes people feel happier and improves heart health. It took only one ounce of mixed nuts (raw unpeeled walnuts, almonds and hazelnuts) a day to produce the good effects.


11/06/11--12:10: Genome of 'orphan crop' pigeonpea cracked (chan 1642038)

Once referred to as an "orphan crop" mainly grown by poor farmers, pigeonpea is now set to join the world's league of major food crops with the completion of its genome sequence.


11/07/11--13:27: Removing sugar-sweetened beverages from schools associated with reduced access to, but not consumption of these beverages among adolescents (chan 1642038)

State policies banning all sugar-sweetened beverages in schools are associated with reduced in-school access and purchase of these beverages, however these policies are not associated with a reduction in overall consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, according to a new report.


11/10/11--16:21: New turkey feed helps bird producers gobble up profits (chan 1642038)

As feed prices have risen in recent years, feeding turkeys has become more costly than many producers can bear. Satisfying turkeys' hunger accounts for 70 percent of the cost of producing turkey meat.Now, a researcher has produced a cheaper turkey feed, which could fill turkeys' tummies and producers' pockets.


11/11/11--06:51: Eating fish can reduce the risk of diabetes, study suggests (chan 1642038)

A study analyses the dietary patterns of the adult Spanish population with high cardiovascular risk. The results reveal a high consumption of both red meat and fish. However, whilst eating lots of cured meats is associated with greater weight gain and a higher obesity rate, the consumption of fish is linked to lower glucose concentrations and a smaller risk of developing diabetes.


11/11/11--06:52: Study suggests new benefits of eating nuts for patients with metabolic syndrome (chan 1642038)

A recent scientific study has revealed the relationship between nut consumption and a high level of serotonin metabolites (an important neurotransmitter) in patients with metabolic syndrome, who are at high risk of cardiovascular disease.


11/13/11--11:12: Sugar-sweetened beverages may increase cardiovascular risk in women, research suggests (chan 1642038)

Drinking two or more sugar-sweetened beverages a day may expand a woman's waistline and increase her risk of heart disease and diabetes, according to new research.


11/17/11--11:06: The buzz around beer: Why do flies like beer? (chan 1642038)

Ever wondered why flies are attracted to beer? Entomologists have, and offer an explanation. They report that flies sense glycerol that yeasts make during fermentation. Specifically, they found that Gr64e, a receptor associated with neurons located in the fly's mouth-parts, is instrumental in signaling a good taste for beer. Once a fly has settled on beer, Gr64e detects glycerol and transmits this information to the fly's neurons, thus influencing the fly's behavior.


11/18/11--10:29: A new technique makes it possible to reduce by half the amount of salt in already desalted cod (chan 1642038)

Researchers have achieved a 50% reduction in the amount of salt in already desalted cod, thus obtaining a final product that preserves all its sensory properties and is particularly suitable for persons with hypertension.


11/21/11--12:15: Taking bushmeat off the menu could increase child anemia, study finds (chan 1642038)

When the dinner menu includes endangered species, human nutritional needs must contend with efforts to manage wildlife resources, according to a new study. Researchers estimate that a loss of access to bushmeat as a source of food would lead to a 29 percent jump in the number of children suffering from anemia.


11/22/11--10:30: Coffee may protect against endometrial cancer, study suggests (chan 1642038)

Long-term coffee consumption may be associated with a reduced risk for endometrial cancer, according to a recent study.


11/23/11--10:35: Studying bat skulls, evolutionary biologists discover how species evolve (chan 1642038)

A new study involving bat skulls, bite force measurements and scat samples collected by an international team of evolutionary biologists is helping to solve a nagging question of evolution: Why some groups of animals develop scores of different species over time while others evolve only a few.


11/25/11--13:10: A fifth of global energy could come from biomass without damaging food production (chan 1642038)

A new report suggests that up to one fifth of global energy could be provided by biomass (plants) without damaging food production. The report reviews more than 90 global studies.


11/29/11--06:20: New findings about unwanted fungal growth on dry-cured meat products (chan 1642038)

The growth of yeast and mold fungus often poses a threat to the quality of dry-cured meat and is a problem facing producers all over the world. Fungal growth can lead to bad quality products, increased production costs and health issues in consumers.


11/30/11--07:04: Marzipan Santas, elves and stollen: Real deal or cheap fakes? (chan 1642038)

With the December holidays a peak season for indulging in marzipan, scientists are reporting development of a new test that can tell the difference between the real thing -- a pricey but luscious paste made from ground almonds and sugar -- and cheap fakes made from ground soy, peas and other ingredients.


11/30/11--07:04: Scientists discover anti-inflammatory polyphenols in apple peels (chan 1642038)

Here's another reason why "an apple a day keeps the doctor away." New research shows oral ingestion of apple polyphenols suppresses T cell activation to prevent colitis in mice. This study is the first demonstrating a role for T cells in polyphenol-mediated protection against autoimmune disease possibly leading to treatments for people with disorders from bowel inflammation, such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease and colitis-associated colorectal cancer.


12/01/11--06:48: Savanna chimps exhibit human-like sharing behavior, anthropologists say (chan 1642038)

Anthropologists report that chimpanzees in Senegal frequently share food and hunting tools with other chimps. This is thought to be the first study to document non-meat sharing behavior among chimpanzees.


12/01/11--13:35: Vegetables, fruits, grains reduce stroke risk in women (chan 1642038)

Swedish women who ate an antioxidant-rich diet had fewer strokes especially if they had no history of cardiovascular disease, according to a new study. The findings persisted even after statistics were adjusted for other risk factors such as smoking and physical activity. Women with the highest level of antioxidants in their diet consumed about half their antioxidants from fruits and vegetables.


12/01/11--13:36: Bitter sensitive children eat more vegetables with help of dip (chan 1642038)

Close to 70 percent of children have a sensitivity to bitter tasting foods, and that can cause them to avoid many of the leafy, green vegetables they should be eating for healthy development. But new research has found that adding a small amount of dip can help children with this sensitivity eat more of their vegetables.


12/05/11--13:51: Young women may reduce heart disease risk eating fish with omega 3 fatty acids, study finds (chan 1642038)

Women who seldom or never eat fish may be increasing their risk of cardiovascular disease by 50 percent or more, according to the first population-based study among younger women. Those who ate fish most often, especially fish rich in omega 3 fatty acids, had 90 percent lower risk than those who ate little or no fish. The link with cardiovascular disease was evident, even among women in their 30s.


12/07/11--10:30: Shedding light on why it is so 'tough' to make healthier hot dogs (chan 1642038)

In part of an effort to replace animal fat in hot dogs, sausages, hamburgers and other foods with healthier fat, scientists are reporting an advance in solving the mystery of why hot dogs develop an unpleasant tough texture when vegetable oils pinch hit for animal fat.


12/08/11--11:20: Discovery on how sugars are moved throughout a plant (chan 1642038)

Food prices are soaring at the same time as the Earth's population is nearing 9 billion. As a result the need for increased crop yields is extremely important. New research into the system by which sugars are moved throughout a plant -- from the leaves to the harvested portions and elsewhere -- could be crucial for addressing this problem.


12/12/11--09:36: Some plant-based food supplements contain high levels of cancer causing agents, study suggests (chan 1642038)

While many consumers equal ‘natural’ with ‘safe’, botanicals and botanical preparations such as plant-based food supplements may contain compounds, like the so called alkenylbenzenes, that are of concern for human health. A new study reveals there are plant-based food supplements on the market that contain alkenylbenzenes at levels comparable to those causing tumors in laboratory animals.


12/13/11--08:47: Asparagus benefits from X-ray treatment (chan 1642038)

Experiments to determine the effect of low-dose X-ray irradiation on asparagus found that the treatment significantly reduced aerobic bacteria and mold/yeast populations and helped to maintain sugar (glucose and fructose) levels. Researchers said that irradiation also temporarily increased Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity. The study results showed that X-ray treatment can enhance consumer safety and extend shelf life by decreasing the number of viable microorganisms on fresh-cut asparagus.


12/13/11--17:33: Endangered orangutans offer a new evolutionary model for early humans (chan 1642038)

Studying how the orangutans cope with a harsh environment may offer a glimpse into what early human ancestors faced, new research suggests.


12/14/11--10:58: New eco-friendly foliar spray provides natural anti-freeze (chan 1642038)

A new, biodegradable foliar/floral spray that increases plant resistance to both cold damage and cold mortality has been introduced to the commercial market. The spray improved cold tolerance by approximately 2°F to 9°F, depending on the variety of plant and the duration/ intensity of frost or freeze. Use of the non-toxic spray could add the equivalent of approximately 0.25 to almost 1.0 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone to the cold hardiness rating of plants.


12/20/11--12:41: Mediterranean diet gives longer life, Swedish study suggests (chan 1642038)

A Mediterranean diet with large amounts of vegetables and fish gives a longer life, according to Swedish research. A number of studies since the 1950s have shown that a Mediterranean diet, based on a high consumption of fish and vegetables and a low consumption of animal-based products such as meat and milk, leads to better health.


12/21/11--07:57: World's land and water resources for food and agriculture outlined (chan 1642038)

A new United Nation's report documents the current status of the world's land and water resources for food and agriculture.


12/21/11--07:58: Some 'low-gluten' beer contains high levels of gluten (chan 1642038)

Beer tested in a new study, including some brands labeled "low-gluten," contains levels of hordein, the form of gluten present in barley, that could cause symptoms in patients with celiac disease, the autoimmune condition treated with a life-long gluten-free diet, scientists are reporting.


01/10/12--11:02: An apple a day isn't enough: Many people not eating enough fruits and vegetables (chan 1642038)

Adults from 30 to 60 years old, especially those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, aren't consuming the daily recommended levels of fruits and vegetables.


01/10/12--16:29: Predators hunt for a balanced diet (chan 1642038)

Predators select their prey in order to eat a nutritionally balanced diet and give themselves the best chance of producing healthy offspring. A new study shows for the first time that predatory animals choose their food on the basis of its nutritional value, rather than just overall calorie content.


01/11/12--07:38: Increase dietary fiber, decrease disease (chan 1642038)

We should all be eating more dietary fiber to improve our health -- that's the message from a health review by scientists in India. Researchers suggest fruit, vegetables, whole-grain foods, such as muesli and porridge, beans and pulses, as readily available foods rich in dietary fiber.


01/11/12--07:38: Short, sharp shock treatment for E. coli (chan 1642038)

A short burst of low voltage alternating current can effectively eradicate E. coli bacteria growing on the surface of even heavily contaminated beef, according to a new study. The technique offers an inexpensive and easy to implement approach to reducing the risk of food poisoning, which can occur despite handlers complying with hygiene standards.


01/11/12--12:40: Diet rich in slowly digested carbs reduces markers of inflammation in overweight and obese adults (chan 1642038)

Among overweight and obese adults, a diet rich in slowly digested carbohydrates, such as whole grains, legumes and other high-fiber foods, significantly reduces markers of inflammation associated with chronic disease, according to a new study. Such a "low-glycemic-load" diet, which does not cause blood-glucose levels to spike, also increases a hormone that helps regulate the metabolism of fat and sugar.


01/12/12--10:43: Blame your taste buds for liking fat: Receptor for tasting fat identified in humans (chan 1642038)

Why do we like fatty foods so much? We can blame our taste buds. In the first study to identify a human receptor that can taste fat, researchers report that our tongues recognize and have an affinity for fat and that variations in a gene can make people more or less sensitive to the taste of fat in foods.


01/13/12--06:38: Dark chocolate and red wine are heart-healthy foods of love, dietitians say (chan 1642038)

Dietitian says resveratrol which lowers blood sugar is found in red wine and also dark chocolate, making them ideal for heart holidays like Valentine's Day and year round consumption for heart health.


01/16/12--06:55: Grain crops with lower carotene levels are less affected by parasitic plants (chan 1642038)

Grain crops that produce less carotene can produce more food, especially in Africa, as they are less affected by parasitic plants. Agricultural researchers studied processes and technologies that could improve the control of the parasitic weed Striga both in the lab and in the field. He discovered that rice plants that produce less carotene than usual are less infected by the Striga parasite.


01/19/12--21:35: Novel iron source: Newly identified iron absorption mechanism suggests that legumes could provide key to treating iron deficiency worldwide (chan 1642038)

A groundbreaking study reveals the existence of at least two independent mechanisms for iron absorption from non-meat sources -- and a potential treatment for iron deficiency, the most common nutrient deficiency worldwide. The discovery of an alternative mechanism for iron absorption from vegetables and legumes may provide the key to helping solve iron deficiency by providing an alternative, affordable, and readily available source of iron.


01/20/12--15:24: High levels of MRSA bacteria in U.S. retail meat products, study suggests (chan 1642038)

Retail pork products in the U.S. have a higher prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteria (MRSA) than previously identified, according to new research.


01/23/12--08:55: Compounds in mate tea induce death in colon cancer cells, in vitro study shows (chan 1642038)

In a recent study, scientists showed that human colon cancer cells die when they are exposed to the approximate number of bioactive compounds present in one cup of mate tea, which has long been consumed in South America for its medicinal properties.


01/24/12--15:41: Food fried in olive or sunflower oil is not linked to heart disease, Spanish study finds (chan 1642038)

Eating food fried in olive or sunflower oil is not linked to heart disease or premature death, a new study finds. The authors stress, however, that their study took place in Spain, a Mediterranean country where olive or sunflower oil is used for frying and their results would probably not be the same in another country where solid and re-used oils were used for frying.


01/25/12--13:34: High animal fat diet increases gestational diabetes risk, study finds (chan 1642038)

Women who consumed a diet high in animal fat and cholesterol before pregnancy were at higher risk for gestational diabetes than women whose diets were lower in animal fat and cholesterol, according to researchers.


01/26/12--08:59: Caffeine consumption and estrogen changes: Moderate caffeine intake linked to higher level for Asians, lower for whites (chan 1642038)

Asian women who consumed an average of 200 milligrams or more of caffeine a day -- the equivalent of roughly two cups of coffee -- had elevated estrogen levels when compared to women who consumed less, according to a study of reproductive age women.


01/27/12--11:00: Making poisonous plants and seeds safe and palatable: Canola now, cannabis next? (chan 1642038)

Every night millions of people go to bed hungry. New genetic technology can help us feed the world by making inedible seeds edible and tasty.