Category: Scientific/Technical Items

  • Article Questions Effect of Artificial Sweeteners on Metabolic Conditions

    A recent opinion piece published in Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism has suggested that artificial sweetener consumption increases the risk of certain health outcomes, including “excessive weight gain, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.” Susan Swithers, “Artificial sweeteners produce the counterintuitive effect of inducing metabolic derangements,” Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism, July 2013. Authored…

  • Drug-Resistant Bacteria Allegedly Linked to Industrial Farm Workers

    A recent study examining the prevalence of methicillin and multidrug resistant Staphyloccocus aureus (MRSA and MDRSA) among farm workers has reported that livestock-associated strains of both bacteria were present only in individuals employed at “industrial livestock operations” (ILOs) and not those employed at “antibiotic-free livestock operations” (AFLOs). Jessica Rinsky, et al., “Livestock-Associated Methicillin and Multidrug…

  • Research Examines Effect of Glycemic Index on Brain

    A recent study examining the effects of low- and high-carbohydrate foods on brain activity has purportedly concluded that meals with a high glycemic index (GI) “decreased plasma glucose, increased hunger, and selectively stimulated brain regions associated with reward and craving in the last postprandial period, which is a time with special significance to eating behavior…

  • Research Examines Effect of Diet on Alzheimer Disease Progression

    A new study examining the effect of diet on Alzheimer disease (AD) development has reportedly linked diets high in saturated fat to increased levels of lipid-depleted β-amyloid peptides (LD Aβ) in the brain. Angela Hanson, et al., “Effect of Apolipoprotein E Genotype and Diet on Apolipoprotein E Lipidation and Amyloid Peptides,” JAMA Neurology, June 2013.…

  • BPA Allegedly Linked to Obesity in Adolescents

    A recent study has allegedly linked higher urinary bisphenol A (BPA) levels to a greater risk of obesity in adolescent girls, raising questions about whether BPA “could be a potential new environmental obesogen.” De-Kun Li, et al., “Urine Bisphenol-A Level in Relation to Obesity and Overweight in School-Age Children,” PLoS One, June 2012. Researchers with…

  • Study Finds Cocoa Ameliorates Obesity-Related Inflammation and Insulin Resistance

    A recent study has purportedly found that mice fed a high-fat diet supplemented with cocoa powder exhibited fewer indicators of obesity related inflammation and insulin resistance than mice raised on the high-fat diet alone. Yeyi Gu, et al., “Dietary cocoa ameliorates obesity related inflammation in high fat-fed mice,” European Journal of Nutrition, June 2013. According…

  • Phthalates Allegedly Linked to High Blood Pressure in Children

    A recent study has allegedly linked di-2-ethyhexylphthalate (DEHP) exposure to elevated blood pressure (BP) in children, raising concerns about the effect of phthalates and other plastic additives on long-term heart health. Leonardo Trasande, et al., “Urinary Phthalates Are Associated with Higher Blood Pressure in Childhood,” The Journal of Pediatrics, May 2013. Researchers with the New…

  • Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Allegedly Linked to Increased Kidney Stone Risk

    A recent study purportedly concluded that consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages is associated with a higher risk of kidney stone formation while consumption of other beverages such as coffee, tea, beer, and wine, is associated with a lower risk. Pietro Manuel Ferraro, et al., “Soda and Other Beverages and the Risk of Kidney Stones,” Clinical Journal…