Category: Scientific/Technical Items
-
A recent study has reportedly claimed that “restricting larger-sized drinks may have the unintended consequence of increasing soda consumption rather than decreasing it.” Brent Wilson, et al., “Regulating the Way to Obesity: Unintended Consequences of Limiting Sugary Drink Sizes,” PLoS One, April 2013. Researchers apparently conducted a behavioral simulation in which 100 University of California,…
-
“Western-Style” Diet Allegedly Linked to Premature Mortality
A new study has purportedly linked a “Western-style” diet to a greater risk of premature death in middle-age adults. Tasnime Akbaraly, et al., “Does Overall Diet in Midlife Predict Future Aging Phenotypes? A Cohort Study,” American Journal of Medicine, May 2013. Using data from the British Whitehall II cohort study, researchers evidently examined the dietary…
-
GMO Panel Member Calls for Transparency of Biosafety Data
In a recent paper, a member of European Food Safety Authority and Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food Safety genetically modified organism (GMO) panels has explored whether biosafety data provided to regulatory authorities by companies developing GMOs should be protected from disclosure. K.M. Nielsen, “Biosafety Data as Confidential Business Information,” PLOS Biology, 2013. Noting that standards…
-
Energy Drink Additive Allegedly Linked to Heart Disease
A recent study has allegedly linked L-carnitine, a nutrient found in red meat and commonly used as an additive in energy drinks, to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Robert Koeth, “Intestinal microbiota metabolism of L-carnitine, a nutrient in red meat, promotes atherosclerosis,” Nature Medicine, April 2013. According to the study, L-carnitine, like the…
-
Harvard Study Links Walnut Consumption to Reduced Risk of Type 2 Diabetes
A recent study has reportedly found that “frequent intake of walnuts was associated with a lower risk of incident type 2 diabetes in women.” An Pan, at al., “Walnut Consumption is Associated with Lower Risk of Type 2 Diabetes in Women,” Journal of Nutrition, February 2013. Scientists at the Harvard School of Public Health apparently…
-
Energy Drink Maker Commissions Scientific White Paper on Ingredient Safety
Las Vegas, Nevada-based Rockstar, Inc. recently released a “scientific white paper” prepared for the energy drink maker by Intertek Cantox. Signed by University of Kansas Medical Center Department of Pharmacology Professor John Doull, a member of an “Expert Panel convened to evaluate the conditions of use of caffeine in Rockstar products,” the paper reviews scientific literature…
-
Studies Seek to Pinpoint Animal-Human Transmission of Antibiotic-Resistant Infections
A recent study has reportedly used whole genome sequencing (WGS) to retrospectively trace the transmission of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) from animal to human for the first time. Ewan Harrison, et al., “Whole genome sequencing identifies zoonotic transmission of MRSA isolates with the novel mecA homologue mecC,” EMBO Molecular Medicine, April 2013. According to a March 25, 2013,…
-
Salt Intake Allegedly Linked to 2.3 Million Heart-Related Deaths Annually
An abstract recently presented at the American Heart Association’s (AHA) Epidemiology and Prevention and Nutrition, Physical Activity and Metabolism 2013 Scientific Sessions reportedly linked high salt intake to 2.3 million heart-related deaths per year worldwide. According to a March 21, 2013, AHA press release, researchers analyzed data on adult sodium intake from 247 surveys conducted…