Why don’t most foods cause allergies?
Proteins in food set off an immune response—but a feeble one. Enlarge / Artist's rendering of a T cell. (credit: Getty Images) One of the adaptive immune system’s primary jobs is to recognize foreign substances in our bodi.....»»
Why do carrots curl? Research reveals the mechanics behind root vegetable aging
Chopped carrot pieces are among the most universally enjoyed foods and a snacking staple—a mainstay of school lunchboxes, picnics and party platters year-round......»»
How to design policies that support both aquaculture and small-scale fisheries
Marine aquaculture has expanded dramatically over the last two decades to meet growing demand for aquatic foods, but this growth can sometimes come at a cost. New Stanford-led research published in npj Ocean Sustainability explores how investments in.....»»
Cancer doctors reveal their favorite healthy breakfasts — and 2 foods they avoid
Cancer doctors reveal their favorite healthy breakfasts — and 2 foods they avoid.....»»
The surprisingly resourceful ways bacteria thrive in the human gut
The gut microbiome is so useful to human digestion and health that it is often called an extra digestive organ. This vast collection of bacteria and other microorganisms in the intestine helps us break down foods and produce nutrients or other metabo.....»»
Unraveling the evolutionary origins of umami and sweet taste preferences
The perception of taste is one of the most important senses and helps us identify beneficial foods and avoid harmful substances. For instance, our fondness for sweet and savory foods results from our need to consume carbohydrates and proteins. Given.....»»
Scientists engineer bacteria to make two valuable products from plant fiber
We often look to the smallest lifeforms for help solving the biggest problems: Microbes help make foods and beverages, cure diseases, treat waste and even clean up pollution. Yeast and bacteria can also convert plant sugars into biofuels and chemical.....»»
Soybean oil production residue can be used to make product that treats symptoms of menopause
Consuming soy foods is often said to be good for women's health, and much research has been conducted in recent decades to find out whether it can explain why Asian women, whose diet contains plenty of soy foods, have few or none of the usual symptom.....»»
Decoding flavonoid metabolism: A closer look at plant-based diets
In a world where plant-based lifestyles are on the rise, the power of foods such as broccoli, celery, and tofu, which are rich in flavonoids, is becoming clearer. Flavonoids are phenolic compounds produced by plants that are essential for plant devel.....»»
Researchers suggest use of natural fermentation may have led to early human brain size increase
A trio of researchers with varied backgrounds is suggesting in an article published in the journal Communications Biology that eating naturally fermented foods may have led to an increase in brain size for early humans. In their paper, Katherine Brya.....»»
Research traces modern maize back to a hybrid created 5,000 years ago in Mexico
Maize is one of the world's most widely grown crops. It is used for both human and animal foods and holds great cultural significance, especially for indigenous peoples in the Americas. Yet despite its importance, the origins of the grain have been h.....»»
Are healthy foods automatically sustainable, too?
Many people are keen on making healthy as well as sustainable food choices, and they often intuitively equate "healthy" with being "sustainable." A study by researchers at the University of Konstanz, the Johannes Kepler University Linz, and the Hambu.....»»
Pok Pok iOS app for kids gets Diwali update
Ahead of Diwali on November 12, the popular Pok Pok Montessori-inspired iOS app has received its latest update. Arriving in the Busy Book toy, the new Diwali content will help expand your kids’ “world-knowledge by exploring the foods, festivities.....»»
Americans may soon get warnings about ultra-processed foods: Report
Nutrition experts are reviewing data on ultra-processed foods for 2025 guidance. Enlarge / Students decide between Lunchables and a walking taco during lunch at Pembroke Elementary School on Thursday September 7, 2023, in Pembrok.....»»
Research shows that photorespiration does not protect against fluctuating light conditions
Photosynthesis is one of the most important metabolic processes in nature: It is critical for plant growth and thus for the production of plant-based foods. In close cooperation with the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology (MPI-MP), a.....»»
Food waste prevention in Europe can generate major footprint savings
New research shows that European food consumption draws unnecessarily excessively on global resources, which is why researchers are calling for political action. Many of the foods that are consumed in Europe are produced in countries outside Europe......»»
Skin and gut microbiome analysis offers new therapeutic perspectives on atopic dermatitis in Shiba Inu dogs
Complex diseases—including cancer, metabolic diseases and allergies—affect not only humans, but also domestic animals, such as dogs. Approximately 10% of the dog population suffers from canine atopic dermatitis (cAD). This well-known common disea.....»»
New foods can go from yucky to yummy as people"s perceptions evolve
Bugs, microalgae and bacteria are emerging as healthy and sustainable alternatives to traditional proteins......»»
Insiders Reveal Major Problems at Lab-Grown-Meat Startup Upside Foods
Billion-dollar cultivated-meat startup Upside Foods wants you to think the breakthrough chicken fillets it sells are made in a futuristic factory. A WIRED investigation tells a different story......»»
Pollen in pee: Fossilized urine from a small African mammal helps with understanding past environments
If you are allergic to pollen, you are likely to curse the existence of these microscopic particles. You're not alone: up to 30% of the world's population suffers from hay fever, which is often driven by pollen allergies. Shifting global climates are.....»»
Teen’s death after eating a single chip highlights risks of ultra-spicy foods
The hot pepper linked to teen's death can cause arteries in the brain to spasm. Enlarge (credit: Sarah Dussault/MediaNews Group/The Mercury News via Getty Images) Harris Wolobah, a healthy 14-year-old from Worcester, Mas.....»»