Big junk vs people power: how we can fix our collective weight problem
16 October, 2014 by Jane Martin, University of MelbourneIt's clear that much more needs to be done about the obesity epidemic, but where should we best focus our efforts? Educating people to eat better and do more exercise? Or policy changes that will pull the levers to promote behaviour change at the population level?
Coffee compounds shown to protect the liver - even in decaf
16 October, 2014Chemical compounds in coffee have been found to be beneficial to liver health - and they're present even in decaffeinated coffee.
Litmus testing to detect E. coli - and maybe even cancer
14 October, 2014The good old litmus test has been adapted to detect pathogens such as E. coli in liquids. A research team set out to make testing liquids faster, easier and more affordable by using litmus dyes and paper to detect the presence of bacteria.
Yeast hitches a ride on beer-loving fruit flies
14 October, 2014What do humans and flies have in common? A love of beer. We all know that people like (or even love) beer, but researchers think they've found the reason why it's so tasty - for both humans and flies.
Healthy food really is more expensive than unhealthy food
14 October, 2014The often-heard complaint of "I just can't afford to buy healthy food" may just have some truth to it. A new study in the journal PLOS One has found that healthy foods are three times more expensive per calorie than less healthy food.
Rescuing shipwrecked bacteria is thirsty work
09 October, 2014Yeast in beer bottles salvaged from an 1840s shipwreck in Finland is being used to reproduce the 170-year-old brew.
Innovation of the Year award for Absolut Originality bottle
09 October, 2014 | Supplied by: Ardagh Group (Australia)Ardagh was awarded Innovation of the Year for its Absolut Originality bottle at the inaugural Luxury Packaging Awards in London.
Obesity Society calls on food manufacturers to reduce energy density of foods
03 October, 2014The Obesity Society (TOS) has called for food companies to test and market less energy-dense foods to help curb the obesity epidemic.
Why process food?
03 October, 2014 by Johannes Baensch
What's interesting is that when a person makes a perfect cup of coffee by hand, the element of craftsmanship is acknowledged. But when the same process is performed industrially, there's little recognition of the expertise involved.
Biofuels from winery waste
03 October, 2014A PhD student at Swinburne University of Technology has found a way to break down winery waste into compounds for use as biofuels and medicines using fungi and a bioreactor. The fermentation produces alcohols, acids and simple sugars.
One step closer to non-allergenic peanut products
02 October, 2014A University of Florida scientist is one step closer to creating non-allergenic peanut products. Wade Yang has managed to remove 80% of peanut allergens in whole peanuts.
What do bananas, soya and almonds have in common?
30 September, 2014According to a study published in Psychological Research, consuming tyrosine either via supplements or food can promote creative thinking.
Do artificial sweeteners really cause metabolic disease? Experts respond
29 September, 2014A study published in the scientific journal Nature showing that artificial sweeteners could play a role in glucose intolerance and metabolic disease has drawn mixed reactions from experts.
The emerging field of nutrigenomics
26 September, 2014 | Supplied by: easyDNANutrigenomics is a relatively new field of research in which genetics and nutrition come together. These merging disciplines (nutrition and genetics), optimise the efficacy of diets and how dietary consumption affects gene expression.
Coffee genome sequencing could yield decaf coffee beans
19 September, 2014By analysing the coffee genome, UQ scientists have found that it could soon be possible to grow premium-quality, caffeine-free coffee, tea and cocoa.
