Insecticides that are sprayed in orchards and fields across North America may be more toxic to spiders than scientists previously believed. A McGill research team reached this conclusion after looking at changes in the behavior of individual Bronze Jumping Spiders both before and after exposure to Phosmet, a widely used broad spectrum insecticide. It is […]
54 Beneficial Compounds Discovered In Pure Maple Syrup
University of Rhode Island researcher Navindra Seeram has discovered 34 new beneficial compounds in pure maple syrup and confirmed that 20 compounds discovered last year in preliminary research play a key role in human health. On March 30, 2011 at the 241st American Chemical Society’s National Meeting in Anaheim, Calif. the URI assistant pharmacy professor […]
Freezing Blueberries Improves Antioxidant Availability
Blueberries pack a powerful antioxidant punch, whether eaten fresh or from the freezer, according to South Dakota State University graduate Marin Plumb. Anthocyanins, a group of antioxidant compounds, are responsible for the color in blueberries, she explains. Since most of the color is in the skin, freezing the blueberries actually improves the availability of the […]
‘Musical Fruit’ Rich Source Of Healthy Antioxidants; Black Beans Highest
Although researchers haven’t come up with a foolproof way to avoid the indelicate side effect of beans, they have found yet another reason why you should eat more of them. In addition to their high fiber and protein content, a new study finds that beans, particularly black ones, are a rich but overlooked source of […]
Some Chocolate Contains Toxic Metals Like Lead And Cadmium
Testing commissioned by As You Sow, and conducted at independent laboratories, indicates that the chocolate products contain lead and/or cadmium, and they fail to provide the legally required warning to consumers. If you have a sweet tooth, you may have read studies talking about the health benefits associated with eating moderate amounts of chocolate. But our research […]
Fish-Flavored Cat Food Could Contribute To Feline Hyperthyroidism
Over the past three decades, the number of cats diagnosed with hyperthyroidism has increased. According to research reports, many factors such as exposure to flame retardants could be responsible, and now a new study in ACS’ journal Environmental Science & Technology points in another direction. It suggests that fish-flavored cat food could be among the culprits. Hyperthyroidism […]
Hairdressers Exposed To Carcinogenic Substances
A new study suggests hairdressers are exposed to substances that can cause bladder cancer. Over recent years, there have been a number of reports suggesting that aromatic amines, carcinogenic compounds that can cause bladder cancer, may be present as contaminants in certain hair dyes. In the study from Lund University in Sweden, researchers have investigated […]
Monsanto’s Roundup Herbicide Can Cause Amphibians To Change Shape
The world’s most popular weed killer, Roundup®, can cause amphibians to change shape, according to research published in Ecological Applications. Rick Relyea, University of Pittsburgh professor of biological sciences in the Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences and director of Pitt’s Pymatuning Laboratory of Ecology, demonstrated that sublethal and environmentally relevant concentrations of Roundup® […]
A Simple Spice That May Battle Cancer
Turmeric, a common Indian spice, may one day join the cancer treatment tool kit. Researchers have found that a tiny oral dose of curcumin, a compound found in turmeric, cut breast cancer rates in rats by half. In another study, conducted by Anirban Maitra, M.D., a pathologist at Johns Hopkins, curcumin helped deter drug-resistant cancers. […]
Higher Levels Of Vitamin D Correspond To Lower Cancer Risk
Researchers at University of California, San Diego School of Medicine report that higher levels of vitamin D — specifically serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D — are associated with a correspondingly reduced risk of cancer. The findings are published in the April 6, online issue of PLOS ONE. “We have quantitated the ability of adequate amounts of vitamin D […]