The secret slimming effect of sweet potato waste.

The secret slimming effect of sweet potato waste.The sweet potato pie you eat during the holidays might not be good for your waistline, but according to a new study, the starchy water left over from cooking the sweet potato could have slimming effects . In the new study, mice on a high fat diet had significantly lower body weight after one month if they were also fed sweet potato peptide, which was produced by enzyme digestion of proteins in the water wasted during processing. This suggests the peptide plays a role in digesting fats, but more research is needed to determine whether this also happens in humans. In the new study, Dr. Koji Ishiguro from National Agriculture and Food Research Organization in Japan and colleagues wanted to find a new way to use this waste, so they investigated the effect of proteins found in the water on digestion in mice. "We throw out huge volumes of wastewater that contains sweet potato proteins -- we hypothesized that these could affect body weight, fat tissue and other factors," explained Dr. Ishiguro. "Finding alternative uses for the sweet potato proteins in wastewater could be good for the environment and industry, and also potentially for health."

Biofortified corn and eggs retain nutrient needed to prevent blindness.

Biofortified corn and eggs retain nutrient needed to prevent blindness. Fortified and biofortified foods are at the forefront of efforts to combat vitamin A deficiency worldwide. But little is known about what influence processing may have on the retention of vitamin A precursors in these foods. Now in a study appearing in ACS Omega, scientists report that a high percentage of these healthful substances -- in some cases, almost all -- can survive cooking, depending on the preparation method. Vitamin A deficiency is a common problem in Africa and Southeast Asia, causing an estimated 250,000 to 500,000 children to become permanently blind each year. Vitamin supplementation has helped. But scientists are also investigating ways to produce hybrid crops, such as corn, that contain more carotenoids, which are vitamin A-precursors that the body uses to manufacture the vitamin itself. Eggs are another source of these carotenoids, and researchers are attempting to boost the amount of these compounds in yolks

Raindrops splash pathogens onto crops.

Raindrops splash pathogens onto crops.Contrary to popular belief, agricultural crops might be singing, "Rain, rain go away," instead of "Let it rain, let it pour." While the importance of rain for providing water and nutrients to plant life is well-understood, it also contributes to the dispersal of microscopic pathogen particles. Pathogens, such as bacteria, viruses or fungi, cause harmful plant disease and often lead to the destruction of agricultural fields. With many possible dispersal methods, it can often be difficult to assess the damage of a pathogen's impact before it's too late. Two mechanisms of pathogen dispersal have been discovered. The first is a vortex ring mechanism, where one ring of pathogenic particles propagates and radially disperses after a drop impacts a plant surface. In the other, the pathogens are dispersed by an elastic collision mechanism.

Smiling human faces are attractive to dogs, thanks to oxytocin.

Smiling human faces are attractive to dogs, thanks to oxytocin. Researchers found that oxytocin made dogs interested in smiling human faces. It also made them see angry faces as less threatening. Associated with affection and trust, the hormone oxytocin is probably a key factor in the interaction between dogs and humans. Researchers in the Canine Mind group showed 43 dogs images of smiling and angry faces on a computer screen. Each dog was tested twice: once under the influence of oxytocin, which was administered as part of the test, and once without oxytocin. The dog's gaze on the images and pupil size were measured with an eye-tracking device. Emotions and attentiveness guide the gaze and regulate pupil size, making eye tracking a window into the dogs' minds.

First brain training exercise positively linked to dementia prevention.

First brain training exercise positively linked to dementia prevention.Aging research specialists have identified, for the first time, a form of mental exercise that can reduce the risk of dementia. The cognitive training, called speed of processing, showed benefits up to 10 years after study participants underwent the mental exercise program, said Frederick W. Unverzagt, PhD, professor of psychiatry at Indiana University School of Medicine. The proportion of participants who underwent the training and later developed dementia was significantly smaller than among those who received no cognitive training, the researchers said.

Flies could help to monitor disease outbreaks by acting as 'autonomous bionic drones' .

Flies could help to monitor disease outbreaks by acting as 'autonomous bionic drones'. Swarms of flies can be used to help monitor disease outbreaks, suggest scientists. This follows their research that shows how whole communities of bacteria – known as a microbiome – can “hitch a ride” on common carrion flies and can be transferred to any surface where the flies land. An international research team led by Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) have proposed that swarms of flies can be used to help monitor disease outbreaks.

Biotechnology: The Tool to Carve a Healthy Future of Plants and Animals.

Biotechnology: The Tool to Carve a Healthy Future of Plants and Animals.It is a well known fact that food nutrition is plays a crucial role in maintaining our overall physical well being. It is imperative that we pay attention to the foods we eat as they impact our health. 

 The consequences, for better or for worst, are controlled by the diet we intake and the kind of nutritional aspects we follow. Thanks to the advancement in biotechnology, we now have better understanding of the benefits of every particular food group than ever before.