Many entrepreneurs are excited to potentially feed nearly half a million Americans yearly with a single animal cell – a possible technological solution to address mounting global protein demands. Several products have emerged to fulfill the rising need for additional protein to support a growing, hungry and increasingly upwardly-mobile population.
“An almond doesn’t lactate, I will confess” was Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Scott Gottlieb’s response during a debate over whether alternative “milks” can really call themselves milks, a conversation spurred by their recent rise in popularity. These “milks,” also known as plant-based milks, are non-dairy beverages made from a water-based extract of crops like soy, oat, rice, and almonds.
Flu season can be stressful, especially if you’re afraid of needles. But what if you could receive your flu shot as a nasal spray instead? Research shows this noninvasive, intranasal delivery method may be possible in the near future but there are difficulties.
Electronic cigarettes’ popularity has sky-rocketed in the last few years. Often called e-cigs or vapes, these devices hold liquid that is vaporized and inhaled. They simulate the experience of smoking real cigarettes or can be used as a cessation device to help people stop smoking. Whether vaping presents a major health risk is a hotly debated subject. Many people fear that vaping poses just as large of a health concern as smoking traditional tobacco cigarettes. Others argue that vaping is a casual hobby with little to no health risk.
Invisible to the naked eye, trillions of microbes are in, on, and around your body. By the numbers, there are actually about as many bacteria on you as you have human cells. Microbiologists are rightfully fascinated by these populations, termed your microbiome, and what impact they have on their human hosts. Studies correlating bacterial species A to human trait Z are frequent, but their reach tends to be more affected by the clickability of the headline than the soundness of their science.
Let's talk about your pet. Specifically, about talking to your pet. Talking to a pet has received some media attention recently. A few articles cited scientific theories as proof that talking to a pet indicates higher than average intelligence. Baby-talk to your pit bull?
Babies are terrible at a lot of things. They're terrible at walking, they puke all over, cry at the worst times, and stare at people in the grocery store. No social etiquette whatsoever. But, contrary to recent media claims, they are not racist.
You might have noticed this headline circulating on the Internet:
"Drinking wine makes you smarter!"
As graduate students, we wish! These claims stem from an interview with Yale neuroscientist Dr. Gordon Shepherd on his new book, Neuroenology: How the Brain Creates the Taste of Wine. Unfortunately for wine lovers, these articles ran away with Dr. Shepherd's take on the complex nature of taste.
Gluten-free diets are all the rage. I mean, if your yogurt label says "gluten-free" then gluten must be bad right? But wait, what about those recent headlines claiming there's arsenic in gluten-free foods? Is it safe to eat literally anything? If you feel this way trying to navigate nutrition advice, you're not alone.
Media outlets recently reported that mixing caffeine and alcohol has the "same effect" as cocaine. These articles, which refer to a study from Purdue University, have headlines that make you think twice about downing that vodka Red Bull. However, before treating UPROXX like the new WebMD, we should step back and unpack the central claim being asserted.
The Woman's lifestyle magazine M2Woman recently ran the headline "Science reveals that this commonly used kitchen staple is carcinogenic" The accused kitchen staple is vegetable oil: canola, sunflower, and olive specifically. M2Woman claims these common cooking emollients are "proven to be carcinogenic".
But what does the science really say about vegetable oils and cancer?
