March 2020 - Page 4 of 5 - Life Science Review

9 March 20209 March 2020

Abbott Pharmaceuticals Ltd, and their Foundation, the Abbott Fund, launch their ‘Future Well Kids’ programme to help students live healthier, fuller lives

In October 2019 Abbott Pharmaceuticals Ltd, together with its foundation, the Abbott Fund, launched Future Well™ Kids, which is a programme partnering with schools and community organizations around the world … Read more

8 March 20208 March 2020

A “smart toothbrush” is able to keep track of any skipped areas, pinpointing missed areas on a tooth map, and give details on the percentage of brushed surface, the teeth that require more attention, and if the user is applying too much pressure in any area that could induce gingival damage

In June 2019 researchers from Italy published their review on the use of a “smart toothbrush” in an intensive care environment. Providing effective oral hygiene is crucial in this environment … Read more

8 March 20208 March 2020

On 04 March 2020, following their investigation which found asbestos in a makeup kit marketed to girls and other cosmetics, the Environmental Working Group and others called on the FDA (US regulatory Authority) to require cosmetic companies to test for asbestos in their products

Laws vary from country to country and European laws concerning cosmetics are more stringent than in the USA, eg as of 08 March 2020 the EU has banned 1,328 chemicals … Read more

7 March 20207 March 2020

Intermittent fasting is beneficial for many health conditions, including obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancers, and neurodegenerative brain disorders

In December 2019 researchers from the USA published their review on the effects of intermittent fasting. The suggestion that calorie restriction had a beneficial effect on aging and life span … Read more

7 March 20207 March 2020

Current research does not support the use of folic acid and zinc supplementation by male partners in the treatment of infertility

In January 2020 researchers from the USA published the results of their study to assess the effect of daily folic acid and zinc supplementation on semen quality and live birth. … Read more

7 March 20207 March 2020

Synbiotic supplementation taken by women with gestational diabetes appears to have no effect on fasting blood glucose and insulin resistance/sensitivity but may increase HDL-cholesterol and total cholesterol levels and decrease blood pressure levels

In April 2018 researchers from Iran published the results of their study to assess the effects of synbiotic supplementation on insulin, lipid profile and antioxidative stress in women with gestational … Read more

7 March 20207 March 2020

Maternal smoking during pregnancy has an impact on the development of the male offspring, including brain development

In January 2020 researchers from Germany, China and Singapore published the results of their study to assess the association between maternal smoking status with head circumference at birth and brain … Read more

7 March 20207 March 2020

Green tea has a potentially protective effect against breast cancer, especially for breast cancer recurrence

In December 2018 researchers from Italy published their review of the medical scientific literature to assess the effect of green tea on the risk of breast cancer. The risk of … Read more

7 March 20207 March 2020

Ingredients found in sunscreens appear to be absorbed into the body and produce blood levels which exceed the FDA threshold when additional safety studies for sunscreens could potentially be waived; however this does not indicate that the public should stop using sunscreens

In January 2020 researchers from the USA published the results of their study to assess the rate of absorption of six active ingredients (avobenzone, oxybenzone, octocrylene, homosalate, octisalate, and octinoxate) … Read more

6 March 20207 March 2020

Toothpastes containing herbal extracts appear to be more efficient in reducing the type of bacteria seen in gingivitis/periodontitis, thereby raising the possibility that plant-based substances for oral care could substitute toxic chemicals

In January 2020 researchers from Russia and Switzerland published the results of their study to assess the effects of a toothpaste with Swiss medicinal herbs in individuals with gingivitis and … Read more

6 March 20206 March 2020

Research undertaken so far does not prove that artificial food colouring actually causes autism spectrum disorder, although there does appear to be a link of some type

In February 2020 researchers from India and Qatar published their review on the use of food colouring and autism. They stated that in 2018 the Centers for Disease Control and … Read more

6 March 20206 March 2020

Allowing children to taste unfamiliar vegetables over a period of time appears to increase consumption, whereas nutrition education using the PhunkyFoods program encourages children who are non-eaters to try the vegetable

In December 2019 researchers from the UK published the results of their study to compare taste exposure, nutrition education, and taste exposure and nutrition education together on the consumption of … Read more

6 March 20206 March 2020

In individuals with chronic kidney disease, walking does not appear to increase any burden on the kidney, but can improve the nutritional and clinical parameters of the individuals, and reduce inflammation.

In March 2019 researchers from China published the results of their study to assess the effect of the daily walking number on clinical, inflammatory and nutritional profiles for individuals, with … Read more

5 March 20205 March 2020

Whilst the general public are encouraged to eat a diet high in fruit and vegetables, it should be remembered that there may be large quantities of added sugar and sodium in manufactured products which can have a significant adverse effect on their health

In February 2019 researchers from New Zealand published the results of their study to assess the sugar and sodium content of pre-packaged fruit and vegetable-based products which are available in … Read more

5 March 20205 March 2020

The faecal Bifidobacterium genus in the gut microbiota, fasting glucagon-like peptide 1, and breath hydrogen were found to be significantly higher following the consumption of white bread when compared to white rice

In September 2018 researchers from Japan published the results of their study to assess the effects of white rice and white bread on gut microbiota. A total of 7 healthy … Read more

5 March 20205 March 2020

Strawberries have been found to reduce some of the markers of inflammation and oxidative stress in individuals with knee osteoarthritis

In December 2018 researchers from the USA published the results of their study to assess the effects of dietary freeze-dried strawberries on obesity-related hormones, inflammatory biomarkers and lipid peroxidation (a … Read more

5 March 20205 March 2020

The World Health Organisation releases the strains of influenza to be included in the influenza virus vaccines for use in the 2020 – 2021 northern hemisphere influenza season

The influenza strains to be included in flu vaccines to be used in the upcoming flu season differs according to where the flu vaccines are to be used. If the … Read more

5 March 20205 March 2020

Sedentary time appears to be associated with reduced bone strength in men whereas a higher amount of light physical activity and meeting the recommendations of 10 000 steps/day was associated with increased bone health

In April 2019 researchers from the UK published the results of their study to assess the effect of both a sedentary lifestyle and regular physical activity on bone strength. A … Read more

5 March 20205 March 2020

The US’ Cosmetic Ingredient Review Panel publishes their safety assessment of Avena sativa (oat)-derived ingredients

In November 2019 researchers from the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Panel in the USA published their safety assessment of Avena sativa (oat)-derived ingredients. These ingredients are used in cosmetics as abrasives, … Read more

4 March 20204 March 2020

Coffee and/or caffeine may be associated with a reduced risk of endometrial cancer but, at the same time, is probably associated with an increased risk of breast cancer in pre-menopausal or normal weight women

In October 2018 researchers from the USA and Canada published the results of their study to assess the effect of coffee, tea and caffeine on the risk of breast, endometrial … Read more