Preliminary animal studies suggest there may be an excuse to drink more alcohol: elements in beer may protect the brain against the harmful effects of aluminum. Researchers from the University of Alcala in Madrid, Spain, in a report published in the January 2008 issue of Food and Chemical Toxicology, say that aluminum is a neurotoxin and a suspected causal factor in Alzheimer’s disease. Beer contains silicon, which controls the bioavailability of aluminum. Thus the study, which involved feeding aluminum and beer to mice, suggests that “moderate consumption” might limit the damaging effects of aluminum on the brain. No word yet if the results apply directly to humans.
(8 August 2008) New research in the latest issue of the Society of Chemical Industry’s (SCI) Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture shows there is no evidence to support the argument that ...
(1 August 2008) Scientific evidence shows that cholesterol-reducing medications known as statins can help prevent coronary artery disease. Although the safety of these medications has been well d...
(1 August 2008) Agilent Technologies has introduced a catalog microarray for the study of chromosomal additions and deletions in chickens. The Agilent Oligonucleotide Array CGH (comparative genom...
(1 June 2008) Besides its cholesterol lowering properties and rich vitamin content, sea buckthorn berries can add another feather to its cap as a miracle plant of sorts. Scientists in India, whe...
(22 May 2008) A leading UK chemical engineer has revealed the unlikely ingredient needed to make the perfect sandwich – bubbles. Speaking at an Institution of Chemical Engineers’ (IChemE) lectur...
(14 May 2008) They have added yet another invention to an already long list of oleochemical accomplishments that includes petroleum-free newspaper ink, industrial lubricants, hydraulic fluids, a...
(1 April 2008) Cornell researchers say that resveratrol, a residue of red winemaking, may prevent tooth decay. A study published online in November 2007 in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Ch...
(1 April 2008) Good news for chips lovers everywhere—research in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture shows that pre-soaking potatoes in water before frying can reduce levels of acr...
Chains such as Safeway, Whole Foods Markets and Wal-Mart, are pushing solar panel installation projects to gain a 30% tax credit. Kathy Loftus from Whole Foods Market, commented: "We're hoping that our purchases along with some other retailers will help bring the technology costs."
After X5 announced that all new hypermarkets will be opened under the Karusel brand, Russia's largest food retailer, gained 3.2% in London trading. The retailer aims to add as much as 160,000 sq m of space this year as economic growth in Russia enables more people to buy higher-priced foods and shop in stores rather than at open markets.
Wal-Mart has announced plans to invest around USD 1 billion in Brazil and open 80 to 90 new stores, in all its formats, in 2009. It will be the largest investment the retailer has made in Brazil since it opened its first operation in Sao Paulo in 1995.
Although sales are up by 17% for Fresh & Wild Ltd, the UK unit of Whole Foods Market, the company has reported ₤7 million loss for the year to September 30, 2007. Some analysts feel that there is too much working against Whole Foods for it to really get off the ground.
Carrefour has been keeping its entry into Iran low-key, as both the retailer and Tehran's government suspect that the foreign presence may cause some excitement. It is not clear yet how feasible it will be for Carrefour to maintain supply in the face of financial restrictions on trade with Iran as a result of US sanctions.
The sale of 107 Somerfield stores, purchased last month by the Co-operative Group, is being handled by Credit Suisse which has requested that potential bidders offer up proposals before 22 August.
