Not All Infant Formulas Are Alike: Differential Effects on Weight Gain
January 3, 2011 New findings reveal that weight gain of formula-fed infants is influenced by the type of formula the infant is consuming. The findings have implications related to the infant’s risk for the development of obesity, diabetes and other diseases later in life.
Enzyme in Saliva Shapes How We Sense Food Texture
October 15, 2010 Oral texture perception contributes to each person’s food preferences. A study from the Monell Center reports that individuals’ perception of starch texture is shaped by activity of an oral enzyme known as salivary amylase. Because starch is a major dietary component, differences in starch perception could affect food selection and nutritional status.
Genetic Differences in Sense of Smell Identified Through Asparagus Urine Odor
September 28, 2010 Monell Center scientists have identified one of only a few known genetic contributions to the sense of smell. Most, but not all, people detect a distinct sulfurous odor in their urine after eating asparagus. Sensory testing demonstrated that some do not produce the odor while others do not smell it. DNA analyses revealed that the inability to smell the odor was linked to genetic variation within a family of olfactory receptors.
The Taste of Quinine: It’s In Your Bitter Genes
August 2, 2010 Some people find quinine to be bitter while others can drink it like water. Now, scientists from the Monell Center and collaborators report that individual differences in how people experience quinine’s bitterness are related to underlying differences in their genes.
Long-Lasting Sensory Loss In WTC Workers
May 18, 2010 New research from the Monell Center and collaborating institutions reports that workers exposed to the complex mixture of toxic airborne chemicals following the 9/11 disaster had a decreased ability to detect odors and irritants two years after the exposure.
