Agronomic response, transpiration and water productivity of four almond production systems under different irrigation regimes
In recent years, more intensive production systems have been developed, coinciding with a growing scarcity of water resources. This context underscores the imperative of prioritizing water productivity (WP) as a critical factor in choosing the optimal production system to minimize agricultural water use. This study aims to contribute by evaluating WP in almond orchards under […]
Prune Supplementation May Reduce Proinflammatory Cytokine Secretion and Monocyte Activation in Postmenopausal Women

The findings add scientific knowledge about how prunes prevent bone mineral density loss Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), particularly monocytes, are an important source of proinflammatory cytokines that play a key role in postmenopausal bone loss. A recent study published in The Journal of Nutrition examined the effect of prune consumption on monocyte activation and […]
Study Led by INC Award-Winning Researcher Reveals Key to Long-Lasting Peanut Allergy Prevention

Early introduction of peanut can provide protection into adolescence A study published recently in NEJM Evidence found that feeding children peanuts regularly from infancy to five years of age significantly reduced the rate of peanut allergy in adolescence. Building on the results of the groundbreaking Learning Early About Peanut Allergy (LEAP) trial, the new findings […]
Changes in liver health biomarkers following consumption of energy restricted diets containing almonds compared with carbohydrate-rich snack foods for 9 months
Energy restricted diets improve liver function(1) and habitual nut consumption has been associated with a lower prevalence of fatty liver(2). This study examined the effect of incorporating almonds in an energy restricted diet on liver health biomarkers. One Hundred and forty adults (42M:98F, 47.5 ± 10.8 years, BMI 30.7 ± 2.3 kg/m2) enrolled in a […]
Prune Consumption Attenuates Proinflammatory Cytokine Secretion and Alters Monocyte Activation in Postmenopausal Women: Secondary Outcome Analysis of a 12-Mo Randomized Controlled Trial: The Prune Study
Background: Proinflammatory cytokines are implicated in the pathophysiology of postmenopausal bone loss. Clinical studies demonstrate that prunes prevent bone mineral density loss; however, the mechanism underlying this effect is unknown. Objective: We investigated the effect of prune supplementation on immune, inflammatory, and oxidative stress markers. Methods: A secondary analysis was conducted in the Prune Study, […]
Effectiveness of date seed on glycemia and advanced glycation end-products in type 2 diabetes: a randomized placebo-controlled trial
Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic medical condition affecting more than 95% of people with diabetes. Traditionally, some medicinal plants have been considered as an effective approach in management of T2DM. This trial evaluated the effects of date seed powder (DSP) on glycemia indices and oxidative stress in T2DM patients. Methods: In […]
Life expectancy gains from dietary modifications: a comparative modeling study in 7 countries
Background: Eating healthier is associated with a range of favorable health outcomes. Our previous model estimated the impact of dietary changes on life expectancy gains but did not consider height, weight, or physical activity. Objectives: We aimed to estimate the increase in life expectancy resulting from the transition from typical national dietary patterns to longevity-optimizing […]
Peanut oral immunotherapy using an extensively heated and baked novel composition of peanuts
Background: Oral immunotherapy (OIT) is an increasingly acceptable therapeutic option for peanut-allergic (PA) children, despite significant side effects. Major peanut allergenic proteins are heat-resistant and are not rendered hypoallergenic after baking or cooking. Lyophilized peanut protein-MH (LPP-MH) is a novel composition from developing peanuts, enabling cooking-induced reduction in allergenicity. We aimed to explore the safety […]
BAT and MAT for diagnosis of peanut allergy: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Basophil activation test (BAT) or the mast cell activation test (MAT) are two in vitro tests that are currently being studied in food allergy as diagnostic tools as an alternative to oral food challenges (OFCs). We conducted a meta-analysis on BAT and MAT, assessing their specificity and sensitivity in diagnosing peanut allergy. Six databases were […]
Saliva antibody profiles are associated with reaction threshold and severity of peanut allergic reactions
Background: Reaction threshold and severity in food allergy are difficult to predict, and there is a lack of non-invasive predictors. Objectives: We sought to determine the relationships between pre-challenge levels of peanut (PN)-specific antibodies in saliva and reaction threshold, severity, and organ-specific symptoms during peanut allergic reactions. Methods: We measured PN-specific antibody levels in saliva […]