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A popular alternative to rice, pasta, or couscous, quinoa is classified by the Whole Grains Council as a “pseudo grain” because it’s technically a seed, not an actual grain. Regardless of its official designation, quinoa’s nutritional benefits are comparable to those of a nutritious whole grain. And similar to other grains, Cleveland Clinic says it’s best to cook quinoa before you eat it.How Healthy Is Quinoa?According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), a cup of cooked quinoa provides 7.45 grams (g) of protein. That’s more than the 6.3 g of protein you get in a large boiled egg, says…

A gastroenterologist says eating more plant foods is the best thing you can do to stay regular.Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts and seeds all provide digestion-supporting fiber. Their fiber keeps poop soft and easy to pass and promotes better overall gut health.  A whopping 33 million adults in the U.S. struggle with constipation! If you’re one of them, simple lifestyle changes like hydrating well, being active and managing stress can help, says gastroenterologist David D. Clarke, M.D. But there’s one habit that stands out among the rest to keep things moving smoothly, and that’s eating more plant foods. Fruits, vegetables,…

Nutrition and lifestyle are effective ways to prevent or slow down bone loss during and after menopause.Focus on foods rich in protein, calcium, vitamin D, vitamin K and magnesium to support bone health.Also remember to strength train regularly, limit or avoid alcohol and get routine checkups. Hormonal changes are a natural part of life—we came to terms with that during puberty, remember? But another major transformation awaits: menopause. And while it’s a natural part of aging, it can have a profound impact on overall health. “It’s an important transition, and it really touches every part of women’s health,” says Paula…

Clinical and translational research is increasingly turning to molecular studies, such as proteomics and metabolomics, but research is limited by the availability of tools to catalog the many thousands of molecules in a single blood sample with high accuracy, sensitivity, and speed. Mass spectrometry can provide quantitative peptide-level information, but until recently has lacked the throughput to accommodate large-scale studies. Now, new instruments, sample preparation technologies, and data processing platforms are enabling researchers to collect proteomic and metabolomic data from patient populations on a scale previously unheard of. “If you look at the history of mass spectrometry-based proteomics, the rate-limiting…

The Vireo platform from Ramona brings unprecedented speed to live-cell imaging with the help of multi-camera microscopy.Image credit:©iStock, Who_I_amResearchers seeking to explore live-cell dynamics can now turn to rapid, precise, and gentle technologies that address conventional microscopy challenges such as limited temporal resolution and photodamage risk. Ramona Optics’ live-cell imaging platform, Vireo, replaces slow single-view snapshots with parallelized video microscopy, quickly capturing multi-sample functional insights across whole 96-well plates. “We’re really trying to take the process of image acquisition, for many samples at once, from hours on other systems down to minutes and even seconds,” explained Natalie Alvarez, product lead at…

Ree Drummond, aka Pioneer Woman, shares her Chicken Spaghetti casserole recipe on Instagram.It’s an easy, one-dish meal for weeknights, guests and for gifting to parents or friends in need.You can also make it ahead, split it into two pans and freeze it for up to 6 months. When there’s a chill in the air, the one thing we always crave is a plate of classic comfort food. In search for more comfort-food options, I found Ree Drummond—also known as the Pioneer Woman—on Instagram sharing a casserole so comforting, folks were practically curling up with a blanket in the comments. Drummond’s…

Dietitians say taking a walk is the best way to lower blood sugar after Thanksgiving dinner. Walking for as little as 10 minutes improves blood sugar by helping your muscles use glucose.It can also aid digestion and prevent post-meal grogginess. So, invite the whole family. The scene is a familiar one: plates are cleared, bellies are full, and the siren song of the sofa is calling your name. After a joyous Thanksgiving feast filled with turkey (or Tofurky, if that’s your jam), mashed potatoes, stuffing and pie, the desire to snuggle up on the couch is almost overwhelming. While this post-meal…

Synthetic biology—an emerging and often debated field—involves the application of engineering principles to biological systems. While its definition has evolved over time, the European Commission today defines synthetic biology as the use of science, technology, and engineering to facilitate “the design, manufacture, and/or modification of genetic materials in living organisms.”1 Over the past two decades, synthetic biology has fueled advancements across a broad range of disciplines, including agriculture, bioremediation, biofuel production, and chemical manufacturing. Today, it has begun to drive innovation in biopharmaceuticals. GEN spoke with four companies to explore how they are leveraging synthetic biology in their work. CRISPR…

It’s not uncommon to have back pain due to a herniated lumbar disk — or a disk that is “slipped,” “prolapsed,” or “ruptured.” The problem can have no symptoms, or it can be extremely painful, causing sciatica, tingling, and numbness in the legs, and throbbing in the lower back.Spinal disks are the soft, rubbery cushions that provide padding between the vertebrae. With a tough exterior encasing a softer filling, their construction is sometimes compared to a jelly doughnut. A disk herniates or ruptures when the casing breaks and the filling pushes through the outer wall, pressing on the oh-so-sensitive spinal…

Researchers use microbial growth assays for many applications, from examining how different conditions affect certain microbial strains to evaluating the efficacy of antimicrobial compounds. Many factors can affect microbial growth in culture, including temperature, oxygenation, medium composition, and agitation. However, agitation is commonly treated as a yes/no binary, whereas in reality, how bacteria are agitated can have a profound effect on health and growth. Insufficient agitation may lead to poor oxygenation, but excessive agitation can damage cells. Download this application note to learn more about finding the optimal agitation parameters for bacterial growth, including the following.The pros and cons of intermittent…