Researchers from the SIT have revealed the mechanism by which the bitter taste of plant-based polyphenols interacts with T2R in the gut to secrete GI hormones. This regulates blood sugar levels and appetite, and reduces the risk of diabetes and obesity.
Bioactive compounds such as polyphenols and their associated health benefits have long been of great interest to the public. These compounds are commonly found in plant-based foods such as fruits, vegetables, seeds, coffee, and tea. Polyphenols have a strong bitter taste and are typically poorly absorbed by the body, leading to their excretion.
The polyphenols interact with human bitter taste receptors, also known as Type 2 taste receptors (T2R), which are expressed within and outside the oral cavity. Importantly, the activation of T2R expressed along the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is responsible for the bioactivity of ingested polyphenols. The scientific mechanisms behind T2R activation, which lead to the reported health benefits of polyphenols, are still unclear. With over 8,000 types of polyphenols and 25 types of human T2R, this represents a crucial gap in knowledge.
“Professor Osakabe has stated, ‘Although polyphenols are poorly absorbed, there are reports indicating that they can enhance glucose tolerance. We are currently researching the correlation between polyphenol consumption and the risk of type II diabetes, as the exact mechanism behind this positive effect remains unidentified.'”
“The gastrointestinal hormones regulate feeding behavior and maintain glucose tolerance through the endocrine and nervous systems. Therefore, it is possible that the bitter taste of polyphenols helps to reduce the risk of diabetes and its complications by activating T2R.”
The paper, led by a researcher from St George’s, University of London, analyzed sentiments toward autism and autistic people in British newspapers from 2011 to 2020, as evaluated by autistic individuals.
The authors discovered that newspapers portrayed autism more positively when it was associated with a specific person rather than discussed in general terms. Additionally, using identity-first language (e.g., ‘autistic person’) was associated with more positive sentiments than using person-first language (e.g., ‘person with autism’).
While broadsheets portrayed autistic individuals more positively than tabloids did, no distinction was found between left-leaning and right-leaning papers.
The research, published in the journal Autism in Adulthood, suggests that newspapers should portray autistic people in a more positive light. This is crucial because newspapers significantly impact public perceptions of autistic individuals.
Media portrayals
Newspapers frequently depict autistic individuals in a negative and stereotypical manner, focusing on their difficulties and limitations rather than their unique abilities and requirements. Media sources also often use language that does not acknowledge the preferred way autistic individuals want to be described. This type of language adversely affects the mental well-being of autistic individuals and impairs their acceptance in society.
To gain insight into the portrayal of autistic individuals in British newspapers, researchers enlisted the perspectives of five autistic individuals to evaluate the sentiment towards autism and autistic people in 1,000 quotations from British newspapers spanning from 2011 to 2020.
The researchers asked autistic experts to assess how newspapers talked about autistic people without telling them the newspaper’s name or when the article was published. The experts judged the articles based on how warmly the newspapers talked about autistic people and how competent they made them seem. The researchers then looked at the overall judgments of warmth and competence. They looked at how the language and terminology varied, such as using general or impersonal language to talk about autism, and whether the newspapers used identity-first or person-first language. They also checked for differences between different types of newspapers and whether there were changes over time.
Study findings
The majority of quotes from British newspapers were found to have low levels of warmth and competence. Additionally, impersonal references to autism tended to receive lower ratings in warmth and competence compared to references linking autism to a person. Meanwhile, language that prioritizes identity first was rated higher in warmth and competence than language that prioritizes person first.
Although quotes from broadsheets and tabloids were rated similarly in warmth, the former were deemed slightly more competent. No significant differences were found in terms of warmth and competence between left-leaning and right-leaning papers.
The study also observed inconsistent changes over time. Newspaper portrayals shifted towards more positive representations between 2015 and 2017, but became more negative between 2018 and 2020.
“The media’s coverage of autism has grown in recent years, and the concept of neurodiversity is gaining recognition in educational and professional settings. Some recent studies suggest a small but noticeable shift towards more positive attitudes towards autism in public discussions.”
The new study challenges the idea that media coverage of autism has improved over time, based on the perceptions of autistic people. The study found that newspapers still often cover stories about the so-called ‘cure’ or ‘reversal’ of autism, which can be hurtful and offensive to the autism community.
“Our study emphasizes the vital role of language and terminology for autistic individuals. It is important for autistic individuals to have a say in shaping more inclusive media coverage. Newspapers must also respect the language preferences of the autistic community. Our study provides both positive and negative examples of autism coverage, which can help facilitate this shift.”
Severe pain is often attributed to physical causes. However, emotional, psychological, and social factors can also impact how we experience and respond to pain. Noemi Gozzi, a doctoral student at ETH Zurich, explains that pain typically consists of both a physical and a psychosocial component.
Physicians strive to consider this when making treatment recommendations. However, distinguishing one component from the other has been challenging. Physicians often use straightforward methods to assess pain and its severity, relying on the patient’s subjective descriptions. This can result in nonspecific treatments. Despite their drawbacks such as adverse effects, reduced effectiveness over time, and the potential for addiction or overdose, opioid painkillers continue to be widely used.
Making treatment more individual
In recent years, Stanisa Raspopovic’s group at ETH Zurich, which includes Gozzi, has collaborated with researchers at Balgrist University Hospital in Zurich to create a new approach to effectively differentiate and measure the physical and psychosocial aspects of pain. They have published their new method in the current issue of the journal Med. Raspopovic was formerly a professor of Neuroengineering at ETH Zurich.
“Our new approach should help physicians assess patients’ pain more individually, allowing for more personalized treatment in the future,” Raspopovic states. If the pain is mainly physical, doctors are likely to focus treatment on the physical aspect, including the use of medications or physiotherapy. Alternatively, if psychosocial factors significantly contribute to the patient’s pain experience, it may be beneficial to address the perception of pain through psychological or psychotherapeutic support.
Large dataset
To develop the new method, the researchers analyzed data from 118 volunteers, including people with chronic pain as well as healthy controls. The researchers asked the study participants in detail about their perception of pain and any psychosocial characteristics such as depression, anxiety, and fatigue. They also inquired about the frequency with which the participants experienced pain that prevented them from going to work. Additionally, the researchers assessed the participant’s ability to distract themselves from pain and examined the extent to which pain led them to ruminate or feel helpless, causing them to overestimate the intensity of the pain.
The researchers used standardized measurements to compare the subjects’ perceptions of pain. Participants received small, non-dangerous but painful pulses of heat on their skin. To record the physical reaction to the pain, the researchers measured the study participants’ brain activity using an electroencephalogram (EEG) and the skin’s electrical conductivity, which changes depending on how much someone is sweating and is used to measure stress, pain, and emotional arousal. The extensive dataset also included the diagnoses of the study participants, which the researchers at Balgrist University Hospital made.
Machine learning delivers precision medicine.
Machine learning has assisted researchers in analyzing a large amount of data, enabling them to clearly distinguish between the two components of pain and develop a new index for each. The index for the physical component of pain indicates the extent to which physical processes cause the pain, while the index for the psychosocial component indicates how strongly emotional and psychological factors intensify the pain. Finally, the scientists validated these two factors using comprehensive measurement data from the participants.
The new method combines measuring body signals, self-disclosure, computerized evaluation, and the resulting two indices. It is intended to help physicians treat pain. “Our method enables physicians to precisely characterize the pain a particular person is suffering, so they can better decide what kind of targeted treatment is needed,” says Gozzi.
Corporate Cup, lunchtime yoga, or even ‘walk and talks’—organizations come up with various wellness initiatives to encourage workplace activity. New research shows that just 15 minutes and a touch of gamification can lead to success in this area.
Results from a study involving 11,575 participants from 73 Australian, New Zealand, and UK companies revealed that a gamified workplace wellness program called the 15 Minute Challenge* led to significant increases in physical activity levels. In fact, 95% of participants either met (36%) or exceeded (59%) the physical activity guidelines.
In addition, participants saw an average increase in daily physical activity of 12 minutes per day (85 minutes per week) during the six-week challenge, with a median daily exercise duration of 45 minutes.
Participants also reported improvements in fitness (14%), energy (12%), overall health (8%), sleep quality (8%), and mood (7.1%).
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that adults aged 18-64 engage in at least 150–300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity, or at least 75–150 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity each week. In Australia, 37% of adults and 83% of teenagers do not meet these recommended levels of physical activity.
Lead researcher, Dr. Ben Singh from UniSA, states that the 15 Minute Challenge is an effective way to enhance employee health and wellbeing in the workplace.
“Engaging in regular physical activity offers substantial physical and mental health benefits. It plays a crucial role in preventing and managing chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer. Additionally, it can reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety,” stated Dr. Singh.
Yet nearly half of Australian adults fail to meet recommended activity levels.
Workplaces are ideal for promoting physical activity, as most adults spend their waking hours there.
“In this study, we demonstrated that just 15 minutes of physical activity per day can significantly improve people’s health and well-being. Although the program only mandated 15 minutes of activity, most participants chose to do more.”
“The 15-minute goal serves as an achievable starting point, especially for sedentary individuals. It reduces barriers to entry and helps establish the habit of regular exercise.”
“Ultimately, the 15-minute period serves as a catalyst for increased physical activity, leading many participants to surpass the minimum goal and move closer to or exceed national recommendations.”
UniSA’s Professor Carol Maher, a co-researcher, attributes the program’s success to its gamification and social aspects.
“Encouraging and holding your team members accountable through friendly competition is at the core of the 15 Minute Challenge app and is a crucial motivator for participants to remain dedicated and connected,” Prof Maher explains.
The program promotes team collaboration, tracks rankings, and displays cumulative exercise. Achievements are clearly noted and successes are celebrated, making it a tool that engages people to work together and have fun.
“What we need to remember, however, is that addressing inactivity is everyone’s responsibility. So, if an employer can initiate an effective, enjoyable, and cost-effective option to support their employees, it’s a win-win.”
“Employees who are physically active tend to be happier and healthier. They are more productive, satisfied, and less stressed, and are also less likely to get sick. It is important for employers to consider sustainable and scalable health initiatives, such as the 15 Minute Challenge, to support their employees’ well-being.”
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