A team of scientists from Australia and New Zealand has developed a new type of broccoli that is said to have 40% more antioxidants than regular varieties. The project’s lead scientist, Dr Rod Jones, says the health benefits of this type of broccoli are scientifically proven. This is the first vegetable variety that is fully tested by science, he added.

Researchers from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm found that people who regularly eat chocolates are three times less likely to die from heart disease than others. Antioxidants present in cocoa play a major role in preventing heart diseases and cancer, and according to the researchers, the life saving properties of these antioxidants account for the findings of the present study.

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals would contribute over 1,500 RNA interference (RNAi) patents to the patent pool established by GlaxoSmithKline in March 2009. Alnylam is known for the development of therapeutics based on RNAi for the treatment of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection, liver cancer, hypercholesterolemia, Huntington’s disease, and TTR amyloidosis. The patents in the pool will be provided on a royalty-free, non-profit basis in Least Developed Countries via licensing agreements with qualified third parties.

Researchers at Texas A&M found in a recent study is that watermelon contains, along with lycopene, other phytonutrients that boost the body. One recent discovered phytonutrient in watermelon is citrulline. When citrulline is consumed, it converts to the amino acid arginine in the body through the work of selected enzymes. Arginine has long been linked to improved heart and immune function and shows promise as a way to offset Type 2 diabetes.