Category: Articles

A team of food scientists at West Pomeranian University of Technology in Poland has discovered that horse milk can be a viable alternative to cow’s milk in ice cream production. Their study, published in the open-access journal PLOS ONE, involved creating four different ice cream varieties using horse milk and various bacteria.

Traditionally, ice cream is made by combining cow’s milk with cow’s cream and other ingredients, resulting in a beloved treat enjoyed worldwide. In this study, the researchers explored the possibility of substituting cow’s milk with horse milk while still using cow’s cream, and found it to be a feasible option.

Many cultures have used horse milk for centuries, with some believing in its potential health benefits, though these remain scientifically unproven. Previous research has indicated that horse milk is more similar in composition to human milk than cow’s milk, making it a safer alternative for people with cow’s milk allergies. Additionally, horse milk contains beneficial enzymes and proteins not found in cow’s milk, prompting scientists to explore its use in various food products.

In their research, the team produced four types of ice cream using horse milk. The first batch included yogurt bacteria; the second combined yogurt bacteria with inulin, a probiotic. The third batch featured a strain of bacteria called Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus, while the fourth incorporated a different strain, Lactiplantibacillus.

Testing of the ice cream samples revealed that all four varieties were similar in terms of overrun, melting characteristics, and protein levels. The samples were also found to be creamy, visually appealing, and had a good taste and texture, according to feedback from 60 volunteers who participated in the tasting. However, the batch with yogurt bacteria and inulin was noted to have a slightly acidic flavor.

I have found that most people in the US aren’t used to drinking any milks other than cow milk. So for most of us, it might seem like a very strange idea. However, I have noticed that products like goat milk yogurt seem to be a lot more common now in places that did not previously have it. Maybe this is something people could get used to.

Nissan unveiled a new “cool paint” designed to keep vehicle interiors cooler, though its thickness, six times that of standard paint, presents commercialization challenges.

The announcement coincided with record-breaking heat in Japan, making the news particularly relevant. Nissan tested the paint on vehicles at Tokyo’s Haneda airport, an area with minimal shade, providing a prime environment to evaluate the technology.

While the cars with the special paint appeared ordinary, they were noticeably cooler to the touch. Nissan reported that the paint lowered roof-panel temperatures by 12 degrees Celsius (22 degrees Fahrenheit) and reduced interior temperatures by 5 degrees Celsius (9 degrees Fahrenheit).

Cooling materials are already common in buildings and other applications. Cooler cars can reduce air conditioning use and alleviate heat stress on engines and electric vehicle batteries. Toyota Motor Corp. is also experimenting with sun-reflective paints to lower cabin temperatures, primarily focusing on colors.

Nissan’s cool paint not only reflects sunlight but also generates electromagnetic waves to block the rays, redirecting energy away from the vehicle. This paint was developed in collaboration with Radi-Cool of China, which also creates heat-reducing films, fabrics, and coatings, including cooler-feeling hats and sun parasols. Nissan is the sole Japanese automaker partnering with Radi-Cool.

Susumu Miura, a manager at Nissan Research Center, assured that the electromagnetic waves emitted by the paint posed no health risks, noting that such waves are ubiquitous.

I live in Austin, TX and if this actually works, it would be a game changer in the hot summer months!!

At Georgia Tech, a new 3D-printed tracheal splint has successfully treated a rare birth defect affecting a young child. Developed in collaboration with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, the splint has allowed 4-year-old Justice Altidore to start preschool without breathing issues.

Tracheomalacia (TM), a condition where the windpipe’s cartilage is weak, affects about 1 in 2,100 children. This defect causes the trachea to collapse and obstruct breathing, often requiring ventilation and other treatments.

The Georgia Tech splints are made from bioabsorbable material that supports the trachea as the child’s cartilage strengthens and the splint is eventually absorbed. Dr. Kevin Maher and Dr. Steven Goudy oversaw Altidore and three other children receiving these splints as part of an FDA-approved trial.

All four children have shown significant improvement in their breathing. This success marks a significant advancement in treatment for TM. Previously, 3D printing has been used for tracheal recovery, including a recent case where a 3D-printed windpipe was transplanted into a patient in Seoul.