Apr 6
2012

Tufts Nutrition Research Center to Spotlight Healthy Aging in Urban Populations at Conference

BOSTON – As life expectancy climbs in the U.S. and worldwide, so does the number of people aged 65 and over depending on the conveniences of city-living. Fulfilling the unique health and economic needs of urban-dwelling older adults in developing and non-developing countries is the focus of the conference “World Health Day 2012: Population Aging and Urbanization-A Meeting of the Minds” at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University April 11-12.

Apr 4
2012

In-School Tests Suggest Overweight Boys and Girls Benefit from Being Fit

BOSTON – Improving or maintaining physical fitness appears to help obese and overweight children reach a healthy weight, reports a...

Feb 9
2012

Tufts Center’s Largest Funding Award Addresses Chronic Child Hunger in Ethiopia

BOSTON -- The Feinstein International Center (FIC) at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University...

Nov 1
2011

Tufts University Nutrition Scientists Unveil MyPlate for Older Adults

BOSTON (November 1, 2011) -- Nutrition scientists at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging (USDA HNRCA) at Tufts University are introducing today the MyPlate for Older Adults which corresponds with MyPlate, the federal government’s new food group symbol. MyPlate for Older Adults calls attention to the unique nutritional and physical activity needs associated with advancing years.

Sep 14
2011

Nutrition Scientist Touring the U.S. to Inspire Healthier Communities

BOSTON– A small Alaskan city that prides itself on world-class King Salmon fishing is the starting point of a 10-week, cross-county tour for...

Jul 19
2011

Nutrition Researchers Examine Restaurants' Calorie Counts

BOSTON  − Disclosing the calories in restaurant foods to customers holds promise as a strategy to lower the nation's...

Jun 28
2011

Eradication of a Global Disease

Joining in today’s United Nations celebration of the world’s second eradicated disease are three Tufts University...

Jun 9
2011

B Vitamins in Mother’s Diet Reduce Colorectal Cancer Risk in Offspring

BOSTON  − Mice born to mothers that are fed a diet supplemented with B vitamins are less likely to develop intestinal tumors, report scientists at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging (USDA HNRCA) at Tufts University.

Jun 2
2011

Tufts University Hosts Second World Conference on Humanitarian Studies June 2-June 5

MEDFORD/SOMERVILLE, Mass. – International leaders in the study and practice of humanitarian aid work are meeting at...

Apr 20
2011

MicroRNA Mediates Gene-Diet Interaction Related to Obesity

BOSTON  − Eating more n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, commonly known as omega-3 fatty acids, may help carriers of a...

Note: The following releases are in PDF format.

Tufts University Receives $15 Million Grant from the US Agency for International Development - October 8, 2010
Eileen T. Kennedy, DSc, Dean of the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University announced today that the school has just been awarded two important grants by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). USAID has issued a $15 Million Leader with Associates (LWA) Award for the school to serve as the Management Entity for a new Nutrition Collaborative Research Support Program (CRSP) in Africa and Asia. This is the first CRSP to be awarded by USAID in roughly 25 years.
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Physical Fitness May Help Reduce Chronic Disease Risk in College Students - June 17, 2010
Staying in shape may bolster the metabolic profiles of first-year college students, even in those with higher than desirable body fat percentages. In an epidemiological study, researchers at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University found an association between physical fitness, body fat percentage and certain metabolic risk factors that are precursors to cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes.
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New Recipe for Home Economics: Reintroduce Cooking, Nutrition in Schools; Leading researchers say lessons in food preparation necessary in age of childhood obesity - May 11, 2010
With the rising childhood obesity and associated chronic disease rates posing a serious health threat to American school children, leading nutrition researchers call for developing a modernized home economics curriculum centered on food preparation and nutrition education in schools.
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Study Examines Calorie Information from Restaurants, Packaged Foods - January 6, 2010
A Tufts University study analyzes the calorie content of 18 side dishes and entrees from national sit-down chain restaurants, 11 side dishes and entrees from national fast food restaurants and 10 frozen meals purchased from supermarkets. Researchers compared their results to the calorie content information provided to the public by the restaurants and food companies.
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Low Cholesterol Transfer Protein Activity Associated with Heart Disease Risk - December 15, 2009
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Nutrigenomics Researchers Replicate Gene Interaction With Saturated Fat - November 17, 2009
Tufts researcher replicate a gene-diet interaction that appears to influence body weight in three independent study populations.
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Tufts to Participate in Large Clinical Trial of Physical Activity in Older Adults - October 8, 2009
Investigators to study whether exercise prevents or delays loss of mobility
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Ethiopian Government Celebrates Rinderpest Eradication - July 21, 2009
Tufts University researchers instrumental in vaccine production and delivery.
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Omega-3 fatty acids appear to impact AMD progression - June 18, 2009
Omega-3 fatty acids found in fatty fish such as tuna and salmon may protect against progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), but the benefits appear to depend on the stage of disease and whether certain supplements are taken, report researchers at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University.
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Turmeric Extract Suppresses Fat Tissue Growth in Rodent Models - May 18, 2009
Curcumin, the major polyphenol found in turmeric, appears to reduce weight gain in mice and suppress the growth of fat tissue in mice and cell models. Researchers at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University studied mice fed high fat diets supplemented with curcumin and cell cultures incubated with curcumin.
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Tufts University Names New Director of the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging - March 16, 2009
Simin Nikbin Meydani, DVM, PhD, becomes the fourth director of the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging (USDA HNRCA) at Tufts University effective March 16, 2009. Meydani served as Associate Director of the USDA HNRCA for the last four years.
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Moderate Alcohol Intake Associated with Bone Protection - March 3, 2009
In an epidemiological study of men and post-menopausal women primarily over 60 years of age, regular moderate alcohol intake was associated with greater bone mineral density (BMD). Associations were strongest for beer and wine and, importantly, BMD was significantly lower in men drinking more than two servings of liquor per day.
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SNAP Participation Influences Where Food is Purchased - January 27, 2009
Participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) spend more on groceries and less eating out, compared with non-participants who have the same low income level, a new Tufts University study says. The spending pattern could have benefits for the nutrition quality and household budgeting of participant households.
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Tufts Receives NIH Grant to Study Obesity Prevention in New Immigrants - January 15, 2009
Tufts University received a grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to design and study an obesity prevention program for new immigrants in Somerville, Mass.
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New gene variants present opportunities in nutrigenomics - December 15, 2008
Professor José Ordovas comments on nutrigenomics implication of new research, published in Nature Genetics, regarding lipids and gene variants.
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Experts Discuss Applying Systematic Review to Nutrition Field- December 2, 2008
Performing systematic reviews of nutrition related topics raises unique challenges not often encountered in the field of medicine. In a new article, a team of researchers use specific examples to describe the steps, strengths, and limitations of systematic reviews relevant to nutrition and discuss the factors that impact the results.
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Vitamin K Linked to Insulin Resistance in Older Men- December 1, 2008
A Tufts University study of 355 non-diabetic elderly men and women found men who took a vitamin K supplement had less progression of insulin resistance over a period of three years compared to men not receiving vitamin K. Vitamin K did not appear to protect supplemented women from age-related increases in insulin resistance.
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SNPs Affect Folate Metabolism in Study of Puerto Rican Adults- November 10, 2008
Tufts researchers have linked several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the DNA of Puerto Rican adults to altered concentrations of blood homocysteine and folate and the content of uracil in blood DNA. These measures are indicators of altered folate metabolism, a putative risk factor for many diseases including cancer and neural tube defects.
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Tufts' Nelson A Leader on Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee- November 3, 2008
Tufts University's Miriam E. Nelson, PhD, served as vice-chair of the advisory committee for the new Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, written by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Based on the advisory committee's report, the guidelines contain individualized recommendations for population subgroups including adults, older adults and children.
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B-Vitamin Deficiency May Cause Vascular Cognitive Impairment- September 2, 2008
A B-vitamin-deficient diet caused cognitive impairment and cerebral vascular changes without evidence of neurodegeneration in mice. These findings provide new insight into the mechanisms that may underlie human age-related cognitive decline.
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Study Identifies Trends of Vitamin B6 status in US Population Sample- May 20, 2008
In an epidemiological study, Tufts University researchers identified trends of vitamin B6 status in a sample of the United States population based on measures of plasma pyridoxal 5'- phosphate (PLP) levels in the bloodstream. Some study participants demonstrated inadequate vitamin B6 status, despite consuming the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of vitamin B6.
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GLOBAL: Costly food opportunity to review aid responses - April 17, 2008
A policy report commissioned by CARE International and authored by Daniel Maxwell, Patrick Webb, Jennifer Coates is the focal point of a three-day conference in Rome. The paper focuses on food security in humanitarian response. Read full release (online) 
Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition launches Master's Degree Program in Nutrition Science and Policy in Ras al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates. -  April 2, 2008
The Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University announced today the establishment of a Master's degree program in Nutrition Science and Policy in Ras al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates. As part of the Friedman School's mission to advance the nutritional well-being of people worldwide through excellence in teaching and research, the Friedman School is partnering with the government of Ras Al Khaimah (RAK), United Arab Emirates to establish the emirate as a center for higher education in the Gulf region.
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Learn more about the Master's degree program.
Scientists Associate Six New Genetic Variants with Heart Disease Risk Factor - January 13, 2008
Using new techniques for rapidly scanning the human genome, researchers have associated levels of cholesterol and triglycerides, two fats in the blood, to 18 genetic variants, six of which represent new DNA regions never before associated with the traits. The findings help explain some of the variability in cholesterol and triglyceride levels that arises from genes.
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Tufts Researchers Update Their Food Guide Pyramid for Older Adults - December 20, 2007
Tufts University researchers have updated their Food Guide Pyramid for Older Adults to correspond with the new USDA food pyramid, now known as MyPyramid. The Modified MyPyramid for Older Adults continues to emphasize a nutritionally adequate diet with specific emphasis on nutrient-dense food choices and the importance of fluid balance and regular physical activity for older adults.
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Download Modified MyPyramid for Older Adults
Vitamin B12 Function May Be Diminished by Excessive Folate - December 18, 2007
In a study of adults aged 20 and over, researchers at Tufts University showed that homocysteine and methylmalonic acid are at much higher levels in individuals who have a combination of vitamin B12 deficiency and high blood folate levels than in individuals who are also vitamin B12 deficient but have normal folate levels.
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Elderly Adhere to Exercise Program, Improve Physical Function - December 17, 2007
Elderly adults at risk for physical disabilities are able to adhere to a regular program of moderate exercise for one year, a recent study of 213 men and women suggests. Improvements in physical function were greater in participants who reported 150 minutes or more per week of moderate intensity physical activity.
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Zinc May Reduce Pneumonia Risk in Nursing Home Elderly - October 21, 2007
Tufts University researchers report that maintaining normal serum zinc concentration in the blood may help reduce the risk of pneumonia development in elderly nursing home residents. Study participants with normal serum zinc concentrations in their blood reduced their risk of developing pneumonia by about 50 percent.
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Limiting Refined Carbohydrates May Stall AMD Progression - October 8, 2007
Eating fewer refined carbohydrates may slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and ease the growing public health burden due to vision loss, report Tufts researchers. People who consumed the most refined carbohydrates were 17 percent more likely to develop blinding AMD than those who consumed the least.
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Sugary Drinks, Not Fruit Juice, May be Linked to Insulin Resistance - September 5, 2007
Consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks, not including 100 percent fruit juice, may be associated with insulin resistance, even in otherwise healthy adults, according to nutritional epidemiologists at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University in Boston.
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