
'Sushi terrorism' pranks prompt Japanese chain to turn to cartoon conveyor belts
A Japanese sushi chain targeted in a spate of pranks that has sparked concern over hygiene has devised a digital conveyor belt to serve food to customers.
1970-01-01 08:00

Being vegetarian may partly be in one’s genes, study finds
A person’s genetic makeup can play a role in determining whether they can stick to a strict vegetarian diet or not, according to a new study. The research, published on Wednesday in the journal PLOS One, may lead to further studies on personalised dietary recommendations and the production of meat substitutes. While a large fraction of people self-identify as mainly “vegetarians”, they also report eating fish, poultry and/or red meat, suggesting there may be environmental or biological constraints that override one’s desire to adhere to a vegetarian diet, said scientists, including those from Northwestern University in the US. “It seems there are more people who would like to be vegetarian than actually are, and we think it’s because there is something hard-wired here that people may be missing,” study co-author Nabeel Yaseen said. In the study, researchers compared UK Biobank genetic data from 5,324 strict vegetarians – consuming no fish, poultry or red meat – to 329,455 controls. Scientists found three genes linked with vegetarianism and another 31 genes that are potentially associated. Several of these genes, according to the study, are involved in lipid (fat) metabolism and/or brain function including two of the top three (NPC1 and RMC1). “My speculation is there may be lipid component(s) present in meat that some people need. And maybe people whose genetics favor vegetarianism are able to synthesize these components endogenously,” Dr Yaseen said. “However, at this time, this is mere speculation and much more work needs to be done to understand the physiology of vegetarianism,” he said. While vegetarianism is increasing in popularity, vegetarians remain a small minority of people worldwide, with 2.3 per cent of adults and 1.9 per cent of children in the UK identifying as vegetarian. Scientists believe the driving factor for food and drink preference is not just taste, but also how an individual’s body metabolises it. Citing an example, they said when trying alcohol for the first time, most people would not find it pleasurable for the first time, but develop a taste because of how alcohol is over time. “I think with meat, there’s something similar. Perhaps you have a certain component – I’m speculating a lipid component – that makes you need it and crave it,” Dr Yaseen said. “While religious and moral considerations certainly play a major role in the motivation to adopt a vegetarian diet, our data suggest that the ability to adhere to such a diet is constrained by genetics,” he said. Scientists hope future studies will lead to a better understanding of the physiologic differences between vegetarians and meat eaters. They said such an understanding would enable personalised dietary recommendations and to produce better meat substitutes. Read More Six healthy recipes that both you and your gut will love Father sparks debate for giving his son non-vegan food behind his wife’s back From leaf crisps to pudding, India’s ‘super food’ millet finds its way onto the G20 dinner menu
1970-01-01 08:00

The next GOP speaker will face the same traps that doomed McCarthy
Getting rid of Kevin McCarthy didn't solve anything.
1970-01-01 08:00

The German Property Crisis Is Claiming Its First Big Victims
In July this year, Nuremberg’s mayor celebrated the final beam being placed atop the redeveloped Quelle building, a
1970-01-01 08:00

Early Estimates Suggest Japan Didn’t Conduct FX Intervention
Japan likely refrained from intervening in the currency market to prop up the yen earlier this week, according
1970-01-01 08:00

Geneva Auto Show Resurrects Itself in the 40C Heat of Qatar
Shimmering skyscrapers, desert backdrops and 40C (104F) heat — not what you’d usually expect at the Geneva International
1970-01-01 08:00

Ukraine war: US gives 1.1 million rounds of ammunition seized from Iran to Kyiv
The US military says the rounds were confiscated from a ship taking arms to Yemeni rebels last year.
1970-01-01 08:00

Powerball jackpot winning numbers announced for the estimated $1.2 billion prize. Here are your odds -- and what you could buy
Your dream of buying 400 private jets or some Lamborghini Veneno Roadsters for you and 143 of your closest friends could become reality after Wednesday night's Powerball drawing.
1970-01-01 08:00

Malaysia’s LTAT Pension Fund to Make Boustead Plantations General Offer
Malaysia’s armed forces pension fund will offer to buy the shares of its palm oil unit Boustead Plantations
1970-01-01 08:00

Sri Lanka central bank resumes rate cuts to boost growth
By Uditha Jayasinghe and Swati Bhat COLOMBO (Reuters) -Sri Lanka's central bank reduced key its policy rates by 100 basis
1970-01-01 08:00

Philippine Inflation Flaring Up Is Putting Rate Hike in View
Philippine inflation accelerated to the fastest pace in four months in September as rice prices surged, boosting the
1970-01-01 08:00

One of the World's Strongest Ever Gusts of Wind Hits Taiwan
One of Taiwan’s small outlying islands was hit by one of the strongest gusts of wind ever measured
1970-01-01 08:00