When intestinal lining breaks down, it can allow harmful gut bacterial antigens to slip into the bloodstream alongside nutrients. This breach in the gut’s protective barrier, known as "leaky gut," is more than a digestive issue – it’s a sign of inflammatory bowel disease and has been increasingly linked to a number of chronic conditions. 

A team of researchers working in the lab of UNLV cellular biologist Prasun Guha has uncovered a key mechanism underlying leaky gut and identified a promising and natural way to repair it. In a new study, the team shows how phytic acid, a natural compound found in whole grains, beans, lentils, nuts, and seeds, plays an important role in maintaining the integrity of the intestinal barrier. 

Researchers at LSU's Pennington Biomedical Research Center, in collaboration with investigators from 32 countries participating in the SUNRISE International Study, have published new findings examining how restrained sitting contributes to daily movement patterns in early childhood. Led by postdoctoral researcher Dr. Katherine Spring, "Probability of meeting the restrained sitting guideline in early childhood: an international cross-sectional study," published in the Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, explored how time spent restrained in devices such as car seats and strollers may influence children's ability to meet movement behavior recommendations during a critical stage of development.

Every summer, millions of people spray themselves with DEET to keep mosquitoes away. But new research suggests mosquitoes may be able to learn to associate the repellent with food — and even become attracted to it.