For the first time, scientists have grown functional, brain-like tissue without using any animal-derived materials or added biological coatings. The development opens the door to more controlled and humane neurological drug testing.

The link between highly processed modern-day diets and inflammation-related chronic diseases (e.g., cancer, diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, poor mental health) has been well-established. But what other factors influence the systemic inflammation and rising rates of chronic diseases experienced by industrialized nations?

USC researchers* recently reviewed the existing literature on diet-induced inflammation, climate change, and food systems – finding numerous scientific papers focusing on each of these areas but very few that looked at their overlap. With nutrition epidemiologist and inflammation expert James Hébert taking the lead, the team examined the intersection of these three factors – along with their collective impacts on health – publishing their insights in Advances in Nutrition.