The Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI) reported on 21 Nov 2011 data of genetic material of an unknown pathogen by means of  metagenomic analysis. First comparative investigations indicate that the pathogen is a virus of the genus Orthobunyavirus, which is related with the group of Akabane-like viruses. [1]

Fusobacterium nucleatum, is a member of the oral biofilm associated with caries, gingivitis, and periodontitis. It was also found in cases of acute apendicitis [1] and ulcerative colitis, the later is a risk factor for colon cancer. The prevalence of Fusobacterium is uncommon in the normal gut microbiome. Two studies propose the hypothesis that Fusobacterium nucleatum is an agent of colorectal cancer [2]

According to Soto et al. 2011 the misfolding of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides, and their accumulation in the brain, triggers the Alzheimer's disease, The researchers look now for the mechanisms responsible for the initiation of Aβ accumulation. The authors report that Aβ deposition can be induced by injection of AD brain extracts into animals. The disease spreads to other brain sections, even distant from injection point. [1]

The Guidance on risk assessment of nanoscience in food and feed  Guidance on risk assessmentof nanoscience in food and feed focusing on  the physico-chemical characterisation requirements of engineered nanomaterials used e.g. as food additives, enzymes, flavourings, food contact materials, novel foods, feed additives and pesticides. [1]

Guidance on the risk assessment of animal-derived GM food and feed
The EU assessment of GM food and feed, described in Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 compares GM animals and derived food and feed with the phenotype of traditionally-bred animal. The health status and the physiological parameters of a food/feed producing animal are important indicators of the safety of derived foods/feed [1]

The Lancet warn of a pandemic of antibiotic-resistant strains can easily be spread by international travel or during gatherings such as Hajj, turning containment of microbial resistance imperious. The warning is based on the study  of Kumarasamy et al. [1]

Systems biology is a multi-targeted approach which identifies  regulatory hubs in complex networks. Systems biology takes the molecular parts (transcripts, proteins and metabolites) of an organism and attempts to fit them into functional networks or models designed to describe and predict the dynamic activities of that organism in different environments. It focuses on complex interactions in biological systems, claiming that it uses a new perspective (holism instead of reduction). [1]

Food choice is increasingly being influenced by health issues, creating opportunities for new product development, say El and Simsek in a 2012 review. Food scientists call for “optimal nutrition,” as the optimization of a daily nutrition model with nutrients and bioactive compounds to prevent diseases an promote healthy life. [1]

Toby Lasserson and David Tovey commented in an Editorial of 18 Jan 2012 the issue of The Cochrane Library  Jefferson et al 2012 ”Neuraminidase inhibitors for preventing and treating influenza in healthy adults and children (review)”. The review of unpublished data on oseltamivir unveiled inconsistencies.

Cicerale, Riddell and Keast 2012 report that taste is important to choose food, however perceived sweetness intensity alone does not influence decisively food behaviours related to sugar consumption and dietary intake in adults. [1]

The authors studied the behaviour of 85 adults which tasted a sugar solution and rated the percepted sweetness. The study found no correlation between perceived sweetness and total caloric intake,  food behaviours relating to sugar consumption dietary intake and micronutrients.