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Small Shifts

Pennington Biomedical’s Small Shifts Campaign Focus for October: Managing Stress and Anxiety

As October begins, the Pennington Biomedical Research Center will focus its Small Shifts campaign on an issue that affects millions daily: managing stress and anxiety. In this fast-paced world, the pressure to stay productive can easily become overwhelming. But what if there are small steps that can be taken to better manage these feelings and improve one’s well-being along the way?

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Research assistant handing sample collection bag to soldier

Pennington Biomedical Partners on Army-Wide Health and Nutrition Study

Researchers from Pennington Biomedical’s Center for Military Performance and Resilience and the U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine are teaming up to assess the health and nutritional status of active-duty service members. The Military Health and Nutrition Examination Study, or MHANES, is modeled on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, or NHANES, which assesses the health and nutritional status of adults and children in the U.S. but excludes active-duty members of the military.

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Jennifer Caldwell

Forge Ahead: Caldwell Bridges the Gap of Genetics and Nutrition to Enhance Health Outcomes Among African American Communities

Disparities in health outcomes for African American adults involve both biological and social health determinants. Jennifer Caldwell, Ph.D., a researcher at Pennington Biomedical Research Center, is exploring the combined influence of a biological determinant (a person’s genes), and a social health determinant (food insecurity) to understand the impact on African American adults’ health outcomes in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

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Zubaidah Nor Hanipah

Zubaidah Nor Hanipah Joins Pennington Biomedical Research Center and the Metamor Institute

Dr. Zubaidah “Zuby” Nor Hanipah recently joined Pennington Biomedical as an associate professor-research in the Clinical Metabolic Surgery Laboratory. Dr. Nor Hanipah’s research interests encompass a comprehensive study of metabolic and bariatric surgery outcomes, with a primary emphasis on obesity, metabolic disorders, and metabolic syndrome.

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Dr. Eric Ravussin

New Era of Obesity Drug Development, Upcoming Webinar Hosted by Xtalks

In this webinar, learn about obesity's health burden and the evolution of drug development in obesity. The speakers will discuss about the importance of preservation of muscle mass for long term weight maintenance. They will address the different methodologies used to evaluate total energy expenditure and its components.

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Greaux Healthy Logo: Initiative Name and stylized Pelican in blue

Pennington Biomedical’s Greaux Healthy Initiative Takes Aim at Childhood Obesity

Pennington Biomedical Research Center is formally launching Greaux Healthy, a public service initiative designed to help improve kids’ health at every age. Developed with funding from the State of Louisiana, Greaux Healthy implements 35 years of Pennington Biomedical research and discoveries to inform tools, resources and programing for children, parents, physicians and educators throughout the state.

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Hand of a researcher pointing to a location on a brain scan

Study to Evaluate THC, CBD Benefits for Dementia-Related Agitation

Pennington Biomedical Research Center’s Dr. Jeff Keller is evaluating the potential for delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, and cannabidiol, or CBD, to reduce the behaviors indicating agitation, distress or anxiety in patients with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. The study is designed for hospice-eligible patients who are either receiving hospice care or who are eligible for hospice, and who are exhibiting agitation concurrently with a diagnosis of dementia. There are currently no FDA-approved medications to treat agitation at the end-of-life stages in dementia patients.

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Hydration

Pennington Biomedical’s Small Shift for September: Hydration

This month, the Small Shifts Squad at Pennington Biomedical Research Center will focus on something simple yet incredibly impactful: hydrating more. Staying properly hydrated is essential for maintaining energy levels, improving concentration, and supporting overall health.

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A mother serving a healthy meal to her son and daughter

Pennington Biomedical Research Center Experts Available to Speak on Research Efforts During Childhood Obesity Awareness Month

Recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, September is designated as National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month in the United States. At Pennington Biomedical, researchers explore a wide array of scientifically proven causes, treatment, and prevention programs for childhood obesity, including healthy food choices, environmental factors, and community parks and playgrounds.

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variety of men stretching in a park

Registration Now Open for Pennington Biomedical 2024 Men's Health Summit

The Pennington Biomedical Men’s Health Summit returns for 2024 on Saturday, September 14, presented by Our Lady of the Lake. The free summit is available to all men over the age of 18, and will include a wide array of free health screenings, informational sessions, and a UFC demonstration. Registration is now open, and space is limited so early sign-up is encouraged.

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bowl of soy beans

Pennington Biomedical Study to Explore Effects of Soy on Blood Sugar Levels

Pennington Biomedical Research Center’s Dr. Candida Rebello wants to know more about the intersection of blood sugar levels and a diet rich in soy. This intersection is the primary focus of her new study, “Lifestyle Intervention for Improving Metabolic and Motivational Outcomes,” or MOTIVATE, which explores how specific diets can impact blood sugar, and potentially improve mood and energy levels.

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Image of hypoxic tent that will be placed over participants' beds as part of study

Low Oxygen and Weight Status Trial Seeking Participants

Can reduced oxygen in the air lead to weight loss? That is what Pennington Biomedical researcher Dr. Claire Berryman is exploring in the “Low Oxygen and Weight Status,” or LOWS, study, which is currently recruiting participants. The study is open to adults between the ages of 22 and 65, and it lasts up to four months.

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Louisiana Obesity Society

Second Annual Louisiana Obesity Society Conference Held in New Orleans

The Louisiana Obesity Society and the Louisiana Chapter of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery hosted the 2024 Louisiana Obesity Conference on Saturday, Aug. 10, in New Orleans at the Renaissance Arts Hotel. Keynote speakers for the event included a video message from Senator Bill Cassidy, MD; State Senator Royce Duplessis; Dr. Jamy Ard, President of The Obesity Society; and Dr. Ann Rogers, President-Elect of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.

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Image of the RURAL study's Mobile Exam Unit

Rural Health and Lung Study Coming to Franklin Parish

The Risks Underlying Rural Areas Longitudinal, or RURAL, Heart and Lung study will arrive in Louisiana’s Franklin Parish on Tuesday, Aug. 13. The study team, who were stationed in Assumption Parish starting in February 2024, are conducting a comprehensive longitudinal cohort study designed to help researchers better understand the underlying health risks faced by residents in rural areas.

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Image of clock on white background surrounded by foods including fish and vegetables

Scientists Reach Consensus for Fasting Terminology

Dr. Eric Ravussin of Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge was one of 38 scientists from five continents to present the first international consensus on fasting terminology and key definitions. Published in Cell Metabolism, the recent study reflects the increasing popularity of diets tied to fasting and a significant increase in scientific studies of fasting. While the application of fasting is rapidly growing, there was previously no globally established terminology.

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Image of Dr. Carrie Elks in front of purple background and words Dr. Carrie Elks $1.4 Million NIDDK Grant

Pennington Biomedical Researcher Dr. Carrie Elks Awarded $1.4 Million to Study Fat Cell Communication Cycle

The National Institutes of Health’s National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, or NIDDK, awarded Pennington Biomedical researcher Dr. Carrie Elks a grant of $1.4 million to explore insulin resistance and inflammation in fat cells. Dr. Elks will apply the grant toward her Matrix Biology Laboratory’s project “Adipocyte cytokine signaling as a coordinator of adipose tissue function.”

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Reis Alsberry

Reis Alsberry Joins Pennington Biomedical as Director of Intellectual Property and Commercialization

Reis Alsberry has joined the Pennington Biomedical Research Center, serving as the new Director of Intellectual Property and Commercialization. In this role, Reis will oversee the patentability, protection and market potential of inventions and discoveries emerging from Pennington Biomedical. He will also license new technologies to industry through active marketing, and he will help in the creation of startup companies by faculty and students.

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Campus Overview

Pennington Biomedical’s Olympic Debut

If you’ve been keeping up with the summer Olympics in Paris, odds are you’ve also seen a commercial for the Center running during NBC’s coverage. The Comms/Marketing team were able to secure a local commercial spot during this world-wide event in an effort to showcase our great work.

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Research article by Pennington Biomedical’s Dr. Sujoy Ghosh and Dr. Claude Bouchard included in the International Journal of Obesity 

Pennington Biomedical Scientists Outline Key Challenges and Promising Avenues in Obesity Genetics

Research on the genetics of obesity dates to the early 1920s, with many of the initial findings indicating the complexity and multifaceted nature of obesity perfectly resonating with more modern discoveries. Researchers at Pennington Biomedical have collected nearly a century’s worth of considerations and advancements to frame their perspectives on modern research into the genetics of obesity.

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Meeting with Nutritionist

Studying Childhood Obesity: Your Family Could Help Researchers Move Science Forward

Pennington Biomedical Research Center is home to the top scientists in the world who are studying one of the most pressing health issues in our country – childhood obesity. Despite ongoing efforts, childhood obesity rates have continued to soar over the last 10 years, with about 1-in-5 children affected by obesity. To move the science forward, Pennington Biomedical invites parents to enroll their children in clinical research trials.

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