— WARF is seeking commercial partners to help develop a new method for extending the storage life of various meat products.
This method’s inventor, Mark Richards, is a professor in UW-Madison’s Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences. The Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation is touting his work as a top licensing prospect and a “natural” alternative to synthetic preservatives.
Richards has created a method for preserving fish, poultry, pork and beef using “very low amounts” of an enzyme called phospholipase A2 combined with rosemary extract.
According to WARF’s fact sheet on the invention, this combination performed better than synthetic antioxidants in a color stability trial using samples of treated ground turkey and sausage.
“Moreover, treated meat samples have been shown to remain palatable for up to 10 days longer than conventional products under refrigerated conditions,” WARF wrote in its overview.
Along with the various meat products identified by WARF, this combination can also be used to preserve vegetarian meat analogs containing certain proteins, the fact sheet shows. Even at relatively low concentrations, it can slow a process called lipid oxidation that leads to discoloration and unpleasant smell in stored meats.
Plus, the invention has applications in pet food production and rendering industries, WARF says.
“While the researchers hoped for comparable results as compared to the synthetic system, they actually saw an improvement,” WARF said. “This, coupled with consumer preference for natural antioxidants, make this natural system an advantageous commercial option.”
See more details: https://www.warf.org/technologies/summary/P160260WO01/
See a recent related study from Richards: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S030917402200359X
— Marshfield Clinic Health System today is ending its requirement that patients and staff wear masks in most situations as COVID-19 wanes in Wisconsin.
The health system on Friday announced that staff will still wear a mask if requested to do so, and masks will continue to be worn in certain procedures such as during surgery. Departments that serve immunocompromised patients or “specialty” patients will return to pre-pandemic masking policies, according to a release.
MCHS says it monitors both state and regional COVID-19 trends in hospitalizations and community transmission to determine its policies. The latest move comes after the health system last month ended all visitor restrictions and COVID-19 testing requirements for hospital admissions and certain surgical cases.
“Given the current trends showing lower rates in hospitalizations and community transmission, we believe we’re in a position to adjust some of those guidelines while maintaining a high level of safety and precaution,” Dr. Samantha Klebe, MCHS chief medical officer, said in the release.
See the release: https://marshfieldclinic.org/news/news-articles/required-masks-ends
See the latest state figures on COVID-19 here: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/cases.htm
<br><b><i>Top headlines from the Health Care Report … </b></i>
— Researchers at UW-Madison have identified a key mechanism for how the human papillomavirus causes cancer.
And a Madison health software company called Redox has announced a new partnership with Verato, an identity data management firm based in Virginia.
<i>For more of the most relevant news on COVID-19, reports on groundbreaking health research in Wisconsin, links to top stories and more, sign up today for the free daily Health Care Report from WisPolitics.com and WisBusiness.com.</i>
Sign up here: http://forms.gle/o8FtqTLviGJPja8C9
— The Wisconsin Better Business Bureau is warning that online scams featuring fake celebrity endorsements are getting more sophisticated due to artificial intelligence.
The nonprofit group says its “scam tracker” has been getting numerous reports recently of false product endorsements. In a recent release, the group urged consumers in the state to learn more about “deepfakes,” in which AI is used to fabricate convincing videos or images of celebrities or politicians.
Some hallmarks of deepfakes include “unnatural” blinking or no blinking, isolated blurry spots, unusual edges to the subject’s face, as well as changes in video quality, background or lighting, the group’s website shows.
“Don’t assume celebrity posts, images, or videos are legitimate until you verify they came from an official source,” the group wrote in the release. “Just because something is shared widely on social media does not mean it’s real.”
See the release:
See tips on spotting deepfakes: https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/27157-bbb-tip-how-to-spot-a-deepfake-and-avoid-scams
— At a Madison luncheon being held later this month, panelists will provide an overview on video game companies operating in Wisconsin.
The Wisconsin Technology Council is hosting the event April 25 as part of the group’s Tech Council Innovation Network series.
“The Madison area’s video gaming scene already has some storied names, so it’s no surprise it ranks among the industry’s hottest small cities,” Tech Council President Tom Still said. “Video gaming in all its forms is a $225-billion industry today. We look forward to hearing about trends and initiatives that can help bring more video gaming activity to the state.”
See event details and register here:
#TOP STORIES#
# ‘What kid gets to do that?’: As a boy, Wisconsin author worked with Brewers, Bucks and Packers legends
# East side couple bring live ‘Our House’ concerts into their bungalow
# Harley-Davidson Foundation to invest $350K into Milwaukee’s Highland Park, change name to Harley Park
#TOPICS#
# AGRIBUSINESS
– USDA NRCS announces second round of EQIP and RCPP signup in Wisconsin
http://wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=423&yr=2023
– DATCP announces record number of applicants for 2023 Meat Processor Infrastructure Grant
http://wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=424&yr=2023
# CONSTRUCTION
– Convention Center Skywalk & West Allis Apartments
– Developer plans to turn 36-story Milwaukee building into 350 apartments
– Downtown Milwaukee’s Pfister Hotel prepares for renovations
# ENTERTAINMENT & THE ARTS
– Madison Symphony welcomes spring with Saint-Saëns
# FOOD AND BEVERAGE
– With latest cookbook, James Beard finalist passes along Italian traditions
– Yako Sushi is a fresh new find on Cottage Grove Road
# HEALTH CARE
– 6-week waits, 1 counselor for 8 rural districts: These are some of the hurdles facing youth mental health
– 50 years later, woman opens up about her abortion. Can she and others reframe the debate?
# MEDIA
– WUWM radio looks to new strategic plan, more content, more programming
# REAL ESTATE
– Chinese investors originally bought Northridge Mall for ethanol production
– Johnson Controls project in Glendale on track for May start
# SMALL BUSINESS
– GQ Hairstyling & Tanning to close after 50 years in Winona
# SPORTS
– Safety and security for the Milwaukee Bucks playoffs: What to expect
# TOURISM
– Milwaukee Public Museum gives first look on ‘Milwaukee Revealed,’ a reboot of Old Milwaukee
– Morgan Wallen moves past scandal at tour kickoff at Milwaukee’s American Family Field
# TRANSPORTATION
– Menasha becomes responsible for upkeep of new Racine Street bridge
# COLUMNS
– Sturgeon spawning spectacle should be on all Wisconsinites’ bucket lists
# PRESS RELEASES
<i>See these and other press releases:
http://wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Content=82 </i>
Clean Fuels Alliance America: Applauds Senate letter urging stronger RFS volumes
