Natasha Spencer-Jolliffe

Journalist, editor, blogger, copywriter, content marketer and PR specialist

Medical Device Network •

Cervical cancer technologies emerge to support screening

Cervical cancer is the fourth most frequent cancer in people with a cervix, and in 2018, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated there were over 500,000 cases, representing approximately 6.6% of all female cancers. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), 14,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer yearly in the US alone, and more than 4,000 women die from it. Due to the high incidence of cervical cancer, the WHO has highlighted an urgent need for effective screening programmes.
Pharmaceutical Technology •

Are we entering the era of biologics for COPD?

In 2023, the pharmaceutical industry will mark 20 years since Xolair, an anti-IgE antibody, became the first biologic approved to treat asthma. Since then, the US FDA, EMA, and other agencies have approved several biologic antibodies targeting the inflammatory cytokines IL-4, IL-13, IL-5, and others for asthma.

Approaches like bronchodilator inhalers focus on treating both asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The same, however, is not true for therapeutic biologics. While th
Medical Device Network •

AI-led brain scanning tech: Progressing mental health care

In 2022, 44% of countries responding to a World Health Organisation (WHO) survey reported they had experienced one or more disruptions to mental health care, including prevention and promotion programmes, diagnosis, treatment and life-saving emergency care.

Deepening value and commitment to mental health understanding, reshaping environments and strengthening mental health care are critical paths to transformation, the WHO states in its 2022 World Mental Health Report.

With democratising acces

Healthy food interest continues despite rising prices

Deloitte insights show that consumers are willing to pay a premium for food linked to health and wellness even though cost concerns are growing.

In its latest insights into consumer spending habits in food and beverages, professional services company Deloitte highlights how food as medicine continues to resonate with consumers. Its popularity remains even though price rises and shifting spending patterns to stretch budgets are at the forefront of consumers' buying habits.

As health and wellnes

FDA proposes a new definition of ‘healthy’

Products that exceed limits for sugar, salt, and fat will not be eligible to make a ‘healthy’ claim, under a proposed definition of healthy by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The regulatory agency also has announced plans to launch a front-of-pack label.

Under the proposed definition, more foods would be eligible to display the “healthy”’ claim. Therefore, the new rule could see items such as higher-fat fish like salmon, nuts and seeds, certain oils, and water on the list of “health

Hyperlocalisation promotes food system resilience and diversification

Climate change action and new technologies are driving a rise in hyperlocalisation throughout the global food chain, improving the industry’s adaptability and ability to meet consumer demands for greater choice.

Hyperlocalisation involves creating shorter supply chains and establishing or redesigning operations to allow food production to occur in the same local environment as the end consumer. With a focus on supply chains that are both short and sustainable, localisation has evolved into hype

Tackling the rise of antimicrobial resistance

As the 2030 goal of halving antimicrobial use edges closer and a 2022 regulation is brought in to reduce antibiotic use on farm animals, the food industry is loudening its calls for action amid the increasing resistance to antimicrobials.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) provides scientific support and advice on risks to human and animal health regarding the possible emergence, spread, and transfer of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the food chain and animals.

“EFSA acknowledges tha

Farm biologicals can make our farming system more sustainable: Rabobank

Farm biologicals can make our farming system more sustainable: Rabobank

Replacing synthetic pesticides with farm biologicals - crop production products from living organisms – may help create a more sustainable farming system, says a recent Rabobank report.

Farm biologicals, otherwise known as biologicals, are crop production products from living organisms that can be used independently or together with synthetic items, according to the agrochemical international trade association, CropLife In

New partnership strives to improve cocoa farming in Ivory Coast

New partnership strives to improve cocoa farming in Ivory Coast

Conseil du Cafe-Cacao and IDH’s Sustainable Trade Initiative launch a new programme, Cocoaperation, to support cocoa farming and improve the livelihoods of cocoa producers.

Conseil du Cafe-Cacao, the agency responsible for regulating, stabilising and developing the Coffee-Cocoa sector in the Ivory Coast, and IDH Sustainable Trade Initiative, an arm of the finance fund for smallholder farmers, IDH Farmfit Fund, aim to increase the

Infant formula shortage in the US: How to prevent a future crisis

Infant formula shortage in the US: How to prevent a future crisis

Following a series of events which led to the US being unable to meet its needs for infant formula, action is needed to prevent future shortages, says the non-profit Center for Science in the Public Interest.

“The infant formula shortage in the US is swiftly resolving, thanks to efforts by the federal government and industry to ramp up production and secure imports,” says Sarah Sorscher, deputy director of regulatory affairs, Ce

The Grain Drain: Ukraine war disrupts US grain and oilseed market

The Grain Drain: Ukraine war disrupts US grain and oilseed market

“The war in Ukraine has seemingly changed everything,” says RaboResearch in a report that explores the grain and oilseed outlook in the US over the next ten years and the expected impact on fertilisers, production, exports and pricing.

The intelligence arm of Rabobank, RaboResearch, was finalising its grain and oilseed outlook for the US when the war in Ukraine broke out. As a result, as part of its report, the company examined

EU exports evolve in face of burgeoning bioeconomy

Delivering food and drink via a robust supply chain, accessing global trade routes, and investing in research and development (R&D) lead food and drink investment and market evolution in the European Union.

The food and drink industry plays a pivotal role in the European market. The European Union (EU) food and drink industry is one of the largest manufacturing sectors in Europe and the largest exporter of food and drink products in the world, with €145 billion in exports, FoodDrinkEurope revea
Medical Device Network •

Diabetes devices: Easing the burden of care for women

Diabetes is a global health problem, with over 199 million women living with the condition, a figure that is expected to rise to 313 million by 2040. Understanding, accessing and managing diabetes throughout various stages of a woman’s life, including menstruation, pregnancy and menopause, is complex yet critical.

Increasingly, healthcare manufacturers are looking at how smart diabetes devices, wearables and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies can support women with diabetes. Advanced alg

The future of family farming - Falstaff

There are more than 600 million farms worldwide in today's agricultural landscape, with more than 90 percent of those run by an individual or a family, and reliant on family labour. Estimates suggest that family farmers occupy around 70 to 80 percent of farmland and produce more than 80 percent of the world’s food in value.

The recently held Global Forum of the UN Decade of Family Farming (UNDFF), 2019-2028, was co-organised by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the International F
foodnavigator.com •

How cell agriculture and fermentation can address food scarcity and security

Cellular agriculture and fermentation involve “building” food. Scientists and formulators use developments such as microbial growth and enzymatic processes to build individual food ingredients and entire products.

Technological advances are crucial to the application of cellular agriculture and fermentation, with systems focusing on enabling scalability to provide a sustainable offering. Alternative proteins, novel processing technologies and functional ingredients are examples of technologies
cosmeticsdesign-europe.com •

Industry must 'courageously and innovatively' break barriers to menstrual health and wellbeing

The Swedish-based global health and hygiene company Essity has extended its partnership with global organisation UNICEF (United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund) in Mexico with a three-year agreement to continue building awareness, education and action around good hygiene and breaking menstruation taboos.

Speaking to CosmeticsDesign-Europe, Helena Hansen of Essity explained the company’s aim is to break barriers to wellbeing and contribute to a healthy and sustainable society.

S
cosmeticsdesign-europe.com •

Cosmetics tipped as “essentials for daily life”, European study reveals

The Personal Care Association, Cosmetics Europe, has released the results of its European Consumer Perception study, highlighting the impact of cosmetics on consumers’ lives in 2022.

Over 6,000 consumers across 10 European countries took part in the research which was carried out in March 2022 on behalf of Cosmetics Europe by market research group Ifop.

The study showed that 72% of European consumers see cosmetics and personal care products as important or very important in their daily lives.
figlobal.com •

EFSA gives high-pressure processing green light for food safety

European Union food safety authority EFSA has given the green light to high-pressure processing (HPP) for foods, saying it poses no more safety concerns than other treatments, but it has made several recommendations for future research to tackle concerns relating to raw milk and some ready-to-eat foods.

In releasing its recent scientific opinion, the food agency has established the effective use of HPP in eradicating harmful microorganisms during the food production process.

HPP refers to a fo

Crown joins SeeHer’s female portrayal mission

24 Feb 2022 --- Global skin care company Crown Laboratories has teamed up with SeeHer, a collective of marketers, media organizations and industry influencers that are dedicated to showing accurate portrayals of women in advertising and supporting content. “It was an instant ‘yes’ for us to join in their mission!” says Nicole Watson, Director of Marketing, Therapeutic Skincare at Crown Laboratories.

“Crown’s philosophy of ‘Skin Science for Life’ is a natural fit with this mission, as we design
The Earth & I •

Cal-Earth Makes Disaster-Resistant Superadobe Construction a Reality

Building safe and sustainable housing is a challenge, especially in disaster-prone regions, and ensuring that it is affordable and accessible can seem impossible. At last, as The Earth & I learned from its interview with Dastan Khalili, carefully designed and patented Superadobe home construction is available, providing a simple and easy way for people everywhere to create attractive, resilient dwellings.

Adobe homes have been around for at least 8,000 years, but natural disasters have shown ho
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