A new study published in Cell Metabolism found that a low-protein, amino acid-supplemented 'longevity diet' improved cardiometabolic markers and reduced frailty and fat mass in mice. The diet was associated with longer healthy lifespan and better metabolic health in both mice and humans.
A new study found that voluntary exercise reshapes the gut microbiota, leading to changes in tryptophan metabolism and serotonin signaling. Exercise decreased the relative abundance of certain bacterial genera, shifting neuroactive signaling and lowering a key receptor in the memory center of the brain.
A research team discovered that leucine prevents the degradation of specific mitochondrial proteins, enabling efficient energy production. This mechanism allows cells to adapt to increased energy demands during periods of nutrient abundance.
The study investigates how early membranes may have selected the right-handed sugars and left-handed amino acids used in all life today. The researchers found that right-handed DNA and RNA sugars more easily passed through membranes with properties similar to those of archaea.
Researchers successfully developed CoQ10-producing rice through targeted gene editing, offering a cost-effective approach to nutritional fortification. The discovery provides great potential benefit for human health, particularly heart protection, and expands the food sources of CoQ10.
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have developed a novel approach to packaging canned tuna, using a water-based solution of amino acid cysteine, which removes up to 35% of accumulated mercury. This technology has the potential to improve food safety and reduce human exposure to mercury via food.
A new study reveals that plant-based drinks have lower nutritional quality than cow's milk due to chemical reactions during processing. The heat treatment used in UHT processing alters protein structures, leading to the loss of essential amino acids and increased sugar content.
A recent study published in JSFA Reports confirms that various pork cuts, Italian hams, and sausages offer excellent protein quality. The study found that all tested pork products achieved a Digestible Indispensable Amino Acid Score (DIAAS) greater than 100.
Scientists have created a system that allows for the production of essential amino acids and peptides commonly found in animals, such as creatine, carnosine, and taurine, within living plants. This technology has the potential to boost nutrient production in edible plants and other organisms.
Researchers found that Brazilian vegans' diets consisted mainly of unprocessed foods, with a significant reliance on ultra-processed proteins like textured soy protein to meet their protein needs. The study's findings contradict the stigma surrounding veganism and its ability to provide adequate nutrition.
Researchers found that five human bitter taste receptor types react to both free amino acids and peptides, as well as bile acids. This suggests that bitter receptors play additional roles in human health beyond food selection.
Scientists identified plants that provide a complete and healthy diet for bees, including roses, clovers, red raspberries, and tall buttercups. The study found that a diverse floral diet is best for most bees, with no single plant species optimal for generalist wild bee health.
A study found that overexpressing a gene responsible for amino acid transport in the placenta can cause fetal growth to increase by 27%, while also providing insights into pregnancy complications like IUGR and obesity. The research has therapeutic implications, potentially informing treatments to prevent or treat these conditions.
Researchers optimized triticale germination conditions using nonlinear programming to maximize fat content, a crucial parameter in animal feed production. The study identified optimal temperature and moisture levels, resulting in a fat content of 2.83%, improving the nutritional value of triticale grain.
Bromination of extracellular matrix proteins is a physiological modification dependent on peroxidasin, revealing a possible role for protein bromination in pulmonary fibrosis and non-fibrotic lung tissue. This study extends knowledge of halogenation's importance in the mammalian organism.
Researchers at USTC developed a novel molecular-solid sensor enabling fast chiral recognition of amino acids through RTP. The method overcomes limitations of traditional luminescence-based methods with recognition times as short as a few minutes.
A new study reveals that gut microbiota significantly impacts host amino acid and glucose metabolism, leading to a second liver-like function. The research identifies specific bacterial metabolic genes responsible for depleting amino acids, which can be targeted to treat conditions such as type 2 diabetes and inflammatory bowel disease.
A study published in ACS' Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry found that plant-based steaks and cold cuts have varying levels of protein quality and digestibility. The nutritional value depends on the plants used to create them, with some showing comparable profiles to their meat counterparts.
A recent study reveals the 3D structure of Asc1, a protein gate that controls amino acid transport in neurons. The findings provide crucial information to develop new drugs for neurological disorders such as schizophrenia, stroke, and ALS.
Researchers at Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University developed a new method that enables the efficient production of cysteine-rich peptides and microproteins in their naturally folded 3D structure. The approach uses organic solvents to mimic nature's oxidative folding process, resulting in speeds of over 100,000 times faster than aqueous...
Researchers discovered that 19 amino acids essential to life on Earth can persist for up to four weeks in concentrated sulfuric acid, which is similar to the concentrations found in Venus' clouds. This finding suggests that the clouds of Venus could support complex chemicals needed for life.
Scientists successfully synthesized pantetheine, a chemical essential for all living things, in lab conditions mimicking early Earth. The compound is crucial for metabolism and may have played a role in the emergence of life on Earth.
Researchers from BSC and CSIC have developed an artificial protein capable of degrading PET micro- and nanoplastics with efficiency between 5 and 10 times higher than current PETases. The protein can be used as filters to purify or recycle plastics, offering a potential solution to environmental pollution.
A recent clinical trial found that creatine supplementation significantly reduced post-COVID-19 fatigue and improved related symptoms such as loss of taste and breathing difficulties. Creatine levels in leg muscles and the brain also increased after 6 months of intake.
A novel study found that consuming two oz-eq portions of animal-based versus plant-based protein foods results in different EAA bioavailability. The study, conducted by scientists at Purdue University, included young and older adults, with no differences in EAA bioavailability between age groups.
Mutations in parkin gene break down contacts between lysosomes and mitochondria, disrupting essential metabolite supply to mitochondria. Restoring these contacts may represent a new therapeutic opportunity for Parkinson’s disease.
International researchers have identified nutrient-rich black rice varieties with improved agronomic traits, including shorter stem length and early maturity. These findings provide important resources for crop bioengineers to improve pigmented rice for human health and sustainable agriculture.
Scientists have detected various prebiotic molecules, including hydrogen cyanide and fullerenes, in the Perseus Molecular Cloud. The presence of these molecules near forming planets could contribute to the formation of complex organic molecules, potentially supplying ancient micro-organisms with the genetic code.
The faba bean genome has been fully sequenced for the first time, providing a genetic toolkit for breeding lines with beneficial traits. This achievement aims to improve nutritional content and sustainability of production, with a focus on increasing UK-grown pulses and promoting plant-based diets.
Researchers discovered three essential amino acids - leucine, valine, and tryptophan - as potential metabolic biomarkers for HCC. The study used metabolomics to analyze the differences in tumor and non-tumor tissue metabolomes, revealing striking differences that could aid in diagnosis.
Steaming hay kills harmful microorganisms, but damages proteins making them less digestible for horses. This can lead to impaired muscle development and nutrient deficiencies, affecting growth and coat health. Horses can be enriched with protein-rich feedstuffs to mitigate this risk.
A recent study led by Veronika Somoza found that egg powder is a valuable source of essential nutrients, including vitamins and indispensable amino acids. The researchers discovered that the drying process did not lead to contamination with heavy metals and that egg powder can provide up to 61% of a child's daily requirement for selenium.
A study reveals that four nonexcitatory amino acids can cause irreversible brain destruction after a stroke or traumatic brain injury. The amino acids flood the brain cells, leading to swelling and cell death.
A recent study published in Nutrients suggests that regular quinoa consumption can help prevent type 2 diabetes. Researchers replaced carbohydrate-rich foods with quinoa and found a significant reduction in post-meal blood sugar spikes. By mitigating this spike, quinoa may play a crucial role in preventing the progression of type 2 dia...
Researchers have discovered the process of incorporating selenium into 25 specialized proteins, essential for various cellular and metabolic processes. The study provides critical insights into the workings of these vital mechanisms, which could lead to the development of new medical therapies.
A study published in Current Biology found that consuming non-essential amino acids can curb appetite and encourage physical activity in mice. This mechanism is thought to be rooted in evolutionary history, where eating these amino acids promoted the urge to seek out more nutrient-rich food sources.
A team of scientists from NTU Singapore has developed a plant-based emulsifier that is rich in protein and antioxidants, allowing it to replace eggs or dairy in food staples. The emulsifier is made by fermenting brewers' spent grain and can help cut down on food waste, reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
A recent study published in The Journal of Nutrition found that animal-based protein food sources elicited greater anabolic responses and increased whole-body net protein balance compared to plant-based protein food sources. This suggests that 'ounce equivalents' of protein food sources are not metabolically equivalent, and animal prot...
A new study using fruit flies has uncovered the mechanism behind a gut hormone's role in inducing cravings for protein-rich foods. The research found that CNMamide, released by enterocytes in response to protein deprivation, conveys nutrient status to the brain, triggering a desire to consume essential amino acids.
Researchers found ribose and other biologically important sugars in meteorites, hinting at prebiotic origins on Earth. The discovery implies that sugars could have formed in space and been delivered to our planet, contributing to the emergence of life.
A recent study revealed that robust reef-building corals possess a unique capacity to generate an essential amino acid, which may make them less susceptible to global warming-induced coral bleaching. This advantage allows robust corals to repair tissue and grow new tissue more efficiently than complex corals.
BCAA supplements stimulate muscle growth but lack essential amino acids, leading to a suboptimal response. Taking whey protein supplements with BCAAs is more effective for maximizing muscle growth and protein synthesis.
Children under age 5 with stunted growth are found to have low levels of essential amino acids and nutrient choline, which can prevent cognitive development, increase susceptibility to illness, and shorten life spans. Researchers hope to develop new approaches to treat this debilitating condition by targeting dietary intake.
Researchers have discovered that aphids deplete all the amino acids in sugary sap they consume and then break them down to build essential amino acids from scratch. This process allows the insects to survive on an unbalanced diet, similar to other animals with gut microbes or symbionts that provide additional nutrition.
A recent study published in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry has evaluated a new method for determining protein quality. Soy protein was found to be a high-quality protein with a PDCAAS score of 1.00, comparable to animal-based proteins like eggs, dairy, and meat.
Researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison found that amino acids must attach to transfer RNA (tRNA) in the nucleus for efficient delivery out of the nucleus. This quality-control process, known as proofreading, ensures genetic instructions are complete and ready to function.
A new theory suggests that small organic molecules may assemble into self-replicating biomolecules on the surfaces of silica-rich minerals, providing a potential mechanism for life's origin. Geophysicist Joseph V. Smith proposes that organophilic zeolites could have concentrated and protected these organic compounds from destruction.
A very low protein diet with amino acid supplements has been shown to cure severe kidney disease in some individuals. The study suggests that this dietary therapy should be tried before drug treatment for nephrotic syndrome, which often leads to kidney failure.