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Study links omega-3s to improved brain structure, cognition at midlife

A study published in Neurology found that eating omega-3 fatty acids can protect the brain from aging and cognitive decline in midlife. The research, conducted by the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, suggests that even small amounts of omega-3s can have a significant impact on brain health.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio·JournalNeurology·TypeObservational study·DateOct 5, 2022

Omega-3 fatty acids, and in particular DHA, are associated with increased attention scores in adolescents

A study of 332 adolescents found that higher levels of DHA were associated with better selective and sustained attention, while ALA was linked to lower impulsivity. The results suggest the importance of a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids for healthy brain development.

SourceBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)·JournalEuropean Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·TypeObservational study·DateSep 28, 2022

How old is that fingerprint?

Researchers have identified two new unique molecular trends in fingerprint oils that can help estimate the age of a fingerprint. The presence of epoxides and an increase in medium-length fatty acids were found to be indicative of fingerprint aging.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Central Science·DateSep 21, 2022

Egg powder suitable as a food supplement?

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.

SourceLeibniz-Institut für Lebensmittel-Systembiologie an der TU München·JournalFrontiers in Nutrition·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 15, 2022

Skin’s protective chains uncovered

Researchers at Hokkaido University identified over 1,300 types of ceramides in the top layer of human skin, including their chain lengths and fatty acid compositions. The discovery could improve understanding of skin barrier function and disease pathology.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalJournal of Lipid Research·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 29, 2022

Interactive tool to catalog omega-3 human studies introduced by trade group

The Global Organization for EPA and DHA Omega-3s (GOED) has introduced an interactive tool to catalog all human studies on EPA and DHA omega-3s. The Clinical Study Database (CSD) provides a comprehensive searchable database with over 45,000 studies, allowing users to filter by outcome, population demographics, study size or dosage.

SourceGOED·JournalProstaglandins Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids·DateJun 22, 2022

Study shows people with a high omega-3 DHA level in their blood are at 49% lower risk of Alzheimer’s

A new study published in Nutrients found that individuals with higher red blood cell DHA levels have a 49% lower risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. The study, conducted on 1,490 participants aged 65 and older, suggests that increasing dietary omega-3 DHA levels may slow the development of the disease.

SourceWright On Marketing & Communications·JournalNutrients·TypeObservational study·DateJun 9, 2022

Investigators identify a new candidate therapeutic target for Parkinson’s disease

Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital have identified LIPE, a lipase that degrades triglycerides, as a promising candidate therapeutic target for Parkinson's disease. Inhibiting LIPE reduced alpha-synuclein inclusions and alleviated neurodegeneration in patient-derived neurons and a C. elegans model of toxicity.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·Journalnpj Parkinson s Disease·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 9, 2022

Microbes help orchestrate how the gut uses its genes

Researchers found microbes influence which genes are used for fat digestion and absorption, leading to changes in epithelial cells. The study also showed microbes promote lipid absorption and impact systemic processes like weight gain.

SourceDuke University·JournalCellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 13, 2022

Researchers develop powerful strategy for creating new-to-nature enzymes

A team of researchers developed a simple yet powerful strategy for creating new enzymes with novel reactivity that can produce valuable chemical compounds. They used photobiocatalysis to repurpose naturally occurring enzymes and achieved an enantioselective biocatalytic reaction.

New approach can predict pollution from cooking emissions

Scientists have developed a new approach to predict pollution from cooking emissions by analyzing the behavior of oleic acid nanostructures. By identifying the molecular properties that control their transformation in the atmosphere, researchers can better understand and model the impact of cooking aerosols on human-made climate change.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalAtmospheric Chemistry and Physics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 14, 2022

Mount Sinai develops method to advance maturation of human pluripotent stem cell-derived heart cells

Researchers at Mount Sinai have developed a reproducible method to advance the maturation of human pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes, which support heart muscle contraction. The new protocol enables efficient energy generation from both carbohydrates and fatty acids, improving disease modeling and regenerative therapies.

Study reports potential target and compounds to slow the development of Alzheimer's disease

A study found a shift in the profile of specialized lipid mediators from pro-resolving to pro-inflammatory in patients with cognitive impairment, correlating with severity of cognition impairment. The researchers identified novel mechanisms of brain health and potential therapeutic targets for slowing down Alzheimer's disease onset.

SourceLouisiana State University Health Sciences Center·JournalCellular and Molecular Neurobiology·TypeObservational study·DateApr 6, 2022

Leftovers in prehistoric pots let scientists peek into the kitchen of an ancient civilization

Scientists analyzed ancient vessels from India and discovered that prehistoric people used a variety of ingredients, including foraged plants, cultivated crops, and traded goods. The study found no evidence of cultural change impacting food processing during the Copper Age to Indus Valley Civilization transition.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Ecology and Evolution·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 21, 2022

Scientists led by NTU Singapore produce oils from microalgae that could replace palm oil in food production

Scientists at NTU Singapore have developed a method to produce and extract oils from a type of common microalgae, which are edible and have superior properties as those found in palm oil. The newly discovered method would serve as a healthier and greener alternative to palm oil.

SourceNanyang Technological University·JournalJournal of Applied Phycology·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 20, 2022

Researchers find natural mechanism to sensitize cancer to immunotherapy

A U-M study defines how a cytokine and fatty acid combination triggers ferroptosis, a type of cell death previously studied with synthetic molecules. This natural mechanism could make immunotherapy treatments more effective, particularly for cancers where the treatments currently work for only about 30% of patients.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalCancer Cell·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 4, 2022

Decoding KODA production to augment stress resistance in plants

Scientists from Tokyo Institute of Technology have created a method to boost KODA production in plants, utilizing biotechnology. This technique involves introducing key genes into two plant species and optimizing their localization to improve yield. The findings may lead to mass-producing diverse oxylipins for fertilizers and pesticides.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of Experimental Botany·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 15, 2022

LSU Health contributes to research suggesting late-onset retinal degeneration mechanism and potential Rx

A study led by LSU Health found how late-onset retinal degeneration develops and identified a surprising potential therapeutic, metformin. The research suggests that an enzyme called AMPK activates the protein CTRP5 to regulate fatty acid metabolism and energy stability.

SourceLouisiana State University Health Sciences Center·JournalCommunications Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 9, 2021

How the body uses fat to fight infection

Researchers discovered that blood stem cells use high-energy fatty acids from the body's fat stores to power up their response to infection. This finding could lead to new approaches in treating bacterial infections, particularly in vulnerable and older individuals.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 8, 2021

How highly processed foods harm memory in the aging brain

A study in rats found that a diet of highly processed foods led to inflammation and behavioral signs of memory loss in the brain. Supplementing with omega-3 fatty acid DHA prevented these effects almost entirely. The study suggests that limiting processed foods and increasing DHA consumption may help prevent rapid memory decline in old...

SourceOhio State University·JournalBrain Behavior and Immunity·DateOct 14, 2021

Mutated enzyme weakens connection between brain cells that help control movement

Researchers found a mutation in ELOVL4 enzyme impairs communication between neurons, leading to impaired motor control and coordination. The study provides new insights into the essential role of ELOVL4 in motor function and synaptic plasticity, suggesting potential therapeutic strategies for patients with spinocerebellar ataxia.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·JournalMolecular Neurobiology·DateAug 17, 2021

Polymeric nanomicelles improve internalization of lipid metabolism modulators in brain cells

Researchers have developed poly-ion complex (PIC) nanomicelles loaded with CPT1A inhibitors to deliver drugs into brain cells, reducing fatty acid oxidation and improving treatment for glioblastoma. The delivery system successfully increased cellular concentration of the cargo and biological activity.

SourceInnovation Center of NanoMedicine·JournalBiomaterials Science·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 3, 2021

Higher levels of omega-3 acids in the blood increases life expectancy by almost five years

A study found that higher omega-3 acid levels in the blood are associated with a significant increase in life expectancy, similar to quitting smoking. The researchers analyzed data from over 2,200 people aged 65 and found that four types of fatty acids, including omega-3, can predict mortality risk.

SourceIMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute)·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateJul 22, 2021

Add fatty acid to taste

A new method developed by Institute for Systems Biology allows researchers to show how fatty acids are absorbed by single cells. The study reveals that fatty acid uptake is differentially regulated by two downstream effectors of the mTOR pathway in brain cancer cells, uncovering a novel combination therapy to block tumor growth.

SourceInstitute for Systems Biology·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJul 16, 2021

Diet rich in omega 3 fatty acids may help reduce headaches

A recent trial found that consuming a diet high in omega 3 fatty acids significantly reduces headache frequency and severity compared to a typical diet. The study, published in The BMJ, suggests that increasing omega 3 intake can lead to reduced levels of pain-reducing oxylipins and improved quality of life for those with migraines.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateJun 30, 2021