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Engineering a better biofuel

A team from Washington University in St. Louis has developed a new method to produce biofuels in E. coli bacteria, boosting BCFA manufacture to 80 percent of all fuel products, and opening up potential applications for pharmaceuticals and other useful products.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalMetabolic Engineering·DateAug 10, 2016

Virgin olive oil and hypertension

Epidemiological studies support the consumption of virgin olive oil as an effective antihypertensive agent. The unique bioactive properties of oleic acid and minor constituents in virgin olive oil protect against hypertension by influencing vascular contractibility and heart/kidney cellular loss, leading to reduced blood pressure.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalCurrent Vascular Pharmacology·DateJul 19, 2016

How yeast cells regulate their fat balance

Researchers at Goethe University Frankfurt discovered how yeast cells measure and adapt to the availability of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids in foodstuffs, which opens up new possibilities to understand membrane lipid production and distribution. This finding paves the way for targeting hormone-producing cells with more precision.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalMolecular Cell·DateJun 23, 2016

Stave off cognitive decline with seafood

A study published in Neurology found that eating seafood at least once a week can help mitigate age-related cognitive decline. Participants who consumed more seafood showed slower rates of decline in semantic memory and perceptual speed, while those with the APOE-ε4 gene showed an even stronger protective association.

SourceRush University Medical Center·JournalNeurology·DateMay 10, 2016

Protein SIRT5 linked to healthy heart function

A new study by Cornell University researchers identifies protein SIRT5 as a key player in maintaining healthy heart function. The study found that SIRT5 can remove harmful protein modifications, allowing the heart to burn fatty acids more efficiently. This discovery could lead to new therapies for cardiomyopathy and improved lifespan.

SourceCornell University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 7, 2016

Eating green could be in your genes

A genetic variation, known as an allele, has been found in populations that have historically favored vegetarian diets, such as in India and parts of East Asia. This adaptation allows these individuals to efficiently process omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which is essential for early brain development and controlling inflammation.

SourceCornell University·JournalMolecular Biology and Evolution·DateMar 29, 2016

High serum omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid concentrations linked to lower risk of type 2 diabetes

A new study found a significant association between high serum omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid concentrations and a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Linoleic and arachidonic acids showed similar protective effects, while gamma-linolenic and dihomo-γ-linolenic acids were linked to a higher risk.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateMar 24, 2016

Time to rethink your vegetable oil?

A new study from Ohio State University found that men and women with higher levels of linoleic acid tend to have less heart-threatening fat, more lean body mass, and lower inflammation. Higher linoleic acid levels also meant lower likelihood of insulin resistance and diabetes.

SourceOhio State University·JournalMolecular Nutrition & Food Research·DateMar 7, 2016

Breeding a better peanut butter

The newly developed OLe peanut variety boasts a longer shelf life due to its higher oleic acid content, reducing the risk of rancidity by up to 10 times. This increase in disease resistance also makes it an attractive option for farmers, who can save up to $150/acre on fungicide usage and experience improved yields.

First beef with the goodness of fish

Researchers have successfully introduced a gene into foetal cells from Luxi Yellow cattle to increase the levels of beneficial omega-3 oils in beef. The study found that introducing the fat1 gene resulted in over five times higher levels of these fatty acids.

SourceSpringer·JournalBiotechnology Letters·DateMay 11, 2015

Oil or fat?

A recent study found that saturated fatty acids can induce cell death in cardiac muscle cells through endoplasmic reticulum stress. In contrast, unsaturated fatty acids protect these cells from damage. The research suggests a critical role for saturated fatty acids in heart disease development.

SourceDe Gruyter·JournalEndoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Diseases·DateApr 27, 2015