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Researchers create formula for first synthetic sugarcane molasses with fully reproducible composition

Researchers have developed a standardized synthetic molasses with a fully known composition that can be used as a culture medium for yeast fermentation. This breakthrough enables scientists to study the influence of specific components and develop bioprocesses worldwide, facilitating comparative research and industrial applications.

Training the gut’s immune system to combat detrimental effects of emulsifiers in processed food

Researchers found that training the gut's immune system to target flagellin, a protein enabling bacterial motility, protects against emulsifier-induced chronic intestinal inflammation and metabolic dysregulation. This study suggests a potential new approach for preventing inflammatory conditions such as obesity and type 2 diabetes.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 19, 2023

New perspectives on MAFLD

A new set of diagnostic criteria for MAFLD has been developed, providing accurate and reliable diagnoses. This development has increased awareness of the disease and paved the way for further research and clinical trials, offering a significant step forward in diagnosing and treating MAFLD.

SourceFirst Hospital of Jilin University·JournaleGastroenterology·DateSep 16, 2023

Arf1 inhibitors promote the infiltration of cytotoxic T lymphocytes into tumors by affecting lipid metabolism

Researchers developed two Arf1 inhibitors that significantly increase T cell infiltration into tumors. By affecting lipid metabolism, they found that blocking Arf1 upregulates chemokine CCL5 and activates the PPARγ-NF-κB pathway, promoting cytotoxic T cell infiltration and anti-tumor effects.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalLife Metabolism·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 11, 2023

Overcoming the challenges to synthesising iron–sulfur proteins outside the glovebox

Researchers overcome challenges in synthesizing iron-sulfur proteins by developing a novel protocol that functions in an oxygen-free environment. The protocol uses a combination of protein systems and enzymes to produce mature Fe-S proteins, which has significant implications for synthetic biology and anaerobic enzymology.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalACS Synthetic Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 29, 2023

Lignocellulose bio-refinery developed for value-added chemical overproduction in yeast

A team of researchers from Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics has developed a microbial platform for efficient lignocellulose bio-refinery in yeast. The system can produce valuable chemicals like fatty acids and 3-hydroxypropionic acid, overcoming limitations in xylose assimilation and glucose repression.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalNature Chemical Biology·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateAug 24, 2023

Researchers identify the cellular mechanisms by which lactate helps our brains develop

Researchers discovered lactate's role in helping neural stem cells develop into specialized neurons. Lactate sends signals to cells, modifying and strengthening neuronal functions. The study provides insight into lactate signaling in the nervous system, with potential applications for preventing or controlling cognitive diseases.

SourceTohoku University·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateJul 24, 2023

3D/4D printed bio-piezoelectric smart scaffolds for next-generation bone tissue engineering

Researchers developed bio-piezoelectric smart scaffolds for next-generation bone tissue engineering, demonstrating potential for clinical applications. The scaffolds can reconstruct desired tissue EM through non-invasive ultrasonic stimulation, promoting cell adhesion and osteogenic differentiation.

SourceInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·JournalInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·DateJul 18, 2023

The economic life of cells

A team from the University of Tokyo combines economic theory with biology to understand how natural systems respond to change. They use the Slutsky equation to discover that different metabolic systems share previously unknown universal properties, which can be understood using tools from other academic fields.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 13, 2023

New comprehensive review of biochemical markers of bone fragility in diabetes

A comprehensive review of biochemical markers for bone fragility in diabetes identifies low bone turnover and alterations in bone quality as key factors. The study suggests that glycemic control, AGEs, and serum IGF-1 may have predictive value for fracture risk in patients with diabetes.

SourceInternational Osteoporosis Foundation·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism·TypeLiterature review·DateJul 10, 2023

Building models to predict interactions in plant microbiomes

Plant microbiomes have the potential to make agriculture more sustainable, but understanding their complex interactions is crucial. Researchers have developed models that use metabolic capabilities of bacteria to predict how these microbial communities compete or cooperate.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalScience·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 6, 2023

Inadequate energy intake affects female athletes

A new study from Aarhus University reveals that female athletes who consume too little energy through their diet in comparison to their training volume experience negatively impacted muscles' ability to respond to training. The study shows that insufficient energy intake can lead to changes in the hormonal system, including a decrease ...

SourceAarhus University·JournalThe Journal of Physiology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJul 3, 2023

A secret sibling of fat cells could hold new clues to understanding fat’s role in cardiometabolic diseases

Scientists at the University of Copenhagen discovered a new type of fat cell called SWAT cells that provide structural integrity to adipose tissue. These flexible cells can differentiate into various types, including fat cells and progenitor cells, suggesting a crucial role in adapting to metabolic conditions.

Scientists discover ‘lost world’ of our early ancestors in billion-year-old rocks

Researchers have discovered a new record of protosteroids in Earth's Middle Ages, extending the current molecular record of eukaryotes to 1600 million years ago. This finding provides a rare glimpse into the conditions surrounding the evolution of complex life and may shed light on the competitive demise of ancient eukaryote groups.

Microbes key to sequestering carbon in soil

A recent study has found that microbes play a crucial role in storing carbon in the soil, with a four-fold greater importance than other processes. This breakthrough could lead to improved soil health and increased food security through targeted farm management practices.

SourceCornell University·JournalNature·DateJun 5, 2023

Little-known microbes could help predict climate tipping points

Researchers at Duke University have identified a climate feedback loop that could accelerate climate change. Monitoring mixotrophs, tiny organisms with dual metabolism modes, may allow us to anticipate the tipping point before it gets there. However, nutrient pollution poses a challenge to detecting early warning signals.

SourceDuke University·JournalFunctional Ecology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 1, 2023

Cutting breakfast carbs can benefit people with Type 2 diabetes

Researchers at UBC Okanagan found that a low-carb breakfast can significantly reduce blood sugar swings and improve glucose control. Participants who followed a low-carb breakfast plan showed lower glycemic variability and some were able to reduce their glucose-lowering medication.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia Okanagan campus·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMay 31, 2023

Specifically designed diets demonstrate a “powerful ability” to prevent tumorigenesis, delay tumor growth and improve existing cancer treatments, CNIO researchers say in a review paper

CNIO researchers review the anticancer effects of various diets, including caloric restriction, ketogenic diet, and intermittent fasting. They argue that precision nutrition can be used to treat specific cancers based on tumor metabolism and patient characteristics.

SourceCentro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO)·JournalTrends in Molecular Medicine·TypeLiterature review·DateMay 30, 2023

GLA, the fatty acid that makes the heart function properly after birth

A study by CNIC researchers reveals that gamma-linolenic acid in breast milk binds to the retinoid X receptor protein, activating gene expression and influencing biological functions. This activation initiates genetic programs that equip mitochondria with the necessary enzymes and proteins to start consuming lipids as energy.

Study may explain why high-sugar diets can worsen IBD

A new study suggests that high-sugar diets can exacerbate inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) symptoms by disrupting the colon's lining renewal process. The research found that a high-sugar diet led to impaired cell division and altered metabolic pathways in mice, resulting in faster gut damage.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalCellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 22, 2023

Bacteria survive on radioactive elements

Research reveals that certain bacteria can replace essential lanthanides with actinides to sustain their metabolism. The findings suggest a possible role for these bacteria in decontaminating areas contaminated with radioactive elements or separating lanthanides and actinides for analytical purposes.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 11, 2023

The acute problem of chronic disease

A new paper by Robert K. Naviaux outlines the array of processes that drive healing and whose dysfunction underlies chronic illnesses like diabetes and autism. The cell danger response is triggered by exposure to threats, but persists even after the threat is gone, causing inflammation and cell dysfunction.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalMitochondrion·DateMay 10, 2023

Novel nomogram based on routine clinical indicators for Wilson's disease detection

Researchers in China have created a simple nomogram using easily accessible and automatable detected routine clinical indicators to reduce missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis of Wilson's disease. The study identified six independent predictors of the disease, including serum copper and direct bilirubin.

SourceKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.·JournalLiver Research·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMay 9, 2023

Methanol biotransformation to efficiently produce fatty alcohols

Researchers have engineered yeast Ogataea polymorpha to produce fatty alcohols from sole methanol by coupling peroxisomal metabolism. This approach improves cellular fitness and enables high-level production of up to 3.6 g/L. The study provides a feasible engineering strategy for sustainable production of fatty alcohols.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateApr 26, 2023

Breath test can monitor metabolism at home - study

Researchers at Anglia Ruskin University found that a portable breath test can detect changes in metabolism in response to diet. The study used the Lumen device to monitor metabolic fuel use at home and showed that it could detect acute changes in carbohydrate use, but was not sensitive on a day-to-day basis.

SourceAnglia Ruskin University·JournalJournal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition·DateApr 26, 2023