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New study provides a unique resource for understanding how environmental exposures in early life affect our health

Researchers have developed a unique resource for understanding the impact of early life environmental exposures on health. The study, which analyzed data from 1,301 mother-child pairs, identified associations between 92 in pregnancy and 116 in childhood with molecular profiles at different levels.

SourceBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateNov 21, 2022

Yellow pigment keeps social amoebae together

Researchers at Leibniz-HKI discovered a yellow natural substance that regulates the multicellular stage of the amoeba <em>D. discoideum</em>. The polyketide, dictyoden, prevents premature hatching from spores, maintaining the development cycle. The study provides insights into the complex transition from single- to multicellularity.

SourceLeibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute -·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 19, 2022

New insights into how serotonin regulates behavior

New research by Frank Schroeder's team reveals two parallel biosynthetic pathways for serotonin production in C. elegans, challenging the long-held assumption that serotonin is made and quickly broken down. The findings suggest new therapeutic targets for treating anxiety, depression, and eating disorders.

SourceBoyce Thompson Institute·JournalNature Chemical Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 13, 2022

Drug discovery method identifies naturally occurring metabolite that converts ‘bad’ fat to ‘good’ fat

A team of scientists at Scripps Research and Calibr discovered a naturally occurring metabolite called myristoylglycine that can convert white fat cells into brown fat cells, potentially treating obesity and related diseases. The breakthrough uses a novel drug discovery method to identify endogenous metabolites with therapeutic potential.

SourceScripps Research Institute·JournalMetabolites·DateOct 13, 2022

Metabolism may be key to future treatment of kidney diseases

A new study from Aarhus University found that lysine, an amino acid supplement, protects laboratory animals from kidney damage and prevents hypertensive kidney disease. The research suggests that a diet rich in lysine may help prevent or treat kidney diseases, but more studies are needed to confirm the results.

SourceAarhus University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 19, 2022

Sugar metabolism is surprisingly conventional in cancer

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis found that cancer cells metabolize glucose in their mitochondria, following conventional biochemical patterns. The study suggests that limiting glucose uptake may not be an effective strategy to target cancer cells, and glucose metabolism may need to be reevaluated as a therapeutic target.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalMolecular Cell·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 15, 2022

New insights on how some individuals with obesity can lose weight – and keep it off

A new study suggests that exercise training is crucial for individuals with diet-resistant obesity, improving skeletal muscle metabolism and enhancing weight loss capacity. The research challenges the one-size-fits-all approach to treating obesity and has the potential to help reshape the science of weight-loss programs.

SourceUniversity of Ottawa·JournalEBioMedicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 11, 2022

Worms as a model for personalized medicine

Researchers used C. elegans to investigate inter-individual variation in metabolism and found genetic variants that affect metabolic differences between individuals. They discovered unique metabolites in different strains of the worm, which could help tailor biomedical recommendations to individual metabolism.

SourceBoyce Thompson Institute·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 19, 2022

Not all dietary fibers are equal

Researchers investigated two common soluble fibers, arabinoxylan and long-chain inulin, on human physiology. They found that AX reduced LDL cholesterol, while LCI decreased inflammation markers and increased beneficial gut microbes, but high doses of inulin caused negative effects.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Host & Microbe·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateApr 28, 2022

New study reveals that healthy plant-based diets are associated with a lower risk of developing diabetes

A new study published in Diabetologia found that healthy plant-based diets, including fruits, vegetables, and legumes, are linked to a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The study analyzed metabolite profiles and diet indices from over 10,684 participants, revealing unique multi-metabolite profiles associated with healthy plant-...

SourceDiabetologia·JournalDiabetologia·DateApr 8, 2022

Metabolomic study links inhaled cortical steroid treatment for asthma to adrenal suppression

A metabolomic study of 14,000 individuals with asthma found that inhaled corticosteroid therapy leads to adrenal suppression, characterized by fatigue, headache, and abdominal pain. The study suggests that monitoring cortisol levels and prescribing the lowest effective dose may help mitigate side effects.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalNature Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateMar 21, 2022

What the gut reveals about the heart

A study reveals that changes in gut microbiota and metabolome are associated with cardiovascular disease development, particularly coronary heart disease. The research found that alterations in the gut microbiome occur long before the onset of heart disease, suggesting a potential role for the microbiome in its early pathogenesis.

SourceMax Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association·JournalNature Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 21, 2022

New journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis study shows novel strategy to improve quality checking of generic drugs

Researchers devised a novel approach to unify quality assessment of generic drugs developed through different processes. The 'population pharmaceutical quality assessment' method uses computational modeling to evaluate process information, providing a scientific tool for objective quality consistency evaluation.

SourceCactus Communications·JournalJournal of Pharmaceutical Analysis·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 3, 2022

Early-stage lung cancer may be detected from a drop of blood

A predictive model based on magnetic resonance spectroscopy can detect lung cancer from alterations in blood metabolites, allowing for early-stage screening and potentially improving survival rates. The study screened tens of thousands of blood specimens and found accurate predictions using values from prior-to-diagnosis blood samples.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 13, 2021

A diet rich in plant-based products reduces the risk of cognitive impairment in the elderly

A study published in Molecular Nutrition & Food Research found a significant association between dietary polyphenols from plant-based foods and reduced cognitive impairment risk. The research analyzed the metabolism of dietary components, intestinal microbiota, and endogenous metabolism in relation to cognitive decline.

SourceUniversity of Barcelona·JournalMolecular Nutrition & Food Research·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateDec 9, 2021

Metabolic differences in the diagnosis of and treatment refinement for episodic and chronic depression

A study in young psychiatric outpatients with episodic or chronic depression found differences in one-carbon and energy metabolism, which could aid in diagnosis and targeted treatments. The preliminary results suggest potential mechanisms behind chronicity, highlighting the need for larger cohorts to confirm findings.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalJournal of Affective Disorders Reports·DateDec 8, 2021

Getting to the core of a more nutritious apple

A new analysis platform developed by Ohio State University scientists combines genetics and phytochemical data to improve the health benefits of apples. The platform has potential to reduce breeding time and enable data-driven assessments of how to boost apple nutrition.

SourceOhio State University·JournalNew Phytologist·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 2, 2021

Higher levels of ultra-processed food in childhood associated with increased risk of child overweight/obesity and changes in metabolome

New research shows that higher levels of ultra-processed food in childhood are associated with an increased risk of childhood obesity, as well as alterations in the metabolome. The study found that a diet high in ultra-processed foods is negatively associated with certain biomarkers, such as docosahexaenoic acid and omega-3 fatty acids.

Novel study discovers 'metabolic fingerprint' to help treat, diagnose and prevent cervical cancer

Researchers at the University of Arizona have discovered a 'metabolic fingerprint' that distinguishes patients with cervical cancer from healthy women. The study identified three compounds that distinguish cervical cancer patients from healthy women, showing promise for future diagnostics, interventions or therapies.

SourceUniversity of Arizona Health Sciences·JournalEBioMedicine·DateMay 14, 2019

Next-generation metabolomics may facilitate the discovery of new antidepressants

Next-generation metabolomics may facilitate the discovery of new antidepressants by providing broader coverage and higher resolution than traditional methods. The technique has demonstrated great potential in accelerating pharmaceutical R&D, particularly for natural products like albiflorin, a promising multi-target drug candidate.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalCurrent Pharmaceutical Design·DateAug 6, 2018