Digestion News and Research

RSS

Digestion is the mechanical and chemical breaking down of food into smaller components, to a form that can be absorbed, for instance, into a blood stream. Digestion is a form of catabolism; a break-down of macro food molecules to smaller ones.

Scientists uncover how good bacteria regulate genes

Scientists from the Babraham Institute near Cambridge in collaboration with colleagues from Brazil (here and here) and Italy have discovered a way that good bacteria in the gut can control genes in our cells.

9 Jan 2018

Deciphering Antibodies with Next-Generation Protein Sequencing Technology

Mr. Mingjie Xie, MSc, MBA, is the co-founder and CEO of Rapid Novor Inc. He is a computer scientist by training andreceived his MSc degree from Western University in the field of bioinformatics. He received his MBA degree from Richard Ivey School of Business to pursue his interests in business. Prior to co-founding Rapid Novor Inc, Mingjie is the COO of a bioinformatics software company.

From Rapid Novor Inc 9 Jan 2018

Precision editing of gut bacteria reduces inflammation in mouse model of colitis

UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers have used precision editing of the bacterial populations in the gut to prevent or reduce the severity of inflammation in a mouse model of colitis.

5 Jan 2018

Dysfunctional gene may be cause of Crohn's disease in some patients

This holiday season, millions of people will gather at airports ready to board planes for destinations around the world. Depending on the environment at their destination, their suitcases may be filled with sunscreen and bathing suits, or heavy parkas and mittens.

19 Dec 2017

Cellular self-digestion process plays role in development of autoimmune diseases

Autophagy allows cells to degrade and recycle their cellular components. Researchers at UZH have now demonstrated that the autophagy machinery in certain immune cells leads to the immune system attacking the central nervous system.

13 Dec 2017

Scientists find link between physical contact and gut bacteria in red-bellied lemurs

Scientists have found a direct link between physical contact and gut bacteria in red-bellied lemurs. Likely passed through 'huddling' behavior and touch, the new research has implications for human health.

5 Dec 2017

Changes in microbiome due to antibiotic exposure may increase risk for inflammatory bowel disease

Exposure to antibiotics in mothers may increase risk for inflammatory bowel diseases in their offspring. This is the finding of a study in mice led by researchers from NYU School of Medicine and published Nov. 27 in the journal Nature Microbiology.

27 Nov 2017

Chromatrap introduces easy-to-use range of DNA kits for molecular biology applications

Chromatrap, a leading developer of cutting-edge life science products, has launched an affordable, easy-to-use range of DNA kits for routine molecular biology applications.

From Chromatrap® - Porvair Sciences Ltd 23 Nov 2017

Gut bacteria may influence the response to certain cancer therapies finds study

A latest study has found that patients with advanced melanoma or skin cancer who had a specific bacteria in their gut had a more favorable response to certain types of cancer treatment or immunotherapy. The study from the University of Texas was published in the latest issue of the journal Science.

3 Nov 2017

Discovery of novel mechanism in the gut microbiome has implications for people with IBD

Many people associate the word "bacteria" with something dirty and disgusting. Dr. Pere Santamaria disagrees. Called the microbiome, the bacteria in our bodies have all kinds of positive effects on our health, Santamaria says. "The bacteria we have in our gut actually have many beneficial functions. They help in our digestion, prevent infection by pathogens and educate our immune system on what to fight."

23 Oct 2017

C-section kids could be at greater risk of being overweight due to differences in their gut bacteria

Researchers from NYU School of Medicine studied the effects of Caesarean section on the weights of the offspring in laboratory mice and found that they are more at risk of becoming overweight and obese.

12 Oct 2017

Prescription drug linked to marked slowing of stomach emptying and weight loss

Liraglutide injection, a prescription medication used to treat type-2 diabetes and obesity is associated with marked slowing of stomach emptying and is an effective weight loss therapy. These are the findings of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study by Mayo Clinic researchers published today in The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology.

26 Sep 2017

Combination of anti-malarial drug and photosensitizer could effectively kill cancer cells

Artemisinin, a potent anti-malarial drug, has been widely hailed as a promising alternative cancer treatment. Scientists from the National University of Singapore recently showed that its anti-cancer properties could be enhanced by 10 folds when used in combination with Aminolaevulinic acid, a photosensitizer or a drug which, upon exposure to light, leads to generation of free radicals that can kill cells.

18 Sep 2017

Novel, ultra-rare damaging genetic variants may contribute to eating disorders

By combining whole exome sequencing, machine learning, and network analysis, researchers have identified new, ultra-rare gene mutations within specific biological pathways that may contribute to eating disorders.

5 Sep 2017

Genetics of digestion stayed remarkably the same from fishes to humans, research shows

Scientists have discovered a network of genes and genetic regulatory elements in the lining of the intestines that has stayed remarkably the same from fishes to humans. Many of these genes are linked to human illnesses, such as inflammatory bowel diseases, diabetes and obesity.

30 Aug 2017

FDA grants accelerated approval to new treatment for children with Chagas disease

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today granted accelerated approval to benznidazole for use in children ages 2 to 12 years old with Chagas disease. It is the first treatment approved in the United States for the treatment of Chagas disease.

29 Aug 2017

Mammal embryos discard paternal mitochondria within days of fertilization, new study shows

Mammal embryos shed paternal mitochondria within days of fertilization, perhaps to ensure the offspring a healthy life, a new study shows.

29 Aug 2017

Counteracting premature aging

Aging is the continuing process of such stress exposures, and with advancing age (normal aging), we must carry lots of senescent cells within our bodies. Senescent cells also often provide some ‘bad influences’ to surrounding healthy cells; such as chronic inflammation and tumorigenesis

14 Aug 2017

New research uncovers how dietary fiber helps intestinal cells maintain gut health

UC Davis Health researchers have discovered how by-products of the digestion of dietary fiber by gut microbes act as the right fuel to help intestinal cells maintain gut health.

10 Aug 2017

Scientists discover how CD44s molecule gives brain cancer cells a survival advantage

Understanding the mechanisms that give cancer cells the ability to survive and grow opens the possibility of developing improved treatments to control or cure the disease.

19 Jul 2017