Digestion News and Research

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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.

Researchers use silk fibers to grow stem cells into salivary gland cells

The silkworm, which produces the essential ingredient for fine silk fabric, also plays a critical role in a new process designed to provide relief for millions of individuals with dry mouth, a devastating oral and systemic health issue.

28 Jul 2015

New review article analyzes pros and cons of different treatment approaches to gallbladder disease

More than 25 million Americans have gallstones, and each year about 1 million new cases are diagnosed. Each year about 1.8 million people develop abdominal pain as a result of gallstones and go see a doctor about it. About 40 percent of these, more than 725,000 people a year, ultimately have surgery to resolve the problem.

23 Jul 2015

Mayo Clinic researchers test Spheroid Reservoir Bioartificial Liver to treat patients with acute liver failure

Approximately 30,000-40,000 people die from liver disease each year, according to the American Liver Foundation. For people who experience acute liver failure, the only proven treatment has been liver transplantation. Researchers at Mayo Clinic have developed and are testing an alternative to liver transplantation called the Spheroid Reservoir Bioartificial Liver that can support healing and regeneration of the injured liver, and improve outcomes and reduce mortality rates for patients with acute liver failure — without requiring a transplant.

20 Jul 2015

Loss of dietary diversity contributes to rise in obesity, Type 2 diabetes and other diseases

A loss of dietary diversity during the past 50 years could be a contributing factor to the rise in obesity, Type 2 diabetes, gastrointestinal problems and other diseases, according to a lecture by Mark Heiman, vice president and chief scientific officer at MicroBiome Therapeutics, at IFT15: Where Science Feeds Innovation hosted by the Institute of Food Technologists in Chicago.

16 Jul 2015

Microbiota blocks the immune cells responsible for triggering allergies

The human body is inhabited by billions of symbiotic bacteria, carrying a diversity that is unique to each individual. The microbiota is involved in many mechanisms, including digestion, vitamin synthesis and host defense.

12 Jul 2015

Umeå University researchers capture and describe 'invisible' protein structure

A research group at Umeå University in Sweden has managed to capture and describe a protein structure that, until now, has been impossible to study. The discovery lays the base for developing designed enzymes as catalysts to new chemical reactions for instance in biotechnological applications.

3 Jul 2015

Biologically active molecules produced during gluten digestion can pass through gut lining

Biologically active molecules released by digesting bread and pasta can survive digestion and potentially pass through the gut lining, suggests new research.

2 Jul 2015

New NEI study shows that microglia can accelerate damage wrought by blinding eye disorders

Spider-like cells inside the brain, spinal cord and eye hunt for invaders, capturing and then devouring them. These cells, called microglia, often play a beneficial role by helping to clear trash and protect the central nervous system against infection. But a new study by researchers at the National Eye Institute (NEI) shows that they also accelerate damage wrought by blinding eye disorders, such as retinitis pigmentosa.

2 Jul 2015

Findings highlight benefit of vegan-eating plans for weight loss

People on a vegetarian diet, and especially those following a vegan one that includes no animal products, see better results than dieters on other weight-reducing plans. In fact, they can lose around two kilograms more on the short term, says Ru-Yi Huang of E-Da Hospital in Taiwan after reviewing the results of twelve diet trials.

1 Jul 2015

Scientists report that mouse with weak bones appears to have strong metabolism

One mouse with weak bones appears to have a strong metabolism, even on a high-fat diet, scientists report. While weaker bones are clearly not a good thing, scientists suspect that, somewhere in the conversation between the genetically engineered mouse's skeleton and the rest of its body, there may be an answer that helps obese individuals avoid some of the worst ravages of this health epidemic.

16 Jun 2015

People now have powerful new option for relieving dry mouth symptoms

People who suffer from dry mouth, or xerostomia, now have a powerful new option for relieving their symptoms. Building on the success of its antioxidant oral care product line, Dallas-based PerioSciences LLC is launching Dry Mouth AO ProGel and a new MILD formula of its Hydrating AO ProRinse. The new products, along with the established Hydrating AO ProRinse and AO ProToothpaste, provide a complete Hydrating Oral Care System.

8 Jun 2015

Our Lady of the Lake Children's Hospital opens pediatric specialty clinic in Lafayette, Louisiana

Our Lady of the Lake Children's Hospital opened its first pediatric specialty clinic outside of the Baton Rouge area on June 3. The Pediatric Specialty Clinic in Lafayette, Louisiana will offer specialized outpatient care for pediatric gastroenterology.

5 Jun 2015

Case Western Reserve researchers find potential game-changer for triple-negative breast cancer

Researchers at Case Western Reserve University combined finely crafted nanoparticles with one of nature's potent disrupters to prevent the spread of triple-negative breast cancer in mouse models.

13 May 2015

Researchers reveal potential mode of drug resistance in malaria parasites

Scientists have uncovered a potential mode of parasite drug resistance in malaria infection, according to a report published in The Journal of Experimental Medicine.

5 May 2015

Adjustable gastric band surgery, weight management program offer similar benefits in diabetes patients

Weight loss is never easy, but it's important for overweight people with type 2 diabetes seeking to control their blood sugar levels and optimize their health. A small clinical trial among such patients led by Joslin Diabetes Center and Brigham and Women's Hospital researchers now has shown that two approaches--adjustable gastric band surgery and an intensive group-based medical diabetes and weight management program--achieved similar improvements in controlling blood sugar levels after one year.

29 Apr 2015

Special issue of Gastroenterology highlights how food impacts health and disease

Patients are always interested in understanding what they should eat and how it will impact their health. Physicians are just as interested in advancing their understanding of the major health effects of foods and food-related diseases.

28 Apr 2015

Study: Alginate-enriched bread can reduce fat digestion, circulatory lipids in NAFLD patients

A study revealed today at The International Liver Congress 2015 has demonstrated that alginate-enriched bread has the potential to inhibit fat digestion and circulatory lipids in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

23 Apr 2015

New treatment shows promise in easing symptoms of Parkinson's disease

To date, a cure for Parkinson's disease remains elusive for the more than 50,000 Americans diagnosed yearly, despite decades of intensive study. But a newly approved treatment that might help ease the symptoms of Parkinson's has shown remarkable promise.

22 Apr 2015

High Throughput ChIP Sequencing

Chromatrap®, a business unit of Porvair Sciences, has announced a major product launch at the European Human Genetics Conference (Glasgow, UK) and the Festival of Genomics (Boston, USA) on the 6th June 2015 and 22nd-24th June 2015 respectively

From Chromatrap® - Porvair Sciences Ltd 6 Apr 2015

Milk protein comparison study may help improve infant formula

Human babies appear to need more of a nutritional boost from breast-milk proteins than do infants of one of their closest primate relatives, suggests a study comparing human milk with the milk of rhesus macaque monkeys.

20 Mar 2015