Lipids News and Research

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Lipids are a broad group of naturally-occurring molecules which includes fats, waxes, sterols, fat-soluble vitamins (such as vitamins A, D, E and K), monoglycerides, diglycerides, phospholipids, and others. The main biological functions of lipids include energy storage, as structural components of cell membranes, and as important signaling molecules.

Genetic variant disrupts brain’s cleanup crew increasing Alzheimer’s risk

A Nature study published today and led by researchers at the University of South Florida's USF Health Byrd Alzheimer's Institute pinpoints how a genetic variant disrupts microglia - the brain's "cleanup crew" - increasing the risk of Alzheimer's disease.

3 Sep 2025

AI scans arteries and predicts risk after heart attack better than traditional review

Researchers found that AI applied to OCT imaging can standardize detection of thin-cap fibroatheroma (TCFA) and identify post–heart attack patients at higher two-year risk. Whole-segment AI analysis outperformed lesion-focused human review, offering stronger prognostic value and reassurance for low-risk patients.

2 Sep 2025

Exosomes carry key indicators of biological aging

A new research paper featured on the cover of Volume 17, Issue 8 of Aging (Aging-US) was published on July 30, 2025, titled "Exosomes released from senescent cells and circulatory exosomes isolated from human plasma reveal aging-associated proteomic and lipid signatures."

2 Sep 2025

Researchers discover a direct pathway for macrophage cleanup

Macrophages are part of the immune system's frontline; they attack and eat invaders to protect surrounding cells. They, along with other cells, maintain intracellular conditions through macroautophagy, using autophagosomes to help digest broken cell components.

2 Sep 2025

Research reveals molecular details of ME/CFS and long COVID

Patients with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS) have heightened innate immune responses to bacteria, viruses, and fungi. While these responses are essential to fight infection, they can cause damage when unchecked.

1 Sep 2025

Visualizing lipid transport inside living cells with fluorescence microscopy

Lipid molecules, or fats, are crucial to all forms of life. Cells need lipids to build membranes, separate and organize biochemical reactions, store energy, and transmit information.

29 Aug 2025

UNSW researchers identify key protein that regulates fat storage in cells

UNSW research has shed light on how cells in the body manage and store fat, potentially offering new insights into health.

29 Aug 2025

Metabolic health plays larger role than weight gain in pregnancy outcomes

Metabolic health before and during pregnancy may have a bigger influence on risks for mother and baby than simply controlling weight gain.

28 Aug 2025

Stanford scientists make mouse skin transparent to study brain development

During childhood and adolescence, our brain goes through a lot of changes. But studying those changes in juvenile mice is challenging because scientists don't have a way to repeatedly image the same animal's neural pathways as they grow.

28 Aug 2025

Gut mast cells produce key molecules driving food allergy anaphylaxis

Food allergies affect more than half a billion people worldwide. In severe cases, even a small bite of the wrong food can trigger anaphylaxis - a rapid, body-wide allergic reaction that can cause difficulty breathing, a dangerous drop in blood pressure and even death.

28 Aug 2025

Certain dietary fats found to trigger hard-to-treat asthma in children

Researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) found that certain lipids, or fats, in obesity-causing foods also cause asthma-like lung inflammation.

27 Aug 2025

Fat location, not BMI, drives heart ageing risk in men and women

Researchers using UK Biobank imaging data found that where fat is stored in the body, not just how much, determines cardiovascular ageing. Visceral, liver, and muscle fat accelerate ageing, while gynoid fat protects women before menopause.

25 Aug 2025

New microfluidics-based workflow enables high-resolution lipid imaging in C. elegans

Understanding how fat molecules are distributed and function in living organisms is key to uncovering mechanisms of aging, disease, and metabolism.

22 Aug 2025

Study reveals how SARS-CoV-2 hijacks testicular lipid metabolism to replicate

The COVID-19 virus hijacks the machinery of testicular cells that produce the hormone testosterone in order to replicate.

21 Aug 2025

Research shows how lysosomes respond to stress

New research, published today in the journal Science, shows how lysosomes - organelles that act like cells' waste disposal system - respond to stress by becoming abnormally bloated, a process called lysosomal vacuolation that is associated with numerous diseases.

21 Aug 2025

Genetic variants influencing vitamin D synthesis, metabolism, and transport

A Canadian review synthesizes genetic factors that influence vitamin D synthesis, metabolism, and transport, highlighting how polymorphisms affect circulating levels. It also explores how gene-environment interactions shape individual responses to supplementation and sunlight.

20 Aug 2025

Women with Alzheimer's show reduced levels of healthy unsaturated fats

Omega fatty acids could protect against Alzheimer's disease in women, new research has found.

20 Aug 2025

Eating over 60g of almonds a day may protect DNA and cut oxidative damage

A meta-analysis of eight clinical trials found that almond supplementation, especially at doses above 60 g/day, significantly reduced oxidative DNA and lipid damage and improved antioxidant enzyme activity in adults. The benefits varied by biomarker and were influenced by dose, preparation, and participant characteristics.

14 Aug 2025

Surprising sweetness differences in popular U.S. infant formulas

A study on infant formulas reveals significant differences in sweetness, highlighting the impact of ingredients on children's nutrition and taste preferences.

14 Aug 2025