Lipids News and Research

RSS

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.

A new method for generating metabolic profiles of single cells

Scientists from the European Molecular Biology Laboratory and the German Cancer Research Center have presented a new method for generating metabolic profiles of individual cells.

6 Jul 2021

Ion channel conserved in coronaviruses a potential new drug target for COVID therapeutics

To this end, a recent study published in Nature Structural & Molecular Biology discusses the structures of the SARS-CoV-2 ORF3a using cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM).

30 Jun 2021

Discovery of blood biomarker opens new perspectives for dietary prevention of AMD-related risks

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the principal cause of vision loss in industrialised countries, with nearly 20 million people affected in Europe in 2020. Although identified as a risk factor, until now it was impossible to evaluate retinal omega-3 fatty acid deficits.

30 Jun 2021

SARS-CoV-2 infection induces accumulation of lipids and N-proteins

Scientists from the Netherlands and the US recently studied the localization of the SARS-CoV-2 proteins in postmortem lung tissues of COVID-19 patients and in SARS-CoV-2 infected Vero cells that were processed identically. The research is posted to the bioRxiv* preprint server, prior to peer review.

29 Jun 2021

Lowering iron content in fat cells prevented mice from gaining excess weight

Lowering iron content in fat cells prevented mice fed a high-fat diet from gaining excess weight and developing associated health problems by limiting the amount of lipids absorbed by the intestines, UT Southwestern scientists report in a new study. The findings, published online in Cell Metabolism, could eventually lead to new strategies to protect people against obesity and related diseases.

29 Jun 2021

Family history modifies the link between blood lipids and esophageal cancer risk

Several studies have associated blood lipids with different types of cancer like that of the food pipe or “esophagus,” but much remains to be understood, to apply this knowledge clinically.

24 Jun 2021

Western high-fat diet can increase the risk of chronic pain

A typical Western high-fat diet can increase the risk of painful disorders common in people with conditions such as diabetes or obesity, according to a groundbreaking paper authored by a team led by The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, also referred to as UT Health San Antonio.

23 Jun 2021

Western diet increases COVID-19 severity in a hamster model

Researchers have shown that a Western diet may affect viral replication, disease severity, and immune protection following infection with SARS-CoV-2.

21 Jun 2021

Study shows how epigenetic factors modulate the risk of type 1 diabetes

Genetics plays a major role in determining a person’s risk of developing type 1 diabetes, but environmental and lifestyle factors are also important. In an article recently published in Chinese Medical Journal, a team of researchers explore the interplay of genetic and environmental factors by summarizing the literature on type 1 diabetes and epigenetics—the study of how gene expression patterns can be modified.

18 Jun 2021

Precision medicine may lead to more effective treatments for ocular conditions

The most practical solution for drug delivery to the eyeball is topical, i.e. eye drops. However, a naturally occurring substance in tears actually can interact with the drug delivery system (DDS), hindering absorption of the drug and preventing it from getting into the cells it needs to target.

17 Jun 2021

Researchers report on the role of brain cell membranes' lipids in Alzheimer's progression

Alzheimer's disease is predominant in elderly people, but the way age-related changes to lipid composition affect the regulation of biological processes is still not well understood.

15 Jun 2021

Does the number of siblings you have affect your health?

News-Medical spoke to Professor Peter M Nilsson about cardiovascular disease risk and whether this is affected by the number of siblings you have.

15 Jun 2021

Study elucidates how Omega-3 fatty acids poison tumor cells

So-called "good fatty acids" are essential for human health and much sought after by those who try to eat healthily. Among the Omega-3 fatty acids, DHA or docosahexaenoic acid is crucial to brain function, vision and the regulation of inflammatory phenomena.

11 Jun 2021

DFG funds four collaborative research centers at Goethe University

Researching intricate geometric and arithmetic objects is the goal of the new Collaborative Research Centre Transregio 326 (TRR 326), coordinated by Goethe University.

11 Jun 2021

Statins associated with reduced COVID-19 mortality and decreased need for ventilator support

Statins are medications widely used in the management of cardiovascular diseases and metabolic syndrome. Statins help lower serum lipids by blocking HMG-CoA reductase (3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A reductase), the rate-limiting enzyme of cholesterol biosynthesis.

11 Jun 2021