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.

Gut microbes drive fat browning in response to diet

White adipose tissue stores energy, while brown and beige fat burn energy through thermogenesis. Under certain environmental conditions, white fat can transition into beige fat in a process known as browning.

24 Mar 2026

Palmatine improved fatty liver markers in a preclinical type 2 diabetes study

Researchers used a bioinformatics-plus-rat-model approach to investigate how palmatine may help treat T2DM-associated MASLD, identifying five core targets: ADRB2, BCL3, EGR1, FOS, and MAP3K8. In rats, palmatine improved liver injury, inflammation, oxidative stress, glycolipid metabolism, steatosis, and fibrosis, while reducing apoptosis-related signaling, providing a preclinical foundation for further therapeutic study.

23 Mar 2026

New cholesterol guidelines emphasize earlier risk assessment and prevention

New national guidance for managing cholesterol and other blood lipids emphasizes earlier risk assessment, more personalized treatment, and long-term prevention—including, in some cases, treatment beginning as early as age 30.

23 Mar 2026

Early obesity treatment reduces long-term health risks for all children

Children living with obesity but showing no signs of metabolic complications still have a significantly increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and abnormal blood lipid levels later in life.

23 Mar 2026

Gut-derived blood markers may help predict who develops coronary heart disease

Researchers used five prospective cohorts from the US and China to identify circulating gut microbiota-related metabolites linked to future coronary heart disease, then tested the findings through discovery, in silico validation, and targeted quantitative validation. The study ultimately highlighted nine metabolites associated with incident CHD, supporting a potential role for microbial metabolism in heart disease risk while not proving causation

18 Mar 2026

Modified lipid nanoparticles boost mRNA vaccines while reducing side effects

The most common side effects of mRNA vaccines like the COVID-19 shot are well known: soreness, mild fever and general malaise.

17 Mar 2026

Reducing lung cell lipid production decreases metastatic tumor spread

Scientists from the VIB–KU Leuven Center for Cancer Biology, in collaboration with the Francis Crick Institute, have discovered how cancer cells can exploit healthy lung cells to support metastatic tumor growth in the lungs.

17 Mar 2026

Researchers show how smartwatches can help identify insulin resistance

Researchers developed a scalable framework that predicts insulin resistance using wearable-device signals, routine blood biomarkers, and demographic data, with stronger performance when these data streams were combined. The study also introduced an AI agent to explain insulin resistance risk, interpret results, and support earlier metabolic risk screening.

17 Mar 2026

Study uncovers how tuberculosis bacteria fuel themselves during infection

Researchers at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) have uncovered how the bacteria that causes tuberculosis fuels itself during infection, providing new insights into one of the world's deadliest infectious diseases.

17 Mar 2026

Updated guideline emphasizes earlier treatment for high cholesterol

The American College of Cardiology (ACC), the American Heart Association and nine other leading medical associations, today issued an updated guideline for the management of dyslipidemia-abnormal levels of one or more types of lipids or lipoproteins in the blood, including cholesterol and triglycerides.

13 Mar 2026

Using blood proteins to make living brains transparent

Making a living brain transparent and watching its neurons fire without disturbing their function-sounds like science fiction, doesn't it? Yet the solution may already exist within our own bodies.

13 Mar 2026

AI-generated meal plans for teens often lack essential nutrients and calories

Many teens dealing with weight issues are turning to AI models to help them create meal plans with the aim of losing weight.

12 Mar 2026

Adding three simple amino acids boosts mRNA and CRISPR delivery

Lipid nanoparticles, or LNPs, best known as the delivery vehicle for the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines received by billions of people, are now at the center of a much larger medical revolution.

12 Mar 2026

Can eating almonds reduce inflammation in obesity?

Adding almonds to the diet of adults with obesity enhances inflammatory cytokine profiles and diet quality, highlighting a simple anti-inflammatory strategy.

12 Mar 2026

DNA-based barcoding reveals which nanoparticles successfully deliver genetic therapies

Drug delivery researchers have vastly improved the potential of genetic therapies by overcoming the challenge of consistently getting genes and gene-editing tools where they need to be within cells.

11 Mar 2026

New catalog identifies dozens of plasma membrane repair proteins

In the evolutionary history of life, the ability of a cell to separate its inner world from the external environment was an important turning point.

10 Mar 2026

EVA1A regulates fatty acid transporter CD36 in fatty liver disease

Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease（MASLD） is characterized by excessive accumulation of lipids in hepatocytes and is closely associated with the rapid rise in insulin resistance, obesity, and diabetes prevalence, making it one of the most common chronic liver diseases worldwide.

9 Mar 2026

Weekend lie-ins may boost insulin sensitivity, but too much may backfire

This study explores the relationship between sleep patterns and insulin sensitivity, emphasizing the impact of weekday sleep and weekend catch-up on metabolism.

6 Mar 2026

Dual targeting strategy may improve treatment for resistant lung cancers

Findings from a study led by researchers at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James) support the potential of new therapies that could improve clinical outcomes for patients with squamous and adenocarcinoma non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) that don't respond to immunotherapy.

5 Mar 2026