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.

Inherited or transmitted gut microbes affect skeletal development in animals

Gut microbes passed from female mice to their offspring, or shared between mice that live together, may influence the animals' bone mass, says a new study published today in eLife.

12 Jan 2021

Metabolites may be predictive indicators of patients at risk for recurrent major depression

Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine, in collaboration with Dutch scientists, have found that certain metabolites - small molecules produced by the process of metabolism - may be predictive indicators for persons at risk for recurrent major depressive disorder.

12 Jan 2021

Study monitors spatial shifts of liver gene expression in relationship to the circadian clock

Nothing in biology is static. Biological processes fluctuate over time, and if we are to put together an accurate picture of cells, tissues, organs etc., we have to take into account their temporal patterns. In fact, this effort has given rise to an entire field of study known as "chronobiology".

11 Jan 2021

Mass spectrometry imaging may one day aid in diagnosing brain diseases

Medical professionals all want to be able to quickly and correctly diagnose diseases. Their future ability to do so will depend on identifying what biochemicals are present in tissue sections, where the biomolecules are, and at what concentrations.

7 Jan 2021

Mass spectrometry imaging shows promise in diagnosing brain diseases

7 Jan 2021

Few organisms in the gut microbiome found to play a key role in type 2 diabetes

Researchers at Oregon State University have found that a few organisms in the gut microbiome play a key role in type 2 diabetes, opening the door to possible probiotic treatments for a serious metabolic disease affecting roughly one in 10 Americans.

4 Jan 2021

Animal study suggests palmitoylation inhibitor reduces virulence of SARS-CoV-2

A new study preprint on the bioRxiv* server demonstrates the ability of a fatty acid synthase inhibitor to improve the survival of mice infected with murine hepatitis virus. In so doing, it adds to the sum of knowledge about the relationship of SARS-CoV-2 with cholesterol metabolism in the host cell.

24 Dec 2020

Researchers identify novel mechanism by which CREB3L3 protein protects against atherosclerosis

Researchers from the University of Tsukuba identify a novel mechanism by which the protein CREB3L3 protects against atherosclerosis.

21 Dec 2020

COVID-19 particles will remain infectious as temperature begins to drop

Winter is coming in the northern hemisphere and public health officials are asking how the seasonal shift will impact the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19?

18 Dec 2020

Cholesterol in the plasma membrane is essential for SARS-CoV-2 entry and syncytia formation

A preprint indicates that SARS-CoV-2 requires cholesterol to accomplish entry into the host cells and membrane fusion.

17 Dec 2020

Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound combined with microbubbles might enhance chemotherapy delivery

Application of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound in combination with microbubbles might enhance the delivery of chemotherapy medication used for treating cancers.

17 Dec 2020

HDL nanoparticles prevent cholesterol movement at membrane receptor to inhibit entry of SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus in cell culture

As researchers strive to find safe therapeutics for COVID 19, a study suggests that preventing the movement of cholesterol may inhibit viral entry by up to 80%.

17 Dec 2020

Oral hormone therapy significantly alters the metabolome of postmenopausal women

Groundbreaking research led by a team of scientists including a University of Massachusetts Amherst biostatistician shows that oral hormone therapy (HT) significantly alters the metabolome of postmenopausal women.

16 Dec 2020

Researchers study the mechanisms of skin aging

The ageing process is most apparent on the skin. In the newly opened "SKINMAGINE" (Multimodal Imaging of Aging and Senescence of the Skin) Christian Doppler Laboratory, dermatologists from MedUni Vienna have joined forces with biotechnologists from the University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences Vienna and chemists from Vienna University of Technology, as well as the company Chanel, to study the interaction of metabolism, cellular communication and cellular quality control in skin ageing accelerated by environmental stress.

16 Dec 2020

Active enzyme needed to unlock full benefits of vitamin A in carrots

Carrots are a good source of beta-carotene, which is a precursor of vitamin A. But to get the full health benefits of this superfood, you need an active enzyme to produce this vitamin.

11 Dec 2020

Healthy gut microbiota contributes to normal brain function, study shows

Depression is a mental disorder that affects more than 264 million people of all ages worldwide. Understanding its mechanisms is vital for the development of effective therapeutic strategies.

11 Dec 2020

SARS-CoV-2 spike protein mediates acute lung pathology in mice

A study shows that the viral spike protein is adequate by itself to induce macrophage activation in pulmonary tissue and induce acute inflammation.

10 Dec 2020

Lipid storm in severe COVID-19 linked to high COX/LOX pathway activity

A potentially valuable new study discusses the role of lipids in the hyper-inflammatory phenomena that take place within the lungs of patients with severe or critical COVID-19. Involving a large variety of specialized lipids with biological activity, this process includes the generation and release of pro and anti-inflammatory lipids.

8 Dec 2020

Blood type not associated with the effects of plant-based diet

A study published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics by researchers with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine--a nonprofit of 12,000 doctors--debunks the "blood type diet" by finding that blood type was not associated with the effects of a plant-based diet on body weight, body fat, plasma lipid concentrations, or glycemic control.

5 Dec 2020

Expansion microscopy allows imaging of cell membranes in super resolution

For the first time ever, expansion microscopy allows the imaging of even the finest details of cell membranes. This offers new insights into bacterial and viral infection processes.

2 Dec 2020