Showing 20 articles starting at article 1
Categories: Birth Defects, Dietary Supplements and Minerals
Published Human embryo-like models created from stem cells to understand earliest stages of human development
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Scientists have created a stem cell-derived model of the human embryo in the lab by reprogramming human stem cells. The breakthrough could help research into genetic disorders and in understanding why and how pregnancies fail.
Published The molecular control center of our protein factories
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Researchers have deciphered a biochemical mechanism that ensures that newly formed proteins are processed correctly when they leave the cell's own protein factories. This solves a decade-old puzzle in protein sorting.
Published Omega-3 fatty acids linked to slower decline in ALS
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source People with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) who eat more foods high in certain omega-3 fatty acids like flaxseed oil, walnuts, canola oil and pumpkin seeds may have a slower physical decline from the disease and may have a slightly extended survival. Researchers also found an omega-6 fatty acid may be beneficial. The study does not prove that these omega fatty acids slow decline of ALS or extend survival; it only shows an association.
Published What role does alternative splicing play in neurodegenerative disease?
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Scientists have written a review to discuss emerging research and evidence of the roles of alternative splicing defects in major neurodegenerative diseases. They also summarize the latest advances in RNA-based therapeutic strategies to target these disorders.
Published A 'pinch' of mineral salts helps the noncaloric sweeteners go down
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Perfect noncaloric replacements for sugar and high fructose corn syrup just don't exist yet. For example, some alternatives have a lingering sweet aftertaste and lack a sugar-like mouthfeel, leaving some consumers unsatisfied. Now, researchers propose adding blends of nutritionally important mineral salts to make noncaloric sweeteners seem more like the real thing. Taste-testers indicated that these blends gave zero- and low-calorie drinks a better flavor.
Published Poorly insulated nerve cells promote Alzheimer's disease in old age
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Researchers have shown that defective myelin actively promotes disease-related changes in Alzheimer's disease.
Published Open-analysis platform for pediatric brain tumors provides robust data resource for childhood cancer research
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Researchers have partnered to create a first-of-its-kind open-source, reproducible analysis platform for pediatric brain tumors. With the help of thousands of genomically sequenced samples, researchers have used this platform to identify initial findings about genetic variants associated with poorer outcomes that could help guide future diagnostic and therapeutic advances.
Published Eat right, live longer: Could a moderate protein diet be the coveted elixir of youth?
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Consuming nutritious food can improve metabolic health and delay aging. But what are the appropriate quantities of dietary macronutrients that can help achieve this? To answer this, researchers fed isocaloric diets with varying amounts of protein to young and middle-aged male mice. They found that the mice were metabolically healthier when fed moderate-protein diets. These findings could provide valuable insights into developing nutritional interventions and improving metabolic health in people.
Published Scientists unveil RNA-guided mechanisms driving cell fate
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source The early stages of embryonic development contain many of life's mysteries. Unlocking these mysteries can help us better understand early development and birth defects, and help develop new regenerative medicine treatments. Researchers have now characterized a critical time in mammalian embryonic development using powerful and innovative imaging techniques.
Published Cancers in distant organs alter liver function
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Cancers often release molecules into the bloodstream that pathologically alter the liver, shifting it to an inflammatory state, causing fat buildup and impairing its normal detoxifying functions, according to a study from investigators at Weill Cornell Medicine. This discovery illuminates one of cancer's more insidious survival mechanisms and suggests the possibility of new tests and drugs for detecting and reversing this process.
Published Vitamin D alters developing neurons in the brain's dopamine circuit
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Neuroscientists have shown how vitamin D deficiency affects developing neurons in the brain's dopamine circuit, which may lead to the dopamine dysfunction seen in adults with schizophrenia.
Published The Mediterranean Diet: Good for your health and your hip pocket
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source We've heard it time and time again -- the Mediterranean diet is great for our health. But despite the significant health benefits of this eating plan, a common deterrent is often the expected costs, especially when budgets are tight.
Published Engineers create bacteria that can synthesize an unnatural amino acid
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Researchers have engineered bacteria to synthesize an amino acid that contains a rare functional group that others have shown to have implications in the regulation of our immune system. The researchers also taught a single bacterial strain to create the amino acid and place it at specific sites within target proteins. These findings provide a foundation for developing unique vaccines and immunotherapies in the future.
Published Nitrate: Healthy heart or cancer risk? Meet nutrition's Jekyll and Hyde
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source For a long time nitrate has been viewed warily, with previous research showing it could potentially be linked to causing cancer. However, it has subsequently bee revealed to have various cardiovascular health benefits. So, which is it? A new review of dietary nitrate research shows the answers to its health benefits or risks may lie in where it is sourced from.
Published Understanding the speed of brain communication
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Called the human connectome, this structural system of neural pathways develops as people age. A new study shows transmission speed among brain regions increases into early adulthood. Learning more about neuron transmission may improve the understanding of psychological disorders.
Published A special omega-3 fatty acid lipid will change how we look at the developing and aging brain
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Scientists have found a lipid transporter crucial to regulating the cells that make myelin, the nerve-protecting sheath.
Published AI could run a million microbial experiments per year
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Automation uncovers combinations of amino acids that feed two bacterial species and could tell us much more about the 90% of bacteria that humans have hardly studied. An artificial intelligence system enables robots to conduct autonomous scientific experiments -- as many as 10,000 per day -- potentially driving a drastic leap forward in the pace of discovery in areas from medicine to agriculture to environmental science.
Published Gene responsible for severe facial defects identified
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Goldenhar syndrome is a rare congenital disease, affecting early fetal development. This syndrome includes malformations of varying severity, affecting different parts of the face. Its causes and modes of transmission are still poorly understood. An international collaboration has discovered that pathogenic variants of the FOXI3 gene -- responsible for the development of the ear -- cause one form of this developmental disorder. The scientists were also able to identify the modes of transmission of the disease when this particular gene is involved.
Published Study links nutrients, brain structure, cognition in healthy aging
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Scientists found that blood markers of two saturated fatty acids along with certain omega-6, -7 and -9 fatty acids correlated with better scores on tests of memory and were associated with larger brain structures in the frontal, temporal, parietal and insular cortices.
Published Problems with 'pruning' brain connections linked to adolescent mental health disorders
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Problems with the brain's ability to 'prune' itself of unnecessary connections may underlie a wide range of mental health disorders that begin during adolescence, according to research published today. The findings may help explain why people are often affected by more than one mental health disorder, and may in future help identify those at greatest risk.