Science Weekly
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 Many of the studies published in the last week discuss issues related to obesity, nutrition and how it affects infants or children, and there are papers on risk factors of COVID-19. There is an interesting discovery about the link between stress and eating disorders. It may seem that the fat intake of a gestating or lactating mother may affect an infant's ability to fight off infections. Highlights:
Metabolic changes in fat tissue in obesity associated with adverse health effects A twin study indicates that the machinery responsible for energy handling in fat tissue is working poorly in obesity. In the study, a clear reduction was seen in the activity of mitochondrial genes in obesity in fat tissue, while similar genome-level change in muscle mitochondria was minor. A link with adverse health effects was identified in the mitochondria of fat tissue only. Source: University of Helsinki Childhood diet and exercise creates healthier, less anxious adults Study in mice shows lasting effects of early-life habits Exercise and a healthy diet in childhood leads to adults with bigger brains and lower levels of anxiety, according to new research. Source: University of California - Riverside Leisure physical activity is linked with health benefits but work activity is not The first large study showing that leisure time physical activity and occupational physical activity have opposite, and independent, associations with cardiovascular disease risk and longevity. Source: European Society of Cardiology A sulfosugar from green vegetables promotes the growth of important gut bacteria A team of scientists has analyzed how microbes in the gut process the plant-based, sulfur-containing sugar sulfoquinovose. Their study discovered that specialized bacteria cooperate in the utilization of the sulfosugar, producing hydrogen sulfide. This gas has disparate effects on human health: at low concentrations, it has an anti-inflammatory effect, while increased amounts of hydrogen sulfide in the intestine, in turn, are associated with diseases such as cancer. Source: University of Vienna Fighting dementia with play A dementia diagnosis turns the world upside down, not only for the person affected but also for their relatives, as brain function gradually declines. Those affected lose their ability to plan, remember things or behave appropriately. At the same time, their motor skills also deteriorate. Ultimately, dementia patients are no longer able to handle daily life alone and need comprehensive care. New research shows that cognitive motor training helps in the fight against Alzheimer's and dementia. Source: ETH Zurich Pain receptors linked to the generation of energy-burning brown fat cells A new source of energy expending brown fat cells has been uncovered by researchers, which they say points towards potential new therapeutic options for obesity. Source: Joslin Diabetes Center Why some of us are hungry all the time New research shows that people who experience big dips in blood sugar levels, several hours after eating, end up feeling hungrier and consuming hundreds more calories during the day than others. Source: King's College London COVID-19 pandemic has been linked with six unhealthy eating behaviors Study shows a slight increase in eating disorders, one of the deadliest psychiatric health concerns A new probe into the lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic revealed correlations to six unhealthy eating behaviors, according to a new study. Source: University of Minnesota Medical School Prehistoric Pacific Coast diets had salmon limits Humans cannot live on protein alone - even for the ancient indigenous people of the Pacific Northwest whose diet was once thought to be almost all salmon. Anthropologists argue such a protein-heavy diet would be unsustainable and document the many dietary solutions ancient Pacific Coast people in North America likely employed to avoid 'salmon starvation,' a toxic and potentially fatal condition brought on by eating too much lean protein. Source: Washington State University Stress does not lead to loss of self-control in eating disorders A unique residential study has concluded that, contrary to perceived wisdom, people with eating disorders do not lose self-control - leading to binge-eating - in response to stress. Source: University of Cambridge Exercise promotes healthy living and a healthy liver Researchers have shown that an exercise regimen reduces liver steatosis and stiffness in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. These gains in hepatic health are mediated through modification of inter-organ cross-talk, circulatory organokine alterations and reductions in inflammation and oxidative stress. Because these benefits are unrelated to weight loss, all therapeutic regimens should integrate regular exercise and patients should remain diligent and compliant regardless of bodyweight changes. Source: University of Tsukuba People want to improve mental health by exercising, but stress and anxiety get in the way New research suggests the pandemic has created a paradox where mental health has become both a motivator for and a barrier to physical activity. Source: McMaster University Physical inactivity linked to more severe COVID-19 infection and death Surpassed only by advanced age and organ transplant as a risk factor, large study shows Physical inactivity is linked to more severe COVID-19 infection and a heightened risk of dying from the disease, finds a large U.S. study. Source: BMJ A mother's fat intake can impact infant infectious disease outcomes Findings show types of fats matter when it comes to gut well-being
A team of researchers has determined that the type of fats a mother consumes while breastfeeding can have long-term implications on her infant's gut health. Their study suggests that the type of fat consumed during breastfeeding could differentially impact an infant's intestinal microbial communities, immune development and disease risk. Source: University of British Columbia Okanagan campus |
