Science Weekly - 20th Aug 2021

Intriguing research material came to light this past week on various topics, including the connection between cognitive decline and microbes, a mice study on time-restricted eating and its potential benefits depending on age and gender or how focusing on mitochondria might help fight obesity in the future. 

The highlights:

• Study reveals missing link between high-fat diet, microbiota and heart disease
• ​Targeting mitochondria shows promise in treating obesity
• ​Blood clotting may be the root cause of Long COVID syndrome, research shows
• ​How microbes can exacerbate cognitive decline
• Benefits of time-restricted eating depend on age and sex
• ​Vitamin D may protect against young-onset colorectal cancer

Study reveals missing link between high-fat diet, microbiota and heart disease

A high-fat diet disrupts the biology of the gut's inner lining and its microbial communities -- and promotes the production of a metabolite that may contribute to heart disease, according to a new study.


Source: Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Targeting mitochondria shows promise in treating obesity

Molecule that changes the shape of mitochondria corrects obesity
Scientists have discovered a novel pharmacological approach to attenuate the mitochondrial dysfunction that drives diet-induced obesity.

Source: University of California - Irvine

Blood clotting may be the root cause of Long COVID syndrome, research shows

New evidence shows that patients with Long COVID syndrome continue to have higher measures of blood clotting, which may help explain their persistent symptoms, such as reduced physical fitness and fatigue.

Source: ​RCSI

How microbes can exacerbate cognitive decline

Recent research has found that changes in the gut microbiota -- the trillions of bacteria and other microbes that live in the intestines -- can alter the brain and behavior. A new study could elucidate how and why that phenomenon occurs.

Source: ​University of California - Los Angeles

Benefits of time-restricted eating depend on age and sex

Not everyone benefits equally from TRE, but TRE has important health benefits for all
​Time-restricted eating (TRE), a dietary regimen that restricts eating to specific hours, has garnered increased attention in weight-loss circles. A new study further shows that TRE confers multiple health benefits besides weight loss. The study also shows that these benefits may depend on sex and age.

Source: Salk Institute

Vitamin D may protect against young-onset colorectal cancer

Consuming higher amounts of Vitamin D -- mainly from dietary sources -- may help protect against developing young-onset colorectal cancer or precancerous colon polyps, according to a new study.

Source: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute