Science Weekly - 7th June 2020

A couple of intriguing topics were discussed in this week's published papers on nutrition, fitness and exercise science from the molecular effects of exercise via links between diet and cancer treatment outcomes to COVID-19 lockdown effects on the ageing population as well as on obese children.

Here are the highlights:
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• ​​The death marker protein cleans up your muscles after exercise
• ​An imbalance of electrons in the liver may be a common risk factor for disease
• ​Beyond the garnish: Will a new type of produce get the microgreen light?
• ​Molecular effects of exercise detailed
• ​Pre-COVID-19 poll of older adults hints at potential impact of pandemic on eating habits
• ​COVID-19 lockdowns worsen childhood obesity, study finds
• ​​Diet, gut microbes affect cancer treatment outcomes
• Eat less and live a long healthy life? Study shows 'not in all cases'

The death marker protein cleans up your muscles after exercise

Researchers have demonstrated that physical activity prompts a clean-up of muscles as the protein ubiquitin tags onto worn-out proteins, causing them to be degraded. This prevents the accumulation of damaged proteins and helps keep muscles healthy.

Source: Faculty of Science - University of Copenhagen

An imbalance of electrons in the liver may be a common risk factor for disease

Researchers have uncovered an unexpected connection between an imbalance of electrons in liver cells and many metabolic problems that increase the risk for conditions such as cardiovascular disease and fatty liver disease.

Source: Massachusetts General Hospital

Beyond the garnish: Will a new type of produce get the microgreen light?

Microgreens. They're leafy green vegetables that are relatively new to the dining room, but a new study indicates that they will be welcome company at the table.

Source: Colorado State University

Molecular effects of exercise detailed

A simple blood test may be able to determine how physically fit you are, according to a new study.

Source: Stanford Medicine

Pre-COVID-19 poll of older adults hints at potential impact of pandemic on eating habits

Few shopped for groceries online, and self-rating of healthy eating was higher among those who dined alone or at restaurants least, a new national U.S. poll finds.

Source: Michigan Medicine - University of Michigan

COVID-19 lockdowns worsen childhood obesity, study finds

Research finds obese kids under lockdown in Italy ate more junk food, watched more TV at expense of physical activity
​Lockdowns implemented across the world due to the COVID-19 pandemic have negatively impacted diet, sleep and physical activity among children with obesity, according to new research.

Source: University at Buffalo

​Diet, gut microbes affect cancer treatment outcomes

What we eat can affect the outcome of chemotherapy - and likely many other medical treatments - because of ripple effects that begin in our gut, new research suggests.

Source: University of Virginia Health System

Eat less and live a long healthy life? Study shows 'not in all cases'

The assumption that dietary restriction (and drugs that mimic its effects) will extend both lifespan and healthspan jointly has come under question, based on research involving 160 genetically distinct strains of fruit fly. Noting that results may foreshadow what will happen in humans eating a Spartan diet, researchers report that thirteen percent of the strains were more vigorous, yet died sooner with dietary restriction; 5 percent lived longer, but spent more time in poor health.

Source: Buck Institute for Research on Aging