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Scientists headed by a team at the University of Cambridge, University College London, the Francis Crick Institute, and Polytechnique Montréal have, for the first time, directly visualized and quantified the protein clusters that are believed to trigger Parkinson’s disease (PD). The team developed an imaging technique, Advanced Sensing of Aggregates–Parkinson’s Disease (ASA–PD), that allowed them to see, count, and compare in post-mortem brain tissue the protein assemblies, known as oligomers, which are proposed as early drivers of pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease. The new development, one of the team noted, is “like being able to see stars in broad daylight.” Describing…

Natural peanut butter can help lower LDL cholesterol (known as “bad”) and support heart health.Plant sterols and fiber in peanut butter help block the absorption of cholesterol.Choose peanut butter with just peanuts—added sugar or salt can work against your heart health. If there’s one pantry staple that nearly everyone keeps on hand, it’s peanut butter. Creamy, crunchy, or swirled with chocolate, it’s a comforting favorite that’s incredibly versatile. But given its high fat content, some people wonder: What does peanut butter actually do to your cholesterol levels? And is it helpful—or harmful—for your heart? We asked registered dietitians to weigh…

Overweight girl using scales near measuring tape on wooden floor, closeup [Liudmila Chernetska/ iStock / Getty Images Plus] Artificial intelligence can calculate body composition (BC) from a routine magnetic resonance imaging scan in less than three minutes and use the information to spot people at elevated cardiometabolic risk, research indicates. The research, in the Annals of Internal Medicine, suggests it may be possible to opportunistically assess body composition from routine imaging to identify high-risk groups. It also provides further evidence that cardiometabolic risk depends on not just on whether fat is present but where it is located. Only visceral adipose tissue…

Note: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve supplements for safety or effectiveness. Talk to a healthcare professional about whether a supplement is the right fit for your individual health, and about any potential drug interactions or safety concerns.Nearly half of adults in the United States have high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, which increases the risk of life-threatening events like heart attacks and stroke.[1] While various herbal, vitamin, mineral, and antioxidant supplements and remedies aren’t a replacement for medications like ACE inhibitors or calcium channel blockers, they may be a complementary approach to high blood pressure…

Bats, often seen hanging in dark caves or swarming at dusk, are one of the most iconic Halloween symbols. These creatures of the night are vital to ecosystems as they control insect populations and pollinate plants. However, they can harbor viruses without falling ill; this cannot be said of those they infect.Raina Plowright investigates the dynamics of viral pathogens in bats and how to prevent pathogen spillover to other species.Kelly GorhamNearly two decades ago, Raina Plowright, now a disease ecologist at Cornell University, traveled to a remote part of Australia’s Northern Territory to study the Hendra virus in bats, which…

ACI now acts as “commercial gateway” for Dolcas by distributing the marine collagen tripeptide in the UK, supplying samples, clinical data and formulation support to food, beverage and supplement brands and co-packers.As Sam Lubbock-Smith, business development manager at ACI Group, told NutraIngredients, the company expects specific consumer segments to drive demand for Morikol in the UK.“We are targeting three priority segments, particularly around products where low-dose, science-driven actives have been shown to perform particularly well,” Lubbock-Smith said. He explained that Morikol is well-positioned for consumers seeking measurable wrinkle reduction, hydration and elasticity improvements but who prefer low-volume formats such as…

A new observational study suggests that consuming fruits may reduce the harmful effects of air pollution on lung function. Women who consumed four or more portions of fruit daily showed less decline in lung function than those who consumed less. Researchers suggest that fruit antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties may play a role in this protective effect. This finding does not mean consumers should be held accountable for their lung health, advises a professor not involved in the study, who urges that governments should continue targeting pollution reduction.“Over 90% of the global population is exposed to air pollution levels that exceed…

You have full access to this article via your institution. Hello Nature readers, would you like to get this Briefing in your inbox free every day? Sign up here.Mitochondria (illustration) have their own DNA, which they expel into their environment if the molecules don’t meet their standards.Credit: Kateryna Kon/Science Photo LibraryMitochondria — the powerhouses of the cell — expel ‘tainted’ DNA into their surroundings. In mice, researchers found that the organelles spit out strands of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) that contained an excess of a certain type of molecular building block that can harm DNA. This genetic fly-tipping might protect the…

Ina Garten has shared many tips for perfect roasted vegetables in her recipes.These include cutting vegetables into larger pieces and not overcrowding the pan.Add extra flavoring with cheese, herbs and pan seasonings. Roasting vegetables is one of the easiest ways to enjoy seasonal produce, and including the right herbs and spices will make them extra flavorful. A delightful spring side dish can include a sheet-pan combination of new potatoes, asparagus, cauliflower and leeks. For summer, opt for zucchini, yellow squash and bell peppers. In the fall, choose butternut squash, Brussels sprouts and carrots. Finally, root vegetables shine during winter. If…

Credit: Roger Harris / Science Photo Library/ Getty Images “What does the letter ‘E’ look like?” That was the response of an adult patient who had been blind since the age of two when asked whether he could see the letter on the Snellen chart—the familiar poster with rows of letters shrinking in size that hangs in every optometrist’s office. It wasn’t that he couldn’t see the letter on the chart. It was the first time he had ever seen a letter. His world, until then, had been known through touch and sound. Letters were understood by the ridges of…