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Trimethylamine (TMA), a molecule produced from dietary choline by gut bacteria, has been shown to block a key immune pathway and improve blood sugar control. This microbial molecule may provide a surprising boost in the fight against insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. “This shows how nutrition and our gut microbes can work together by producing molecules that fight inflammation and improve metabolic health,” said Patrice Cani, PhD, professor of Physiology, Metabolism and Nutrition at the Louvain Drug Research Institute (LDRI) of the University of Louvain, Belgium and visiting professor at Imperial College London. This work appears in Nature Metabolism…

Walk down the refrigerated aisle of any modern grocery store, and you will notice a significant shift. Where once there were only rows of cow’s milk tubs, there is now a colorful explosion of plant-based alternatives. From almond and oat to coconut and soy, the options seem endless. But for the uninitiated, this variety can be overwhelming. This surge in popularity raises a fundamental question: What is dairy-free yogurt, and who is it really for? What Is Dairy-Free Yogurt? At its core, dairy-free yogurt is a cultured product made from plant-based milk rather than animal milk. It is designed to mimic…

A new method used Raman spectroscopy to measure blood glucose levels without the need for finger pricks.Image credit:© iStock.com, simpson33For millions of people living with diabetes, a small sting is a part of their daily routine: a finger prick to draw a drop of blood required measure their glucose levels.1 This painful but necessary ritual helps them monitor their chronic disease status and get the help they need. Now, scientists led by Jeon Woong Kang, a biomedical optics researcher at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), utilized Raman spectroscopy to develop a small device that can measure blood glucose levels through…

Images of the scalps of two patients treated with the 5% formulation of Cosmo Pharmaceuticals’ androgenetic alopecia (AGA) candidate clascoterone—both during their first visits, and their seventh visits after six months of treatment with the androgen receptor inhibitor. Cosmo announced positive data from two Phase III trials showing a combined 252% relative improvement in Target-Area Hair Count (TAHC) for clascoterone vs. “vehicle” or placebo. One trial showed an eye-popping 539% (5.39x) relative improvement in TAHC vs. placebo. [Cosmo Pharmaceuticals] Cosmo Pharmaceuticals (SIX Swiss: COSM) found itself this past week in the enviable position of attracting welcome attention from investors and…

Searching for therapeutic breakthroughs, this postdoc uncovers regulatory mechanisms that drive virulence switching in bacteria.Image credit:Georgia State University, ©iStock.com, GilnatureQ | Write a brief introduction to yourself including the lab you work in and your research background. My name is Christina Kiessling and I am a postdoctoral researcher at Emory University School of Medicine. In the Rather lab, we have the goal to identify (1) novel antimicrobials against multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii, (2) genetic vulnerabilities resulting as a byproduct of multidrug resistance, and (3) the regulatory mechanism that facilitates A. baumannii’s switching from virulent to avirulent subpopulations.Q | How did you first…

Credit: Callista Images/Getty Images Researchers in Sweden have found that a lower dose of a common immunotherapy drug for malignant melanoma can significantly improve outcomes while reducing side effects. Their findings were published today in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.  Malignant melanoma is the most invasive form of skin cancer, carrying the highest risk of death. While this type of cancer is highly treatable and curable in early stages before the cancer has spread, advanced tumors can be difficult to treat, especially when surgical removal is not an option. These advanced cases are typically treated with antibody-based immunotherapy…

Naloxone, also known by the brand name Narcan, is one of the most important drugs in the United States’ fight against the opioid crisis. It reverses an opioid overdose nearly instantly, restarting breathing in a person who was unresponsive moments before and on the brink of death. To bystanders witnessing it being administered, naloxone can appear almost supernatural.Although the Food and Drug Administration approved naloxone for medical use in 1971 and for over-the-counter purchase in 2023, exactly how it works is still unclear. Researchers know naloxone acts on opioid receptors, a family of proteins responsible for the body’s response to…

The morning rush is a universal challenge for parents, yet the importance of that first meal remains paramount. Breakfast is the most crucial meal of the day, especially for growing children.  It provides the essential fuel they need for energy, sharper focus, and healthy physical and cognitive development. Studies consistently show that kids who eat a nutritious morning meal perform better academically and maintain healthier body weights. The reality, however, is a daily tightrope walk. Parents face numerous hurdles: time constraints that demand quick breakfast ideas for kids, the endless battle with picky eaters, managing specific food allergies, and respecting…

Freezing broccoli is highly recommended for long-term storage (up to 12 months), and it’s best to blanch it first. Best Method: Blanch the florets in boiling water for 2–3 minutes, immediately chill in an ice bath, dry completely, flash-freeze on a tray, and then store in an airtight, labeled container. Why Blanch? Blanching deactivates enzymes that cause loss of color, texture, and the strong, bitter flavors that develop when broccoli is frozen raw. Raw Freezing: Freezing raw broccoli is possible, but only recommended for short-term use (under 3–4 months) in items like smoothies, as the quality quickly degrades. To Prevent…

Tardigrades are microscopic animals capable of surviving in extreme environments, making them valuable subjects for scientific research.©iStock, fruttipicsScientists discovered tardigrades towards the end of the eighteenth century; however, for many years, they were regarded as an unknown creature.1 In 1773, German pastor and zoologist Johann August Ephraim Goeze was among the first to document tardigrades, calling them “some strange aquatic insects.” Due to their appearance, he compared tardigrades with bears and gave them the colloquial name water bear. This article explores what tardigrades are, their survival strategies, and their research applications.What Is a Tardigrade?Tardigrades are microscopic animals that periodically shed…