https://phys.org/ en-us Phys.org internet news portal provides the latest news on science including: Physics, Nanotechnology, Life Sciences, Space Science, Earth Science, Environment, Health and Medicine. Omega-3 fatty acids are known to be an essential part of a healthy diet. As humans cannot produce them, they have to be consumed in sufficient amounts. However, omega-6, -7, -9, and -10 fatty acids also play important roles in the metabolism of fats. These numbers indicate the position of the first double bond in a fatty acid chain. Deviations in the omega position can signal enzyme malfunctions or pathological metabolic processes, such as those occurring in cancer. https://phys.org/news/2025-08-method-omega-positions-lipids-biological.html Biochemistry Mon, 11 Aug 2025 11:25:03 EDT news674130301 If space is the final frontier, it's food that will get us there in good shape, and UBC researchers are making sure that our food will be up to the task. https://phys.org/news/2022-11-food-science-astronauts-future-mars.html Space Exploration Thu, 10 Nov 2022 03:27:59 EST news587273275 A recent study from North Carolina State University finds a technique that uses dried spots of blood to measure health indicators in elephants is comparable to techniques that use larger blood samples and require immediate cold storage—technology that is not always available when monitoring animals in the wild. https://phys.org/news/2022-01-accuracy-invasive-technique-wildlife-health.html Biotechnology Mon, 24 Jan 2022 12:15:54 EST news562248946 The humble limpet generally doesn't attract much attention. Most of us remember them from childhood as tenacious little creatures clinging to rocks, impossible to prise off. But this familiar, cone-shaped animal has played an important part in the development of humans across the globe. https://phys.org/news/2021-12-humble-limpet-humans-survive.html Plants & Animals Fri, 17 Dec 2021 08:00:01 EST news558949089 New details on the structure and function of a transport protein could help researchers develop drugs for neurological diseases that are better able to cross the blood-brain barrier. The findings were published in the journal Nature by researchers at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Duke-NUS Medical School, Weill Cornell Medicine and colleagues. https://phys.org/news/2021-06-close-up-brain-uptake-omega-.html Molecular & Computational biology Thu, 17 Jun 2021 09:20:30 EDT news543140424 By feeding arctic ground squirrels special diets, researchers have found that omega-3 fatty acids, common in flax seed and fish oil, help keep the animals warmer in deep hibernation. https://phys.org/news/2021-01-omega-fat-hibernating-arctic-ground.html Plants & Animals Thu, 14 Jan 2021 16:34:34 EST news529864470 Subarctic regions are facing rapid changes in climate and land-use intensity. An international research team recently completed an investigation to see how these changes are affecting the food webs and fish communities of lakes in northern Finland. Biomasses and omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA, were determined from the algal producers at the base of food web to large carnivorous fish from 20 lakes along a pronounced climatic and productivity gradient. Increasing nutrient load and rising temperature shift food webs towards murky water adapted communities. https://phys.org/news/2020-10-future-lake-food-webs-subarctic.html Plants & Animals Fri, 30 Oct 2020 13:07:18 EDT news523282033 Fish oil capsules are a popular health supplement with many health benefits, but concerns have been raised over the quality because omega-3 fatty acids are very prone to oxidation and deterioration on exposure to heat and light. Plant & Food Research and University of Otago scientists have found a rapid way to analyze the concentrations of these fatty acids throughout the production process, including point-of-sale, to ensure that consumers are getting their money's worth. https://phys.org/news/2019-11-handheld-device-fish-oil-supplements.html Analytical Chemistry Fri, 22 Nov 2019 09:20:34 EST news493636830 Globally, about two billion people suffer from "hidden hunger"—a chronic deficiency of vitamins and minerals. The health effects of this form of malnutrition can be severe, especially for children. They include increased risk of poor cognitive development, impaired growth and early death. Ironically, our latest research found that many coastal countries where hidden hunger is rife, have plenty of nutritious fish just off their coast. Yet these fish are not reaching those who need them the most. https://phys.org/news/2019-10-solution-hidden-hunger-countries-lies.html Plants & Animals Thu, 03 Oct 2019 09:38:52 EDT news489314323 Using novel transgenic mouse models they developed, Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) investigators have provided new evidence that it is the ratio of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, rather than the total amount of them, that influences risk of developing chronic disease. This work has important implications for wellness and dietary guidelines. Their paper is just out in Nature's Communications Biology. https://phys.org/news/2019-07-mouse-importance-fatty-acid-chronic.html Cell & Microbiology Fri, 26 Jul 2019 14:48:06 EDT news483371271 Scientists report that ancient variations in the proteins that metabolize omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in humans may have consequences for the health of modern-day Native American communities. https://phys.org/news/2019-06-ancient-human-polymorphisms-linked-modern-day.html Evolution Tue, 04 Jun 2019 09:22:43 EDT news478858958 Dartmouth scientists have created a more sustainable feed for aquaculture by using a marine microalga co-product as a feed ingredient. The study is the first of its kind to evaluate replacing fishmeal with a co-product in feed designed specifically for Nile tilapia. The results are published in the open access journal, PLOS ONE. https://phys.org/news/2018-08-aquafeed-sustainable-scientists-marine-microalga.html Ecology Sat, 18 Aug 2018 04:49:21 EDT news453786528 A major discovery that could "revolutionise" the understanding of omega-3 production in the ocean has been made by an international team of scientists. https://phys.org/news/2018-05-scientists-major-breakthrough-omega-production.html Environment Wed, 02 May 2018 14:00:03 EDT news444482779 In a frozen lake in Quebec, tiny red creatures zip about under the ice. Guillaume Grosbois and Milla Rautio, researchers at Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, Saguenay, Québec, Canada report the discovery of active life in a winter lake today in the Ecological Society of America's journal Ecology. https://phys.org/news/2017-12-tiny-red-animals-dart-dark.html Ecology Tue, 19 Dec 2017 16:10:45 EST news432922237 Our planet faces a growing food crisis. According to the United Nations, more than 800 million people are regularly undernourished. By 2050, an additional 2 to 3 billion new guests will join the planetary dinner table. https://phys.org/news/2017-10-marine-algae-world.html Environment Fri, 20 Oct 2017 09:50:02 EDT news427711411 Imagine you're on your way to Mars, and you lose a crucial tool during a spacewalk. Not to worry, you'll simply re-enter your spacecraft and use some microorganisms to convert your urine and exhaled carbon dioxide (CO2) into chemicals to make a new one. That's one of the ultimate goals of scientists who are developing ways to make long space trips feasible. https://phys.org/news/2017-08-human-plastic-nutrients-aid-long-distance.html Materials Science Tue, 22 Aug 2017 05:00:06 EDT news422592576 Studying how our bodies metabolize lipids such as fatty acids, triglycerides, and cholesterol can teach us about cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and other health problems, as well as reveal basic cellular functions. But the process of studying what happens to lipids after being consumed has been both technologically difficult and expensive to accomplish until now. https://phys.org/news/2017-05-scientists-fat-metabolism-fish-real-time.html Biochemistry Mon, 08 May 2017 11:21:24 EDT news413461273 Seafood is very healthy to eat – all things considered. Fish and shellfish are an important source of protein, vitamins and minerals, and they are low in saturated fat. But seafood's claim to fame is its omega-3 fatty acids, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), all of which are beneficial to health. The U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans strongly suggest that adults eat two servings of seafood, or a total of eight ounces, per week. https://phys.org/news/2017-03-fish-good-guidelines-reeling.html Ecology Mon, 20 Mar 2017 06:56:32 EDT news409211673 FishChoice, a new online tool to help consumers and professionals efficiently and effectively balance the benefits and risks of eating seafood, has been launched by the EU-funded ECsafeSEAFOOD project at www.fishchoice.eu . https://phys.org/news/2017-03-online-tool-consumers-health-benefits.html Ecology Fri, 03 Mar 2017 07:39:44 EST news407749176 Wolffia globosa, a tiny, rootless duckweed, or water lens, apparently has what it takes to achieve great things. https://phys.org/news/2017-01-duckweedtiny-huge-potential.html Other Wed, 11 Jan 2017 09:00:03 EST news403344804 Owners of dogs showing signs of osteoarthritis are being asked by the University of Bristol's School of Veterinary Sciences to take part in the first study of its kind to find out whether an omega-3 oil derived from algae can help dogs with osteoarthritis (OA). https://phys.org/news/2016-12-omega-algal-oil-osteoarthritis-dogs.html Plants & Animals Thu, 15 Dec 2016 07:15:31 EST news401008523 Eutrophication and brownification change phytoplankton community structure and decrease the production of essential omega-3 fatty acids in lakes. Perch growing in oligotrophic clear-water lakes contain 1.5-1.9 times more essential omega-3 fatty acids than those grown in eutrophic and brown-water lakes. https://phys.org/news/2016-09-lake-brownification-eutrophication-decrease-content.html Environment Fri, 30 Sep 2016 09:53:14 EDT news394447986 In a new study that upends the way ornithologists think about a young bird's diet – but won't shock parents used to scanning the nutritional profile of their children's food – Cornell researchers have found that when it comes to what chicks eat, quality trumps quantity. https://phys.org/news/2016-09-quality-quantity-diet-key-health.html Plants & Animals Tue, 20 Sep 2016 08:00:04 EDT news393576731 Although purslane (Portulaca oleracea) is considered a problematic weed in the United States, it is grown and consumed as a leafy vegetable throughout much of Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Mexico. Valued for its nutritional qualities, purslane contains important phytochemicals such as omega-3 fatty acids, organic acids, and important flavonoids. The succulent annual can also contain high concentrations of carotenoid and chlorophyll pigments. The authors of a study in the June 2016 issue of HortScience say there is increasing support for the role of dietary carotenoids and chlorophylls in the protection against harmful chemical mutagens and carcinogens. https://phys.org/news/2016-08-purslane-production-nutritional.html Biotechnology Thu, 25 Aug 2016 10:49:31 EDT news391340958 Choosing between wild and farmed fish is often a dilemma for consumers. Wild-captured fish cost twice as much as their farmed counterparts; a difference that many believe is justified by their better taste and nutritional properties. https://phys.org/news/2016-07-wholesomewild-farmed-fish.html Ecology Thu, 14 Jul 2016 07:25:13 EDT news387699899 Every mouthful of food we eat is teeming with chemical reactions. Adding ingredients and cooking helps us control these reactions and makes the food taste better and last longer. So what if we could target food at the molecular level, sending in specially designed particles to control reactions even more tightly? Well, this is exactly what scientists are trying to do and it has already produced some impressive results – from food that tastes salty without the health risks of adding salt, to bread that contains healthy fish oil but without any fishy aftertaste. https://phys.org/news/2016-06-nanotechnology-food-tastier-healthier-stomach.html Bio & Medicine Wed, 22 Jun 2016 08:40:03 EDT news385803141 Nature provides mankind with a wide variety of valuable bioactive agents ranging from vitamins over vital fatty acids to cancer inhibiting substances. Many of these substances are difficult to obtain directly from the environment or can not be produced effectively by chemical total synthesis. https://phys.org/news/2016-06-molecular-toolkit-de-novo-bioactive-agents.html Biochemistry Tue, 07 Jun 2016 15:05:14 EDT news384530703 Dartmouth College scientists have discovered that marine microalgae can completely replace the wild fish oil currently used to feed tilapia, the second most farmed fish in the world and the most widely farmed in the United States. https://phys.org/news/2016-06-team-breakthrough-fish-free-aquaculture.html Ecology Fri, 03 Jun 2016 14:00:04 EDT news384162333 Could there be a vegetarian gene? Cornell University researchers have found evidence of a genetic variation - called an allele - that has evolved in populations that have historically favored vegetarian diets, such as in India, Africa and parts of East Asia. They also discovered a different version of this gene adapted to a marine diet discovered among the Inuit in Greenland, who mainly consume seafood. https://phys.org/news/2016-03-green-genes.html Evolution Tue, 29 Mar 2016 17:00:01 EDT news378479609 An experimental nanoparticle therapy that combines low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and fish oil preferentially kills primary liver cancer cells without harming healthy cells, UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers report. https://phys.org/news/2016-02-nanoparticle-therapy-ldl-fish-oil.html Bio & Medicine Mon, 08 Feb 2016 16:26:27 EST news374171173