Free Republic

Research from has uncovered a critical mechanism by which mutations in the p53 protein—a key tumor suppressor known as the "guardian of the genome"—turn other proteins into cancer-promoting agents. The study, led by Dr. Jerson Lima Silva, offers fresh insights into a process that plays a pivotal role in the development and progression of many cancers. p53 is central to the body's defense against cancer, tasked with regulating the cell cycle and triggering the death of damaged cells before they can become malignant. However, in more than 50% of all tumors, mutations in p53 undermine its protective role, converting it...

We all know the government ruins everything it touches. This includes science and even basic nutrition. For years, it's pushed the food pyramid -- carb heavy -- despite lots of research that shows meat and protein are very healthy and beneficial. So it's not a surprise that a study from Tufts University -- funding by the NIH -- shows that Cheerios and Lucky Charms are healthier than beef and eggs.

Cone snail venom contains consomatin, a toxin that could lead to better, longer-lasting drugs for diabetes and hormone-related diseases by mimicking somatostatin. A new study published in Nature Communications reveals the toxin from one of the most venomous animals on the planet may hold the key to improving drugs for diabetes and hormone disorders. An international team of scientists led by the University of Utah identified a component within the venom of a deadly marine cone snail, the geography cone, that mimics a human hormone called somatostatin, which regulates the levels of blood sugar and various hormones in the body....

Higher intake of total, animal, and plant protein is associated with lower mortality in older adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD), according to a study. Adrián Carballo-Casla, Ph.D. and colleagues examined associations of total, animal, and plant protein intake with all-cause mortality in older adults with mild or moderate CKD. The analysis included 8,543 community-dwelling adults ≥ 60 years. The researchers found that higher total protein intake was associated with lower mortality among participants with CKD (adjusted hazard ratio for 1.00 versus 0.80 g/kg/day: 0.88; for 1.20 versus 0.80 g/kg/day: 0.79; for 1.40 versus 0.80 g/kg/day, 0.73). For plant and...

Participants on a self-directed dietary education program who had the greatest success at losing weight across a 25-month period consumed greater amounts of protein and fiber, a study found. Personalization and flexibility also were key in creating plans that dieters could adhere to over time. At the one-year mark, successful dieters (41% of participants) had lost 12.9% of their body weight, compared with the remainder of the study sample, who lost slightly more than 2% of their starting weight, according to a study. The dieters were participants in the Individualized Diet Improvement Program, said Manabu T. Nakamura. "The iDip approach...

On a biological level, proteins are sort of like Legos for our bodies. They’re the building blocks that make up our organs, tendons, hormones and, of course, muscles. But it’s that last thing on the list that gets so much attention when it comes to protein intake and exercise. All over your local gym, you’ve probably seen your fair share of protein shakes. It’s synonymous with muscle gain and weight loss, but can you overdo it? Let’s take a look and find out. How much protein should I be consuming? According to the Dietary Reference Intake report for macronutrients, a...

Data from the United Nations shows that China has surpassed the US in the amount of daily dietary protein available to its population – an important indicator of a modern quality of life, and one that some commentators and politicians in the West thought would be impossible to achieve. According to the latest data from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), China overtook the US in 2021, reaching a daily supply of 124.61 grams (4.39oz) of protein per capita. In the same year, Americans had access to 124.33 grams (4.38oz). For comparison, Japan’s daily protein supply per capita...

Cells are signaled to have nutrients in excess, and this leads to malfunction and inflammation in organs such as the pancreas, the liver and the kidneys. The finding suggests that an intervention on the inflammation alone can relieve symptoms and increase survival. The research has been conducted on animal models, but comparing their molecular processes with blood samples from people in their 70s indicates that results can be extrapolated to human aging. …The mTOR protein complex is known to be involved in many processes, as a key agent in multiple functions of the body and especially in metabolism. The paper...

At this point it looks like most of our protein will be sourced from animals for some time to come, whether we like it or not, as it has for the past 100,000 years. Luckily, we can do this in ways that meet our climate goals and boost nutrition and animal welfare, Eurof Uppington writes. 2021 saw a strange and short-lived celebrity phenomenon. Out of nowhere, Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert Downey Jr, Katy Perry, Serena Williams and other A-listers announced personal investments in plant-based foodtech startups alongside venture capital funds and philanthropists. They were on a mission to save the planet,...

Globalist social engineering took another step forward in New York City as Mayor Eric Adams (D) rolled out his new emissions goal that led one expert to conclude, “They’re coming for your food. Often boasting of his own “plant-based centered life,” Adams has continued to champion his lifestyle choices as the path forward for residents of the Big Apple. Last week, that included his announcement with the NYC Department of Environmental Protection that the city would be aiming to cut food-based emissions by 33 percent by the year 2030 by keeping a greenhouse gas inventory. Joining “Fox News Tonight,” Marc...

The "disgust factor" must be overcome if insect-based foods are to become mainstream, according to a study. Insects can be high in protein and making them more acceptable could help cut the high greenhouse gas emissions that come from farming cattle. There are also potential benefits for cutting obesity and researchers say the idea of farming insects is gaining more attention. Hundreds of millions of people in Asia, Africa and Latin America are estimated to already eat insects to some degree. There are hopes Western attitudes could shift over time, perhaps in a similar way that food such as sushi...

Could our future meals originate from electricity and air? This intriguing concept has become a reality thanks to a Finnish startup. Recently, Solar Foods in Vantaa, near Helsinki, inaugurated its first facility dedicated to producing food from air and solar energy. The site is set to produce 160 tonnes of food annually, a development that could significantly reduce the environmental footprint of traditional farming. The promise of solein The innovative product at the heart of this venture is solein, a protein-rich powder made from single-cell organisms. These are cultivated using renewable energy to split water into hydrogen and oxygen, which...

The largest producer of fresh eggs in the U.S. said Tuesday it had temporarily halted production at a Texas plant after bird flu was found in chickens, and officials said the virus had also been detected at a poultry facility in Michigan. In Texas, Ridgeland, Mississippi-based Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. said in a statement that approximately 1.6 million laying hens and 337,000 pullets, about 3.6% of its total flock, were destroyed after the infection, avian influenza, was found at the facility in Parmer County, Texas. The plant is on the Texas-New Mexico border in the Texas Panhandle about 85 miles southwest...

A protein that shuts down immune cells in the lungs could be key to a new treatment for asthma attacks, a new report says. The naturally occurring protein, called Piezo1, prevents a type of immune cell called type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) from becoming hyperactivated by allergens. An experimental drug called Yoda1 that switches on Piezo1 reduced the activity of these immune cells in mice, alleviating asthma symptoms, researchers report. "Given the importance of ILC2s in allergic asthma, there is an urgent need to develop novel mechanism-based approaches to target these critical drivers of inflammation in the lungs," researcher...

Researchers have identified a receptor protein known as CHRM1 as a key player in prostate cancer cells' resistance to docetaxel, a commonly-used chemotherapy drug to treat advanced cancer that has spread beyond the prostate. The discovery opens the door to new treatment strategies that could overcome this resistance. The study showed that blocking CHRM1 in resistant prostate cancer cell lines and an animal model based on patient-derived resistant tissue restored docetaxel's ability to kill cells and stop tumor growth. The researchers did this by using dicyclomine, a drug that selectively inhibits CHRM1 activity. Dicyclomine is already on the market as...

Human cells showing cell nuclei (cyan), mitochondria (magenta), and the Coxiella burnetii protein MceF (yellow). The figure evidences the co-location of MceF with cellular mitochondria. Credit: Robson Kriiger Loterio Researchers have discovered a previously unidentified protein with antioxidant properties produced by Coxiella burnetii, a Gram-negative intracellular bacterium. This breakthrough suggests potential new treatments for autoimmune diseases and cancer. Researchers at the University of São Paulo, in collaboration with Australian colleagues, have discovered a unique bacterial protein capable of keeping human cells healthy even when the cells have a heavy bacterial burden. This breakthrough holds the potential for developing new treatments...

In a major breakthrough, scientists have identified a rather elusive protein involved in the production of ‘good’ fat, brown fat, and found it can even boost the formation of these cells in white fat. Understanding how to ‘switch on’ the creation of this type of energy-burning cell opens the door to novel weight-loss treatments that have eluded researchers to date. Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is essential for producing heat from blood sugar and fat molecules, through a process called thermogenesis. It also requires a lot of energy (or calories) to fuel this. Unfortunately, by the time we reach adulthood, most...

Researchers have advanced cancer research by identifying hidden regions in the K-Ras protein that contribute to its role in cancer cell proliferation. This discovery, facilitated by advanced NMR techniques, offers new insights for potential drug development, marking a promising step forward in the fight against cancer. The study identifies areas impacted by hazardous genetic alterations. Scientists at Ohio State University have breathed new life into the study of a protein with an outsized link to human cancers because of its dangerous mutations, using advanced research techniques to detect its hidden regions. The Ras family of proteins are enzymes that set...

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), mRNA from COVID-19 vaccines is “broken down within a few days after vaccination and doesn’t last long in the body”—a position it has adhered to since the pandemic's beginning, despite research suggesting otherwise. The CDC refers to mRNA as “messenger RNA,” whereas regulatory documents and Pfizer refer to the mRNA in COVID-19 vaccines as “modified RNA.”

New findings indicate that the type of protein in the diet is not as important as the overall amount of weight loss for those with type 2 diabetes. In a study, 106 adults with T2D were randomly assigned to either the high-protein or normal-protein diet for 52 weeks. Both diets were energy-restricted. The high-protein diet included recommendations to include lean beef in the diet, while the normal-protein diet instructed participants to refrain from eating any red meats. The team of researchers found that both a high-protein diet (40% of total calories from protein) and a moderate-protein diet (21% of total...