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Delivering fresher salmon

According to EssFeed, the most consumed fish globally is Atlantic salmon. And while salmon is known for its flavor and rich omega-3 content, it has a notoriously short shelf-life. But preserving seafood often means using sulphites — additives that some people can’t tolerate and many would rather avoid.

Now, researchers have found a better way to extend fishy shelf-life.

A recent study tested three natural, medium-chain acids — azelaic, succinic, and glutaric acid — and discovered they can keep salmon fresh for nearly two weeks without using sulphites.

These acids were applied as edible coatings on both sliced and minced salmon and then chilled for 12 days. The result was less bacterial growth, better texture and color and less spoilage.

Notably, azelaic acid was the front-runner as the best bacteria-fighter. And while these acids weren’t antioxidant superstars, they still helped reduce harmful byproducts and preserved overall quality.

The big takeaway is that these natural acids could become a safer, cleaner alternative to traditional preservatives, offering consumers fresher fish and fewer health worries.

The team recommends more testing to fine-tune the formula, but the future of fresh, sulphite-free seafood looks promising.

The study was published in Food Quality and Safety.

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Shedding pounds and cancer

It seems like every day there is new information about the value of weight loss drugs in fighting diseases other than obesity. From addiction to inflammatory illnesses, these GLP1s are making their way through the disease dictionary and today they stop at “C” — the big C, or as most of us know it, cancer.

According to the Center for Disease Control, there are 13 cancers associated with obesity — for adults that is someone with a body mass index of 30 and above. This means that about two in every five adults in the U.S. have obesity. The most recent global study, put out by the Lancet in 2022, estimates that 1 billion people are living with obesity.

To narrow down this picture to some individual obesity-related cancer numbers: In 2019, 34.9 percent of liver, 53.1 percent of endometrial, 37.1 percent of gallbladder and 37.8 percent of esophageal adenocarcinoma cancer diagnoses were attributed to obesity, according to the National Institute of Health.

GLP-1RAs should be evaluated for control of these comorbid conditions during cancer therapy as well as for secondary prevention to delay cancer recurrence.

– Research Team, Jama Study

It only stands to reason that weight loss would lead to a reduction in these statistics. And more current research agrees.

A direct obesity-cancer connection has always been a complicated argument because one person might lose weight and not get cancer but someone else might lose weight and still get cancer. The studies have therefore always been observational. But a recent mass influx of patients utilizing what most of us now refer to as weight loss drugs draws some numbers that can’t be ignored.

A 2024 study published in JAMA used those 2019 study numbers and aligned historical data with current obesity-related cancer numbers, resulting in a strong correlation between the use of these drugs (and subsequent weight-loss) and obesity-related cancer risk.

The study, using data of more than 1 million U.S-based patients with type 2 diabetes, found a risk reduction in 10 of the 13 obesity-related cancers for those prescribed GLP-1Ras, compared with those prescribed insulins or metformin.

IMAGE: Shutterstock

The correlation indicates potential use of the drugs as preventative. Researchers also note that “Given that T2D and overweight or obesity have negative impacts on patients during cancer therapy, GLP-1RAs should be evaluated for control of these comorbid conditions during cancer therapy as well as for secondary prevention to delay cancer recurrence.”

Louis J. Aronne, director of the Comprehensive Weight Control Center at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York, says the handful of these drugs on the market is only the beginning.

He and his team are working on other drugs that aim to allow patients to lose more weight by targeting more hormones.

These drugs have a way to go before they hit the market, but Aronne’s team estimates one of its new drugs, an oral GLP-1 simulator from Eli Lilly, along with a couple of others, could be available to the public by the end of 2026. Several more in clinical trials will follow in 2027, he tells KUST Review.

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Autism diagnosis within our grasp

Approximately 75 million people in the world have been diagnosed with autism, a complex neurodevelopmental disorder that impacts individuals across a large scale of severity and symptoms.

Symptoms are scored from 15 to 60, with scores under 30 considered low, 30-36.5 at moderate level and 37 to 60 indicating severe autism.

Experts say that early intervention is imperative to help each individual meet their potential, no matter where they fall on the spectrum.

Researchers from York University in Toronto and University of Haifa have used machine learning to impart early autism diagnoses to make sure intervention is timely.

They used kinematic features, namely a natural grasping task with only two finger-tracking markers that are indicative of motor control integrity. Using reach-to-grasp movements as data with those on the spectrum and those not, they were able to use machine learning to determine autism identification at 95 percent accuracy.

These findings complement emerging views that movement variability may reveal autism subtypes and could enhance early detection or intervention strategies.

The study was published in Autism Research.

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Tiny tool, big brain power

Scientists have developed a miniature iontronic micropipette — a fancy name for a super-tiny device that gently delivers pure potassium or sodium ions directly to individual brain cells like neurons and astrocytes.

This brings us closer to controlling brain cells without using drugs or electric shocks.

This is important because understanding how these cells behave is key to understanding brain function, and this device gives researchers a way to mimic natural brain chemistry with the utmost precision — without spilling liquid, blasting high currents or causing side effects.

The pipette’s tip is smaller than a red blood cell and works by releasing ions through a special membrane, targeting just one area at a time.

In lab tests on mouse brain slices, it successfully triggered cell activity and simulated seizure-like states, all while keeping full control and avoiding collateral damage.

The goal is to study the brain in real time with tools that are cleaner, safer and more precise. Maybe one day science can use this tech in drug-free brain therapies.

The findings, published in Small, have the potential to one day reshape neurology or mental health treatment.

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Do your part on World Environment Day

Today is Global World Environment Day. Though we should be aware of our impact on the environment every day, today is our chance to look at the statistics, make personal changes and commit to a greener lifestyle.

The U.N. General Assembly in 1972 designated June 5 World Environment Day to unite the world against environmental threats.

Collectively, we are responsible for 229,000 tons of plastic in the world’s oceans each year. With a staggering statistic like that, it’s no surprise this year’s theme is plastic pollution. This year the message is for individuals and businesses to contribute to a circular economy and rid the world of single-use plastic. This means we create useable items out of whatever we discard.

For example, companies like Circular & Co. are on a mission to equip us all with reusable water bottles. Each of its bottles is made from 14 disposed plastic water bottles. When they reach end of life, they are also recyclable. And there are many other companies popping up to combat plastic waste.

According the gDiapers, more than 300,000 plastic diapers end up in the ocean or landfills every minute. The company’s solution is a plastic-free disposable diaper that is collected after use and composted into soil.

But it’s not just on us individuals. Sure, we can choose to deal with companies that are sustainability focused and choose circular-economy options, but there are a lot of conglomerate giants out there that contribute to the plastic problem.

According to Break Free From Plastic’s 2022 brand audit, the top three contributors — Pepsi, Nestle and Coca-Cola — earned the first-place plastic trophy for the fifth consecutive year.

This is why the U.N. General Assembly in 2022 met with delegates from 147 countries to begin work on a global plastic treaty. The goal is to end plastic pollution by 2030.

IMAGE: Unsplash

But we don’t have to wait until 2030, and we don’t have to embark on a sustainable start-up. We can begin today on World Environment Day to do our part in ending plastic pollution.

Here are a few ways individuals can make a difference:

  • Say good-by to single-use plastic sandwich bags and cart your lunch to work in reusable containers.
  • Purchase a reusable water bottle rather than drink from disposable bottle.
  • Use cloth grocery bags.
  • For bin liners, choose bio-degradable options.
  • When ordering take-out, choose companies with recyclable packaging or returnable dishware.
  • Buy a reusable straw.
  • Drive an electric vehicle (if you can afford to).

A 2023 study by an Indonesian team suggests that microplastics — tiny bits of plastic measuring less than 5 millimeters — are everywhere, including our bodies. The threat to our health is serious.

“Living organisms can accumulate microplastics in cells and tissues, which results in threats of chronic biological effects and potential health hazards for humans including body gastrointestinal disorders, immunity, respiratory problem, cancer, infertility, and alteration in chromosomes,” the researchers say.

The paper was published in Science Direct.