Superba Krill Oil found to be better than fish oil

Algae company Solazyme raises $57 million in third funding round

Solazyme, Inc., a renewable oil production company and leader in algal synthetic biology, announced that it has surpassed $76 million in funding, which includes a $57 million Series C financing round that just closed. Solazyme uses microalgae biotechnology to produce fuels, green chemicals, edible oils and health and wellness products.

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Major NIH Omega-3/Vitamin D Study Begins Jan ‘10

The VITamin D and OmegA-3 TriaL (VITAL) is a research study in 20,000 U.S. men and women investigating whether taking daily dietary supplements of vitamin D (about 2000 IU) or fish oil (about 1 gram of omega-3 fatty acids) reduces the risk of developing cancer, heart disease, and stroke in people who do not have a prior history of these illnesses. Recruitment for the study will begin in January 2010.

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New Marine Drugs Journal Issue Published

Marine Drugs (ISSN 1660-3397, CODEN: MDARE6) is an open access journal.  A new issue has been published:

Mar. Drugs, Volume 7, Issue 2 (June 2009), Pages 71-267 at http://www.mdpi.com/1660-3397/7/2/

The Aquaculture Communications Group (ACG) launched its Aquaculture Science & Technology blog

Today the Aquaculture Communications Group (ACG) launched its Aquaculture Science & Technology blog at http://aquacomgroup.com/wordpress.

“Being the ‘Home of Aquaculture Science & Technology Information Services’, it is only natural that our blog will focus on communicating the latest developments in aquaculture science & technology (S&T) to our colleagues in the global aquaculture community, as well as to others interested in the growth and evolution of this exciting seafood production industry,” said Dave Conley, ACG Senior Consultant.

ACG,  strategic partner to Strategro International and aquapreneur.com,  has a mission to be a world-class facilitator for the sourcing and exchange of aquaculture science, technology, and business information using ‘new media’ and other rapidly developing digital technologies.

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Omega-3 fatty acids appear to impact AMD progression

Omega-3 fatty acids found in fatty fish such as tuna and salmon may protect against progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), but the benefits appear to depend on the stage of disease and whether certain supplements are taken, report researchers at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University.

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New Study on Fish Protein Shows Link to Controlling High Blood Pressure

Medical scientists at the University of Leicester are investigating how a species of fish from the Pacific Ocean could help provide answers to tackling chronic conditions such as hereditary high blood pressure and kidney disease.

They are examining whether the Goby fish can help researchers locate genes linked to high blood pressure. This is because a protein called Urotensin II, first identified in the fish, is important for regulating blood pressure in all vertebrates- from fish to humans.

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Scientists at Harbor Branch Collaborate with Egypt to Advance Marine Research in the Red Sea, including Discovery of Chemicals From Marine Organisms

Egyptian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute at FAU Pledge to Cooperate on Oceanographic Research and Education–Scientists will work jointly to advance marine research in the Red Sea.

Florida Atlantic University and the Egyptian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research have signed an agreement to cooperate on a range of oceanographic projects. Working through FAU’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute (HBOI), the projects could include the development of state-of-the-art laboratories for research in aquaculture, coral reef biodiversity and conservation, and marine biotechnology at the National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries (NIOF) Marine Research Center in Hurghada, Egypt, and would include the discovery of chemicals from marine organisms in the Red Sea that might have potential as pharmaceuticals.

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Newly Established Biotec Marine Biochemicals Subsidiary for Marine Enzymes

Biotec Pharmacon ASA has moved all its enzyme activities into Biotec Marine Biochemicals AS and hired Jan Buch Andersen as Managing Director of the newly established subsidiary. The target is to strengthen the development of the marine enzymes business, which in 2009 is expected to generate revenue of approximately NOK 15 million with an EBITDA margin of 40%. New products and new applications for the company’s enzymes are expected to form the basis for strong growth in the coming year.

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Seaweed Agent Used for Anti-Blood Clotting Product

An extract from seaweed harvested from the east coast waters of Tasmania, Australia’s southern island state, may soon be sold pharmaceutically as a natural agent to prevent blood clots. The biotechnology company Marinova believes there is potentially a huge market for its pharmaceutical equivalent to the controversial drug Heparin which is used medically in cancer therapy, wound treatment and as an anticoagulant.

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