Add BrightSurf on Google Email

American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)


Massive exome-wide association study in humans identifies rare variants that protect against obesity

A massive exome-wide association study identifies rare gene coding variants strongly associated with BMI, including GPR75, which confers protection from obesity in mouse models. This finding provides potential therapeutic targets for treating obesity and demonstrates the power of massive-scale exome sequencing.

The mysterious Chinese mountain cat probably was not involved in feline domestication

A genomic study of 51 high-quality samples reveals the Chinese mountain cat is a wildcat subspecies (Felis silvestris bieti) and was not directly involved in feline domestication in China. This finding supports the theory that housecats originated solely from African wildcat domestication, but raises conservation concerns for the species.

Alternate-day intermittent fasting leads to less fat loss than traditional daily energy restriction

A new study suggests that alternate-day intermittent fasting may offer no unique health benefits over a standard daily diet. In contrast, traditional daily energy restriction resulted in greater weight and fat loss. The researchers note that longer studies with larger groups are needed to confirm these findings.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJun 16, 2021

Lower and safer doses of laughing gas relieve treatment-resistant depression in phase 2 trial

A phase 2 trial found that a single one-hour treatment with nitrous oxide can relieve symptoms of treatment-resistant depression for several weeks. The study showed significant improvements in depression symptoms, with a four-fold lower risk of adverse effects at lower concentrations.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJun 9, 2021

US conservatives less able than liberals to distinguish truth from falsehoods in study of responses to 240 political news stories

A study of over 1,000 Americans found that conservatives were more likely to believe false claims about politics that benefited the right, while liberals were more likely to believe true claims that favored the left. This suggests that the political environment and widely shared news plays a role in shaping conservative misperceptions.