Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

Metabolic surgery offers health benefits for patients with high blood pressure

A new study published in PLOS Medicine found that metabolic surgery reduces the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events and death for individuals with hypertension and a BMI over 35kg/m2. The surgery was shown to be effective in treating hypertension, suggesting it as an option for patients with obesity and high blood pressure.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Decoding the genetics that drive disease

Researchers found that the typically 'bad' APOE ε4 variant can also protect against obesity and type 2 diabetes, while the 'good' ε2 variant increases risk of certain conditions. The study's findings provide valuable insights into how the APOE gene impacts health and disease.

Taste buds may play role in fostering obesity in offspring

A mother's high-fat diet during pregnancy may alter the taste buds of her offspring, leading to a greater attraction to unhealthy food and obesity in adulthood. The study found that adult progeny fed with such a diet had more sweet-taste receptors inside their taste buds.

Gut microbiota not involved in the incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus

A study of 270 overweight women found no link between gut microbiota composition and the incidence of gestational diabetes. However, the combination of fish oil and probiotics was shown to modulate gut microbiota in women who did not develop gestational diabetes. Further research is needed to confirm these findings.

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Weight gainers more likely to underestimate their true body size

A new study found that people with obesity who gain weight tend to perceive their body size as smaller than it actually is. Despite improvements in accuracy over time for those maintaining a stable weight, the degree of body image distortion remained significant in weight gainers.

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Obesity may alter immune system response to COVID-19

A new study finds that obesity can lead to an overactive immune response to COVID-19, impairing the body's ability to fight the virus. The review highlights the importance of understanding how obesity interacts with new COVID-19 treatments and vaccines.

GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

How your BMI might affect your spontaneous food purchases

A small study using mobile eye-tracking technology found that normal-weight consumers noticed and looked at their chosen food earlier and longer than those with overweight or obesity. The researchers also discovered a tendency for all consumers to focus on lower-energy-density foods like fruits and vegetables more often.

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Obesity -- the deadly disease that nobody dies of

A new study found that obesity-related illnesses frequently occur in people with a BMI over 30, yet only 9% had obesity recorded as a cause of death. Researchers argue that obesity is not being accurately documented on medical certificates, highlighting the need for further studies.

Are all vegetarian diets healthy?

Research suggests that not all vegetarian diets are created equal, with healthier choices linked to maintaining normal blood pressure, blood lipids, and blood sugar. Whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and olive oil were found to be key contributors to better heart health.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Study focuses on low-carb, high-fat diet effect on older populations

A new study published in Nutrition and Metabolism found that an eight-week very low-carbohydrate diet improved body composition, fat distribution, and metabolic health in older adults with obesity. The diet also preserved skeletal muscle mass without intentional caloric restriction.

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Generic public health messages work best at shifting dietary behaviours

Researchers at the University of Bath found that generic public health messages are more effective than tailored advice in shifting dietary habits. Participants who received generic information selected food baskets with less total fat and spent 34% less on unhealthy items compared to those who received no information.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Weight between young adulthood and midlife linked to mortality: BU study

A new study by Boston University School of Public Health found that weight changes between early adulthood and midlife are crucial in determining a person's risk of early death. Participants whose BMI decreased from obese to overweight range had half the risk of dying compared to those who remained obese throughout their lives.

Waistline matters in kidney disease

Obesity, as measured by body mass index and abdominal fat content, is associated with an increased risk of heart disease and progression of kidney disease in patients with chronic kidney disease. Lower physical fitness levels are also linked to a higher cardiovascular risk.

Scientists sound the alarm: Lockdowns may escalate the obesity epidemic

A trio of Danish researchers warn that lockdowns could lead to an explosion in obesity rates due to increased consumption of high-energy foods and decreased physical activity. The study highlights the need for counter strategies to promote healthy eating habits and physical activity while combatting COVID-19.

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

COVID-19 news from Annals of Internal Medicine

A retrospective cohort study found obesity was a significant independent risk factor for death from COVID-19. Patients with high BMI were 4 times more likely to die within 21 days of diagnosis compared to those in the normal weight group.

Robot technology for everyone or only for the average person?

A recent study by Norwegian University of Science and Technology researchers Roger Andre Søraa and Eduard Fosch-Villaronga calls for exoskeleton designers to consider inclusivity in their designs. The goal is to make the technology accessible to a broader range of users, including those with different heights, weights, and genders.

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

BU study: A quarter of arthritis cases linked to excess weight

A recent study by Boston University School of Public Health found that losing weight between young adulthood and midlife can lower the risk of developing arthritis. The researchers estimated that nearly a quarter of arthritis cases in the US are attributable to excess weight, corresponding to approximately 2.7 million people.

Fatty liver disease despite a normal weight

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) affects both obese and non-obese individuals, with distinct differences found in male and female patients of varying body mass indexes. Key findings include lower skeletal muscle mass and insulin resistance in non-obese NAFLD patients compared to their obese counterparts.

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Insight on novel genetic approaches to metabolic liver diseases

A Wayne State University team has made significant breakthroughs in understanding the causal relationships between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), type-2 diabetes, and obesity. They discovered two subtypes of NAFLD: one caused by genetic factors and another driven by metabolic syndrome.

Obesity linked to social ties in older women, more so than in men

Research found that women with fewer social connections are more likely to be obese, while men with larger networks are less likely. The study suggests that healthcare providers should consider social activities as part of obesity treatment for non-partnered older women.

Overweight and obesity are associated with a low sperm quality

A systematic review and meta-analysis of existing studies found associations between adiposity and low semen quality parameters. Overweight and obesity were linked to reduced semen volume, sperm count, vitality, and morphology, while underweight was associated with lower normal morphology.

Why is obesity so common in COVID-19 patients?

Research suggests a hormone called leptin, which regulates appetite and metabolism, also plays a role in how the body fights off COVID-19. Elevated leptin levels can lead to a low-grade systemic inflammatory state, impairing the body's ability to fight infection, particularly in people with obesity.

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Early menstruation linked to increased menopause symptoms

A University of Queensland study has found that early menstruation increases the risk of hot flushes and night sweats at menopause by 50%. Women who started menstruating before age 14 had a higher risk of experiencing both symptoms, with obesity playing a significant role.

New, remote weight-loss method helped slash pounds

A new Northwestern Medicine remote weight-loss program, Opt-IN, helped participants lose 11-13 pounds, matching the success rate of the gold-standard National Diabetes Prevention Program. The program is cheaper and less burdensome than traditional treatments, making it more accessible and affordable.

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Study finds weight loss surgery cost disparity

A new study from the University of Georgia finds that bariatric weight loss surgery is more expensive for public insurance patients compared to private insurance. The study analyzed a national dataset and found that Medicare patients paid the highest average cost per surgery, while publicly insured patients paid more overall.

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Blood vessels can make you fat, and yet fit

Researchers have identified Angiopoietin-2 as a hormone that enables the proper transport of fatty acids into blood vessels, preventing insulin resistance and promoting healthier weight distribution. By targeting this mechanism, scientists hope to develop novel therapeutic strategies for treating obesity-induced metabolic disorders.