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Among body shapes, pears are healthier than apples

A study by UC Riverside researchers found that male mice on high-fat diets experienced neuroinflammation and reduced testosterone levels, while female mice remained protected. The findings suggest ovarian estrogen plays a crucial role in protecting females against weight gain and associated health issues.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalFrontiers in Immunology·DateSep 12, 2018
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.

Amazonian fruit prevents obesity in overfed mice

Researchers at Université Laval found that camu camu phytochemicals prevent obesity in mice fed a diet rich in sugar and fat. The extract improved glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, and reduced inflammation, suggesting its potential as a natural weight management tool.

SourceUniversité Laval·JournalGut·DateAug 30, 2018
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Food activates brown fat

Researchers at TUM demonstrated that food increases thermogenesis in brown fat, contrary to the long-held assumption that it only responds to cold. This discovery could lead to new ways to prevent obesity and diabetes.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalCell Metabolism·DateAug 29, 2018

The link between obesity, the brain, and genetics

New research at McGill University found that people with higher BMI tend to have reduced cognitive flexibility, increased volume in the left amygdala and decreased volume in certain memory structures. The study suggests a model where genetics play a role in obesity through brain anatomy and cognitive functions.

SourceMcGill University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 28, 2018

The sugar wars: Rhetoric or reason?

Researchers argue that sugar is not responsible for obesity and metabolic diseases, citing evidence from multiple domains. Experts also highlight the importance of physical activity in determining metabolic health. The debate raises questions about the role of sugar in modern diets and whether restrictive recommendations are effective.

SourceElsevier·JournalProgress in Cardiovascular Diseases·DateAug 27, 2018
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Cedars-Sinai investigators develop more accurate measure of body fat

Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center have developed a simpler and more accurate method to estimate body fat percentage than the widely used BMI. The new relative fat mass index (RFM) formula uses only height and waist circumference measurements, providing a better measure of body fatness without requiring expensive equipment.

SourceCedars-Sinai Medical Center·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 27, 2018

Weight loss drug shows no increased risk in cardiovascular outcomes

A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that lorcaserin, a weight loss drug, helped patients lose weight without increasing the incidence of heart attacks, strokes, and death from heart disease. The trial involved 12,000 overweight or obese patients at risk for cardiovascular events.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateAug 26, 2018

Found: A destructive mechanism that blocks the brain from knowing when to stop eating

A team of researchers has discovered a molecular mechanism that causes leptin resistance in obese individuals, which blocks the brain's ability to recognize when it's full. By blocking this enzyme, MMP-2, scientists hope to develop treatments for obesity-related issues and explore its broader implications.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateAug 22, 2018

Receptor protein in the brain controls the body's fat 'rheostat'

Scientists have identified a brain receptor protein that controls the body's 'fat rheostat', regulating energy balance and weight gain. The discovery opens new doors for developing anti-obesity drugs, particularly targeting the melanocortin 3 receptor (MC3R) to treat obesity.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalScience Advances·DateAug 22, 2018
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.

A new way to target high rates of obesity

Researchers at University of New South Wales developed a novel drug targeting Ceramide Synthase enzymes linked to insulin resistance. The drug successfully prevented mice from depositing and storing fat by increasing their ability to burn fat.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 21, 2018

Obesity, infertility and oxidative stress in mouse egg cells

Researchers found that high-fat diets suppressed a protein called TIGAR, which plays a role in meiotic spindle formation and antioxidant production. This led to increased reactive oxygen species and autophagy in oocytes, impairing development.

SourceAmerican Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology·JournalMolecular & Cellular Proteomics·DateAug 16, 2018

Healthy fat cells uncouple obesity from diabetes

Scientists discover that expanding subcutaneous white fat tissue can improve insulin sensitivity and reduce inflammation in obese individuals. A microRNA called miR-30a plays a crucial role in this process, protecting fat cells from inflammation and leading to improved metabolic health.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalDiabetes·DateAug 14, 2018

'Alarming' diabetes epidemic in guatemala tied to aging, not obesity

A study in Guatemala finds type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes affect 25% of the indigenous population, with age being a significant risk factor rather than obesity. The prevalence has more than doubled since 2003, and researchers attribute this to aging, increased physical inactivity, and insulin resistance.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalPLOS ONE·DateAug 14, 2018
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Research shows surprising scale of health benefits for biggest losers

A new study by the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston found that Americans who lost more than a fifth of their body weight experienced a significant improvement in metabolic health, with those losing 5-10% showing a 22% lower risk of metabolic syndrome.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston·JournalMayo Clinic Proceedings·DateAug 14, 2018

Thirty percent increase in risk of fracture after gastric bypass

A recent study found that gastric bypass surgery increases the risk of fractures, particularly in individuals without diabetes. The researchers compared data from over 38,000 patients who underwent gastric bypass operations with a control group and found a significant increase in fracture rates, with risks ranging from 26% to 32%.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalJournal of Bone and Mineral Research·DateAug 13, 2018

Severely obese people can reduce risk of atrial fibrillation with exercise

A recent study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology found that physically active severely obese individuals had a significantly lower risk of developing atrial fibrillation. In contrast, those who were inactive or exercised little experienced a doubling of this risk. The study suggests that regular physical activi...

SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalEuropean Journal of Preventive Cardiology·DateAug 7, 2018
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.

Diabetes in Bay Area Chinese population linked to fat fibrosis

Researchers found that fat fibrosis in subcutaneous fat is predictive of unhealthy belly fat and insulin resistance in Asian participants. This difference could help explain why Asians develop type 2 diabetes at a lower body weight than Caucasians.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateAug 6, 2018

Researchers link weight-loss surgery to lower risk of diabetes complications

Researchers found that bariatric surgery reduces the risk of nerve, kidney and eye disease in patients with type 2 diabetes. The study included over 3,900 patients who underwent bariatric surgery and compared them to a control group of over 11,000 patients who received usual medical care.

SourceKaiser Permanente·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateAug 6, 2018

Obesity in young women may set the stage for heart

Researchers found that obese women had a thicker left ventricle, lower E/A ratio, and higher systolic blood pressure compared to normal or overweight women. These changes may explain their predisposition to preeclampsia and cardiovascular complications during pregnancy.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·DateAug 1, 2018
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Aging overweight scuba divers at risk of underwater heart attack

Older, overweight scuba divers are at increased risk of dying due to cardiac issues. The study found that one-third of scuba divers are aged 50 years or older, with a significantly greater proportion having smoked cigarettes and high blood pressure.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·JournalEuropean Journal of Preventive Cardiology·DateJul 26, 2018

Discovery reveals how obesity causes disease -- and two ways to stop it

New research explains how obesity leads to harmful inflammation, causing diabetes and other health problems. The study identifies two ways to combat this inflammation: blocking harmful oxidized lipids or promoting beneficial phospholipids.

SourceUniversity of Virginia Health System·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 23, 2018
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.

The genes are not to blame

A systematic literature analysis by TUM researchers found no evidence for genetic factors affecting total calorie, carbohydrate, or fat consumption. However, genes like FTO and MC4R were linked to energy intake in some studies, but the findings were inconsistent.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalAdvances in Nutrition·DateJul 20, 2018

P38 alpha: The switch controlling obesity and diabetes

Researchers have identified P38 alpha as a crucial protein in activating brown fat cells to burn excess fat and eliminate the risk of obesity and related diseases. The study found that mice genetically modified to lack P38 alpha were protected against obesity, diabetes, and fatty liver disease.

SourceCentro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (F.S.P.)·JournalPLOS Biology·DateJul 18, 2018
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.

Mice study implicates fat as obesity cause

A recent study published in Cell Metabolism found that a high-fat diet was the sole driver of weight gain in mice, with no significant impact from carbohydrates or protein. The researchers believe that fat uniquely stimulates the brain's reward centers, leading to increased calorie intake.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalCell Metabolism·DateJul 13, 2018

Study: Obesity alone does not increase risk of death

A recent study published in Clinical Obesity found that individuals with metabolic healthy obesity, but no other risk factors, do not have an increased rate of mortality. The study followed over 54,000 participants and contradicts current weight management guidelines.

SourceYork University·JournalClinical Obesity·DateJul 12, 2018
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.

Individual characteristics that predict multiple chronic conditions are identified

A 10-year study found that age, low socioeconomic status, obesity, and low physical activity are positively associated with the risk of developing multimorbidity. Promoting healthy lifestyles and targeting an internal locus of control may help empower patients to achieve behavior change and reduce multimorbidity incidence.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateJul 10, 2018

Survey paints mixed view of New Yorkers' health

The NYC Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (HANES) found that New Yorkers are getting heavier, with obesity rates increasing among certain groups. The survey also showed high rates of depression and sleep problems, as well as persistent racial and ethnic disparities in health outcomes.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalJournal of Urban Health·DateJul 10, 2018

UAB researchers cure type 2 diabetes and obesity in mice using gene therapy

Researchers from UAB successfully used gene therapy to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity in mice by inducing the production of FGF21, a hormone that maintains correct energy metabolism. The treatment led to weight loss and improved insulin sensitivity, reducing the risk of related comorbidities.

SourceUniversitat Autonoma de Barcelona·JournalEMBO Molecular Medicine·DateJul 9, 2018
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

BU and Ohio University researchers awarded NIH grant

Researchers are investigating the relationship between obesity-induced changes in fat tissue metabolism and vascular disease. The study aims to characterize the role of protein FSP27 in the pathogenesis of obesity-related vascular disease.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·DateJul 9, 2018

Wake Forest Baptist awarded $8 million to study intervention for diabetes

Researchers at Wake Forest Baptist will investigate lifestyle interventions on cognitive resilience in older adults with type 2 diabetes and obesity. The four-year study aims to confirm earlier findings that intensive lifestyle intervention may decrease cognitive impairment, but paradoxically increase it in those with severe obesity.

SourceAtrium Health Wake Forest Baptist·DateJul 9, 2018

Savory foods may promote healthy eating through effects on the brain

Researchers found that consuming savory umami-rich broths can cause subtle changes in the brain that promote healthy eating behaviors. The study used laboratory tools to detect changes in brain activity while participants made food choices, and found that the broth reduced saturated fat intake in those at higher risk of obesity.

SourceBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center·JournalNeuropsychopharmacology·DateJul 6, 2018
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

'Skinny fat' in older adults may predict dementia, Alzheimer's risk

A new study found that 'skinny fat,' a combination of low muscle mass and high fat mass, may predict cognitive decline in older adults. Sarcopenic obesity was associated with the lowest performance on global cognition tests, followed by sarcopenia alone and then obesity alone.

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalClinical Interventions in Aging·DateJul 5, 2018

Abdominal obesity linked to lower urinary tract symptoms

A recent study found that men with central obesity were at higher risk for lower urinary tract symptoms, characterized by worsened straining and weak stream. The study also revealed a strong association between increased waist-to-hip ratio and these symptoms.

SourceWiley·JournalLUTS Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms·DateJul 5, 2018

Obesity + aging linked to Alzheimer's markers in the brain

A high-fat, high-sugar diet that leads to obesity may contribute to the development of Alzheimer's disease when paired with normal aging. The study found significant differences in inflammation and insulin resistance markers between obese and healthy mice.

SourceAmerican Physiological Society·JournalPhysiological Reports·DateJun 28, 2018
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.

Fat cells control fat cell growth

Researchers at ETH Zurich discovered a new type of regulatory fat cell called Aregs that inhibits the formation of new fat cells. This discovery opens up promising avenues for future therapies to protect obese people from diabetes and other secondary illnesses.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature·DateJun 21, 2018

In mice, stem cells seem to work in fighting obesity! What about stem cells in humans?

A systematic review of animal studies found that adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AD-MSCs) have a positive effect on obesity treatment in terms of body weight and related comorbidities. However, the authors caution that further well-designed human studies are needed to confirm these findings and understand the mechanism of action.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalCurrent Stem Cell Research & Therapy·DateJun 20, 2018

Weight loss reverses heart condition in obesity sufferers

Atrial fibrillation, Australia's most common heart rhythm disorder, can be alleviated by losing weight and treating lifestyle factors. Obesity is a leading cause of stroke and heart failure, but research shows that reducing weight by 10% can reverse the progression of the disease.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalEP Europace·DateJun 20, 2018
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Lonely and prolonged struggle for people with severe obesity

People with severe obesity report using various weight loss methods, but none prove more effective than maintaining lower caloric intake. Weight loss surgery is a proven method for reducing weight in the long term and lowering disease risk, but not suitable for everyone.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalObesity·DateJun 20, 2018

Exercise makes the blood of obese people healthier

New research published in The Journal of Physiology reveals that exercise can reduce chronic inflammation in obese individuals. By changing the characteristics of their blood-forming stem cells, exercise decreases the number of blood cells associated with inflammation.

SourceThe Physiological Society·JournalThe Journal of Physiology·DateJun 19, 2018