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Cholesterol levels dropping in Western nations but rising in Asia

Cholesterol levels have dropped sharply in high-income nations like those in North-western Europe, North America, and Australasia, but risen in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in East and Southeast Asia. High cholesterol is responsible for approximately 3.9 million worldwide deaths annually.

Cholesterol levels dropping in Western nations -- but rising in Asia

The study found that total and non-HDL cholesterol levels are falling sharply in high-income countries, particularly those in North-western Europe, North America, and Australasia, while rising in low- and middle-income nations, especially in East and Southeast Asia. This shift has significant implications for global cardiovascular health.

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.

Experts debate saturated fat consumption guidelines for Americans

Researchers disagree on whether reducing saturated fat intake can lower rates of heart disease, with some arguing that the evidence is inconclusive and others citing a strong link between saturated fats and increased LDL cholesterol levels. Experts caution against replacing foods high in saturated fat with added sugars and refined carb...

Researchers develop new method to map cholesterol metabolism in brain

Researchers developed a new technology to monitor cholesterol in brain tissue, revealing major locations of cholesterol and its metabolites. This breakthrough could lead to the discovery of new therapies for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's disease.

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.

Low-income adults less likely to receive preventive heart disease care

Research shows low-income adults are less likely to receive preventive heart disease care, including cholesterol and blood pressure screenings. Socioeconomic disparities worsen during crises like COVID-19, highlighting the need for city-level interventions and public health policies to address these gaps.

Combining mouse and human data uncovers new gene regulating cholesterol

Researchers have discovered a new gene, Sestrin1, that regulates cholesterol levels by shutting off cholesterol production in the liver when food provides enough essential nutrients. The study combines fine-grained detail from animal studies with statistical power of genetic studies involving hundreds of thousands of human genomes.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

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.

Drinks with added sugars linked to lipid imbalance, which increases CVD risk

A new observational study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that drinking 12 ounces of sugary drinks more than once per day is linked to lower levels of HDL-C and higher levels of triglycerides. The study also found that regularly consuming sugar-sweetened beverages increases the risk of cardiovascular di...

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Plant pigment can significantly reduce blood pressure

A new study found that quercetin can greatly reduce systolic blood pressure and improve HDL cholesterol levels. Quercetin administration is associated with a 10-20% reduction in cardiovascular risk for heart failure, stroke, and myocardial infarction.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

New insights into the effect of aging on cardiovascular disease

Aging adults are more likely to develop and die from cardiovascular disease due to narrowed, hardened arteries. The study reveals a novel pathway where mitochondrial dysfunction and pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 co-exist with aging to promote atherosclerosis.

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.

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

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.

One avocado a day helps lower 'bad' cholesterol for heart healthy benefits

A randomized, controlled feeding study found that eating one avocado a day was associated with lower levels of LDL (specifically small, dense LDL particles) and oxidized LDL in adults with overweight or obesity. Avocados also helped reduce oxidized LDL particles and increased antioxidant lutein levels.

'Good' cholesterol counters atherosclerosis in mice with diabetes

A new study finds that increasing levels of 'good' cholesterol reversed disease in the blood vessels of mice with diabetes, reversing atherosclerosis. The study also shows that raising functional HDL levels stopped inflammation and improved cardiovascular disease processes.

You don't have to go cold turkey on red meat to see health benefits

A new study found that halving red and processed meat consumption reduces LDL 'bad' cholesterol levels and heart disease risk by an average of 10%. Researchers discovered that even small changes to RPM intake can induce significant changes in LDL cholesterol, potentially reducing the risk of developing heart disease.

Rethinking how cholesterol is integrated into cells

The study reveals how cholesterol is incorporated into cells through a previously unknown pathway, providing new understanding of cellular function. The discovery has significant implications for the regulation of cholesterol uptake and potential applications in treating diseases such as cardiovascular disease.

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.

All-in-one pill reduces blood pressure, cholesterol levels in US study

A single pill containing low doses of three medications reduced blood pressure and cholesterol levels in a US study, translating to a 25% lower risk of cardiovascular disease. The study enrolled mostly low-income, primarily black adults from Mobile, Alabama, and showed high adherence rates.

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.

Lifestyle, not genetics, explains most premature heart disease

A study of 1,075 patients under 50 found that healthy behaviors such as regular exercise, quitting smoking, and managing cholesterol levels can significantly reduce the risk of premature heart disease. In contrast, genetics played a less significant role in those with multiple modifiable risk factors.

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 role of a single molecule in obesity

A single cholesterol-derived molecule, 27-hydroxycholesterol (27HC), has been found to increase body fat even without a high-fat diet. The molecule affects white adipose tissue and expands the capacity of existing fat cells.

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.

Immune cells drive gallstone formation

Researchers discover that sticky meshworks of DNA and proteins extruded by neutrophils act as the glue that binds together calcium and cholesterol crystals during gallstone formation. Inhibiting NETs reduces gallstone growth in mice, offering new strategies for treating gallstone disease.

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.

Foundational study explores role of diet in diabetes complications

A study by Brigham and Women's Hospital found that a combination of high levels of dietary cholesterol with specific saturated fats exacerbates retinal damage in a preclinical model of diabetes. The research used an experimental rat model to examine the effects of different dietary fats on early molecular signs of inflammation and damage.