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Stress hormone timing creates a different kind of obesity

A new preclinical study found that glucocorticoid-rhythm disruption concentrates insulin resistance in skeletal muscle while preserving key insulin responses in fat tissue and liver, leading to a different type of obesity. This allows fat tissue to continue storing lipids, while the liver remains largely protected from fat accumulation.

SourceWeill Cornell Medicine·JournalCell Reports·DateSep 10, 2026

New EndoCompass Research Roadmap calls for coordinated investment to tackle Europe’s hormone health challenge

The European Society of Endocrinology has released the EndoCompass Research Roadmap, a major new initiative to align research efforts and improve funding strategies for hormone-related health challenges. The roadmap identifies specific research needs across eight endocrine specialties and five cross-cutting areas.

SourceEuropean Society of Endocrinology·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateOct 17, 2025

New research evaluates the ability of patients with adrenal crisis to complete emergency cortisol injections

A new study explores the ability of individuals with adrenal crisis to accurately and effectively administer emergency cortisol injections. Nearly half of those living with adrenal insufficiency are unable to self-administer life-saving injections during a medical emergency, highlighting the need for improved awareness and preparedness.

SourceNational Jewish Health·JournalEndocrine Practice·DateApr 28, 2025

Wild birds’ gut microbiome linked with its ornamentation and body condition

A new study has linked the diversity of a wild bird's gut microbiome with its ornamentation and body condition. Researchers found that a cardinal's gut microbiome can be predicted by its body condition, and the quality of its ornamentation, such as red plumage and beak. This discovery has important applications for conservation biology.

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalOikos·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 10, 2024

$2.4 million grant helping MCG scientists better understand what happens to our skeleton as we age

Researchers are studying the role of stress hormones and mineralocorticoid receptors in bone health as we age. The goal is to understand how balance between these factors affects our skeletons. By investigating this complex relationship, scientists hope to develop new insights into osteoporosis and other age-related bone disorders.

Single episode of intense exercise reduces subsequent physical activity and body temperature, contributing to weight gain

A single episode of intense exercise reduces subsequent physical activity and body temperature in mice, leading to weight gain. The study highlights the importance of considering not only calories burned during exercise but also subsequent activity levels and circadian rhythm for effective weight loss.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalMedicine & Science in Sports & Exercise·DateJun 10, 2024

Postpartum depression after adolescent stress shows a dysregulated HPA axis: a cross-species translational study

Researchers found a correlation between prolonged postdelivery elevation of corticosterone and behavioral changes in postpartum mice who experienced social isolation in adolescence. A novel treatment using a glucocorticoid receptor antagonist shows promise in blocking behavioral changes.

SourceUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham·JournalNature Mental Health·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 24, 2024

Sudden hearing loss: high-dose therapy does not lead to better outcomes than the standard treatment

A large-scale German-wide randomized controlled trial found that high-dose therapy with glucocorticoids is not more effective than standard treatment for sudden hearing loss. However, it was associated with a higher risk of side effects. Several hundred thousand people worldwide suffer from sudden hearing loss each year.

SourceMartin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg·JournalNEJM Evidence·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 4, 2024

Breakthrough for ‘neglected’ rheumatic condition

A year-long clinical trial found sustained remission of polymyalgia rheumatica in 28% of patients taking sarilumab, compared to 10% of those on placebo. The treatment showed promise in reducing relapse and improving outcomes for patients tapering their steroid medication.

SourceAnglia Ruskin University·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 25, 2023

Social determinants of health contribute to higher CVD mortality rates in Black persons

A large US study found that social determinants of health are a major factor contributing to higher cardiovascular disease mortality rates in Black individuals compared to Whites. The study analyzed data from over 50,000 adults and found significant associations between social factors such as unemployment and food insecurity with CVD m...

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeNews article·DateAug 14, 2023

New: COVAX results

A registry study found that people with inflammatory RMDs, such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis, tolerate their COVID vaccine well, with short-lived reactions being the most common side effect. The majority of participants were able to continue on their normal medication with no changes.

SourceEuropean Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR)·JournalAnnals of the Rheumatic Diseases·DateJan 7, 2022

‘Fight or flight’ – unless internal clocks are disrupted, study in mice shows

Research in mice reveals that coordinated clock-gene and neuronal activity rhythms are necessary for daily hormone release, with the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) and paraventricular nucleus (PVN) working together to generate circadian rhythms. Disruption of these clocks can lead to various pathologies.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 1, 2021

Increased risk of heart disease may be linked to your stress hormone sensitivity

Research suggests that people sensitive to stress hormones are at greater risk of developing cardiovascular disease, with markers indicating increased risk of stroke and heart attack. A novel proteomic signature may help identify these individuals and inform stress management strategies.

SourceEuropean Society for Paediatric Endocrinology·JournalHormone Research in Paediatrics·TypeObservational study·DateSep 25, 2021

COVID-19 vaccine elicits antibodies in 90% taking immunosuppressants

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine found that COVID-19 vaccination elicited a response in nearly nine out of ten people with weakened immune systems. However, the responses were only about one-third as strong as those mounted by healthy people. Despite this, the discovery is encouraging news for a population at hig...

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 30, 2021

New study may offer treatment guidance for MIS-C

A new study has found that treating children and adolescents with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) with intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) and glucocorticoids reduces the risk of serious short-term outcomes, including cardiovascular dysfunction. The study analyzed data from over 596 patients and showed a significan...

SourceRutgers University·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJul 12, 2021

Stress and death in female baboons

A new study has found that female baboons with high levels of glucocorticoids, a hormone involved in the 'fight or flight' response, have a greater risk of dying. The research, which analyzed data from over 20 years, showed that females with higher levels of glucocorticoids tend to die younger than those with lower levels.

SourceDuke University·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 21, 2021

Chronic stress may reduce lifespan in wild baboons, according to new multi-decadal study

A new multi-decadal study involving 242 wild female baboons found evidence to support chronic stress as a significant factor affecting survival. High stress levels throughout adult life were linked to shorter lifespans, with females experiencing a loss of 5.4 years of life compared to those with lower stress responses.

Toward safer steroids: Scientists devise method for improving safety of drug used to treat COVID-19, autoimmune disorders and more

Researchers at Scripps Research Institute devised a method to separate beneficial anti-inflammatory properties from unwanted side effects in glucocorticoid drugs. Two new compounds show steroidal anti-inflammatory action with specific traits, including boosting muscle supply and reducing risk of muscle-wasting.

SourceScripps Research Institute·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateFeb 2, 2021