Researchers developed an artificial metalloenzyme that can penetrate a mammalian cell and accelerate hormone release, activating a gene switch to create a fluorescent protein. This breakthrough enables the modification of cell functions on a genetic level or the creation of drugs from harmless precursors.
Researchers at Joslin Diabetes Center have discovered a hormone in fat that boosts metabolism during exercise and cold exposure. The hormone, 12,13-diHOME, is released from brown fat and offers beneficial metabolic effects. Further studies are underway to understand its role in obesity and metabolic disease.
Researchers discovered naturally occurring hormones 'notum' and 'lipocalin-5' that accelerate fat burning and protect against Type 2 diabetes. Lipocalin-5 also enhances muscle's ability to metabolize nutrients, reducing obesity and diabetes risk. The findings could lead to new drugs for halting obesity and heart disease.
A new study found higher cortisol levels in medical students during the summer months than in winter. The research contradicts traditional notions of increased stress in winter and relaxed ease in summer.
The Bajau people's larger spleens enable them to dive longer and deeper by injecting more oxygenated red blood cells into the circulation. Genetic analysis reveals a link between increased thyroid hormone levels and enhanced diving ability in this Southeast Asian group.
A study found that the Bajau people have genetically enlarged spleens, allowing them to free dive for extended periods. The discovery could lead to new insights into Acute Hypoxia and its treatment.
A new compound called EP055 has been discovered to stop sperm temporarily without affecting hormones, offering a potential 'male pill' alternative. The study found that the compound significantly slowed sperm mobility, limiting fertilization capabilities.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center identify a hormone that stimulates thirst in response to nutrient stresses, challenging traditional views on hydration. The study's findings suggest that FGF21 works through a novel pathway to increase water intake, potentially limiting alcohol consumption and protecting against its effects.
Researchers at the University of Birmingham have discovered a way for plants to 'hedge their bets' by germinating seeds at different times, reducing variability in agriculture. By understanding this process, farmers may be able to increase potential yields and address agronomic challenges.
A review suggests that exposure to thyroid-hormone-disrupting toxins in pregnant women and children may lead to increased incidence of brain development disorders. This has significant implications for child health and underscores the need for targeted public health strategies.
A novel study found sex-specific responses to maternal diet and androgen excess in animal offspring, with female offspring developing anxiety-like behavior due to maternal androgen exposure. Male offspring were unaffected by maternal androgens but displayed anxiety-like behavior on a high-fat-high-sucrose diet.
A large population-based study found that patients on levothyroxine had lower quality of life and more comorbidity than those not taking the hormone. The study also showed that comorbidity had a greater negative impact on the quality of life of LT4 users.
Researchers found a crucial link between chronic fatigue syndrome and lower levels of key thyroid hormones. CFS patients had lower serum levels of T3 and T4, but normal thyroid-stimulating hormone, and higher levels of reverse T3, which may indicate reduced tissue T3 levels.
Researchers have discovered that changes in social behavior during adolescence are not triggered by pubertal hormones. Using Siberian hamsters as a model, the team found that behavioral shifts, such as play-fighting to social dominance, occur at the same time regardless of puberty timing.
A phase II clinical trial showed that NGM282 significantly reduced liver fat content in patients with NAFLD and NASH. The treatment, a non-tumorigenic variant of an endocrine gastrointestinal hormone, has no FDA-approved treatments for these conditions.
A retrospective study of patients with laryngeal cancer who underwent radiation treatment found that those with low thyroid hormone levels were more likely to experience fistula formation and prolonged hospital stays. Researchers propose administering a common hormone supplement, levothyroxine, to prevent these complications.
Researchers found that prenatal exposure to androgens had no significant association with girls' time spent with either boys or girls. However, girls with classical CAH spent more time in male-typical activities and less time in female-typical activities. This study suggests that gender development is a complex process influenced by bo...
Researchers at the University of Edinburgh identified a hormone called DHEA that can prime cells for implantation and increase active hormones. This discovery could lead to new treatments for infertility in women over 40.
Researchers found changes in gene activity in the pituitary gland of foxes selectively bred for tameness, which may explain why tame foxes are less stressed. The study suggests that domestication alters animals' reactivity to stress by modifying the way their brain centers communicate about hormone release.
The study reveals how fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) signals to cells through its receptor and alpha-Klotho, reversing previous conjecture on alpha-Klotho's anti-aging role. The findings also shed light on kidney disease leading to heart hypertrophy.
A study published in PNAS found that constant noise from oil and gas operations can cause physiological stress in birds, leading to reduced egg hatching rates and stunted chick growth. The research also showed that species previously thought to be tolerant of noise were actually most affected.
Researchers have found a potential new treatment for fetal growth restriction, a condition where the fetus doesn't grow at a normal rate during pregnancy. The treatment involves injecting a growth factor into sheep fetuses, which increased their growth without increasing stillbirths or deaths.
A recent study by UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center researchers found that black women with hormone-receptor positive, HER2-negative breast cancer had a higher risk of recurrence compared to white women. The biological features of patients' tumors partially explained this difference, but not completely.
A recent study published in Women and Birth found that consuming placenta capsules has limited benefits for new moms, including no significant impact on postpartum mood or maternal bonding. However, the study did show detectable changes in hormone concentrations in mothers taking placenta capsules.
A recent study found a link between genetic variants and lower GLP-1 levels, which may predict increased cardiovascular mortality risks in type 2 diabetes patients. The research could lead to personalized patient care by testing genetic risk markers and tailoring treatments accordingly.
Researchers from RUDN University have developed a three-stage synthesis method for producing steroid analogs, including hormones and terpenes. The process takes 2-3 days at room temperature, significantly reducing the time required compared to previous methods.
A team of researchers at the Broad Institute has created a high-resolution census of the small intestine's cellular composition, revealing new insights into gut biology and its connection to diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease and food allergies. The atlas uses single-cell RNA sequencing and provides a reference for studying th...
A study on chicken embryos reveals that thyroid hormone transporter MCT8 plays a vital role in brain development. The research found that MCT8-deficient cells failed to migrate and proliferate, leading to disrupted brain formation. This suggests that brain lesions associated with a rare neurological disorder may originate before birth.
Researchers at Aarhus University have found a hormonal link to unexplained seizures in women, revealing a biological cause for the previously psychologically attributed condition. The study measured hormone levels in patients with psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) and found lower neuropeptide Y levels, associated with stress re...
A new study found that high levels of thyroid hormone FT4 are associated with an increased risk of artery disease and death. Researchers analyzed data from 9,420 participants and discovered a significant link between thyroid function and atherosclerosis.
Researchers at UC find that certain spadefoot toad species regulate hormone production to adapt to environmental changes, speeding up development and shortening larval periods. This process enables them to survive in warmer and drier climates.
Research finds individuals with higher thyroid hormone levels, even within normal range, are more likely to develop irregular heartbeat. The study analyzed data from 30,085 individuals and found a significant increase in risk associated with moderate increases in FT4 levels.
A study published in JAMA found that biomarkers indicating diminished ovarian reserve were not associated with reduced fertility in women aged 30-44 attempting natural conception. Low AMH or high FSH levels were not linked to lower fecundability or cumulative probability of conceiving.
A new study found that women exposed to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War had higher levels of hormones in their breast milk, which were then transferred to their babies. The research revealed a nearly three-fold increase in DHEA in babies from dioxin hotspots compared to non-contaminated regions.
Researchers found that signalling by prolactin to its receptors is essential for mothers to show vital maternal nurturing behaviour towards their young. This discovery may explain why some animal species abandon their young and highlights the importance of prolactin in establishing a bond between mother and baby.
A newly-discovered reflex arc disrupts hormone secretion by adrenal glands, leading to increased bacterial infections. Trauma-induced spinal cord injuries weaken the immune system, resulting in severe infections and hindering nervous tissue regeneration.
A UC Riverside-led study identified two hormones (ecdysis triggering hormone and juvenile hormone) and a neurotransmitter (dopamine) that regulate courtship memories in males. The study found that these molecules are critical to maintaining aversive memories of failed courtship attempts, influencing future behaviors.
Kimera Biotecnologia's biotech eCG has proven as effective as conventional eCG, reducing production costs by 30-50% and eliminating animal blood use. The hormone is produced in the lab, hastening puberty, inducing superovulation, and increasing fecundity.
Scientists have discovered the key trigger molecule that helps mature red blood cells. By removing a hydrophobic molecule from serum using charcoal filters, researchers found that adding back just thyroid hormone triggers red blood cell maturation.
Developed by a team of researchers, the biosensor uses antibody fragments and polyethylene glycol molecules to detect target compounds in serum. The device can diagnose many conditions and illnesses at sub-picomolar concentrations, making it inexpensive and easy to use.
A study led by Columbia University Medical Center researchers found that boosting blood levels of osteocalcin reverses age-related memory loss in mice. Osteocalcin binds to a receptor called Gpr158 in the brain's memory center, and restoring youthful levels of the hormone improves cognitive function.
Researchers found that obese people have fewer enteroendocrine cells in the gut, reducing satiety hormones and altering appetite. Surgical weight-loss procedures can repair this disorder by restoring cell numbers and normalizing hormone release.
Researchers found that largemouth bass stressed by air exposure are less likely to be caught by angling, suggesting a potential link between cortisol levels and fishing vulnerability. The study's findings have implications for fisheries management and the selection of fish populations for recreational fishing.
A study by UC San Francisco scientists found that administering klotho to young, aging or impaired mice rapidly improves their cognitive and physical performance. The treatment also showed benefits for aged mice and those with Parkinson's disease-like symptoms, suggesting a potential therapeutic application.
A new study found that violent crime can disrupt sleep patterns and increase stress hormones in youth, leading to decreased academic performance. The study, conducted on 82 youth aged 11-18, showed that sleep and cortisol levels changed after a violent crime occurred nearby, with the largest effects seen for homicides.
New research from Northwestern University suggests that children who live in neighborhoods with high rates of violent crime struggle more in school due to sleep disruption and increased stress hormone cortisol. The study found that violent crimes alter sleep patterns, leading to a negative impact on academic performance.
A study found that hemodialysis patients with hypothyroidism exhibit impairments in health-related quality of life, including physical function and pain. The findings suggest a potential link between thyroid hormone levels and patient outcomes.
Naoki Yamanaka, the first researcher at UC Riverside to receive a Pew scholarship, will pursue foundational research using state-of-the-art techniques. His research focuses on identifying chemicals that interrupt steroid hormone entry into cells, which could lead to novel means of manipulating steroid-related processes.
A recent study found that consuming foods high in polyunsaturated fats, such as walnuts and salmon, can favorably change appetite hormones in young adults. The study participants experienced a decrease in fasting ghrelin and an increase in peptide YY, leading to better appetite control.
Scientists at Imperial College London discovered a way to target specific receptors controlling appetite in mouse brains without causing side effects. This breakthrough could lead to the development of a new type of anti-obesity medication that activates thyroid hormone receptors in the hypothalamus.
Early childhood exposure to specific phthalates was associated with depressed thyroid function in girls at age 3. Lower levels of active thyroid hormone free thyroxin (FT4) were linked to metabolites of certain phthalate chemicals.
Researchers identified VEGF-A as a key player in thyroid-vascular coordination, producing excess hormones and dense capillaries in hyperthyroidism. Blocking VEGFR2 could inhibit thyroid enlargement and remodeling.
Researchers have developed a laboratory model for Allan-Herndon-Dudley syndrome, a rare psychomotor disease that affects brain development. The study uses induced pluripotent stem cell technology to replicate the patient's blood-brain barrier, providing new insights into the disease and potential therapies.
A steroid hormone called ecdysone has been identified as a crucial trigger for brain development in fruit flies. The hormone is similar to human thyroid hormone and its activity timing may hold clues to maternal hypothyroidism, a condition that can cause severe neurological defects and fetal brain damage.
New research finds that suppressing thyroid hormone receptor activity locally in the retina protects cone photoreceptor cells, slowing cell death and prolonging their life span. The study suggests a therapeutic strategy for treating retinal degeneration using topical medications or eyedrops.
The emerging field of conservation endocrinology explores the effects of environmental change on species and ecosystems through hormone analysis. Researchers are developing new techniques to monitor ecological responses and plan future conservation efforts.
A study published in Cell Metabolism found that a liver hormone called FGF21 may play a role in determining who has a sweet tooth. The researchers discovered two variants of the FGF21 gene associated with increased intake of sweets and candies.
Researchers using endocrine markers can monitor ecological responses to climate change and plan conservation efforts. This emerging field aims to improve conservation biology by studying the impact of environmental stressors on species health.
Researchers at the University of Birmingham have discovered a new cause of high blood pressure, known as Connshing syndrome, which is characterized by the overproduction of both aldosterone and cortisol. This condition can lead to increased risk of heart attack and stroke, and may require additional treatment beyond current medications.
Researchers discovered a separate mechanism in the brain that deals only with chronic stress, involving a small group of nerve cells in the paraventricular nucleus. The CRFR1 system is thought to play a role in regulating cortisol levels and may be involved in depression, with patients having more of this receptor than average.