Articles tagged with Metabolism
A team at Princeton's Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics has produced new resources for studying the biology of multicellular organisms. The researchers analyzed gene activity patterns in four major tissues and developed a tool to predict gene expression across cell types.
Renewable biofuels have huge potential, but two main challenges need to be overcome: developing efficient microbial cell factories and converting biomass into sugars. The study suggests that improving these processes could make biomass-derived hydrocarbons a real alternative to fossil fuels.
Untreated gestational diabetes after pregnancy is associated with development of glucose metabolism disorders in mothers, but not childhood overweight/obesity. The study found that new criteria for gestational diabetes diagnosis may be relevant in assessing maternal risk.
Researchers have discovered a key role for O-GlcNAc modifications in enhancing neuronal regeneration after injury. Altering sugar levels on proteins can alter metabolism, leading to improved regeneration outcomes.
Researchers have identified elesclomol as a potential treatment for human copper metabolism disorders by restoring mitochondrial energy production. The study found that elesclomol can mimic the missing transporters of copper, providing a new opportunity to treat genetic disorders such as Menkes disease.
Prof. Doron Lancet and colleagues propose a new chemical model that supports the 'Lipid World' concept, where lipids can store and transmit information, leading to compositional reproduction and Darwinian evolution. The researchers argue that life could emerge before DNA and RNA.
A Salk Institute study found that depleting a mouse's microbiome with antibiotics reduces glucose levels and improves insulin sensitivity. The research suggests the microbiome plays a role in glucose regulation and may offer insights into treating type 2 diabetes.
Researchers found that maintaining high levels of the protein vinculin in fruit flies' hearts reduced the effects of aging and improved their life span, quality of life, and metabolism. Flies bred with higher vinculin levels lived up to nine weeks, compared to six weeks for typical fruit flies.
Researchers discovered that free-living insects can copy and inject plant hormones into leaves to increase nutrient content. This strategy is similar to endophytic insect species and could aid in developing effective pest management strategies.
A recent study from Johns Hopkins University reveals a flaw in the water treatment process that can create toxic transformation products, including 2-butene-1,4-dial. This compound has been linked to negative effects on human cells and may be responsible for toxicity in cigarette smoke and car exhaust.
A new study by Ohio State University reveals that a lipid released from brown fat, called lipokine, surges in the bloodstream after exercise. This finding suggests that burning of brown fat and this lipid play an important role in the metabolic benefits of exercise.
A new study found that fatty fish increases the size and lipid composition of beneficial HDL particles, while camelina oil decreases harmful IDL particle concentrations. Both changes can lower cardiovascular disease risk.
High-risk atherosclerotic plaque and cancer cells exhibit reprogrammed metabolism, which can be targeted with drugs to limit inflammation. The study proposes a novel approach for identifying dangerous plaque using PET cameras.
Arthur Grossman, a Carnegie scientist, has received a $300,000 Human Frontier Science Program grant to investigate how light and metabolic signals control photosynthetic processes in algae. This research aims to develop a holistic view of photosynthetic control, spanning metabolism to epigenetics and mathematical modeling.
A new study by Karolinska Institutet reveals that enzyme FIH determines how muscles consume oxygen, with implications for elite athletes and potential new forms of metabolism-affecting drugs.
The study reveals that the circulating form of soluble a-Klotho can act as a co-receptor for FGF23, making every cell a potential target. This breakthrough challenges the long-held belief that only cell-attached a-Klotho can receive FGF23 signals.
Scientists at Princeton University have developed a method to control the metabolism of living cells using light, enabling the production of commercially valuable chemicals. This technique allows for the creation of biofuels like isobutanol, which could potentially replace gasoline as a vehicle fuel.
Scientists developed a method to predict how global warming affects disease severity, using the metabolic theory of ecology. The study showed that different processes have unique relationships with temperature, and that linking these theories can describe how disease interactions change with global warming.
Researchers have developed a new non-invasive method to measure the metabolic activity of brown adipose tissue, making it easier to verify its heat generation. The method uses multispectral optoacoustic tomography (MSOT) to visualize changes in oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin, allowing scientists to study its effects on energy b...
Researchers discovered that the fission protein Drp1 is controlled by an internal biological clock, which determines the design of mitochondrial networks and their energy capacity. Impairing this rhythm leads to a decline in energy production, with potential therapeutic applications for diseases like Alzheimer's.
A new study from the University of Eastern Finland found that camelina oil reduces overall and LDL cholesterol levels in individuals with impaired glucose metabolism. Camelina oil, rich in alpha-linolenic acid, showed a positive effect on blood cholesterol levels but had no similar effects for fatty or lean fish.
Driftwood hoppers, also known as talitrids, have evolved to thrive in marine driftwood habitats. They are characterized by their small size and reliance on symbiotic microflora for digestive purposes. The species demonstrate dwarfism due to poor diet and slow metabolism, with the smallest species measuring less than 6 mm in length.
A research team led by Professor Jens Nielsen has mapped out the complex metabolism of yeast cells, enabling the efficient production of protein therapies for diseases like cancer. The breakthrough could lead to significantly cheaper treatments, potentially reducing costs by 10%.
New research finds that eating breakfast decreases genes involved in fat metabolism and increases sugar uptake in fat cells. This may lead to lower diabetes and cardiovascular risk in obese individuals.
A Russian researcher and his colleagues have determined the normal range of boron in human tissues, revealing its importance in metabolism. The study found that men and women have different dietary balances but similar boron functions, suggesting a gender-independent metabolism.
Researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health discovered Nrf1 protein's role in maintaining cholesterol balance within cells. The protein senses and responds to excess cholesterol, promoting protective countermeasures and potentially treating diseases where cholesterol metabolism is disrupted.
Apixaban is a predictable linear NOAC providing good bioavailability, fast onset and offset of action, and low drug-food interactions. Its safety benefits include lower major bleeding event incidence compared to traditional anticoagulants.
Researchers found a 10% decrease in serum zinc levels in women with prediabetes, highlighting the importance of zinc metabolism in diabetes pathogenesis. Zinc plays a crucial role in insulin synthesis and tissue susceptibility to hormones.
Researchers have discovered the first confirmed human case of 2,3-dioxygenase deficiency, a rare metabolic disorder characterized by excessive serotonin levels. The study, led by Aimin Liu at UTSA, uses advanced instrumentation techniques to document the patient's conditions.
Scientists have discovered two new classes of histone modifications that couple cellular metabolism to gene activity, providing a potential mechanism for environmental influences on gene expression. The novel marks, propionylation and butyrylation, are linked to fatty acid metabolism and can drive transcription in test tube experiments.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have identified a critical step in how cancer cells shift their metabolism, leading them down a cancerous path. By inhibiting a specific protein modification, the study reveals a potential therapeutic target to reverse several hallmarks of cancer.
Apixaban is a new oral anticoagulant with good bioavailability, independent of patient sex and age. The drug has a short half-life, wide therapeutic window, and low number of drug interactions, making it suitable for patients with bleeding or surgical conditions.
A study found that consuming high sugar diets increases fat levels in the blood and liver, raising cardiovascular health risks. Healthy men with low liver fat showed similar changes after consuming a high sugar diet, highlighting the importance of sugar intake regulation.
Researchers discover nerve-associated macrophages that become inflamed with age and disrupt fat cell function. Lowering inflammation in these cells restores normal fat metabolism in older mice.
DNA damage accelerates aging in nematode worms, showing surprising similarities with aged humans. The study reveals comprehensive connections between metabolism, DNA preservation, and signaling pathways.
Increases in bone marrow fat are associated with a decline in bone density after gastric bypass surgery, while improvements in blood sugar control are linked to reduced marrow fat levels. The study suggests that weight loss and blood sugar metabolism may influence bone health through changes in bone marrow fat.
A new study suggests that India's planned 'smart' cities could have a detrimental impact on the environment if adequate infrastructure is not provided. The study analyzed the environmental implications of medium-rise housing replaced with high-rise towers, predicting significant extra demands on resources and increased waste output.
A recent study by UMass Amherst researchers found that certain beneficial gut bacteria can grow when fed a carbohydrate in cranberries, exhibiting a special nontypical metabolism. The findings could lead to new supplements or food products with potential health benefits.
Despite being hailed as the key regulator of leanness, leptin's function in humans remains uncharacterized. Researchers call for experimental evidence to demonstrate its mechanism of action, highlighting a crucial gap in our understanding of metabolism and obesity.
A comprehensive review highlights the most effective treatment options for co-managing type 2 diabetes and osteoporosis. Researchers suggest using medications like Metformin and DPP-4 inhibitors to protect bone health. Meanwhile, insulin therapy is recommended for achieving glycemic control in patients with T2D and fractures.
Researchers at Kanazawa University found that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on the lateral occipito-temporal cortex (LOTC) improved mental manipulation of body part imagery. This improvement was observed in healthy adults, indicating potential benefits for exercise learning and rehabilitation outcomes.
A recent study found that delayed eating patterns, compared to daytime eating, can lead to increased weight, insulin, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels, negatively affecting fat metabolism. Eating earlier in the day may help prevent overeating in the evening and at night.
A new study from the University of Illinois suggests that simple metabolic functions were the precursor to the emergence of life on Earth. The research analyzed gene ontology data and constructed a tree tracing the evolutionary path of molecular functions over time.
A team of scientists has discovered that breast cancer cells rely on a different nutrient metabolism to produce energy than normal cells and non-metastasizing cancer cells. Inhibiting this process reduces metastases by over 60% in mouse models.
A two-week high-intensity interval training (HIIT) program improved glucose metabolism in muscles of people with type 2 diabetes. HIIT surpassed traditional moderate intensity continuous training in its benefits, with significant improvements in insulin sensitivity and endurance noted.
Researchers found metreleptin treatment improved liver function and reduced fatty liver disease progression in patients with partial lipodystrophy. Patients with lower baseline leptin levels showed higher response rates to the treatment.
Climate change research needs to focus on how changing population structures will affect future human wellbeing. Global scenarios already include demographic data, but this is not being fully utilized. A new conceptual model, 'demographic metabolism,' can account for the replacement of generations and their impact on vulnerability.
Researchers found that cancer cells rely on metabolic processes, specifically the use of intermediates for energy production, to drive growth and division. A specific variant of STAT5, which cannot detect a marker indicating a full energy supply, prevents sustained activation necessary for leukemia development.
A pilot study conducted by the University of California, Los Angeles, has shown that consuming grapes twice a day for six months can prevent metabolic decline in Alzheimer-related areas of the brain. Participants who followed a grape-enriched diet demonstrated improved attention and memory performance compared to those on a placebo diet.
A recent study found that metformin treatment inhibits abnormal mitochondrial metabolism and activates anti-proliferation signaling in individuals with Li-Fraumeni syndrome. This inhibition leads to lower rates of tumor formation and increased survival time, suggesting metformin as a potential strategy for cancer prevention.
Researchers found a 'cross-talk' between the immune system, gut bacteria, and glucose metabolism, with implications for type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. The gut bacteria Akkermansia muciniphila plays a critical role in regulating glucose metabolism.
Researchers found a link between necrotizing enterocolitis and mitochondrial metabolism, which generates energy for cells. The study suggests a genetic deficiency may trigger the disease, which affects up to 10% of premature infants and is fatal 25-35% of the time.
Researchers have found that impaired insulin metabolism affects neighboring cells involved in wound healing, leading to slow and incomplete healing. This discovery opens up new possibilities for treating wounds in diabetics, with local treatment targeting insulin metabolism.
Researchers discovered a metabolic enzyme that acts as a gatekeeper for the innate immune system, triggering strong inflammatory responses against harmful bacteria. This finding may help explain why obesity, Type 2 diabetes, and coronary artery disease are often accompanied by inflammation.
A new therapy has been developed to replace essential steroids in the body, which could help people with conditions like Addison's disease and congenital adrenal hyperplasia. The treatment uses corticosterone instead of cortisol, resulting in fewer side effects on fat cells.
Researchers at TUM discovered that brain cells, specifically astrocytes, regulate sugar intake and adjust metabolism in response to hormones like insulin and leptin. This paradigm shift could lead to new treatments for diabetes and obesity by targeting multiple cell types involved in metabolic processes.
Researchers created a liver on a chip that accurately replicates the metabolic variations found throughout the organ. The microfluidic device allows for fine control over liver cell metabolism, enabling the study of the effects of toxins and new drugs on the liver.
Researchers developed an index to predict bone loss in women during menopause by considering both bone formation and breakdown. The Bone Balance Index was found to be a stronger predictor of bone loss than a measurement of bone breakdown alone.
A study found that a cellular sorting protein called SORLA disrupts fat metabolism by recycling molecular receptors for insulin. This causes fat cells to become overly sensitive to insulin, leading to excessive fat deposits and obesity. The researchers discovered this link in human samples, mouse models, and cell cultures.
Research by Thomas Willnow found that SORLA regulates insulin signaling, leading to increased fat accumulation and obesity in mice. Reducing SORLA levels protected against diet-induced obesity.