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Weight loss surgery's effects on bone marrow fat and bone mass

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.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Bone and Mineral Research·DateAug 9, 2017

India must rethink infrastructure needs for 100 new 'smart' cities to be sustainable

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.

SourceUniversity of Lincoln·JournalJournal of Contemporary Urban Affairs·DateJul 21, 2017

Does the emperor have clothes?

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.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalCell Metabolism·DateJun 23, 2017

Researchers recommend specific diabetes medications to protect bone health

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.

SourceThe Endocrine Society·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateJun 21, 2017

Insulin-sensitive fat leads to obesity

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.

Bright light alters metabolism

A new study found that bright light exposure increases insulin resistance compared to dim light exposure in both the morning and evening. This could lead to excess blood glucose, weight gain, and a higher risk of diabetes over time. The study suggests that lighting impacts health outcomes.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMay 19, 2016

Study: Brain metabolism predicts fluid intelligence in young adults

A new study published in Cerebral Cortex found that brain metabolism is a significant predictor of fluid intelligence in young adults. The research used magnetic resonance spectroscopy to measure concentrations of the molecule N-acetyl aspartate in different regions of the brain, revealing a link between NAA levels and fluid intelligence.

Understanding obesity from the inside out

Researchers developed a new laboratory method to study the function of GABA in brain processes controlling appetite and metabolism. The study found that mice lacking GABA in their hypothalamus, a key brain area regulating appetite, experienced significant weight loss and improved glucose tolerance.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 14, 2016

A new role for vitamin B6 in plants

Vitamin B6 plays a crucial role in nitrogen metabolism, informing plants of their ammonium content and helping regulate its use. This discovery could lead to the development of new methods to prevent overuse of nitrogen-containing fertilizers, which harm the environment.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalThe Plant Cell·DateFeb 8, 2016

Bacteria engineered with synthetic circadian clocks

Researchers designed synthetic microbes to learn what drives the bacterial circadian clock and how it might be manipulated. The findings indicate that the cyanobacteria's clock can synchronize to metabolism outside of photosynthesis, suggesting potential applications in engineered microbes.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Reports·DateDec 10, 2015

Growing sweet on tomatoes

Researchers from Tohoku University created a modified DNA sequence that increases sucrose levels in tomatoes without limiting growth. The technology also affects amino acid metabolism, resulting in higher levels of several key compounds.

SourceTohoku University·JournalPlant Biotechnology Journal·DateNov 19, 2015

In new study, Illinois scientists trace activity of cancer-fighting tomato component

Scientists at the University of Illinois have developed a process to track the movement of lycopene, a cancer-fighting compound found in tomatoes, in the human body. The study used plant biofactories to produce heavier versions of lycopene, which can be easily tracked in the body.

Sticky gel helps stem cells heal rat hearts

Researchers have developed a sticky gel that helps stem cells adhere to and restore their metabolism in rat hearts, improving cardiac function after simulated heart attacks. The gel, which combines serum and hyaluronic acid, has been shown to retain up to 73% of transplanted cells in the heart.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalBiomaterials·DateSep 24, 2015

Mice exposed to environmental chemicals may show decreased physical activity in offspring

A University of Missouri study found that female mice exposed to endocrine disruptors like BPA and EE showed decreased physical activity in their daughters, which can predispose them to obesity and other metabolic disorders. The chemicals can affect metabolism, energy expenditure, and voluntary exercise patterns.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalJournal of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease·DateSep 21, 2015