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Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Genomic 'map' reveals not all fat is equal

A new study created the first comprehensive genomic map of fat cells, revealing unique features that appear to 'hard-wire' different types of fat. The findings may guide future research into the drivers of harm arising from fat build-up in different parts of the body.

SourceGarvan Institute of Medical Research·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 8, 2019

Promising approach: Prevent diabetes with intermittent fasting

Researchers found that intermittent fasting reduced pancreatic fat in mice, a key finding in the development of type 2 diabetes. The study suggests that excess weight-induced fat accumulation in the pancreas contributes to the onset of diabetes.

SourceDeutsches Zentrum fuer Diabetesforschung DZD·JournalMetabolism·DateJul 2, 2019

What made humans 'the fat primate'?

Research suggests that humans have lost the ability to shunt fat cells toward beige or brown fat, leading to an increased reliance on calorie-storing white fat. This shift may have provided an energy advantage for human brain growth, but also contributes to modern obesity.

SourceDuke University·JournalGenome Biology and Evolution·DateJun 26, 2019
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.

Study: Phenols in cocoa bean shells may reverse obesity-related problems in mouse cells

Scientists at the University of Illinois found that three phenolic compounds in cocoa bean shells can repair damaged mitochondria, block inflammation, and restore insulin sensitivity in white fat cells. The study suggests that consuming these compounds could prevent mitochondrial dysfunction in adipose tissue.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalMolecular Nutrition & Food Research·DateJun 20, 2019

Research reveals role of fat storage cells in anti-obesity intervention

New research from Marshall University establishes adipocyte Na/K-ATPase signaling worsens obesity and related diseases, including neurodegeneration and NASH. Targeting the signaling pathway with NaKtide improves metabolic profile and demonstrates therapeutic potential.

SourceMarshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine·JournalScientific Reports·DateMay 31, 2019

Renegade fat cells induce bone-damaging lesions in multiple myeloma

Researchers discovered that reprogrammed fat cells release enzymes that suppress bone formation and promote bone breakdown in multiple myeloma. Targeting a molecular complex may help heal bone lesions by restoring PPARγ activity.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateMay 29, 2019

Scientists explore connection between aging fat and Alzheimer's

Researchers investigating the link between aging fat cells and Alzheimer's disease have found that fat cells play a crucial role in supporting neuronal growth and survival. The study suggests targeting a specific receptor, PPAR-γ2, could lead to a new treatment for Alzheimer's.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·DateMay 21, 2019
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.

The heart 'talks' to fat cells, Temple scientists discover

Researchers at Temple University Health System found that the heart communicates with fat cells through a signaling enzyme, GRK2, regulating weight gain in patients with heart failure. The study's findings could lead to new ways to modulate weight gain.

SourceTemple University Health System·JournalJCI Insight·DateMay 9, 2019

Fat cell discovery could help combat obesity-related health issues

Scientists have identified three specific subtypes of precursor cells that go on to become fat cells, which may help determine an individual's health risk. The discovery could lead to the development of new treatments that target 'fast burning' fat cells to prevent weight gain and metabolic disease.

SourceUniversity of Melbourne·JournalCell Reports·DateApr 30, 2019

The cellular source of fat tissue formation

Researchers have identified several classes of adipocyte progenitor cells that give rise to fat tissue in mice and humans. The discovery provides insight into the complex mechanisms underlying fat tissue formation and highlights the importance of targeted approaches to prevent metabolic diseases.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateApr 25, 2019
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Chemicals in household dust may promote fat cell development

Research suggests that exposure to chemical mixtures present in household dust may contribute to increased growth in children relative to their age and promote the development of fat cells. The study found that very low concentrations of dust extracts were able to promote precursor fat cell proliferation and fat cell development.

SourceThe Endocrine Society·DateMar 24, 2019

Lipid-filled particle may work with immune system to keep fat healthy

Researchers discovered lipid-filled particles (AdExos) released by adipocytes in mice that activate immune function and regulate metabolism. AdExos control the development of immune cells, inducing bone marrow cells to develop into macrophages that digest lipids.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalScience·DateFeb 28, 2019
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.

Stem cells provide greater insight into rotator cuff disease

Researchers used a mouse model to isolate stem cells in rotator cuff muscles and calf muscles, finding that rotator cuff stem cells develop into fewer muscle cells and more fat cells. DNA-level studies revealed genes involved in fat metabolism were activated in rotator cuff muscle stem cells.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJournal of Bone and Joint Surgery·DateFeb 26, 2019

Fat cells work different 'shifts' throughout the day

Researchers identified 727 genes in fat tissue that express their own circadian rhythm, many carrying out key metabolic functions. Morning-peaking transcripts regulate gene expression and nucleic acid biology, while evening-peaking transcripts are associated with redox activity and organic acid metabolism.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 25, 2019

Johns Hopkins researchers define cells used in bone repair

Researchers discovered two types of fat tissue cells that help bone heal: pericytes stimulate blood vessel growth and adventicytes form bone cells. Combination therapy using both cells promotes robust bone repair in mice with skull defects.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·Journalnpj Regenerative Medicine·DateFeb 20, 2019

Blocking hormone uptake burns more fat

A new study reveals that blocking the uptake of a hormone called norepinephrine in fat cells increases metabolism and burns stored fat. The discovery highlights the importance of beige fat tissue, which plays a key role in thermogenesis and regulating body temperature.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateJan 17, 2019

Breast cancer cells in mice tricked into turning into fat cells

Researchers successfully converted invasive breast cancer cells in mice into harmless fat cells using two FDA-approved drugs, suppressing tumor growth and metastasis. This breakthrough could potentially deplete a tumor's ability to fight off conventional chemotherapy.

SourceCell Press·JournalCancer Cell·DateJan 14, 2019
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.

Using genetics of human fat cells to predict response to anti-diabetes drugs

A Penn study reveals that individual genetic variation can predict how well patients respond to certain anti-diabetes drugs, including thiazolidinediones. The researchers identified a specific genetic variation associated with increased cholesterol levels in response to rosiglitazone treatment.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateJan 10, 2019

UC San Diego researchers identify how skin ages, loses fat and immunity

Researchers discovered the pathway that causes dermal fibroblasts to lose their ability to convert into fat cells as people age. This process affects the skin's ability to fight infections, particularly bacterial ones like MRSA. The study may lead to new treatments for obesity, diabetes, and autoimmune diseases.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalImmunity·DateDec 26, 2018

Nanoscale tweezers can perform single-molecule 'biopsies' on individual cells

Researchers have developed nanoscale tweezers that can perform single-molecule 'biopsies' on individual cells, extracting DNA, proteins, and organelles without destroying the cell. This technique could help scientists build a 'human cell atlas' and better understand fundamental cellular processes.

SourceImperial College London·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateDec 3, 2018

Study in mice suggests drug to turn fat 'brown' could help fight obesity

A new study suggests that a molecule called BMP8b could be used as a drug to increase the amount of brown fat in humans and make it more active. In mice, increasing BMP8b levels changed some white fat into brown fat, leading to increased energy burn and lower risk of heart attack. Further research is needed to confirm its effectiveness.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 26, 2018

Patients' own cells and materials used to create personalized tissue implants of any kind

Researchers at Tel Aviv University have developed a personalized tissue implant technology that uses patients' own cells and materials, allowing for the creation of any type of tissue implant with minimal immune response risk. This breakthrough has the potential to regenerate damaged or diseased organs with high efficiency.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateNov 12, 2018
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Researchers uncover gene that regulates fat accumulation and obesity

A new study from Western University identified the gene Panx1 as a key regulator of fat accumulation in mice. The research found that mice lacking Panx1 accumulated more fat and developed insulin resistance, increasing their risk for Type 2 Diabetes. Further studies are underway to explore the link between Panx1 and human obesity.

SourceUniversity of Western Ontario·JournalScientific Reports·DateNov 5, 2018

Low copper levels linked to fatter fat cells

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine discovered that low copper levels in cells make fat cells fatter by altering how they process fuels like fat and sugar. The study adds evidence that copper homeostasis could be a therapeutic target for metabolic disorders, including obesity.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalPLOS Biology·DateOct 11, 2018
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.

UCLA researchers discover gene that controls bone-to-fat ratio in bone marrow

Researchers found that the PGC-1α gene controls the equilibrium of bone and fat in bone marrow and affects how stem cells differentiate into bone or fat cells. Increasing PGC-1α expression may slow down bone loss and decrease bone marrow fat, suggesting a protective role in maintaining the bone-to-fat balance.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateJul 12, 2018

Fat cells control fat cell growth

Researchers at ETH Zurich discovered a new type of regulatory fat cell called Aregs that inhibits the formation of new fat cells. This discovery opens up promising avenues for future therapies to protect obese people from diabetes and other secondary illnesses.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature·DateJun 21, 2018

Exposure to fracking chemicals and wastewater spurs fat cell development

Researchers found that exposure to fracking chemicals and wastewater at diluted concentrations spurred fat cell development, with effects seen even when samples were diluted 1,000-fold. The study used laboratory models and observed significant increases in fat cell proliferation and lipid accumulation.

SourceDuke University·JournalThe Science of The Total Environment·DateJun 21, 2018

The cells that control the formation of fat

Researchers used single-cell transcriptomics to characterize stromal cells in fat tissue and discovered a subpopulation called Aregs that suppresses adipogenesis. These findings provide potential new avenues for treating metabolic diseases like type-2 diabetes.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature·DateJun 20, 2018
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Fat cell filling, ketogenic diet, and the history of biochemistry

Researchers investigated brown fat cells after whitening, finding they are more likely to die than white adipocytes. Whitened fat tissue also shows increased inflammation and macrophages. The ketogenic diet regulates metabolites but not brain levels, suggesting changes in plasma metabolism may not always cross the blood-brain barrier.

SourceAmerican Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology·JournalJournal of Lipid Research·DateJun 13, 2018

A new understanding of how glucose makes you fat

A recent study by UT Southwestern researchers reveals that the NAD+ molecule plays a crucial role in controlling genes essential for fat cell differentiation and cancer growth. The findings suggest that compartmentalized synthesis of NAD+ integrates cellular information to control gene expression, maintaining metabolic health.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalScience·DateMay 31, 2018
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Receptor proteins that respond to nicotine may help fat cells burn energy

Researchers have discovered a molecule directly linked to thermogenesis in beige fat cells, which can be activated by nicotine and acetylcholine molecules. The study suggests that CHRNA2 receptor proteins play a role in energy metabolism, potentially leading to new approaches for combating weight gain after smoking cessation.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalNature Medicine·DateMay 21, 2018

News from the Journal of Lipid Research

Researchers found that healthy octogenarians have high cholesterol efflux capacity, a trait linked to reduced early signs of atherosclerosis. Additionally, two microRNAs were identified as drivers of programmed cell death in fat cells, suggesting a potential target for sustainable weight loss.

SourceAmerican Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology·JournalJournal of Lipid Research·DateMay 14, 2018

Protecting kidneys from obesity

A University of Houston researcher has activated a kidney cell that could prevent damage from inflammation caused by obesity. The targeted cells express the angiotensin type 2 receptor, which shows anti-inflammatory and reno-protective actions.

SourceUniversity of Houston·DateMay 7, 2018
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Culprit in reducing effectiveness of insulin identified

Researchers discovered that Stromal derived factor-1 (SDF-1) secreted from adipocytes reduces insulin effectiveness and glucose uptake in cells. In SDF-1 knockout mice, insulin-induced glucose uptake increased and insulin efficacy improved.

SourceOsaka University·JournalDiabetes·DateApr 25, 2018

Fat cells seem to remember unhealthy diet

Researchers found that fat cells from obese patients with type 2 diabetes were epigenetically reprogrammed after exposure to palmitate and TNF-alpha. Healthy precursor fat cells also exhibited reprogramming after 24 hours of exposure, suggesting a potential link between diet and metabolic health.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences·JournalInternational Journal of Obesity·DateApr 20, 2018

Enduring cold temperatures alters fat cell epigenetics

A new study reveals that cold temperatures can transform white fat cells into 'beige' cells, which perform thermogenesis like brown fat cells. This process could potentially reduce the symptoms of metabolic diseases such as diabetes and obesity.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 19, 2018

DOR protein deficiency favors the development of obesity

Researchers discovered that DOR protein deficiency stimulates the generation of new adipose cells and leads to a less harmful form of obesity. This type of obesity is characterized by an increase in the number of fat cells rather than their volume, which may be less susceptible to metabolic complications.

SourceInstitute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona)·JournalNature Cell Biology·DateApr 19, 2018

Study finds how fat tissue shunts energy to tumors

Researchers at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute reveal that the loss of p62 in fat cells fuels aggressive prostate cancer by inhibiting energy-consuming processes. This discovery opens new avenues for therapeutic targeting and highlights the importance of considering whole-body metabolism in cancer treatment.

SourceSanford Burnham Prebys·JournalCancer Cell·DateApr 9, 2018
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Timing of stress-hormone pulses controls weight gain, Stanford study finds

Research by Stanford University School of Medicine researchers provides the first molecular understanding of why people gain weight due to chronic stress and disrupted circadian rhythms. The team identified key molecules involved in controlling fat-cell maturation and found that the timing of glucocorticoid pulses controls weight gain.

SourceStanford Medicine·JournalCell Metabolism·DateApr 3, 2018

Obesity and health problems: New research on a safeguard mechanism

A recent study published in Science Immunology highlights a crucial immune cell type involved in healthy weight gain, removing excess fat and regulating blood sugar levels. The discovery offers new insights into the complications of obesity and potential therapeutic strategies to mitigate its effects.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalScience Immunology·DateMar 16, 2018

Brown fat flexes its muscle to burn energy

Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, found that brown fat cells can be activated to burn calories when stimulated, similar to how muscle cells work. The team identified a potential pathway to trigger this activation and hopes to develop drugs to stimulate brown fat function.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalCell Metabolism·DateMar 6, 2018
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Researchers discover mitochondria-to-nucleus messenger protein

A new messenger protein named GPS2 enables mitochondrial stress signals to reach the nucleus, affecting cell survival and metabolism. The discovery holds promise for understanding and treating mitochondrial diseases, as well as improving insulin sensitivity and combating obesity.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalMolecular Cell·DateMar 1, 2018

Watch fat cells help heal a wound in a fly

Researchers found that fat body cells in Drosophila propel themselves forward towards wounds using a wave-like motion, effectively sealing them and preventing infection. The cells work together with immune cells to aid healing and increase antimicrobial peptide production.

SourceCell Press·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateFeb 26, 2018

Pregnant women deficient in vitamin D may give birth to obese children

Researchers found that 6-year-old children born to mothers with very low vitamin D levels during pregnancy had bigger waists and more body fat. Vitamin D supplements during pregnancy might help stem childhood obesity. The study, published in Pediatric Obesity, examined data from 532 mother-child pairs in Greece.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalPediatric Obesity·DateFeb 13, 2018
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Bile acids fire up fat burning

A new study suggests that specific bile acids can turn white fat cells into beige fat cells, which burn energy and help maintain body temperature. The discovery provides a potential new therapeutic intervention for obese individuals, bypassing the need for invasive treatments.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 16, 2018

New discovery may explain winter weight gain

A breakthrough study by University of Alberta researchers found that fat cells near the skin shrink when exposed to blue light from the sun, reducing fat storage. This discovery may contribute to a new understanding of how our bodies regulate fat production and metabolism.

SourceUniversity of Alberta Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry·JournalScientific Reports·DateJan 10, 2018