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A new study reveals that ocean warming and oxygen loss will significantly impact marine life productivity, leading to a decline in species diversity. The researchers have developed a metabolic index to predict climate-related changes in geographic range and productivity for various species.

SourceAlfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research·JournalScience·DateJun 4, 2015

Differences in metabolic rates of exploited and unexploited fish populations

Researchers found that populations of largemouth bass taken from recreational fisheries had significantly lower resting metabolic rates than those from unexploited reference populations. This suggests that recreational fishing may favor fish with lower metabolic rates, which tend to be more aggressive and easier to catch.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 3, 2015
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Turning a vole into a mighty rodent

A new study found that a vole's aerobic exercise metabolism increased by 48% and basal metabolic rate rose after 13 rounds of selection for enhanced oxygen consumption. Gene expression changes in the heart and liver were identified as the primary adaptive response.

SourceSMBE Journals (Molecular Biology and Evolution and Genome Biology and Evolution)·JournalMolecular Biology and Evolution·DateMar 5, 2015

Risky metabolism

A study by Max-Planck Institute found that great tits' risk-taking behaviour correlates with both metabolic rate and ambient temperature. Birds with high metabolic rates and low temperatures were more likely to approach predators.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalFunctional Ecology·DateSep 30, 2014

Weighty issue: Stress and high-fat meals combine to slow metabolism in women

A new study at Ohio State University found that experiencing stress before consuming a high-fat meal slows the body's metabolism, potentially contributing to weight gain. The researchers measured the metabolic rate and blood sugar levels of 58 women who reported one or more stressors during the previous day.

SourceOhio State University·JournalBiological Psychiatry·DateJul 14, 2014
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

Motherhood is no picnic for sea otter moms

A recent study found that sea otter females must provide 930 MJ of energy to raise a pup to independence, equivalent to 96% increase in daily metabolic rate. This extreme exertion may contribute to poor condition and high mortality rates among sea otter mothers.

SourceThe Company of Biologists·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateJun 11, 2014

Primates: Now with only half the calories!

A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that primates, including humans, expend only half the daily energy needed by other mammals. This slow metabolism accounts for their prolonged childhoods, infrequent reproduction, and extended lifespans.

SourceLincoln Park Zoo·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 13, 2014
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.

Novel genetic mutations cause low metabolic rate and obesity

Researchers at the University of Cambridge have discovered that genetic mutations in the KSR2 gene can lead to severe obesity and reduced basal metabolic rate. This finding provides evidence for the role of genes in regulating energy use in the body, adding complexity to the body's mechanisms for regulating weight.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalCell·DateOct 24, 2013
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Marine snails get a metabolism boost

A new study of marine snails reveals a significant boost in metabolism between 200 and 80 million years ago. The researchers suggest that this change was driven by the shift from plant-based to predatory diets, which led to an evolutionary arms race.

SourceNational Evolutionary Synthesis Center (NESCent)·JournalPaleobiology·DateMay 3, 2011

Increased metabolic rate may lead to accelerated aging

A recent study published in The Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that higher metabolic rates are associated with early natural mortality, indicating potential acceleration of aging. Higher energy expenditure was linked to increased risk of organ damage and accumulation of toxic substances.

SourceThe Endocrine Society·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateApr 27, 2011

New equation calculates cost of walking for first time

Researchers found that taller people use less energy per stride when walking, making short people less economical walkers due to taking more steps. A new equation can now be used to calculate the energetic cost of walking based on these factors.

SourceThe Company of Biologists·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateNov 12, 2010
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Ant colonies shed light on metabolism

A team of researchers studied California seed harvester ants to understand how colony size affects metabolism. They found that the metabolic rate decreases as colony size increases, but not in a straightforward manner.

SourceAmerican Physiological Society·DateAug 26, 2010

University of Oklahoma study reveals 'red hot' results

A new weight-loss supplement, tri-pepper blend, has been shown to burn as many calories as a 20-minute walk. The University of Oklahoma study found statistically significant results, validating product weight-loss claims through measurements of oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production.

SourceUniversity of Oklahoma·JournalThe Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research·DateFeb 2, 2010

Spherical cows help to dump metabolism law

Researchers challenge long-held 3/4-power law of metabolism with new paper, finding support for 2/3 exponent in geometry and network analysis. Empirical evidence from animal studies also aligns with 2/3 exponent, suggesting a potential universal scaling law for metabolism.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 2, 2010

Migrating birds chill to fatten up

Researchers found that smaller migrating blackcaps lose body temperature at night during stopovers to save energy, while heavier birds drop their metabolic rates less. This helps the birds accumulate more fuel and shorten their refueling stops.

SourceThe Company of Biologists·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateSep 11, 2009
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.

Star Trek-like technology offers noninvasive monitor for patients and athletes

The Venus prototype uses near-infrared light to measure metabolic rate, tissue oxygen, and pH without needle pricks. This technology has numerous applications, including emergency medical care, sports performance, and patient monitoring, and may improve survival rates for trauma victims and astronauts in space.

SourceNational Space Biomedical Research Institute·DateApr 29, 2009

Hibernation-like behavior in Antarctic fish -- on ice for winter

Scientists discovered an Antarctic fish species that enters a dormant state similar to hibernation to conserve energy during the long winter. The study showed that the fish reduces its metabolic rate even when seawater temperature doesn't decrease, suggesting alternative drivers for this behavior.

SourceBritish Antarctic Survey·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMar 5, 2008

Tropical birds have slow pace of life compared to northern species, study finds

A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that tropical birds expend less energy at rest compared to northern bird species. The researchers measured basal metabolic rate (BMR) and peak metabolic rate (PMR) in 69 species of tropical birds, finding they used about 18% less energy than temperate birds.

SourceOhio State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 22, 2007
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.

Why are lions not as big as elephants?

Carnivores can only sustain body mass up to one ton due to energy intake and expenditure limitations. This explains why large predators like lions and modern-day polar bears are relatively small compared to extinct herbivorous mammals.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateJan 15, 2007

Study challenges belief that tree frogs depress metabolic rate after 'waxing' themselves

Researchers found that waxed and inactive tree frogs have similar metabolic rates as unwaxed, dehydrating frogs, challenging the idea of a hibernation-like dormant state. Tree frogs use wiping behaviors to conserve energy by reducing surface evaporation by up to 4%, but this does not lead to significant changes in metabolic rate.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalPhysiological and Biochemical Zoology·DateOct 16, 2006

Study in Royal Society journal on heritability of female orgasm

A twin study published in the Royal Society journal examines the genetic influences on female orgasmic function, suggesting a significant heritability component. The research highlights the complex interplay of biological and environmental factors contributing to individual differences in female orgasmic function.

SourceRoyal Society·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society of London·DateJun 7, 2005
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Could mice hold the secret to longer life?

Researchers discovered that mice with the highest metabolic rate lived 36% longer than those with lower rates, potentially adding an extra 27 years to human lifespan. The most metabolically active mice contained factors that made their metabolism less efficient but reduced toxic by-products called oxygen free radicals.

SourceBlackwell Publishing Ltd.·JournalAging Cell·DateMay 28, 2004

Fat cell hormone causes weight loss

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have discovered a fat cell hormone, adiponectin, that can cause weight loss in mice by increasing their metabolic rate. This finding has far-reaching potential to help treat obesity-related diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalNature Medicine·DateApr 22, 2004

Estimating the risk of cancer

A new tumour growth model views the tumour as an integral part of the body, dependent on host metabolic rate and food intake. The model predicts that tumours develop faster in younger hosts and have higher life expectancy with low-calorie diets.

SourceNetherlands Organization for Scientific Research·DateDec 19, 2003

Pythons can be couch potatoes, too

A team of UC Irvine researchers found that pythons expend excessive energy in digestion when consuming protein-rich foods. The study revealed that the metabolic rate needed for digestion is based on the content of the food, not its volume.

SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·DateAug 26, 2002
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Being overweight or obese is not destiny

A recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that a low-calorie diet can slow down metabolism, but when stopped, the metabolic rate returns to normal. Variations in resting metabolic rate do not predict weight regain, suggesting other factors are at play.

SourceAmerican Society for Clinical Nutrition/American Society for Nutritional Sciences·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateNov 1, 2000