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News tips from the May/June issue of Physiological and Biochemical Zoology

Giant hummingbirds use more energy for their body size than smaller hummingbirds do, but still below the upper metabolic limit. Asexual fish hybrids have lower physiological performance, possibly due to increased reproductive advantage over sexual dace. Small sea birds hold heat rather than increasing metabolism

At EB2011: The role of metabolism in disease

Experts at EB2011 discuss the links between metabolic function and disease onset, highlighting recent findings on mitochondrial dysfunction and metabolic signal transduction. The meeting focuses on the biochemical reactions that sustain life and their impact on serious diseases.

Discovery of protein that alters nutrition of breast cancer cells

The discovery of the SIRT3 protein's role in altering the nutrition of breast cancer cells has significant implications for cancer treatment. By identifying this protein as a 'guardian' of metabolism, researchers may develop targeted therapies to promote its activation and inhibit cancer growth.

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.

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.

Insight offers new angle of attack on variety of brain tumors

A new research paper published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute reveals a genetic mutation that leads to abnormal metabolic processes in gliomas, potentially leading to targeted therapies. The study shows that almost all tumors with IDH mutations have the same methylation pattern.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Lactate in the brain reveals aging process

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet used MRI to measure brain lactic acid levels and found increased levels before other aging symptoms, suggesting a potential indicator of aging and age-related diseases. The study also suggests a link between mitochondrial dysfunction and lactate production in the brain as aging progresses.

Temperature rhythms keep body clocks in sync, UT Southwestern researchers find

Temperature fluctuations have a profound impact on the human body's internal clock. By regulating body temperature, these cyclic changes set the timing of cellular activity, influencing metabolism and sleep patterns. This discovery suggests an ancient mechanism that may have evolved in other organisms to control daily biological cycles.

Smoking influences gene function, scientists say

Researchers found 323 unique genes influenced by smoking, with a strong involvement in processes related to cancer, cell death, and metabolism. The study's results indicate that exposure to cigarette smoke alters gene expression, leading to a sobering scale of influence on human disease risk.

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Selenium protects men against diabetes

Researchers followed 1162 healthy French men and women for nine years, monitoring plasma selenium concentrations and incidence of dysglycemia. High selenium levels in men were associated with a lower risk of developing dysglycemia, while no such association was found in women.

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.

Different fat types can help or hinder obese girls' bone health

A new study found that obese teenage girls with a higher ratio of visceral fat to subcutaneous fat have lower bone density than their peers. Visceral fat may also increase the risk of fractures in some obese individuals, highlighting its negative impact on bone health.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

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.

Concurrent imaging of metabolic and electric signals in the heart

Concurrent imaging of metabolic and electric signals in the heart reveals a dynamic relationship between multiple cardiac variables. The new dual-camera system allows for rapid setup, dichroic image separation, and high spatial resolution, enabling correlative multimodal cardiac imaging.

Stretching the Golgi: a link between form and function

Researchers at UC San Diego discover that a protein interaction generates force that shapes the Golgi apparatus, revealing a link between form and function. The discovery sheds light on the mechanism of the Golgi apparatus, a processing center for protein export.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

An inner 'fingerprint' for personalizing medical care

Researchers analyzed over 1,800 urine samples and identified individual patients with an accuracy of over 99 percent using metabolic profiling. The study provides evidence that the metabolic fingerprint remains stable over time, paving the way for personalized medical care.

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.

White tea -- the solution to the obesity epidemic?

Researchers have found that white tea extract effectively reduces the generation of new adipocytes and stimulates fat mobilization from mature fat cells. White tea, a less processed version of green tea, contains ingredients such as methylxanthines and epigallocatechin-3-gallate that may be responsible for its anti-adipogenic effects.

Low glycemic breakfast may increase benefits of working out

Consuming a low-glycemic breakfast before exercise may boost fat oxidation during and after physical activity. A recent study found that this type of pre-exercise meal increased fat metabolism in sedentary individuals, potentially aiding in weight loss efforts.

Soybean component reduces menopause effects

A rat model study shows that dietary soy supplementation can prevent menopause-related syndromes, improve lipid profiles, and reduce LDL cholesterol while increasing HDL cholesterol levels. The findings support the indication that soybean consumption may prevent coronary heart disease.

Weight at birth tied to heart disease and diabetes risk in adulthood

A new study found that babies born with lower weight are more likely to develop chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes later in life due to increased inflammation. Researchers followed over 5,600 children from birth to adulthood, finding a link between early growth and adult inflammation.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Lack of vitamin D causes weight gain and stunts growth in girls

A Canada-US study published in Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that insufficient vitamin D can cause higher body mass and shorter stature in girls during puberty. The researchers discovered a significant association between low vitamin D levels and increased abdominal fat, but no link to bone strength.

Molecular partnership controls daily rhythms, body metabolism

A research team at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine has discovered a key molecular partnership that coordinates body rhythms and metabolism, leading to leaner mice and improved insulin sensitivity. The study suggests that disrupting this partnership could be a valuable new weapon in the fight against obesity and diabetes.

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Hormone therapy helps short children grow up

A new study published in The Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that dose-dependent growth hormone treatment increased final height in children with short stature who are not GH deficient. Children from parents of normal height responded better to treatment than those from short parents.

A new insight on ethanol-induced gastric mucosa injury

Research on ethanol-induced gastric mucosa injury reveals the critical role of oxidative stress in energy metabolism disturbance. Elevated ethanol exposure time increases malondialdehyde content, damaging mitochondria ultrastructure.

Study shows more genes are controlled by biological clocks

Researchers at the University of Georgia discovered that 25% of genes in Neurospora crassa are under control of the biological clock, a much higher rate than previously reported. This finding has significant implications for understanding various biological processes, including cell cycling and ribosome biogenesis.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Risk of fracture is significantly higher in HIV-infected patients

A large study has found a significant increase in fracture rates among HIV-infected patients compared to non-infected controls. The study, published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, reveals that nearly 3% of HIV patients experienced fractures, with risks increasing with age.

Missing link found between circadian clock and metabolism

Two new studies found a connection between the circadian clock and metabolism through the protein SIRT1, which regulates energy levels throughout the day. The findings suggest that drugs targeting SIRT1 could help treat circadian sleep disturbances.

Does a gene variant make women more prone to alcoholism?

A study by the University of Bonn and Karolinska Institute found that a specific gene variant in women's endorphin metabolism is altered more often in female alcoholics than in healthy women. In mice, endorphins play a crucial role in ethanol consumption, particularly among females.

USC study shows belly fat may affect liver function

A study by the University of Southern California suggests that abdominal fat releases lipids directly to the liver at night, leading to insulin resistance and increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes. The findings highlight the importance of abdominal obesity in the pathogenesis of the disease.

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Yale study suggests evolutionary source of alcoholism's accidental enemy

A new genetic analysis by Yale School of Medicine researchers suggests that a genetic variant in East Asian populations may have protected residents from becoming alcoholics. The study found that this variant became widespread through natural selection in specific Hmong- and Altaic-speaking groups, hinting at an environmental factor.

Cocaine's effects on brain metabolism may contribute to abuse

A recent study suggests that cocaine's impact on brain metabolism may be a key factor in its addictive nature. The research, conducted at Brookhaven National Laboratory, found that the drug had significant effects on brain metabolism beyond just dopamine, even in mice lacking the gene for dopamine transporters.

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

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.

High-fat diet throws off the body's internal clock

Researchers found that high-fat diets can shift mice's activity patterns, causing them to eat more during the day and altering molecular components of the circadian clock. The study suggests that metabolic processes, like nutrient status, may influence the internal body clock.

Mice predict the effectiveness of orally taken drugs

Researchers developed a mouse model to predict the loss of orally administered drugs due to CYP3A metabolism. The study found that mice with human CYP3A expression in the intestine had higher docetaxol levels, while those with liver expression showed only slight decreases.

Modulating fat levels essential for successful pregnancy

A study published in JCI Journals reveals that disturbances in sphingolipid metabolism may be a key factor in early pregnancy loss. Sphingosine kinase 1 (Sphk1) and Sphk2 proteins play a crucial role in metabolizing these fats, which are essential for placental development.

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.