Articles tagged with Metabolism
A recent study found that individuals with a specific type of gut bacteria (Firmicutes) had higher bone mineral density and better metabolic health. The researchers suggest that promoting the growth of butyrate-producing bacteria could be an effective strategy for maintaining bone mass and preventing osteoporosis.
Roundworm C. elegans avoids deceased conspecifics due to olfactory cues from metabolites AMP and histidine, leading to reduced fitness and increased egg laying. The detection of these signals may be an evolutionarily maintained mechanism for detecting cellular death.
Researchers at UCSF have successfully engineered a shapeshifting protein that can change shape in response to signals, potentially leading to breakthroughs in medicine, agriculture, and environmental applications. This achievement marks the first step towards creating stable yet dynamic proteins using AI-augmented protein engineering.
A new study reveals that Aspergillus fumigatus infection can unbalance the lungs by creating a microaerophilic niche for bacteria like Ligilactobacillus murinus. This interaction may influence disease progression and enable new treatment approaches, highlighting the importance of understanding the gut-lung axis.
A genetic variant of ACSF3 has been identified as contributing to the co-evolution of increased human height and basal metabolic rate. This variant is found in humans but not in non-human primates, suggesting a link to the dietary shift towards meat consumption that occurred during modern human evolution.
Researchers have uncovered the mechanism by which ATP enters the endoplasmic reticulum, a process crucial for cellular function. The study reveals SLC35B1 as the key transporter protein, providing a promising target for therapeutic intervention.
Researchers discovered that Chd1 induces two conformations of exit DNA and inhibits its activity when the DNA is unwrapped. The mechanism involves a positively charged motif in Chd1, known as the exit-DNA-binding loop (EDBL), which binds to unwrapped exit DNA, acting as a molecular brake.
Researchers identified poly-metabolite scores in blood and urine associated with ultra-processed food consumption, providing an objective measure of UPF intake. The study found hundreds of metabolites linked to energy from UPFs, enabling the creation of a score predictive of diet quality.
A study published in Cell Metabolism finds that a combination of gut bacteria and acetate reduces obesity in mice. The researchers discovered that the specific combination of Bacteroides species and acetate leads to increased fat burning and reduced sugar storage, resulting in weight loss.
A recent study identifies LPCAT1 as a critical culprit in TNBC's aggressive behavior, which can be silenced with siRNA-delivering nanoparticles. This approach starves tumors of their energy supply, dramatically reducing tumor growth and lung metastasis.
Researchers at Zhejiang University discovered that Baf60c regulates fat tissue thermogenesis via Musclin signals. By controlling Musclin gene expression, Baf60c influences energy balance, reducing obesity risk.
A recent study found that an enzyme called hyaluronidase-1 (HYAL1) helps suppress excessive glucose production in the liver, particularly after meals. This breakthrough could lead to new strategies for managing type 2 diabetes by enhancing HYAL1 activity or manipulating HA levels.
A recent study reveals that mitochondrial activity and gene expression vary significantly between tissues, even within the same person. The researchers found minimal correlation in mitochondrial function between tissues, with some cases showing negatively correlated functions.
Women who experience menopause before age 50 are at higher risk of developing fatty liver disease and its related metabolic risk factors. The study found that early menopause is associated with increased risks of pre-diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and dyslipidemia.
New research from the University of Copenhagen found that reducing skeletal muscle NAD+ levels in mice by 85% did not accelerate aging or impair whole-body metabolism. The study suggests that skeletal muscle can tolerate substantial NAD depletion without loss of function or accelerated aging.
Researchers analyzed metabolites in blood plasma to evaluate dietary patterns, revealing promising data on the foods we eat. The study found that specific metabolites changed significantly with the portfolio diet, providing potential biomarkers for assessing adherence to similar dietary patterns.
A recent study reveals that DHHC5 plays a pivotal role in regulating intestinal lipid absorption by controlling VEGFR2 localization in lipid rafts. This process is crucial for lacteal function and chylomicron transport, leading to improved lipid metabolism and lymphatic system stability.
Researchers developed a new method for imaging enzyme activity in whole organs with high-resolution 3D mapping. This allowed them to visualize differences in aminopeptidase N activity and the effects of inhibitors in mouse kidneys. The study opens up an unbiased evaluation method for drug development.
Research discovers mitochondrial respiration impairment accelerates skeletal ageing by altering cell metabolism and reducing regenerative abilities. The study highlights the role of mitochondria in skeletal health and potential therapeutic avenues.
Researchers from OIST and Hebrew University developed a novel method to measure energy usage during movement using video and 3D-tracking via deep learning. This innovative approach expands the study of movement energy in ecology, physiology, and beyond, enabling the accurate measurement of energy consumption in smaller animal species.
Researchers at Trinity College Dublin have found that the brain forms memories of cold experiences and uses them to control metabolism. The discovery may lead to new treatments for conditions such as obesity and cancer, which are influenced by thermoregulation and metabolism.
Researchers at the University of Exeter have observed wild chimpanzees consuming and sharing fermented African breadfruit containing ethanol, raising questions about the potential benefits of alcohol consumption in primates. The study suggests that chimps may be seeking out alcohol for social bonding and relaxation, similar to humans.
Researchers have discovered how a mitochondrial pyruvate carrier transports a molecule vital for energy production into the cell's powerhouses. Blocking this process could lead to new treatments for various conditions, including diabetes, Parkinson's disease, and cancer.
Flexible wearable systems enable comprehensive health surveillance, detecting anomalies in cardiopulmonary functions, neuromuscular performance, and circadian rhythm regulation. However, technical barriers persist, including device reliability, secure data management, and multi-parametric data fusion challenges.
Professor Atsushi Suzuki, Chair of Endocrinology at Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Japan, received the IOF President's Award for his exceptional contributions to IOF. He has shared his expertise as a mentor and engaged member of the Capture the Fracture Governance.
A study published in Nature Metabolism reveals a novel mechanism connecting prolactin, estrogen, the brain, and metabolic adaptations during lactation. Hormonal changes during lactation lead to increased hunger and reduced fat-burning, which are sustained by a specific area of brain cells called ERα neurons.
A two-week in-patient study found that eating during the day but not at night reduced cardiovascular risk factors in healthy young participants after simulated night work. This finding supports adjusting food timing to mitigate health risks associated with shift work.
A study from Tanzania found that a Western diet can cause inflammation and reduce immune response, while an African diet rich in vegetables and fermented foods has positive effects on the immune system. The study suggests that short-term dietary changes can have long-lasting effects on health.
A new simulation of brain metabolism has revealed potential targets for future dementia treatments, according to a study published in Frontiers in Science. The model, available on the Open Brain Platform, could help scientists accelerate research into interventions promoting healthy brain aging.
A new imaging technology has been developed that combines super-resolution imaging with artificial intelligence to reveal subcellular structures and dynamics in living cells. This breakthrough enables scientists to better understand the root causes of diseases, leading to improved treatments.
A recent study found substantial rural-urban disparities in cardiometabolic risk factors and cardiovascular diseases among US adults. Social risk factors are identified as the primary driver of these disparities, with efforts to address socioeconomic conditions in rural communities critical to reducing the gap.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine found that postpartum female mice prefer cooler temperatures due to changes in the preoptic area of the brain, particularly a decrease in estrogen receptor alpha neurons. These changes affect the animal's warmth-seeking behavior and are regulated by reproductive experience.
Researchers used ancestral sequence reconstruction to study the evolution of enzyme thermostability and cold adaptation. They identified key amino acid substitutions that enhanced catalytic activity at low temperatures, revealing a structural shift between intermediate ancestral enzymes.
A new study from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus identified significant mitochondrial dysfunction in lymphoblast cell lines from children with Dravet syndrome, a severe form of epilepsy. The findings suggest that mitochondrial defects play a role in the metabolic dysfunction observed in Dravet syndrome.
A new study by Uppsala University found that coffee machines in workplaces frequently produce coffee with high levels of cholesterol-elevating substances, which can affect LDL cholesterol levels and future cardiovascular disease risk. Regular drip-filter coffee makers filter out most of these substances.
Researchers at the Center for Redox Processes in Biomedicine have identified new inhibitors of h15-LOX-2, a protein involved in inflammatory and metabolic processes. These compounds may provide promising candidates for developing new drugs to boost studies on the enzyme's biological role.
Researchers have discovered a protein called MdfA that enables bacteria to shut down into dormant spores under extreme conditions. This process allows bacteria to survive in uninhabitable places and evade hospital cleaning, making them potentially deadly superbugs.
Researchers found that hibernating lemurs' telomeres got longer, contrary to the usual decrease with age, suggesting a potential way to reverse cellular aging. This study, conducted at Duke University and the University of California, San Francisco, provides insights into the mechanisms behind lemur's remarkable survival strategy.
A recent study found that a brief consumption of highly processed foods can alter the brain's sensitivity to insulin in healthy individuals, potentially leading to obesity and type 2 diabetes. This effect was observed even after returning to a balanced diet for one week.
Scientists are studying how microplastics affect microbial communities in ponds, with potential implications for carbon cycling and the global biosphere. Microbes have adapted to plastic surfaces, which could impact aquatic environments.
A recent study found that intermittent fasting elevates indole-3-propionic acid levels, which suppresses platelet activation and reduces the risk of cardiovascular events. The findings suggest a novel relationship between dietary patterns and platelet activation.
A new study found that artificial sweetener aspartame triggers insulin spikes leading to blood vessel inflammation in mice, which can contribute to atherosclerosis and increased risk of heart attacks and stroke. The researchers identified an immune signal called CX3CL1 that plays a key role in this process.
Chronic exercise training affects female athletes' energy expenditure and slow-wave sleep patterns differently than general women, influenced by menstrual cycles and reproductive functions.
New discoveries about the mechanisms of oxidative phosphorylation reveal a novel role for sodium in mitochondrial respiration. This correction aims to update textbooks on the electron transport chain, highlighting a significant shift from previous understanding.
A large-scale study examined the relationship between nutrients and sleep using data from people who used mobile applications to track their eating and sleeping habits. The results showed that participants with high protein, monounsaturated fatty acid, and polyunsaturated fatty acid intake had improved sleep outcomes.
Researchers found that teens with obesity consumed more calories in the late afternoon and early evening compared to their peers of healthy weight. The study, published in PNAS, demonstrates that the body's biological clock directly impacts food intake throughout the day.
A recent study reveals that intermittent fasting can impair beta-cell function and maturation in young mice, potentially leading to diabetes. Researchers found that adolescent mice showed a decline in insulin production after prolonged fasting, with defective beta cells resembling those of type 1 diabetes patients.
A clinical trial found that semaglutide significantly reduced weekly alcohol craving, drinking quantity, and the frequency of heavy drinking days in adults with symptoms of alcohol use disorder. Participants who received semaglutide also consumed lower amounts of alcohol during laboratory tests.
A study of older adults found that decline in body mass index, waist circumference, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) occurred up to a decade before dementia diagnosis. These cardiometabolic changes may provide insights into the potential for early monitoring and intervention.
Researchers at Texas A&M University have developed a low-cost technology using curcumin to curb bacterial resistance. The study shows that photodynamic inactivation can trigger deleterious reactions within bacteria, killing them and reducing the number of antibiotic-resistant strains.
ApoB100 protein structure revealed for the first time, allowing for more precise testing and treatment of high cholesterol and heart disease. The discovery may lead to new drugs targeting LDL particles, reducing side effects of statin drugs.
Researchers developed a novel microscopy technique to study metabolic changes in individual cancer cells at the single-cell level. They found that radiation treatment caused significant metabolic shifts in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cells, particularly through the activation of HIF-1α.
A new method of testing the metabolic effects of thousands of active substances at the same time has been developed by researchers at the University of Basel, providing valuable insights into the modes of action of known medications. The study reveals previously unknown mechanisms and potential side effects.
Researchers found that ornamental never never plants can store water for up to 45 days, maintaining photosynthetic activity and chloroplast structure unchanged. This helps them adapt to drought conditions, a challenge for many crops.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have developed a new way to grow T cells that can live longer and better destroy cancer cells in mice. By adding a compound called dichloroacetate to growth media, they created T cells less reliant on glucose and more efficient at using other energy sources.
Research on preservative mechanisms aims to develop improved preservation methods and identify effective antimicrobial compounds. Factors such as concentration, exposure time, and specific microorganism targeting influence preservative effectiveness, making targeted modifications crucial for enhanced antimicrobial properties.
Research from the China Cardiometabolic Disease and Cancer Cohort Study found associations between circulating short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and branched short-chain fatty acids (BCFAs) with incident type 2 diabetes. Propionate was specifically linked to T2DM risk in women, while no association was observed in men.
Research reveals that normal term birth triggers a cellular process involving glutamine metabolism in neural stem cells, which is impaired by preterm birth. This process affects postnatal neurogenesis and may contribute to worse neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm infants.
A large population-based analysis found that genetic variants in the GLP1R gene are associated with cardiometabolic traits and behavioral changes, such as risk-taking behavior and anxiety. These findings suggest that any observed behavioral changes with GLP1RA medications are unlikely to be a direct result of the medication.
Researchers identify Fam102a as a key regulator of both osteoclast and osteoblast differentiation, leading to enhanced osteoblast formation and bone volume. The study reveals significant protein-protein interactions involving Fam102a and Kpna2, shedding light on the critical molecular interactions involved in bone remodeling.