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Why is breaking down plant material for biofuels so slow?

The study reveals that cellobiose fragments can bind to the tunnel's back door and block subsequent cellulose molecules, as well as bind to Cel7A near the front door, preventing enzyme binding. New methods could be developed to fine-tune this process, improving biofuel production efficiency.

SourcePenn State·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeImaging analysis·DateMay 7, 2024

NIST researchers use cellphone compass to measure tiny concentrations of compounds important for human health

Researchers at NIST have developed a method using cellphone magnetometers to rapidly and cheaply measure biomedical properties for monitoring or diagnosing diseases, including glucose levels in saliva. The technique has the potential to detect environmental toxins and measure biomarkers such as histamines with high sensitivity.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 1, 2024

High fat/low protein diets in rats during pregnancy and postnatally may cause altered glucose control and other "maladaptive" metabolic changes in their offspring

A study published in PLOS ONE found that high fat/low protein diets in rats during pregnancy and postnatally can cause altered glucose control and other maladaptive metabolic changes in their offspring. The researchers also discovered disruptions in circadian rhythm programming of energy metabolites through adulthood.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMar 27, 2024

New treatment target identified for Alzheimer's disease

Researchers have identified PDE4B as a potential target for treating Alzheimer's disease, where reducing its activity shows promise in improving memory and glucose metabolism. The study suggests that this approach may also protect against other forms of dementia, such as Huntington's disease.

SourceLancaster University·JournalNeuropsychopharmacology·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 26, 2024

Continuous non-invasive glucose sensing on the horizon with the development of a new optical sensor.

Researchers have developed a miniaturized optical sensor that can detect glucose levels in human blood plasma with comparable sensitivity to laboratory-based sensors. The device operates wirelessly using a coin battery and has demonstrated its viability in detecting glucose levels between 50-400mg/dL.

SourceARC Centre of Excellence for Transformative Meta-Optical Systems·JournalAdvanced Sensor Research·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 19, 2024

Glucose levels affect cognitive performance in people with type 1 diabetes differently

A new study reveals that glucose fluctuations affect cognitive function in people with Type 1 Diabetes, but individuals differ in their susceptibility. The researchers found that minimizing glucose fluctuations is crucial for optimizing processing speed, especially for older adults and those with certain health conditions.

SourceMcLean Hospital·Journalnpj Digital Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateMar 18, 2024

Lighting the way to noninvasive blood glucose monitoring using portable devices

A novel approach estimates metabolic activity and infers blood glucose levels from near-infrared measurements in commercial smartphones and smartwatches. The phase delay between oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin signals closely relates to oxygen consumption during cardiac cycles, serving as a gauge for metabolism.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Biomedical Optics·DateMar 8, 2024

Women undergoing fertility treatment who are stressed may have heart health issues during pregnancy

A new study published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society found that stressed women undergoing fertility treatment may experience higher blood sugar levels during pregnancy, which can lead to weaker cardiovascular health. Women who conceived through intrauterine insemination (IUI) had higher stress and blood sugar levels than those...

SourceThe Endocrine Society·JournalJournal of the Endocrine Society·DateJan 4, 2024

Continuous glucose monitoring

Researchers developed a battery-independent fluorescent nanosensor for continuous, reversible, and non-invasive bioimaging of glucose levels in body fluids and tissues. The sensor uses an inactive form of the glucose oxidase enzyme, eliminating toxic byproducts and enabling reliable detection.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 2, 2024

One of the keys to healthy sleep and blood sugar has been found

Researchers from Osaka University have discovered a link between the rare D-form of the amino acid alanine and the circadian clock's influence on glucose metabolism in the kidney. The study found that D-alanine regulates gluconeogenesis, a process that creates new glucose to maintain energy levels, and is mediated by the protein Cry2.

SourceOsaka University·JournalKidney360·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 21, 2023

AI and 10 seconds of voice can screen for diabetes, new study reveals

A new study by Klick Labs reveals that AI technology can screen for Type 2 diabetes using six to 10 seconds of a person's voice, with high accuracy rates. The research used acoustic features to analyze recordings from over 18,000 participants and identified significant vocal variations between individuals with and without the condition.

SourceKlick Applied Sciences·JournalMayo Clinic Proceedings·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 18, 2023

Savoring the sweetness: Unraveling pineapple's SWEET10 as a glucose transporter

Researchers used AlphaFold technology to reveal the structure and function of pineapple's SWEET10 protein, a glucose transporter. The study found that SWEET10 has similar glucose transport capabilities as Arabidopsis SWEET8, with potential applications for improving crop yield and quality.

SourceNanjing Agricultural University The Academy of Science·JournalHorticulture Research·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 7, 2023

Obesity, high blood pressure, and lipid imbalance trigger a progressive loss of energy generation capacity in the heart

A study published in Diabetes Care found that obesity, hypertension, and dyslipidemia alter cardiac energy production by interfering with metabolic substrate uptake. The research reveals early changes in apparently healthy middle-aged individuals, highlighting the importance of identifying mechanisms involved in heart disease onset.

SourceCentro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (F.S.P.)·JournalDiabetes Care·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 3, 2023

Early metformin in gestational diabetes

A randomized clinical trial found that early metformin treatment did not improve insulin initiation or fasting glucose levels in pregnant women with gestational diabetes. Further investigation into larger trials is warranted based on prespecified secondary outcome data.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateOct 3, 2023

LSU Health New Orleans study shows the major measure of diabetes is significantly higher in young Black patients

A recent study published in the Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology found that HbA1c levels are markedly higher in young black youth compared to whites with type 1 diabetes. This disparity can lead to increased risk of hypoglycemia and long-term complications if primarily used for insulin management.

SourceLouisiana State University Health Sciences Center·JournalJournal of Diabetes Science and Technology·TypeObservational study·DateSep 14, 2023

Caloric restriction is known as a dietary intervention that can improve aging health, but this study shows that a dietary change from glucose to galactose, without restriction, can result in healthy aging in yeast

Researchers at PLOS discovered that a diet change from glucose to galactose can slow down aging in yeast, similar to the benefits of caloric restriction. The study found that this dietary shift maintains a youthful profile in ageing yeast cells.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateAug 29, 2023

Lignocellulose bio-refinery developed for value-added chemical overproduction in yeast

A team of researchers from Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics has developed a microbial platform for efficient lignocellulose bio-refinery in yeast. The system can produce valuable chemicals like fatty acids and 3-hydroxypropionic acid, overcoming limitations in xylose assimilation and glucose repression.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalNature Chemical Biology·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateAug 24, 2023

Inhibiting glutamine metabolism impacts tumor cells or the microenvironment?

Glutamine metabolism plays a crucial role in cancer cell growth and survival, with its inhibition shown to block cancer cell growth in vivo and in vitro. A recent editorial paper suggests that glutamine dysregulation may also impact the tumor microenvironment, potentially leading to increased oxidative stress and cancer cell death.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateAug 16, 2023

Important step toward next-generation probiotics

Researchers at the University of Gothenburg have developed a new strategy for producing oxygen-tolerant probiotics, including Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, which can improve glucose control. The combination of bacteria increased biomass and butyrate production, making it safe for human consumption.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 2, 2023

Study examines struggles of Haitian migrants self-managing diabetes on Dominican Republic sugar cane fields

A new study from the University of Missouri found that poverty, low health literacy, cultural beliefs, lack of infrastructure, and political issues hinder diabetes self-management for Haitian migrants. The researchers suggest targeted interventions, such as community gardens and healthcare education through local priests.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalThe Science of Diabetes Self-Management and Care·TypeSurvey·DateJul 26, 2023

New comprehensive review of biochemical markers of bone fragility in diabetes

A comprehensive review of biochemical markers for bone fragility in diabetes identifies low bone turnover and alterations in bone quality as key factors. The study suggests that glycemic control, AGEs, and serum IGF-1 may have predictive value for fracture risk in patients with diabetes.

SourceInternational Osteoporosis Foundation·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism·TypeLiterature review·DateJul 10, 2023

Test animals, hold your breath!

Researchers from Kyoto University developed a microchip using human iPS cells to measure transport capacity of membrane proteins, potentially giving test animals respite. The model simulates glucose reabsorption and drug excretion in renal proximal tubules, enabling patient-specific disease modeling and personalized medicine studies.

SourceKyoto University·JournalCommunications Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 28, 2023