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New Penn Medicine study uncovers key details of fat cells, advancing potential treatments for obesity, diabetes

Researchers have unlocked insights into how brown fat tissue can be harnessed to combat obesity and remove glucose from the blood. The study used a cryogenic electron microscope to view mitochondrial uncoupling protein 1 in atomic detail, revealing potential new ways to promote weight loss.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalScience Advances·TypeObservational study·DateMay 31, 2023

Cutting breakfast carbs can benefit people with Type 2 diabetes

Researchers at UBC Okanagan found that a low-carb breakfast can significantly reduce blood sugar swings and improve glucose control. Participants who followed a low-carb breakfast plan showed lower glycemic variability and some were able to reduce their glucose-lowering medication.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia Okanagan campus·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMay 31, 2023

How plants use sugar to produce roots

Researchers at Heidelberg University have identified a molecular mechanism controlling root branching in plants, which involves the activity of the target of rapamycin (TOR) protein. The study found that glucose plays a crucial role in forming lateral roots, and TOR acts as a gatekeeper to regulate this process.

SourceHeidelberg University·JournalThe EMBO Journal·DateMay 22, 2023

The physics of gummy candy

Researchers explored how different ingredient combinations and storage temperatures affect gummy candies' texture, moisture content, and pH. They found that starch did not impact hardness and identified the most shelf-stable combination for gummies.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalPhysics of Fluids·DateMay 16, 2023

Pregnant and lactating dogs share patterns of some blood metabolites - including glucose and fatty acid concentrations - with pregnant women, according to study of 27 dogs representing 21 breeds

A recent study published in PLOS ONE found that pregnant and lactating dogs share similarities in certain blood metabolites with human pregnancy, including glucose and fatty acid concentrations. The research analyzed 27 dogs from 21 breeds and discovered intriguing correlations between canine metabolism and human physiological processes.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMay 10, 2023

Pioneering MRI imaging method captures brain glucose metabolism without the need for administration of radioactive substances

A new MRI approach uses harmless glucose solution to map brain glucose metabolism, generating reliable results and potentially improving diagnosis of conditions like Alzheimer's and cancer. Further studies are needed to confirm the findings and deploy this less-invasive method for patients.

SourceMedical University of Vienna·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·DateApr 28, 2023

Better blood sugar regulation

Researchers have developed a novel insulin formulation that can be switched on by glucose, offering improved regulation of blood sugar levels in patients with type 1 diabetes. The new formulation uses biocompatible lipid nanoparticles and achieves precise control of insulin release in response to fluctuations in blood sugar.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 18, 2023

New insights into glucose metabolism: targeting ATP synthase with chromium (III) nutritional supplement for improved blood sugar control

A team of researchers has discovered that chromium(III) supplementation can regulate glucose metabolism in type 2 diabetic mice by targeting ATP synthase activity. This process improves mitochondrial deformation caused by high glucose levels and boosts glucose metabolism.

SourceThe University of Hong Kong·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 12, 2023

Prototype taps into the sensing capabilities of any smartphone to screen for prediabetes

Researchers at the University of Washington developed GlucoScreen, a new system that leverages smartphone capacitive touch sensing to measure blood glucose levels. The system's accuracy is comparable to standard glucometer testing, making it potentially less costly and more accessible for widespread screening.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalProceedings of the ACM on Interactive Mobile Wearable and Ubiquitous Technologies·DateMar 30, 2023

Generating power with blood sugar

A team of researchers at ETH Zurich has created an implantable fuel cell that uses excess blood sugar to generate electrical energy. The device powers artificial beta cells that produce insulin, effectively regulating blood glucose levels.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 28, 2023

How high altitude changes your body’s metabolism

Researchers at Gladstone Institutes discovered that chronically low oxygen levels, similar to those experienced at high elevation, rewire how mice burn sugars and fats. The study found lasting changes in metabolism, including lower blood glucose levels and body weight, which mirror what has been seen in humans who live at high altitude.

SourceGladstone Institutes·JournalCell Metabolism·DateMar 7, 2023

UCO studies yield a better understanding of how cyanobacteria take advantage of glucose

Researchers at the University of Córdoba have shed light on how marine cyanobacteria, the most abundant photosynthetic organisms on Earth, take advantage of glucose as a source of energy. They found that glucose transport is greater during the day and follows a different circadian cycle than other bacteria in the same area.

SourceUniversity of Córdoba·JournalMicrobiology Spectrum·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 1, 2023

Research brief: Verapamil shows beneficial effect on the pancreas in children with newly-diagnosed type 1 diabetes

A University of Minnesota-led study shows that verapamil can increase pancreatic insulin secretion by 30% in children with newly-diagnosed type 1 diabetes. The treatment was well-tolerated and had a favorable safety profile, making it an appealing option for children and adults with the condition.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota Medical School·JournalJAMA·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 24, 2023

Human body proven to predict mealtimes

A recent study published in Current Biology found that the human body can predict regular mealtimes based on physiological changes. The research team discovered that daily blood glucose rhythms may be driven by both meal size and timing, suggesting a physiological drive for some people to eat at certain times.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 22, 2023

Ideal cardiovascular health can help people live longer, finds Chinese Medical Journal study

A large-scale observational study from China demonstrates a strong link between ideal cardiovascular health and lower mortality rates. Individuals with higher scores on behavioral and medical factors had approximately a 50% lower risk of all-cause, CVD, and respiratory mortality compared to those with lower scores.

SourceCactus Communications·JournalChinese Medical Journal·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 6, 2023

Advanced electronic skin for multiplex healthcare monitoring

Researchers from TIBI have developed an advanced electronic skin patch that provides simultaneous, continuous monitoring of multiple bodily parameters. The new E-skin patch offers enhanced flexibility, thermal cooling abilities, and fluid absorption over conventional substrates while demonstrating excellent biocompatibility and biodegr...

SourceTerasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 30, 2023

Stowers scientists use cavefish to learn more about metabolism and the evolutionary basis of being a couch potato

Researchers studied cavefish metabolism to understand how humans might adapt over long periods of inactivity, finding genetic changes that enable muscle endurance and efficient energy storage. The study suggests potential implications for understanding and mitigating the negative effects of sedentary lifestyles on human health.

SourceStowers Institute for Medical Research·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 24, 2023

Mother’s health and lifestyle during pregnancy shape neurodevelopment of 2-year-old children

A new study conducted at the University of Turku found that maternal gestational diabetes mellitus may have unfavourable effects on the neurodevelopment of 2-year-old children. A healthy diet during pregnancy supports child's neurodevelopment, while higher maternal body fat percentage is associated with weaker cognitive and motor skills.

SourceUniversity of Turku·JournalPediatric Research·DateJan 19, 2023

Artificial pancreas successfully trialled for use by type 2 diabetes patients

Researchers at the University of Cambridge developed an artificial pancreas that can help maintain healthy glucose levels in type 2 diabetes patients. The device doubled the time spent in the target range for glucose and halved the time spent with high glucose levels, reducing average glucose levels and glycated haemoglobin levels.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalNature Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 11, 2023

Poor glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes can be predicted from patient information systems with the help of machine learning

A new study uses machine learning to predict poor glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes, identifying key factors such as prior glucose levels and anti-diabetic medicines. The findings suggest that data routinely collected for diabetes monitoring can reliably identify patients at risk of hyperglycemia.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalClinical Epidemiology·DateJan 9, 2023

Where do reproductive-age women receive preventive health care?

A UMass Amherst study reveals that 61% of wellness visits for reproductive-age women (15-49) were with OB-GYNs, while chronic condition patients also relied heavily on these specialists. Key preventive services like pap tests and pelvic exams were more common in OB-GYN settings, whereas lipid testing was rare.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalHealth Services Research·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 22, 2022

Low-carb diet may help patients with diabetes achieve better weight loss and glucose control in short term compared to a low-fat diet

A randomized controlled trial found that a low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet helped patients with type 2 diabetes achieve better weight loss and glucose control over a 6-month intervention compared to a high-carb, low-fat diet. However, changes were not sustained 3 months after the intervention.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateDec 12, 2022

Scientists develop 12-hour method to predict diabetes onset in patients using artificial intelligence

Researchers at Klick Applied Sciences have created a machine learning model to predict diabetes onset in patients using just 12 hours of data from continuous glucose monitors. The study showed high accuracy in identifying prediabetes, healthy patients, and those with Type 2 diabetes, offering a potential tool for early disease prevention.

SourceKlick Applied Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateDec 2, 2022

November/December 2022 Annals of Family Medicine tip sheet

A study found that concerns about colonoscopy, lack of opportunity to discuss next steps with a medical provider, and assumptions about personal risk are common reasons patients don't follow up after a positive at-home test. Researchers also developed two simple risk measurement tools to predict COVID-19 mortality rates, which could he...

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateNov 30, 2022

Novel approach to treat and prevent Type 2 diabetes: SGH and NUS Medicine study

Researchers found that individuals with CYP8B1 loss-of-function mutations have improved insulin sensitivity and better glucose regulation, reducing the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. The study suggests a potential new treatment approach using bile acid modulators to target this gene.

SourceNational University of Singapore, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 17, 2022

Attack via byways

Researchers at University of Würzburg discovered a novel phosphatase inhibitor that selectively blocks the proliferation of tumor cells. This breakthrough targets increased energy demands in diseases like cancer and autoimmune disorders, offering potential new therapies for treatment.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 14, 2022

Starved yeast poisons clones

Researchers at the University of Tokyo discovered that yeast releases toxins to kill its own clones and surrounding microorganisms when starved of glucose, a phenomenon called latecomer killing. This behavior helps yeast survive mass starvation and aids in the selection of toxin-producing offspring.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 7, 2022

Type 1 diabetes: New findings on the development of the autoimmune disease in children

A long-term study on infants and young children with increased genetic risk of type 1 diabetes found that metabolic changes occur much earlier than previously assumed. Blood sugar levels were found to be higher in children who developed autoimmunity, suggesting a potential indicator for islet cell dysfunction.