Eating too much protein is bad for your arteries, and this amino acid is to blame
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine researchers discovered a molecular mechanism by which excessive dietary protein could increase atherosclerosis risk. The findings were published in Nature Metabolism today. The study, which combined small human trials with experiments in mice and cells in a Petri dish, showed that consuming over 22% of dietary calories from protein […]
Epigenetic signature for obesity found in study of twins
A susceptibility to gain weight may be written into molecular processes of human cells, a Washington State University study indicates. The proof-of-concept study with a set of 22 twins found an epigenetic signature in buccal or cheek cells appearing only for the twins who were obese compared to their thinner siblings. With more research, the […]
Exercise and muscle regulation: Implications for diabetes and obesity
How do our muscles respond at the molecular level to exercise? Researchers at Helmholtz Munich and the German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbrücke (DIfE) have unraveled the cellular basis and signaling pathways responsible for the positive impact of physical activity on our overall health. Regulatory T cells, a type of immune cell, play a critical […]
Molecular imaging identifies brain changes in response to food cues; offers insight into obesity interventions
Molecular imaging with 18F-flubatine PET/MRI has shown that neuroreceptors in the brains of individuals with obesity respond differently to food cues than those in normal-weight individuals, making the neuroreceptors a prime target for obesity treatments and therapy. This research, presented at the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging 2023 Annual Meeting, contributes to the […]
Breast Cancer Recurrence Risk Varies by Molecular Subtype
Different molecular subtypes of breast cancer had varying rates and patterns of recurrence following surgery for early-stage disease, a large retrospective cohort study showed. Overall, the 10-year freedom from ipsilateral, regional, and contralateral recurrence was 95.9%, 96.1%, and 96.5%, respectively. Using hormone receptor (HR)-positive (+)/HER2-negative (-) tumors as the reference, HR-/HER2+ breast cancer had the […]
How Realistic Is Radical Prostatectomy Without Prior Biopsy?
In patients with a high suspicion of prostate cancer as determined by molecular imaging, avoiding biopsy prior to radical prostatectomy appeared to be feasible, and “might represent a valid option in well-counseled, selected patients,” according to German researchers. In a case series of 25 men who underwent primary radical prostatectomy without prior biopsy after an […]
Study identifies unique underlying molecular factors driving melanoma development
A new study reveals important molecular information that could help scientists develop more effective treatment and prevention strategies for a difficult-to-treat form of melanoma skin cancer. In this new report, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center — Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC — James) researchers identify and […]
Scientists profile FDA-approved drugs to potentially treat hundreds of genetic disorders
Nonsense-mediated RNA decay, or NMD, is an evolutionarily conserved molecular mechanism in which potentially defective messenger RNAs, or mRNAs, are degraded. By reducing errors in gene expression, it serves as an RNA quality control and gene regulatory mechanism. Its disruption can lead to neurological disorders, immune diseases, cancers, and other pathologies. A team of biomedical […]
Molecular paddlewheels propel sodium ions through next-generation batteries: Insights into the atomistic dynamics of emerging solid-state batteries will help speed their evolution
Materials scientists at Duke University have revealed paddlewheel-like molecular dynamics that help push sodium ions through a quickly evolving class of solid-state batteries. The insights should guide researchers in their pursuit of a new generation of sodium-ion batteries to replace lithium-ion technology in a wide range of applications such as data centers and home energy […]
Study confirms nutrient’s role in childhood blood cancer: Evidence suggests dietary limits may help
A molecular building block of many animal proteins, the amino acid valine, plays a key role in cancerous growth seen in T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a new study shows. Led by researchers at NYU Langone Health, its Department of Pathology, and the Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, the study showed that genes involved […]