You might be wondering, what's the link between HIV and how our bodies handle sugar? A recent study in China aimed to clear up some confusion. This wasn't just any study; it involved multiple healthcare centers and compared HIV-positive folks on antiviral therapy with healthy people. The big questio
You might be surprised to know that tiny differences in how our bodies process certain food additives can lead to big differences in safety. Take methyleugenol (ME) and its cousin, methylisoeugenol (MIE), for example. Both are used in foods, but one's classified as a potential carcinogen, while the
Imagine a tiny protein that could revolutionize the way we understand obesity and metabolism. That's exactly what leptin did thirty years ago. Discovered by chance, this little molecule has since become a big deal in the world of health and science. So, what's the story behind leptin? It all starte
Imagine you're dealing with a fatty liver, a condition linked to low thyroid hormone levels. Scientists are exploring new molecules, called thyromimetics, that mimic thyroid hormones. One of these, Resmetirom, is already approved to treat certain liver diseases. The idea is that these molecules coul
Scientists are digging into a potential new way to fight high cholesterol in mice. They took a close look at lauric-acid-esterified octacosanol (LEO) and oleic-acid-esterified octacosanol (OEO). These are modified versions of octacosanol, a substance found naturally in foods like wheat germ and rice
When you think of diabetes, you probably picture how it affects your blood sugar. But did you know it also messes with how your muscles use fat? That's what we're diving into here. You see, diabetes ties into a whole bunch of health issues, including how your muscles handle fat. When fat builds up
Ever wondered how plants protect themselves from sunburn? Loquats, also known as Japanese medlars, have a clever trick up their sleeves (or rather, leaves and fruits). They make special compounds called flavonol glycosides. These compounds help plants grow and defend against stress, like harsh UV-B
You know those painful knee issues many people deal with as they age? It turns out, there’s a surprising connection to how our cells manage energy. Scientists discovered that a protein called FTO helps control a process in our cells called autophagy. Autophagy keeps cells healthy by recycling old pa
Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a type of cancer found in children's muscles. It's often undeveloped because certain controls in cells go haywire. In this cancer, two tiny RNAs, called miR-449a and miR-340, were found to be key players. They control how fast cells grow and change, and also affect a protei
Ever pondered how your diet might influence your genes? Well, recent findings dived into that exact question! Scientists checked out how amino acids—particularly branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) and aromatic amino acids (AAAs)—might boss around the leptin and FTO genes in people's fat tissue. This
