Metabolism News and Research

Latest Metabolism News and Research

Rare window on spinal muscular atrophy genetics

Caused by a mutation of the SMN gene, spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an infantile and juvenile neurodegenerative disorder where motor neuron loss causes progressive paralysis.

6 Apr 2009

Cooperative behaviors and evolutionary theory

One of the perplexing questions raised by evolutionary theory is how cooperative behavior, which benefits other members of a species at a cost to the individual, came to exist.

6 Apr 2009

Chemical used to make fireworks found in powdered baby milk

Scientists in the United States have found traces of a chemical used to make fireworks and rocket fuel in powdered baby milk.

6 Apr 2009

Pre-cancer screening with urine samples

Dr. Yinfa Ma has developed a method for pre-cancer screening that uses urine samples for detection.

6 Apr 2009

Scientists first evidence of cell-to-cell communication by amino acids

A team of researchers from the Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Engineering in Medicine (MGH-CEM) has found the first evidence of cell-to-cell communication by amino acids, the building blocks of proteins, rather than by known protein signaling agents such as growth factors or cytokines.

6 Apr 2009

Scientists detect molecular obesity link to insulin resistance, type II diabetes

A molecular switch found in the fat tissue of obese mice is a critical factor in the development of insulin resistance, report scientists at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies.

2 Apr 2009

'Pre-diabetics' face heightened risk of heart disease

The study, published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism , was led by Jill P. Crandall, M.D., associate professor of clinical medicine and director of the Diabetes Clinical Trials Unit at Einstein.

2 Apr 2009

Missing link between fructose, insulin resistance found

A new study in mice sheds light on the insulin resistance that can come from diets loaded with high-fructose corn syrup, a sweetener found in most sodas and many other processed foods.

2 Apr 2009

Drugs that act on 'fasting signal' may curb insulin resistance in obese

A report in the March issue of Cell Metabolism , a Cell Press publication, has found that a signal known to play a role during fasting also switches on early in the fat tissue of obese mice as they progress toward type 2 diabetes.

2 Apr 2009

Link between poorer growth early in life and heart disease and diabetes risk in adulthood

Lower weight at birth may increase inflammatory processes in adulthood, which are associated with chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes, according to a new study accepted for publication in The Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM).

1 Apr 2009

Discovery of new fat-fighting pathway

Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University have discovered a process that controls the amount of fat that cells store for use as a back-up energy source.

1 Apr 2009

Discovery of possible trigger for onset of labor

The relationship between two different types of estrogen and a hormone produced in the placenta may serve as the mechanism for signaling labor, according to a new study accepted for publication in The Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM).

1 Apr 2009

Research reveals new options for people with phenylketonuria

For people with the genetic condition known as phenylketonuria (PKU), diet is a constant struggle.

30 Mar 2009

Schizophrenics at increased risk for type 2 diabetes

People with schizophrenia are at increased risk for type 2 diabetes, Medical College of Georgia researchers have found.

30 Mar 2009

Typical Western diet is a recipe for colon cancer

A typical Western diet, rich in meat and fats and low in complex carbohydrates, is a recipe for colon cancer, Professor Stephen O'Keefe from the University of Pittsburgh, USA, told the Society for General Microbiology meeting at Harrogate today (Tuesday 31 March).

30 Mar 2009

BioMarin receives notice of allowance for Kuvan patent

BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. has announced that it has received a notice from the United States Patent Office reporting allowance of claims covering once daily dosing methods for Kuvan (sapropterin dihydrochloride) in the treatment of phenylketonuria (PKU).

30 Mar 2009