Metabolism News and Research

Latest Metabolism News and Research

Alcohol flush signals increased cancer risk among east Asians

Many people of East Asian descent possess an enzyme deficiency that causes their skin to redden, or flush, when they drink alcohol.

23 Mar 2009

Metabolism and aging linked to circadian rhythm

All animals, including humans, have an internal 24-hour clock or circadian rhythm that creates a daily oscillation of body temperature, brain activity, hormone production and metabolism.

20 Mar 2009

Symposium to look at genetic basis of exercise

'Adaptation to exercise' is a familiar phenomenon, even if the phrase is not: A sedentary person takes up jogging and can barely make it around the block.

20 Mar 2009

Anti-seizure drugs may increase risk of cardiovascular problems

An important clinical repercussion in the treatment of epilepsy has been discovered by a research team led by Scott Mintzer, M.D., assistant professor in the Department of Neurology and the Jefferson Comprehensive Epilepsy Center at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University.

20 Mar 2009

Compound is key coordinator of clock and metabolism

Our circadian clock, or biological timing system, governs our daily cycles of feeding, activity and sleep.

20 Mar 2009

Drinking alcohol is the greatest risk factor for acetaldehyde-related cancer

New evidence by researchers at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and researchers in Germany shows that drinking alcohol is the greatest risk factor for acetaldehyde-related cancer.

20 Mar 2009

FDA issues warning on sharing insulin pens and cartridges

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued an alert to health care professionals reminding them that single-patient insulin pens and insulin cartridges should not be used to administer medication to multiple patients due to the potential risk of transmitting blood-borne pathogens such as HIV and the hepatitis viruses.

19 Mar 2009

Call for more thyroid function tests for older patients to improve diagnosis rate

A new study of over 3500 patients with overactive thyroids shows that elderly patients experience fewer signs and symptoms of the condition.

17 Mar 2009

FTO obesity gene associated with susceptibility to polycystic ovary syndrome

Researchers have shown that a gene implicated in the development of obesity is also associated with susceptibility to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

16 Mar 2009

Next generation antibiotic compounds that do not provoke bacterial resistance

Bacterial resistance to antibiotics is one of medicine's most vexing challenges.

15 Mar 2009

Imbalance of iron homeostasis involved in prion disease-associated neuronal demise

Imbalance of iron homeostasis is a common feature of prion disease-affected human, mouse, and hamster brains, according to a new study by Dr. Neena Singh and colleagues at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, alongside collaborators from Creighton University.

15 Mar 2009

Phylonix granted broad U.S. patent for assessing cardiac functions in Zebrafish

Phylonix Pharmaceuticals announced, at the Society of Toxicology Annual Meeting in Baltimore, that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has issued the company a broad patent for assessing the toxicity of pharmaceutical test agents on cardiovascular functions in zebrafish.

15 Mar 2009

Researchers look at genetic dynamics of inbreeding depression

Researchers have taken a first look at the broad genetic changes that accompany reproductive declines in inbred populations.

12 Mar 2009

Lack of vitamin D in the diet could mean too much fat on adolescents

Too little vitamin D could be bad for more than your bones; it may also lead to fatter adolescents, researchers say.

12 Mar 2009

Body clock regulates energy levels in cells

UC Irvine researchers have discovered that circadian rhythms - our own body clock - regulate energy levels in cells.

12 Mar 2009

New data on link between cancer and nutrition

European experts in cancer and nutrition are meeting in Zurich, Switzerland late this month to discuss cutting-edge research in one of the most important and fiercely debated topics in cancer prevention: the link between diet and cancer.

12 Mar 2009

Testosterone doping tests in sport ignore ethnic differences in hormone activity

Current steroid (testosterone) doping tests should be scrapped for international sport, because they ignore vital ethnic differences in hormone activity, suggests research published ahead of print in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

11 Mar 2009

Iron may be a suitable approach for developing novel cancer treatments

Rapid growth of cancer cells and their frequent divisions have their price: Cancer cells need considerably more energy than healthy cells.

11 Mar 2009

Scientists discover key molecules that inhibit viral production

The research, led by Professor Donny Strosberg of Scripps Florida, was published on March 4, 2009, in the Journal of General Virology's advance, online edition, Papers in Press.

11 Mar 2009

Identifying and treating depression plus exercise in African-Americans may reduce heart disease

Identifying and treating depression, including increasing physical activity, may improve quality of life and reduce cardiovascular disease and death in African Americans, according to reports presented at the American Heart Association's 2009 Conference on Nutrition, Physical Activity and Metabolism.

11 Mar 2009