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Dietary fructose, but not glucose, supplementation of high-fat diet (HFD) impairs mitochondrial size, function, and protein acetylation, resulting in decreased fatty acid oxidation and development of metabolic dysregulation. Image credit: Softic et al, doi: 10.1016/j.cmet.2019.09.003.

High-Fat Plus Fructose Diet Alters Size and Function of Liver Mitochondria, New Study Says

Oct 2, 2019 by News Staff

A research team led by Harvard Medical School scientists has found that high levels of fructose — but not glucose — in the high-fat diet inhibit...

Model of dynamic interactions between the skin immune system (SIS) and its microbial/chemical milieu in human facial skin: (A) infancy -- before the development of stabilized microbial communities, an early tolerogenic interaction between the maturing SIS and the microbiota is prevalent; (B) after this initial period, a homeostatic crosstalk evolves between the developed SIS and a childhood-type stable microbiota; (C) adolescence -- enhanced sebum secretion and shift in the microbiota composition (and probably other uncovered events, e.g., barrier breach) might contribute to a dynamic change in the communication between the SIS and the microbiota in the skin, leading to inflammatory interactions; cytokines associated with a homeostatic dialog may become highly increased in acne lesions (relative to non-lesions), promoting inflammation together with newly secreted proinflammatory mediators produced by keratinocytes, dendritic cells (DCs), and subsequently, infiltrating inflammatory T helper (Th)1 and Th17(23) (for IL-23) cells, neutrophils, and macrophages; these mediators initiate follicular hyperkeratinization, closure of the follicular infundibulum, comedone formation, and the development of acne papules, pustules, and nodules; the extent and time course of inflammation can vary across a wide spectrum among teenagers; (D) following the resolution of acne, in adult SGR skin, under steady-state, SIS and region-specific microbes carry on a homeostatic dialog with the microbiota again, mediated by the controlled production of innate immune-cell-derived factors, including complement components, AMPs, IL-1, TSLP, and IL-7; hair follicles may play a pivotal role in this crosstalk, supporting the residency and recruitment of LCs, Tregs, ILCs, as well as nonpathogenic Th17(β) cells to maintain homeostasis; upward arrows depict increases (expression, concentrations, and ratios). Propionibacterium acnes (Propionibacteriaceae) = Cutibacterium acnes. Other relevant bacterial genera are noted in the schematic. Abbreviations: AMP - antimicrobial peptide, IL – interleukin, ILC - innate lymphoid cell, LC - Langerhans cell, mDC - myeloid dendritic cell, RORγt - RAR-related orphan receptor γt, SGR - sebaceous gland rich, SIS - skin immune system, TGF - transforming growth factor, Th - T helper, Treg - regulatory T cell, TSLP - thymic stromal lymphopoietin. Image credit: Szegedi et al, doi: 10.1016/j.it.2019.08.006.

Adolescent Acne Vulgaris is Naturally Developing, Transient Inflammatory State, Researchers Say

Oct 1, 2019 by News Staff

Acne vulgaris, which occurs in 44-95% of teenagers of varying ethnicities, represents a natural, transient inflammatory interaction of adolescent facial...

Increasing daily consumption of nuts is associated with less long-term weight gain and a lower risk of obesity in adults. Image credit: Piviso.

Increasing Daily Nut Consumption May Help Stave Off Gradual Weight Gain, Reduce Obesity Risk

Sep 26, 2019 by News Staff

Increasing nut consumption by just half a serving (14 g) a day may help mitigate the gradual weight gain common during adulthood, and beneficially contribute...

Epigallocatechin gallate is a compound found in green tea leaves. Image credit: Ranjith Siji.

Green Tea Compound Could Help Fight Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria

Sep 24, 2019 by News Staff

Dr. Jonathan Betts from the University of Surrey and colleagues have found that the green-tea polyphenol epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) can restore the...

Using a fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) conjugated immunoglobulin staining technique, and under direct immunofluorescence (DIF), this tissue sample extracted from a vesicle and ulcer, reveals the presence of herpes simplex antigen in a patient determined to have HSV-2 infection. Image credit: Craig Lyerla / CDC.

Experimental Genital Herpes Vaccine Works in Animals

Sep 23, 2019 by News Staff

A team of scientists at the University of Pennsylvania has developed a new vaccine candidate to protect against herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), the...

Berger et al found in mice that almost immediately after the brain recognizes danger, it instructs the skeleton to flood the bloodstream with the bone-derived hormone osteocalcin, which is needed to turn on the fight or flight response. Image credit: Berger et al, doi: 10.1016/j.cmet.2019.08.012.

Bony Vertebrates Release Bone-Derived Hormone Osteocalcin in Response to Stress, Study Finds

Sep 17, 2019 by News Staff

A new study, published in the journal Cell Metabolism, shows that humans and other bony vertebrates need a hormone called osteocalcin to develop an acute...

Li et al provide the first evidence of the positive contribution of tea drinking to brain structure. Image credit: Larisa Myshun.

Drinking Tea Improves Brain Efficiency, New Study Shows

Sep 16, 2019 by News Staff

Habitual tea drinking has positive effects on brain organization and gives rise to greater efficiency in functional and structural connectivity, according...

Coffee consumption is associated with low risk of symptomatic gallstone disease. Image credit: Nordestgaard et al, doi: 10.1111/joim.12970.

Higher Coffee Consumption May Protect against Gallstone Disease

Sep 10, 2019 by News Staff

Higher coffee intake may help reduce the risk of symptomatic gallstone disease, according to a University of Copenhagen-led study. Coffee consumption is...

Kim et al developed robotic thread that can be steered magnetically and is small enough to work through narrow spaces such as the vasculature of the human brain; the researchers envision the technology may be used in the future to clear blockages in patients with stroke and aneurysms. Image credit: MIT.

Thread-Like Robot Could Deliver Clot-Reducing Therapies

Sep 2, 2019 by News Staff

A team of researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has developed a thread-like ferromagnetic robot that can glide through complex...

A single bout of exercise may provide a boost to the mind. Image credit: Mabel Amber.

Single Session of Aerobic Exercise Boosts Cognition and Memory Performance in Older Adults: Study

Sep 2, 2019 by News Staff

A team of researchers at the University of Iowa has found that a single bout of aerobic exercise improves cognitive functions and working memory in older...

Higher optimism is associated with longer life span and a greater likelihood of achieving exceptional longevity. Image credit: Daniel Nebreda.

Study: Optimism is Important Psychosocial Resource for Extending Life Span in Older Adults

Aug 28, 2019 by News Staff

People with higher optimism are more likely to live longer and to achieve ‘exceptional longevity,’ that is, living to the age of 85 or beyond, according...

Pet owners, especially people who have dogs, are more likely to get regular exercise, eat a healthier diet and have better sugar levels in their blood. Image credit: Helena Sushitskaya.

Dogs are Good for Your Heart Health: Study

Aug 26, 2019 by News Staff

People who have dogs are more likely to achieve the recommended level of behavioral cardiovascular health metrics such as physical activity and diet than...

Jordan et al identified a drastic effect of short-term and intermittent fasting on the blood and tissue monocyte pool and revealed the role of dietary intake in the control of metabolic and inflammatory activity of monocytes and their egress to the blood circulation. Image credit: Jordan et al, doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2019.07.050.

Fasting Improves Inflammatory Diseases without Compromising Antimicrobial Immunity

Aug 22, 2019 by News Staff

Short-term and intermittent fasting reduces chronic inflammation and improves chronic inflammatory diseases without affecting the immune system’s response...

Sarkar et al found pregnant women who consumed moderate-to-high levels of alcohol and gave birth to children with prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) had higher DNA methylation of POMC and PER2 genes; PAE children also had increased methylation of POMC and PER2. Image credit: Syani Mukherjee / Rutgers University-New Brunswick.

Pregnant Women Who Drink Moderate to High Levels of Alcohol Alter Their Own and Their Babies’ DNA

Aug 16, 2019 by News Staff

In a study published in the journal Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, a team of scientists from Rutgers University and elsewhere looked for...

Flavonoids are found in many fruits and vegetables, as well as tea, coffee, chocolate, seeds, and whole grains. Image credit: Jan / GimpWorkshop.

Flavonoid-Rich Diet Protects against Cancer and Heart Disease, Study Says

Aug 14, 2019 by News Staff

In a new study, an international team of researchers analyzed data from the Danish Diet, Cancer and Health cohort that monitored the diets of 53,048 Danes...

Mostofsky et al aimed to evaluate the role of caffeinated beverage intake as a potential trigger of migraine headaches on that day or on the following day. Image credit: StockSnap.

Excessive Coffee Drinking May Trigger Migraine Headaches

Aug 13, 2019 by News Staff

Drinking too much coffee or other caffeinated beverages may be a trigger for headaches among migraineurs, according to new research. Mostofsky et al aimed...

Diets higher in plant foods and lower in animal foods were associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in a general population. Image credit: Deborah Breen Whiting.

Healthy Plant-Based Diets May Reduce Heart Disease Risks

Aug 9, 2019 by News Staff

In a new study, Dr. Casey Rebholz from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and colleagues examined the diets of middle-aged adults living...

While it is well known that cacao is a major source of flavonoids, this is the first time the effect has been studied in human subjects to determine how it can support cognitive, endocrine and cardiovascular health. Image credit: Sci-News.com.

Dark Chocolate Consumption May Reduce Depression Symptoms

Aug 7, 2019 by News Staff

A new study, published recently in the journal Depression and Anxiety, provides evidence that consumption of chocolate, particularly dark chocolate, may...

Acharya et al uncovered striking neurobehavioral and electrophysiological defects in rodents subjected to continuous (6 month) low dose rate (1 mGy/day) neutron exposures. Image credit: NASA.

Exposure to Radiation in Deep Space May Impair Learning and Memory

Aug 6, 2019 by News Staff

In a study by researchers from the University of California, Irvine and elsewhere, exposure to chronic, low dose radiation — the conditions present...