Skip to main content

Science Today

Search This Blog

Small Protein, Big Impact: Microprotein Discovery Offers Hope for Obesity and Aging

on September 01, 2025

Researchers have uncovered a tiny but powerful protein that helps keep our cells’ energy factories humming – a discovery that could spark new approaches to tackling obesity and age-related decline. Scientists at the Salk Institute in La Jolla found that a “microprotein” in mouse fat cells plays a critical role in maintaining healthy mitochondria , the structures that generate energy in our cells. By preserving mitochondrial function, this diminutive protein helps cells burn fuel efficiently, which in turn could influence body weight and the aging process. The findings shine light on how molecular biology connects to everyday health, opening the door to science-backed strategies for better metabolism and longevity. Mature brown fat cells from a mouse, with the newly discovered microprotein shown in red inside mitochondria (green) and nuclei in blue. This tiny protein helps preserve mitochondrial health under stress. (Credit: Salk Institute) Mighty Mitochondria in ...

Get link
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps

Deals good until december 1st from Dell

on November 29, 2008

Get link
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps

Save $200 off the Philips 32" 720p HD LCD TV! Only $599 after Instant Savings!

Save $700 off the Sony Bravia V Series 52" 1080p TV! Only $1,599 after Instant Savings!

Save $700 off the Sharp 46SB TV! Only $899 after Instant Savings!

Save $800 off the Sony bravia 52" 120HZ 1080p LCD HDTV! Only $1,999 after Instant Savings!

Sale

Get link
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps

Comments

Popular Here

Butterfly effect and autism spectrum disorder

A study conducted by researchers at the RIKEN Center for Brain Science (CBS) has shed light on the genetics of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). They found that a particular type of genetic mutation contributes to ASD differently than typical mutations. By analyzing mutations in the genomes of individuals and their families, the researchers discovered that the three-dimensional structure of the genome can cause mutations to affect neighboring genes associated with ASD, even without mutations in ASD-related genes. The study was published in the scientific journal Cell Genomics on January 26. ASD is a group of conditions characterized by repetitive behaviors and social interaction difficulties. Although the condition runs in families, its heritability is complex and only partially understood. According to studies, the high heritability cannot be explained by merely looking at the part of the genome responsible for protein coding. Instead, the answer could lie in the non-coding regions of t...

Charging Implanted Heart Pumps Wirelessly

Mechanical pumps to give failing hearts a boost were originally developed as temporary measures for patients awaiting a heart transplant. But as the technology has improved, these ventricular assist devices commonly operate in patients for years, including in former vice-president Dick Cheney, whose implant this month celebrates its one-year anniversary. Prolonged use, however, has its own problems. The power cord that protrudes through the patient's belly is cumbersome and prone to infection over time. Infections occur in close to 40 percent of patients, are the leading cause of rehospitalization, and can be fatal. Researchers at the University of Washington and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center have tested a wireless power system for ventricular assist devices. They recently presented the work in Washington, D.C. at the American Society for Artificial Internal Organs annual meeting, where it received the Willem Kolff/Donald B. Olsen Award for most promising research in...

Aspirin may not be beneficial in healthy humans

A new study has shown that, while taking aspirin is beneficial in preventing heart attacks and strokes among people with established cardiovascular disease (secondary prevention), its benefits don’t clearly outweigh the risks in healthy people (primary prevention). Researchers at the Clinical Trial Service Unit at the University of Oxford analysed data from a number of primary and secondary prevention trials that had compared long-term aspirin use against controls. The findings are published in The Lancet. In the primary prevention trials, aspirin reduced the risk of a non-fatal heart attack by about one fifth. This corresponds to five fewer such episodes each year for every 10,000 people treated. This is offset by a comparable increase in bleeds with long-term aspirin use. One extra stroke is caused by bleeding and three extra gastrointestinal bleeds occur each year per 10,000 treated. In the secondary prevention studies, aspirin reduced the risk of a serious vascular event (a heart ...

Insights into homologous recombination (DNA Repair) promise new insights into cancer

Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University have been studying DNA repair by homologous recombination, where the RecA protein repairs breaks in double-stranded DNA by incorporating a dangling single-strand end into intact double strands, and repairing the break based on the undamaged sequence. They discovered that RecA finds where to put the single strand into the double helix without unwinding it by even a single turn. Their findings promise new directions in cancer research. Homologous recombination (HR) is a ubiquitous biochemical process shared across all living things, including animals, plants, fungi, and bacteria. As we go about our daily lives, our DNA is subjected to all kinds of environmental and internal stress, some of which can lead to breakage of both strands in the double helix. This can be disastrous, and lead to imminent cell death. Luckily, processes like HR are continuously repairing this damage. Two competing models exist for homologous recombination. The results...

Too Much TV Increasing Type 2 Diabetes Risk

Watching television is the most common daily activity apart from work and sleep in many parts of the world, but it is time for people to change their viewing habits. According to a new study from Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) researchers, prolonged TV viewing was associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and premature death. The study appears in the June 15, 2011, edition of the Journal of the American Medical Association. "The message is simple. Cutting back on TV watching can significantly reduce risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and premature mortality," said senior author Frank Hu, professor of nutrition and epidemiology at HSPH. "We should not only promote increasing physical activity levels but also reduce sedentary behaviors, especially prolonged TV watching," said Hu. Many people around the world divide their days largely between working, sleeping, and watching television, according to the researchers. Europ...

Powered by Blogger