Metabolism News and Research

Latest Metabolism News and Research

Gut bacteria patterns differ in autism and siblings and link to social symptoms

This sibling-controlled East Asian study found that autistic individuals, their unaffected siblings, and typically developing controls differ in gut microbiota diversity and composition, with the clearest separation between autism and typical development. Specific taxa, particularly the butyrate-producing genus Anaerostipes, were modestly associated with social communication and internalising symptoms, supporting a gut–behaviour link without implying causality.

15 Dec 2025

Tiny blood particles help shuttle a hormone through the body

Researchers at Touro University Nevada have discovered that tiny particles in the blood, called extracellular vesicles (EVs), are a major player in how a group of hormones are shuttled through the body. Physical exercise can stimulate this process.

15 Dec 2025

Metagenomics reveals overlooked viral risks in treated water

Viruses are everywhere in wastewater treatment plants, quietly interacting with bacteria as sewage is cleaned and reused.

15 Dec 2025

Climate shocks creating new pathways for disease across Africa

Climate shocks are reshaping ecosystems, creating new pathways for disease across Africa, writes Albert Ansah.

15 Dec 2025

Most clinical trials fail to reflect America’s racial and ethnic diversity

A new study finds just 6% of clinical trials used to approve new drugs in the U.S. reflect the country's racial and ethnic makeup, with an increasing trend of trials underrepresenting Black and Hispanic individuals.

12 Dec 2025

Scientists outline how organ rejuvenation strategies could solve the donor shortage

Researchers outline why organs from older donors are often discarded and identify the biological and immunological pathways that make them vulnerable to injury. They also highlight emerging rejuvenation technologies including machine perfusion, senotherapeutics, and regenerative strategies that could safely expand the donor pool.

11 Dec 2025

What happens to your body when you eat takeaway food too often?

This study of 8,556 US adults shows that frequent takeaway food consumption is associated with a higher energy-adjusted Dietary Inflammatory Index and adverse cardiometabolic markers. The findings suggest that reducing takeaway intake and lowering dietary inflammatory potential may improve long-term cardiometabolic health.

11 Dec 2025

Study offers insight into how coffee and tea intake may influence bone health in older women

A new study from Flinders University offers insight into how two of the world's most popular beverages, coffee and tea, may influence bone health in older women.

11 Dec 2025

Psoriasis caused by changes in the fat metabolism of skin cells

A research team led by Erwin F. Wagner from the Medical University of Vienna has discovered a previously unknown molecular mechanism that contributes to the development of psoriasis - and at the same time represents a potential biomarker for a new treatment concept.

11 Dec 2025

What happens to your body during an ultramarathon? New study reveals key metabolic changes

This study tracked ultramarathon runners across 100 km, 160.9 km, and 230 km events to examine real-world metabolic, hormonal, and muscle stress responses. Severe energy deficits, muscle damage, and heterogeneous hormonal shifts were observed, with the greatest strain seen in the 230 km distance.

10 Dec 2025

Dietary restriction boosts antitumour immunity by rewiring T cell metabolism

Dietary restriction reshapes CD8+ T cell metabolism by increasing ketone body–driven acetyl-CoA production, preventing terminal exhaustion and enhancing tumour control in mice. This metabolic reprogramming also boosts responsiveness to PD-1 blockade, suggesting a potential strategy to improve cancer immunotherapy.

10 Dec 2025

Why the form of vitamin B12 you take may matter more than your intake

This comprehensive review examines vitamin B12 absorption, physiological roles, deficiency states, and dietary sources, with particular attention to differences between natural and synthetic forms. The authors conclude that while all B12 forms raise circulating levels, methylcobalamin may offer advantages in specific clinical contexts, especially where absorption or metabolic conversion is impaired.

10 Dec 2025

Study elucidates novel mitochondrial mechanisms underlying anti-aging and longevity

As life expectancy continues to climb globally, the focus of many people has moved from longevity alone to living in good health.

10 Dec 2025

Filtered coffee shows a causal link to healthier HbA1c levels

Genetically predicted filtered coffee consumption is causally associated with lower HbA1c levels, while other coffee preparation methods show no such benefit. This effect appears to be partly mediated by increases in propionate producing gut bacteria, particularly Veillonella.

10 Dec 2025

Study offers a unified biological model to explain the causes of autism

A new University of California San Diego School of Medicine study offers a unified biological model to explain how genetic predispositions and environmental exposures converge to cause autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

10 Dec 2025

Surprising new function of immune cells uncovered: Excess weight loss prevention

Researchers at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine have uncovered a surprising new function for immune cells: preventing excess weight loss.

10 Dec 2025

Sterilized fermented beverage targets obesity and type 2 diabetes pathways in computational study

Researchers profiled a terminally sterilized probiotic-fermented MFH beverage and identified aporphine alkaloids and flavonoids with favorable predicted ADMET properties. Integrated network pharmacology, molecular docking, and 100-ns MD simulations suggest multi-target engagement of metabolic-inflammatory pathways relevant to obesity and type 2 diabetes.

9 Dec 2025

Nanoflower-treated stem cells deliver healthier mitochondria to stressed cells

This study shows that vacancy-engineered MoS₂ nanoflowers drive mitochondrial biogenesis in human mesenchymal stem cells by activating SIRT1–PGC-1α signaling and reducing oxidative stress. These treated cells transfer more functional mitochondria to injured recipient cells, restoring energy metabolism and redox balance in multiple in vitro models.

9 Dec 2025

Gut microbe metabolite TMA improves blood sugar by shutting down a key inflammatory switch

Researchers identified trimethylamine (TMA) as a gut microbe–derived metabolite that directly inhibits IRAK4 to reduce metabolic inflammation and improve glycaemic control in high-fat-diet-fed mice. Choline-driven increases in TMA production replicated these benefits, revealing a host–microbe signaling axis with therapeutic potential for obesity-associated insulin resistance.

9 Dec 2025

Dietary restriction reprograms cancer-fighting immune cells to enhance anti-tumour immunity

Reducing calorie intake helps cancer-fighting immune cells do their jobs more effectively, reports a study by Van Andel Institute scientists and collaborators.

9 Dec 2025