Metabolism News and Research

Latest Metabolism News and Research

Scientists discover how vitamin K pathway regulates bone remodeling

Bone is continuously renewed through a process known as bone remodeling, in which osteoblasts (bone-forming cells) build new bone, while osteoclasts (bone-resorbing cells) remove older mineralized tissue.

21 May 2026

Phase two clinical trial demonstrates dramatic mobility gains in children with severe fibrous dysplasia

Fibrous dysplasia is a rare skeletal disorder in which normal bone is gradually replaced by weak fibro-osseous tissue, leading to fractures, pain, deformities, and severe mobility impairment. In many patients, diseased bone tissue produces excessive amounts of fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF23), a hormone that causes phosphate loss through the kidneys.

21 May 2026

Bioluminescent fungi reveal pathways for advanced biotechnology and medical applications

Like fireflies and many deep-sea creatures, certain fungi can naturally emit light through bioluminescence pathways in which specialized enzymes convert chemical energy into visible light.

21 May 2026

New AI framework maps systemic obesity damage at cellular resolution

Researchers at Helmholtz Munich, the Ludwig Maximilians University Munich (LMU) and collaborating institutions have developed an artificial intelligence (AI) framework that maps disease-related changes throughout the entire mouse body at cellular resolution.

20 May 2026

Higher ferritin threshold could detect childhood iron deficiency much earlier

Many cases of iron deficiency in school-aged children could be diagnosed earlier, according to a new study published in Blood Red Cells & Iron, a journal of the American Society of Hematology (ASH).

20 May 2026

Aerobic exercise mitigates nanoplastic damage in female zebrafish

Using female zebrafish as a model, researchers have found that aerobic exercise may influence various connections in the body to lessen the damaging health impacts of environmental nanoplastics.

20 May 2026

Researchers uncover new genetic links influencing blood lipid composition

DZNE researchers have generated new insights into how the human genome shapes the chemical composition and concentration of blood lipids.

20 May 2026

Gut-localized drug avoids systemic safety risks while reversing hormonal imbalances in mice

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common hormonal disorders in women of reproductive age. It can cause irregular periods, infertility, weight gain, insulin resistance, and elevated male hormone levels. Current treatments mainly focus on managing symptoms rather than addressing underlying causes.

20 May 2026

Sleep disturbances during pregnancy may be a risk factor for gestational diabetes

A recent study by Kuopio University Hospital and the University of Eastern Finland shows that sleep disturbances during pregnancy may be a significant risk factor for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

19 May 2026

Olive waste extract may help lower fat and improve muscle markers

A polyphenol-rich olive oil byproduct may enhance muscle health, reducing fat mass and improving antioxidant markers in adults with metabolic risk factors.

18 May 2026

Chia seeds may boost fetal brain DHA during obesity-linked pregnancy

Chia seed supplementation during pregnancy increased maternal omega-3 long-chain fatty acids, including DHA, in a rat model of high-fat-high-sugar diet-induced obesity. The findings suggest plant-derived ALA from chia seeds may improve maternal, placental, and mid-gestation fetal brain lipid profiles, but human relevance and offspring outcomes still need testing.

17 May 2026

Cancer-driving MYC protein also helps tumors repair damaged DNA

A protein best known for driving cancer growth also helps damaged tumor cells survive by repairing their DNA, according to a new study that could influence how some cancers are treated.

17 May 2026

Multi-institutional trial explores new lifeline for advanced prostate patients

For men with advanced prostate cancer that no longer responds to standard hormone therapies, treatment options are limited – and time matters. As the disease progresses, the window for effective, less intensive treatments begins to close.

15 May 2026

New mechanism to enhance precision in cancer drug development

Researchers at The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) have identified how a key enzyme called ATR protects DNA from breaking when cells copy damaged genetic material, a discovery that could affect how certain cancer drugs are developed.

15 May 2026

Can supplements slow Parkinson’s disease? Review reveals where the evidence stands

Dietary supplements are widely used by people with Parkinson’s disease, but this review finds that none have yet been proven to slow disease progression. Biotics, nicotinamide riboside, and omega-3 fatty acids combined with vitamin E show the most promise, but larger, longer, and better-designed trials are needed.

14 May 2026

Stanford scientists map the molecular diversity of different global populations

Researchers at the Stanford School of Medicine have found that ethnicity and geography may influence human molecular makeup - from metabolism and immunity to gut microbiota and biological aging.

14 May 2026

Thyroid hormone profiles provide critical prognostic clues for patients facing liver failure

Early and accurate prognostic assessment is crucial to prevent disease progression in liver failure. Thyroid hormones (THs), particularly triiodothyronine (T3), are key metabolic regulators and play an important role in liver regeneration. Liver failure is frequently complicated by non‑thyroidal illness syndrome (NTIS), characterized by low T3 with normal or slightly elevated TSH and T4.

14 May 2026

Art history may help doctors better understand obesity stigma

Understanding how obesity has been portrayed in art across the ages can make doctors more empathic and less judgmental, which should lead to their patients achieving better outcomes, new reasearch at this year's European Congress on Obesity (ECO 2026) argues.

14 May 2026

Obesity drugs and surgery linked to greater fat-free mass loss

A new systematic review and meta-analysis of studies presented at this year's European Congress on Obesity in Istanbul, Turkey (12-15 May) shows that diet and exercise interventions result in a lower proportion of fat-free mass loss compared with obesity surgery or obesity drugs among people undergoing a weight loss of 10% or more.

13 May 2026

Adult weight gain strongly linked to higher obesity-related cancer risk

New research presented at this year's European Congress on Obesity (ECO 2026) in Istanbul, Turkey (12-15 May) shows that people who gain the highest amount of weight across adulthood are at greatly increased risk of certain obesity related cancers.

13 May 2026