Metabolism News and Research

Latest Metabolism News and Research

Injury burden is higher during menstruation in professional female footballers

The menstrual cycle is a key physiological process in women: it impacts performance, neuromuscular control, metabolism, and immune response.

16 Dec 2025

Functional MRI signals can misrepresent true brain activity

Researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and the Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU) found that an increased fMRI signal is associated with reduced brain activity in around 40 percent of cases.

16 Dec 2025

Tau biology expands beyond microtubules to neurodegeneration, metabolism and mental illness

An Thought Leaders Invited Review published today in Genomic Psychiatry by Dr. Peng Lei and colleagues presents a sweeping synthesis of tau protein research that fundamentally reframes our understanding of this molecule's dual identity.

16 Dec 2025

High fructose intake increases fatty liver risk

Excessive fructose intake from soft drinks is linked to liver damage and NAFLD. Lifestyle modifications are essential for effective prevention and treatment.

16 Dec 2025

Scientists map how cinnamon’s bioactives interact with cancer signaling

This review synthesizes preclinical evidence showing that cinnamon-derived compounds can modulate inflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and angiogenesis through multiple cancer-related signaling pathways. While biologically plausible, the findings are largely limited to cell and animal models, underscoring the need for pharmacokinetic, safety, and clinical validation.

15 Dec 2025

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