Opposing fat metabolism pathways triggered by a single gene
Regulating metabolism of fat is an important challenge for any animal, from nematodes to humans. Central players in the regulatory network are the nuclear hormone receptors (NHRs), which are transcription factors that turn on or off a set of target genes when bound by specific lipid molecules. In the premier open-access journal PLoS Biology, Keith Yamamoto and colleagues show that the nuclear hor...Expanding waistlines triggered by your genes
A gene that degrades the body's collagen infrastructure has been shown to make fat cells fatter and expand girth. Excess fat is stored in white adipose tissue, the primary energy depot in the body, primarily around the midsection. The gene studied by a University of Michigan team acts as a metabolic scissors, cutting through the collagen tissue matrix that holds fat in place, which allows...Autoimmune disease triggered if T cells miss a single protein early on
Scientists have discovered that autoimmunity can be triggered in the thymus, where the immune system's T cells develop, if T cells fail to recognize just one of the body's thousands of proteins as "self." The research confirms an emerging view that autoimmunity can start in this cradle of the immune system, and not only at the sites where autoimmune diseases emerge, such as the pancreas in the c...Childhood asthma may be triggered by cockroach allergens
Cockroach allergens can increase asthma attacks in children much more than// allergens from dust mites or pets. The research, funded by National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, US, said that incidence of allergens from cockroaches in homes may however be specific to certain areas of the cities. The researchers had exposed children suffering from asthma to cockro...Asthma Attacks May Be Triggered By Inhalers
An international team of researchers has revealed that the inhalers which asthmatics use for symptomatic relief will increase the chances of an attack.// Mathematical modeling techniques have been used in the research to predict as to when an asthma attack is likely to take place. The science journal ‘Nature’ has published the results of the study. Silverman, professor of child health in...Leukaemia May Be Triggered By Insecticides
A research conducted by French doctors has revealed that those children who are exposed to head lice shampoos and insecticides run a higher chance of contracting childhood leukaemia. The Occupational and Environmental Medicine journal //has published this report. The study has cautioned against exposing children to mosquito repellents also. The France based Inserm had conducted the st...Doctors Predict an Asthma Epidemic Triggered by Thunderstorms
Doctors warn that thunderstorms resulting from Britain's heatwave could trigger an asthma epidemic//. Researchers have verified the long time complaints of asthma sufferers who have claimed that their condition worsened during thunderstorms. Research has revealed that storms sweep up and collect atmospheric particles that are then released through the rain and conc...Knee Osteoarthritis May Be Triggered By Low Levels Of Estrogen
Women in the age of 40 to 50 years are more prone to osteoarthritis. Researchers thing that sex hormones may play a vital role in the disease because of the inflammation caused in the condition as it worsens.// A new study has examined the role played by estradiol, the main sex hormone estrogen in premenopausal and early perimenopausal women and how it works in the development of osteoa...