Bad fat becomes good. Free Technical Library News

NEWS OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, NOVELTY IN ELECTRONICS
Free technical library / timeline

Bad fat becomes good

10.05.2013

For a long time, scientists have dreamed of turning unwanted white fat cells into brown ones, which help to “shed” excess weight. Scientists at the University of Bonn are one step closer to that goal by discovering a "switch" in mice that stimulates fat burning.

On Earth, a huge number of people suffer from overweight, which is associated with the accumulation of so-called white fat, which retains excess nutrients. Brown fat cells are exactly the opposite: they burn excess energy. Scientists have spent years trying to figure out how to turn unwanted white fat into usable brown fat. The researchers may have found a way to shed extra pounds by simply turning unwanted fat into "good" fat.

Scientists at the University of Bonn have discovered a microRNA 'switch' in mice that is important for the formation of brown fat cells. MicroRNAs are able to very quickly and efficiently regulate gene activity. A specific miRNA 155 inhibits a specific transcription factor that controls brown fat cells. Moreover, the transcription factor works like a switch: when the expression of microRNA is high, the production of brown fat is blocked, and when it is low, on the contrary, the production of brown fat increases and, accordingly, the body loses excess weight.

It turns out that microRNA 155 functions as a brown fat antagonist. Simply put, as long as there is a certain amount of microRNA 155 in the body, the production of brown fat necessary for weight loss is blocked. This, of course, complicates the development of therapy - if it were the other way around, then for weight loss it would be enough to introduce an excess amount of microRNA 155. Nevertheless, scientists believe that they will be able to develop a drug that will reduce the amount of microRNA 155, especially since in overweight people, an increased content of this miRNA was found.

<< Back: Front cameras for smartphones 1080p, 60fps 11.05.2013

>> Forward: Plenoptic cameras for Nokia devices 10.05.2013

Latest news of science and technology, new electronics:

The existence of an entropy rule for quantum entanglement has been proven 09.05.2024

Quantum mechanics continues to amaze us with its mysterious phenomena and unexpected discoveries. Recently, Bartosz Regula from the RIKEN Center for Quantum Computing and Ludovico Lamy from the University of Amsterdam presented a new discovery that concerns quantum entanglement and its relation to entropy. Quantum entanglement plays an important role in modern quantum information science and technology. However, the complexity of its structure makes understanding and managing it challenging. Regulus and Lamy's discovery shows that quantum entanglement follows an entropy rule similar to that for classical systems. This discovery opens new perspectives in the field of quantum information science and technology, deepening our understanding of quantum entanglement and its connection to thermodynamics. The results of the study indicate the possibility of reversibility of entanglement transformations, which could greatly simplify their use in various quantum technologies. Opening a new rule ... >>

Mini air conditioner Sony Reon Pocket 5 09.05.2024

Summer is a time for relaxation and travel, but often the heat can turn this time into an unbearable torment. Meet a new product from Sony - the Reon Pocket 5 mini-air conditioner, which promises to make summer more comfortable for its users. Sony has introduced a unique device - the Reon Pocket 5 mini-conditioner, which provides body cooling on hot days. With it, users can enjoy coolness anytime, anywhere by simply wearing it around their neck. This mini air conditioner is equipped with automatic adjustment of operating modes, as well as temperature and humidity sensors. Thanks to innovative technologies, Reon Pocket 5 adjusts its operation depending on the user's activity and environmental conditions. Users can easily adjust the temperature using a dedicated mobile app connected via Bluetooth. Additionally, specially designed T-shirts and shorts are available for convenience, to which a mini air conditioner can be attached. The device can oh ... >>

Energy from space for Starship 08.05.2024

Producing solar energy in space is becoming more feasible with the advent of new technologies and the development of space programs. The head of the startup Virtus Solis shared his vision of using SpaceX's Starship to create orbital power plants capable of powering the Earth. Startup Virtus Solis has unveiled an ambitious project to create orbital power plants using SpaceX's Starship. This idea could significantly change the field of solar energy production, making it more accessible and cheaper. The core of the startup's plan is to reduce the cost of launching satellites into space using Starship. This technological breakthrough is expected to make solar energy production in space more competitive with traditional energy sources. Virtual Solis plans to build large photovoltaic panels in orbit, using Starship to deliver the necessary equipment. However, one of the key challenges ... >>

New method for creating powerful batteries 08.05.2024

With the development of technology and the expanding use of electronics, the issue of creating efficient and safe energy sources is becoming increasingly urgent. Researchers at the University of Queensland have unveiled a new approach to creating high-power zinc-based batteries that could change the landscape of the energy industry. One of the main problems with traditional water-based rechargeable batteries was their low voltage, which limited their use in modern devices. But thanks to a new method developed by scientists, this drawback has been successfully overcome. As part of their research, scientists turned to a special organic compound - catechol. It turned out to be an important component that can improve battery stability and increase its efficiency. This approach has led to a significant increase in the voltage of zinc-ion batteries, making them more competitive. According to scientists, such batteries have several advantages. They have b ... >>

Alcohol content of warm beer 07.05.2024

Beer, as one of the most common alcoholic drinks, has its own unique taste, which can change depending on the temperature of consumption. A new study by an international team of scientists has found that beer temperature has a significant impact on the perception of alcoholic taste. The study, led by materials scientist Lei Jiang, found that at different temperatures, ethanol and water molecules form different types of clusters, which affects the perception of alcoholic taste. At low temperatures, more pyramid-like clusters form, which reduces the pungency of the "ethanol" taste and makes the drink taste less alcoholic. On the contrary, as the temperature increases, the clusters become more chain-like, resulting in a more pronounced alcoholic taste. This explains why the taste of some alcoholic drinks, such as baijiu, can change depending on temperature. The data obtained opens up new prospects for beverage manufacturers, ... >>

Random news from the Archive

Smartphone instead of driver's license 15.12.2014

In 2015, Iowa plans to be the first in the US to replace a plastic driver's license with a mobile app on a smartphone, said Paul Trombino, director of the Iowa Department of Transportation. According to The Des Moines Register, he did this during a discussion of the department's budget. The event was attended by Governor Terry Branstad.

Initially, it is planned to spend about $20 to develop the application. Drivers will be able to download it for free.

“Imagine if your license would just be on your phone,” said Paul Trombino. “At the pace we are moving now, we will be the first in the country to issue such a license. Drivers will still be able to use the traditional plastic card, carrying it in their wallet or bag, however, it will no longer be as necessary as it is now.Drivers will be able to present an electronic ID to police officers instead of a plastic one and, in addition, use it at checkpoints at airports in the state.The application will be highly secure.To access it, the user will need to enter a digital code, Trombino added. This will make the app much more secure than regular permissions."

The head of the transport department expects other departments to learn from their experience and eventually issue their own similar digital certificates.

Currently, more than 30 US states allow car drivers to show police electronic insurance on a smartphone instead of a paper version. Iowa is one of those states.

We add that in 2012 the United States became the first state in which self-driving cars were allowed on public roads. The state of Nevada was the first to introduce relevant amendments to the legislation. Florida and California followed suit.

See full Archive of science and technology news, new electronics

All languages of this page

Home page | Library | Articles | Website map | Site Reviews