News by Subject Medicine & Health

Autophagy is an important biological recycling mechanism that influences the progression of aging in animals. Here, age-related changes in autophagy were studied in multiple model organisms. An Osaka University-led research team found that Rubicon suppression led to reduction of age-associated motor decline, as well as reduction of fibrosis, and that Rubicon could be an important new target for treatments designed to reduce the effects of aging in humans.

A new report, developed by the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, reveals that prevention of secondary heart attacks and strokes is critical to combating Australia's number one killer -- cardiovascular disease. It highlights the critical and timely opportunity to invest in secondary prevention in Australia.

Cholesterol-lowering statin drugs reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in kidney disease patients who are not on dialysis. But a new study finds that statins are used by only 21.8 percent of such patients who do not already have cardiovascular disease or diabetes or have not been diagnosed with high cholesterol.

Susceptibility to obesity, insulin resistance and other cardio-metabolic traits may also be dependent on a person's sex. An international research team studied sex differences and sex-specific interaction with the genetic background in cardio-metabolic phenotypes. The researchers discovered, among other things, a sex-specific obesity locus of the Lypla1 gene, which is associated with human obesity. The results of the study have now been published in Cell Metabolism.

Setbacks in drug trials aiming to raise HDL have led researchers to reassess the particle's effects on heart health. A study in the Journal of Lipid Research combining proteomics and mouse genetics may help researchers understand researchers understand the proteins in the particle, how they get there and how they determine HDL function.

A high-protein, low-calorie diet helps older adults with obesity lose more weight, maintain more muscle mass, improve bone quality and lose 'bad' fat, according to results from a new randomized controlled trial led by Wake Forest University researcher Kristen Beavers.

For the first time, researchers have shown that ordinary human cells can change their original function. This may give new hope for type 1 diabetes patients.