Category Biology/Biotechnology

Microplastics have found their way deep inside our bones, brains, and even babies. A UK study found that 100% of all 155 hot and cold beverage samples tested contained synthetic plastic particles.

The researchers tested different products from popular UK brands, including coffee, tea, juices, energy drinks, soft drinks, and even tap and bottled water, and not a single beverage was free of microplastics (MPs). Surprisingly, the more expensive tea bag brand showed a higher concentration of MPs, compared to the cheaper ones.

Traces of plastics, including polypropylene, polystyrene, polyethylene terephthalate, and polyethylene—commonly used for food packaging and disposable containers—were ...

Alpha cells in the pancreas can produce GLP1, not just glucagon, offering a surprising backup system for blood sugar control.

Duke University scientists have discovered that pancreatic alpha cells, long believed to only produce glucagon, actually generate powerful amounts of GLP-1 — the same hormone mimicked by popular diabetes drugs like semaglutide (Ozempic and Wegovy). Even more surprisingly, when glucagon production is blocked, alpha cells “switch gears” and boost GLP-1 output, enhancing insulin release and blood sugar control.

A new study from Duke University School of Medicine is challenging long-standing views on blood sugar regulation — and pointing to a surprising new ally in the fight against type 2 diabetes.

Published Sept...

If you’re looking to reduce your chances of developing lung disease, say experts at UC San Francisco, then it may be smart to avoid inhaling cannabis.

A new study in the Journal of General Internal Medicine found that inhaling marijuana every day is associated with a 44% increased chance of developing asthma. It also increased the odds of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by 27%.

The COPD risk may be understated, since the disease takes decades to develop, and the researchers did not have detailed information on how long people in the study had been using cannabis.

In defining the concept of inhaling, the researchers included smoking, vaping, and so-called “dabbing,” which involves breathing in the vapors of concentrated...

Researchers uncover a key protein and a promising strategy to prevent bone damage from steroids

The rheumatology and orthopedic researchers discovered that a protein called Basigin, which gets activated in stem cells when people take steroids, is a key reason why bones weaken and blood vessels in bone tissue become abnormal. By blocking Basigin, they were able to protect and even restore bone health in mice, suggesting a promising new treatment path.

Their findings were published in Nature Communications.

“This research is a major step forward in understanding how steroid treatments affect bone health,” said Thomas H. Ambrosi, assistant professor in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery and co-corresponding author of the study...