Summary of the pathways impacted by chronic BP3 treatment in liver and WAT in obese mouse models. BP3 enhances FGF/FGFR signaling and downstream activation of Akt and IL6/Stat3 that lead to the inhibition of gluconeogenesis, through Ppargc1a/G6pc downregulation. The parallel activation of Akt and Stat3 results in an inhibition of Ppargc1b and/or Srebf1, key regulators of downstream lipogenic enzymes, thus leading to the inhibition of de novo lipogenesis and TG synthesis.

To the great surprise of cancer researchers, a protein they investigated for its possible role in cancer turned out to be a powerful regulator of metabolism...

An illustration shows how lithium metal anodes developed at Rice University are protected from dendrite growth by a film of carbon nanotubes. Courtesy of the Tour Group

Scientists’ method quenches lithium metal dendrites in batteries that charge faster, last longer. Rice University scientists are counting on films of carbon nanotubes to make high-powered, fast-charging lithium metal batteries a logical replacement for common lithium-ion batteries.

The Rice lab of chemist James Tour showed thin nanotube films effectively stop dendrites that grow naturally from unprotected lithium metal anodes in batteries. Over time, these tentacle-like dendrites can pierce the battery’s electrolyte core and reach the cathode, causing the battery to fail...

IC 63 — nicknamed the Ghost Nebula — is about 550 light-years from Earth. The nebula is classified as both a reflection nebula — as it is reflecting the light of a nearby star — and as an emission nebula — as it releases hydrogen-alpha radiation. Both effects are caused by the gigantic star Gamma Cassiopeiae. The radiation of this star is also slowly causing the nebula to dissipate.
Credit: ESA/Hubble, NASA

About 550 light-years away in the constellation of Cassiopeia lies IC 63, a stunning and slightly eerie nebula. Also known as the ghost of Cassiopeia, IC 63 is being shaped by radiation from a nearby unpredictably variable star, Gamma Cassiopeiae, which is slowly eroding away the ghostly cloud of dust and gas...

The cerebellum, once thought to be limited to controlling movement, is involved in every aspect of higher brain function, according to a new study by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

Cerebellum checks and corrects thoughts, movement. The cerebellum, once thought to be limited to controlling movement, is involved in every aspect of higher brain function, according to a new study. – not just movement, but attention, thinking, planning and decision-making. “The biggest surprise to me was the discovery that 80 percent of the cerebellum is devoted to the smart stuff,” said senior author Nico Dosenbach, MD, PhD, an assistant professor of neurology, of occupational therapy and of pediatrics. “Everyone thought the cerebellum was about movement...