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Purple and white fluorescent stain of cells
How Fat Cells Help Kick Parasites Out of Mice: Study
Immune cells get a lot of shine when it comes to fighting infection, but it turns out that fat might be just as important for removing parasitic invaders.
How Fat Cells Help Kick Parasites Out of Mice: Study
How Fat Cells Help Kick Parasites Out of Mice: Study

Immune cells get a lot of shine when it comes to fighting infection, but it turns out that fat might be just as important for removing parasitic invaders.

Immune cells get a lot of shine when it comes to fighting infection, but it turns out that fat might be just as important for removing parasitic invaders.

adipose tissue

Close-up image of fat cells
A Snapshot of How Obesity Transforms Fat
Aparna Nathan, PhD | Oct 5, 2023 | 3 min read
Spatial methods reveal immune cell formations in fat during early obesity.
Adipose tissue under the microscope appearing as red blobs on a white background
Mouse Brains Appear to Eavesdrop on Their Fat
Alejandra Manjarrez, PhD | Sep 9, 2022 | 4 min read
For the first time, a team visualizes sensory nerves projecting into adipose tissue in mice and finds these neuronal cells may counteract the local effects of the sympathetic nervous system.
Artist’s rendition of light blue monkeypox viruses in front of a black background.
FDA To Stretch Monkeypox Vaccine Supply via Intradermal Injection
Shafaq Zia | Aug 12, 2022 | 4 min read
The newly authorized intradermal vaccination only requires one-fifth of the usual vaccine dose. This will help stretch out the limited vaccine supply, experts say, but only if healthcare personnel receive sufficient training.
artist's depiction of white, beige, and brown fat cells
Heat May Melt Away White Fat
Sophie Fessl, PhD | Mar 4, 2022 | 4 min read
Local heat therapy induces browning of adipose tissue in mice and humans, a study finds, suggesting it could help treat obesity—though some experts have reservations.
Mouse heart cells that have taken up adipocyte-derived extracellular vesicles (stained red)
Fat Cells Send Mitochondrial Distress Signals to the Heart
Ruth Williams | Aug 20, 2021 | 3 min read
Vesicles containing fragments of the organelles released from stressed adipocytes protect the heart against oxygen deprivation, a study in mice shows.
Fat Tissue Reorganizes During Pregnancy
Catherine Offord | Aug 1, 2021 | 3 min read
Researchers identify a protein that promotes changes in adipose tissue in vitro and in pregnant mice and may help protect against gestational diabetes in humans.
Infographic: How Pregnancy Changes Fat Tissue
Catherine Offord | Aug 1, 2021 | 1 min read
Researchers propose a mechanism by which a protein produced in the placenta may trigger blood vessel growth and enlarge fat cells.
A bar of milk chocolate with the foil peeled back and a bite taken out
Q&A: Eating Milk Chocolate in the Morning Boosts Fat Metabolism
Amanda Heidt | Jun 30, 2021 | 6 min read
A study of 19 postmenopausal women found that eating a bar of chocolate in the morning affected their bodies differently than eating it at night, but neither led to weight gain.
brown fat, metabolism, cardiovascular disease, cardiometabolic disease, genetics & genomics, immunology, Q&A, adipose tissue, obesity
Q&A: Brown Fat Linked to Better Cardio and Metabolic Health
Amanda Heidt | Jan 12, 2021 | 5 min read
Paul Cohen of the Rockefeller University describes his study of thousands of people, finding that the energy-burning tissue is tied to a lower risk of for several diseases, including type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.
gavel fda us stem cell adipose-derived
Judge Says FDA Can Stop Clinic from Selling Stem Cell Treatments
Emma Yasinski | Jun 7, 2019 | 4 min read
The decision may facilitate the agency cracking down more effectively on the unproven interventions these companies sell.
Fat Tissue Can Help Cancer Cells Proliferate, Metastasize
Catherine Offord | Apr 1, 2019 | 3 min read
Researchers disentangle how adipocytes communicate with prostate tumors in mice.
Image of the Day: Organ Crosstalk
Carolyn Wilke | Mar 19, 2019 | 1 min read
Zooming in on the ovarioles of Drosophila could reveal links between muscles, nutrition, and the development of eggs.
Belly Fat Has a Role to Play in Fighting Infections
Selene Meza-Perez and Troy D. Randall | Oct 1, 2018 | 9 min read
Hanging in front of the abdomen like an apron, the depot of visceral fat known as the omentum helps regulate immune responses.
Image of the Day: Fat Friendly
Sukanya Charuchandra | Jul 13, 2018 | 1 min read
The oldest-known ice mummy consumed high amounts of fat.
Fat Cells Travel to Heal Wounds in Flies
Kerry Grens | Feb 27, 2018 | 2 min read
Previously considered immobile, these cells swoop in to seal epithelial holes and clean up cellular detritus.  
Fat’s Influence on Cancer
Jef Akst | Apr 3, 2017 | 3 min read
Researchers at the annual American Association for Cancer Research meeting discuss the roles of adipose tissue and inflammation in the growth and spread of tumors.
Adipocyte-Derived DNA Triggers Inflammation
Anna Azvolinsky | Mar 25, 2016 | 3 min read
DNA released from dying fat cells stimulates inflammation within murine fat tissue. 
Contributors
Karen Zusi | Nov 1, 2015 | 3 min read
Meet some of the people featured in the November 2015 issue of The Scientist.
The Skinny on Fat Cells
Anna Azvolinsky | Nov 1, 2015 | 8 min read
Bruce Spiegelman has spent his career at the forefront of adipocyte differentiation and metabolism.
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