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Micrograph image of cancer cells stained violet.
Oral Cancer Survives Starvation with Help from Nearby Nerves
Human and mouse oral tumors recruit nerves to produce peptides that the cancer cells need to survive—but this process can be blocked with a migraine drug.
Oral Cancer Survives Starvation with Help from Nearby Nerves
Oral Cancer Survives Starvation with Help from Nearby Nerves

Human and mouse oral tumors recruit nerves to produce peptides that the cancer cells need to survive—but this process can be blocked with a migraine drug.

Human and mouse oral tumors recruit nerves to produce peptides that the cancer cells need to survive—but this process can be blocked with a migraine drug.

Glucose metabolism

3D rendered illustration of a coronavirus with an overlaid network of lines and dots.
Connecting the Dots That Link Diabetes and Infection Severity
Deanna MacNeil, PhD | May 22, 2023 | 4 min read
Researchers shed light on the immunometabolism of respiratory infection, providing an avenue towards safer COVID-19 therapeutics for those affected by metabolic disorders.
Squiggly green cilia on blue human beta cells
Pancreatic Cell Cilia Wiggle to Control Insulin Release
Shafaq Zia | Oct 6, 2022 | 3 min read
Tiny hairlike structures on pancreatic cells have long been considered static sensors. Now, researchers say they move and help regulate insulin secretion.
Sun
Relevant Models Reflect Real-World Needs
The Scientist’s Creative Services Team | 1 min read
Jie Sun shares how his curiosity, creativity, and motivation to address clinical public health needs steer his research in immunology and infectious disease.
A jar full of artificial sweetener packets.
Artificial Sweeteners Alter Gut Bacteria in Humans
Shafaq Zia | Aug 19, 2022 | 4 min read
When consumed for as little as two weeks, common alternatives to sugar affect intestinal bacterial communities, with some reducing the body’s ability to regulate blood glucose levels, a study finds.
A Northern Bahamian Rock Iguana cranes its neck to eat a grape that’s speared on the end of a stick.
Grape-Doling Tourists Gave Endangered Iguanas High Blood Sugar
Dan Robitzski | Apr 21, 2022 | 3 min read
Research finds that a high-sugar diet supplied by tourists is giving Bahamian rock iguanas the lizard equivalent of high blood sugar.
A black mouse runs on a yellow and green spinning wheel against a blue background
Exercising During Pregnancy Protects Mouse Offspring
Jack J. Lee | Aug 1, 2021 | 2 min read
Obese mice that exercised while pregnant gave birth to pups that grew up free of the metabolic issues present in the adult young of sedentary obese mothers—possibly by staving off epigenetic changes to a key metabolic gene.
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.
a young woman pedals an exercise bike while wearing a mask to monitor oxygen consumption
Extreme Exercise Carries Metabolic Consequences: Study
Shawna Williams | Mar 23, 2021 | 4 min read
Healthy people put through high-intensity interval training, or HIIT, displayed insulin resistance and mitochondrial dysfunction after working out excessively.
Infographic: The Role of Circadian Clocks in Muscle
Diana Kwon | Sep 1, 2018 | 2 min read
Timekeepers in muscle help mediate metabolism, and may influence neurological processes such as sleep.
Image of the Day: Glucose Sensor 
The Scientist Staff and The Scientist Staff | Jan 2, 2018 | 1 min read
Scientists build a biosensor skin patch for noninvasive glucose monitoring. 
Will the Noninvasive Glucose Monitoring Revolution Ever Arrive?
Catherine Offord | Oct 12, 2017 | 8 min read
A needle-free alternative to the finger-prick test would be a godsend for many sufferers of diabetes, but the industry has yet to clear the technological hurdles.
Quantifying Consciousness
Tanya Lewis | May 26, 2016 | 3 min read
Overall brain metabolic rate can distinguish between pathological states of human consciousness, a study shows.
Newly Discovered Hormone Explains Disease
Kerry Grens | Apr 15, 2016 | 1 min read
Patients with neonatal progeroid syndrome lack a glucose-releasing hormone, while people with insulin resistance have an abundance.
The 6,000-Calorie Diet
Jef Akst | Nov 1, 2015 | 4 min read
Overeating and inactivity lead to insulin resistance in just days—and oxidative stress is to blame.
Sweet and Low
Ashley P. Taylor | Oct 1, 2015 | 3 min read
Glucose activates sleep-promoting neurons in the mouse hypothalamus.
Circadian Clock Controls Sugar Metabolism
Anna Azvolinsky | Apr 17, 2015 | 2 min read
The body’s circadian rhythm has more of an effect on glucose tolerance than one’s eating and sleeping patterns, a study shows.  
Nourishing the Aging Brain
Morten Scheibye-Knudsen | Mar 1, 2015 | 10 min read
Research reveals how the brain changes as we age and hints at ways to slow the decline.
As the Brain Ages
Morten Scheibye-Knudsen | Feb 28, 2015 | 1 min read
See human brains age in week-by-week time lapse images that divulge the existence of tiny strokes that damage white matter.
Brains in Action
Anna Azvolinsky | Nov 1, 2014 | 9 min read
An inspiring lecturer turned Marcus Raichle’s focus from music and history to science. Since then, he has pioneered the use of imaging to study how our brains function.
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