Scientists at Academia Sinica say that they are optimistic about a study they are conducting, which could one day lead to a “cure” for diet-induced obesity, a serious health and social issue in many parts of the world.
Experiments on mice show that the removal of a specific gene can contribute to better metabolic function, Academia Sinica bioscientist Juan Li-jung (阮麗蓉) said.
A team at the institute has found that the amount of gene N-alpha-acetyltransferase 10 protein (Naa10p) positively correlates with obesity in mice, Juan said.
Photo: CNA
If the findings could be applied to humans, it would mean a “cure” for diet-induced obesity, she said.
The study found that Naa10p represses the formation of beige adipocytes, a cell that burns calories and produces heat, Juan said.
If the gene is inhibited, more beige adipocytes are produced, which in turns help deplete unwanted calories absorbed from food, she said.
While the advantages of harnessing beige adipocyte tissue in the treatment of diet-induced obesity has been known for a while, the findings represent a breakthrough in understanding how the cells develop, she added.
A paper on the team’s research was published on Aug. 15 by the journal Molecular Cell.
Diet-induced obesity greatly increases the risk of many life-threatening diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and stroke.
Of Taiwanese aged 18 or over, 42.3 percent are either overweight or obese, according the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s latest data.
Chinese spouse and influencer Guan Guan’s (關關) residency permit has been revoked for repeatedly posting pro-China videos that threaten national security, the National Immigration Agency confirmed today. Guan Guan has said many controversial statements in her videos posted to Douyin (抖音), including “the red flag will soon be painted all over Taiwan” and “Taiwan is an inseparable part of China,” and expressing hope for expedited reunification. The agency last year received multiple reports alleging that Guan Guan had advocated for armed reunification. After verifying the reports, the agency last month issued a notice requiring her to appear and explain her actions. Guan
GIVE AND TAKE: Blood demand continues to rise each year, while fewer young donors are available due to the nation’s falling birthrate, a doctor said Blood donors can redeem points earned from donations to obtain limited edition Formosan black bear travel mugs, the Kaohsiung Blood Center said yesterday, as it announced a goal of stocking 20,000 units of blood prior to the Lunar New Year. The last month of the lunar year is National Blood Donation Month, when local centers seek to stockpile blood for use during the Lunar New Year holiday. The blood demand in southern Taiwan — including Tainan and Kaohsiung, as well as Chiayi, Pingtung, Penghu and Taitung counties — is about 2,000 units per day, the center said. The donation campaign aims to boost
The Kaohsiung Tourism Bureau audited six hotels in an effort to prevent price gouging ahead of Korean band BTS’ concert tour in the city scheduled for Nov. 19, 21 and 22 this year. The bureau on Friday said that the audits — conducted in response to allegations of unfair pricing posted on social media — found no wrongdoing. These establishments included the local branches of Chateau de Chine, Hotel Nikko, My Humble House, and Grand Hai Lai, it said, adding that the Consumer Protection Commission would have penalized price gougers had the accusations been substantiated. The bureau said the Tourism Development Act
BACK TO WINTER: A strong continental cold air mass would move south on Tuesday next week, bringing colder temperatures to northern and central Taiwan A tropical depression east of the Philippines could soon be upgraded to be the first tropical storm of this year, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said yesterday, adding that the next cold air mass is forecast to arrive on Monday next week. CWA forecaster Cheng Jie-ren (鄭傑仁) said the first tropical depression of this year is over waters east of the Philippines, about 1,867km southeast of Oluanpi (鵝鑾鼻), and could strengthen into Tropical Storm Nokaen by early today. The system is moving slowly from northwest to north, and is expected to remain east of the Philippines with little chance of affecting Taiwan,
RSS