A new study by researchers at UCLA and the University at Buffalo shows that Indigenous Andean populations carry unusually high numbers of a gene involved in starch digestion, an adaptation shaped by natural selection during the transition to high-altitude living and major dietary shifts 6,000–10,000 years ago. Those with roughly 10 copies or more of salivary amylase genes, or AMY1, had a 1.24% survival or reproductive advantage per generation, the researchers found. The findings highlight how culture, diet and environment interact to shape human genomes, with implications for understanding metabolism, the microbiome and gene–diet interactions relevant to human health.

Mass General Brigham study tested advanced footwear technology on elite distance runners

 

Researchers at Mass General Brigham have found that although advanced footwear technology (AFT), commonly known as “super shoes,” may improve performance in elite runners, they also cause subtle changes in running mechanics linked to bone stress injuries. The findings are published in PM&R, the official scientific journal of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

Researchers used AI to analyze whole-body MRI scans from more than 66,000 participants to create the most detailed reference map to date of how fat and muscle are distributed in the human body across age, sex and height. Results of the study show that the quality and amount of skeletal muscle, not just visceral fat, are strong predictors of diabetes, major cardiovascular events and mortality.

In a new study published in Diabetes, University of Michigan researchers found that a gut hormone known as fibroblast growth factor 15, or FGF15, is essential for preserving lean mass during diet-induced weight loss.

In addition to immediate health risks, UV radiation also poses indirect hazards: it corrodes surface coatings on exposed objects (e.g., on aircraft and bridges) and attacks the coated materials. The underlying molecular processes (polymer degradation) are extremely complex. Therefore, a consortium coordinated by Fraunhofer IAF is working within the framework of the BMFTR-funded QPolyDeg project to develop novel quantum algorithms for simulating polymer degradation. Quantum chemical calculations are intended to enable more durable coatings for industrial applications.

A new survey by Morning Consult and the nonprofit Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine finds that a majority of Americans, 60%, are concerned about high blood pressure. Nearly half of Americans have high blood pressure according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and alarmingly, this condition is increasing among children.