Scientists may have discovered a new treatment for obesity after uncovering cells in the brain that control hunger, new research reveals. Experiments reveal certain regions of the brain become activated in response to hunger and this may encourage people to seek out food. Targeting such cells could be an effective weight-loss solution. Patients with diabetes and other weight-related conditions may particularly benefit, the researchers said. Researchers from Princeton University found that a region of the brain, known as the DRN, becomes activated in hungry mice. These cells react differently when mice are given an excessive amount of food, suggesting the brain region plays a role in feeding behaviour. Yet, it is unclear whether these cells are just activated by hunger or if they drive food-seeking actions. Study author Alexander Nectow said: “One possibility is that they are part of the sense-and-respond mechanism to hunger.”
looks like people who are planning their family late may breathe a sigh of relief. Earlier research said conceiving after 30 may cause complications for both the mother and child. But a new study not only denies the fact, but also brings good news for older moms. The study by scientists at Portugal’s Coimbra University says women who became mothers later in life were more likely to live longer than those who gave birth in their teens and 20s, reports the Independent. “The most relevant result shows that women tend to live longer the older they are when they get pregnant (in particular, for the first child),” it said, according to a paper published in the Journal of Public Health.
Alcohol has its bad side but moderate drinking — three to four times a week — may keep diabetes at bay, researchers claim. According to the team from the National Institute of Public Health at University of Southern Denmark, alcohol consumption three to four times a week is associated with a reduced risk of diabetes in both men and women. “Our findings suggest that alcohol drinking frequency is associated with the risk of diabetes and that consumption of alcohol over 3-4 weekdays is associated with the lowest risks of diabetes, even after taking average weekly alcohol consumption into account,” the authors wrote in a paper published in the journal, Diabetologia. The study examined the effects of drinking frequency on diabetes risk, and also considered association with specific beverage types. The study used data from the Danish Health Examination Survey from 2007 to 2008.