Microbiome
Harvard-led study maps gut metabolites that may shape obesity and diabetes risk
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Researchers working at Harvard University and collaborators in Brazil have identified metabolites produced by gut bacteria that travel through the portal vein to the liver and appear to influence energy use and insulin sensitivity in mice. The findings, published in Cell Metabolism, suggest possible new strategies for preventing or treating obesity and type 2 diabetes by targeting gut–liver communication.([sciencedaily.com](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251214100926.htm?utm_source=openai))
Researchers led by Helmholtz Munich report that some gut-dwelling bacteria — including strains not typically considered harmful — possess syringe-like molecular machinery that can deliver bacterial proteins into human cells, affecting immune and metabolic signaling. The work also links these bacterial “effector” genes to Crohn’s disease–associated microbiome patterns, though the authors say more studies are needed to determine how the mechanism influences disease.
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Scientists have genetically modified Cutibacterium acnes, a common skin bacterium, to produce more heat and detect temperature changes. This could lead to a probiotic cream that wards off frostbite and hypothermia in extreme conditions. The research was presented at a conference in the UK.
Researchers at Queen Mary University of London have found that rapalink-1, an experimental TOR inhibitor being investigated for cancer therapy, extends the lifespan of fission yeast. The study also uncovered a role for agmatinases in regulating the TOR pathway through a metabolic feedback loop, suggesting potential links between diet, gut microbes, and aging.
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Researchers at the University of Cambridge have found that 168 common industrial and agricultural chemicals can harm beneficial bacteria in the human gut, with some also promoting resistance to antibiotics. Drawing on a large laboratory screen, the team created a machine learning model to predict which chemicals may pose risks to the microbiome.
Scientists have identified a molecule produced by bacteria inside tumors that enhances the effectiveness of chemotherapy against colorectal cancer. The compound, 2-methylisocitrate, damages cancer cell DNA and disrupts their metabolism. This discovery could lead to new treatments that make existing drugs more potent.
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A new study uncovers a specific gut bacterium that produces a molecule capable of influencing brain function in mice. Led by scientists at the University of California, Berkeley, the research highlights potential new avenues for treating neurological disorders. The findings were published on September 29, 2025, in the journal Nature.