Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is among the most common chronic liver diseases, and, when untreated, can progress to cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. Salk Institute scientists found that production of a protein called FGF1 in the liver varies throughout the day to affect fat release timing from the liver into the bloodstream, acting as a circadian pacemaker for liver fat metabolism. These findings illuminate a previously unknown circadian lipid trafficking mechanism in the liver, with implications for understanding how disrupted body clocks drive metabolic disease.

A University of Texas at Arlington researcher is leading a new study that investigates cardio-sarcopenia—the combined loss of heart and muscle health in aging adults.

A study reported in the Cell Press journal Current Biology on April 20 shows how physical disabilities in the animal world can be overcome through behavioral innovation. The report features an endangered kea parrot in captivity at New Zealand’s Willowbank Wildlife Reserve named Bruce who is missing his entire upper beak.  While earlier reports had described his unique use of pebbles as self-care tools, the new findings show how he uses a novel beak jousting technique to turn his disability into social dominance.

A migratory bird brain, the Eurasian blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla), has been mapped for the first time using high-resolution light microscopy. The open-source software tools and detailed processes form a foundation for new brain atlases to be built for any species, providing a valuable resource for neuroscience worldwide.