121. Fat Cells and The Brain, Producing Hydrogen at Room Temp, JWST’s First Exoplanet Image

Show Notes: <p> <a href='https://newatlas.com/science/fat-cells-talk-brain-sensory-neurons-scripps/'>Researchers discover new way fat cells talk directly with the brain</a> | New Atlas (01:36)</p> <ul><li style="font-weight:400;"> <p>Researchers at the Scripps Research Institute have discovered a novel communication pathway between fat cells and the brain.</p> <ul><li style="font-weight:400;"> <p>Brain doesn’t regulate fat burning by just slowly responding to hormonal signals in the blood. (traditional view)</p> </li> <li style="font-weight:400;"> <p>But can directly send messages to fat tissue and influence metabolic processes.</p> </li> </ul> </li> <li style="font-weight:400;"> <p>The researchers use 2 new ways of looking at the fat tissue:</p> <ul><li style="font-weight:400;"> <p>1.  HYBRiD - This method renders fat tissue transparent, allowing researchers a unique window into the paths of neurons. </p> </li> <li style="font-weight:400;"> <p>2. ROOT, and it lets the researchers study exactly how certain neurons localized in fat tissue communicate with other parts of the body.</p> </li> </ul> </li> <li style="font-weight:400;"> <p>The big finding from the study was the discovery of sensory neurons that branch out from the spine into fat tissue. </p> <ul><li style="font-weight:400;"> <p>Directly communicate with a part of the brain called the dorsal root ganglia.</p> </li> </ul> </li> <li style="font-weight:400;"> <p>Co-senior author Li Ye, stated on this finding:</p> <ul><li style="font-weight:400;"> <p>“The discovery of these neurons suggests for the first time that your brain is actively surveying your fat, rather than just passively receiving messages about it … The implications of this finding are profound.”</p> </li> </ul> </li> <li style="font-weight:400;"> <p>Researchers found by blocking communication from these sensory neurons the sympathetic nervous system kicked into gear and began converting the white fat cells into brown fat. </p> <ul><li style="font-weight:400;"> <p>Stepping up the body’s fat-burn