Daily Archives: 4 July 2024

Study Finds Weight Loss Possible Whether Exercising Regularly or Just One to Two Days a Week

A new study published in the journal Obesity, the flagship publication of The Obesity Society (TOS), reveals that both regular and occasional physical activity can contribute to weight loss. This study, pioneering in examining physical activity patterns and their impact on fat tissue mass, challenges conventional guidelines that prescribe specific weekly exercise frequencies. According to World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations, adults should ideally engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week, 75 minutes of vigorous activity, or a combination of both. However, meeting these guidelines can be daunting in today’s fast-paced society, where time constraints often hinder consistent exercise routines.

The research, conducted by healthcare scientist Lihua Zhang from Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China, focuses on the concept of “weekend warriors” — individuals who concentrate their exercise into one or two sessions per week. This approach was equally effective in promoting weight loss compared to more frequent exercise routines, provided that the recommended activity goals were achieved.

Zhang emphasises the relevance of this finding for individuals who struggle to integrate regular exercise into their daily lives due to sedentary occupations, such as office workers and bus drivers. “Our study offers an alternative option for them to stay fit,” Zhang explains, suggesting outdoor activities like climbing, hiking, cycling, or running as suitable options for weekend warriors.

The study analysed data from over 9,600 participants aged 20 to 59, drawn from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2011 to 2018. Using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and anthropometric measures, researchers assessed abdominal and overall adiposity. Physical activity levels were categorised as inactive, weekend warrior, or regularly active based on the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire. Linear regression models explored associations between physical activity patterns and adiposity indicators.

Results indicated that participants adopting the weekend warrior approach, alongside those who were regularly active, exhibited lower levels of abdominal adiposity, waist circumference, whole-body fat mass, and body mass index than inactive individuals. Furthermore, both the weekend warrior and regularly active groups tended to be younger, more educated, and less likely to have hypertension or diabetes compared to their inactive counterparts.

Dr. Beverly Tchang, Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine at the Comprehensive Weight Control Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, who was not involved in the study, underscores the broader implications of these findings. “This study reinforces the fundamental principle that any level of physical activity is beneficial for health,” Dr. Tchang explains. She highlights that the intensity and duration of the weekend warriors’ workouts correlated with even more significant reductions in abdominal fat. Still, the key takeaway is choosing physical activities that fit individual lifestyles.

This study challenges traditional notions about the frequency of exercise required for weight loss, suggesting that regular engagement and condensed, intense activity sessions can yield significant health benefits. It provides valuable insights for public health recommendations, particularly for individuals with limited time for exercise due to work or other commitments, offering them a feasible pathway to improve fitness and reduce adiposity through effective physical activity strategies.

More information: Lubi Lei et al, The associations of “weekend warrior” and regularly active physical activity with abdominal and general adiposity in US adults, Obesity. DOI: 10.1002/oby.23986

Journal information: Obesity Provided by The Obesity Society

Exploring the Potential of Cancer Drug for Targeting Protein Links in Parkinson’s Disease

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In a study involving genetically engineered mice, researchers from Johns Hopkins Medicine have identified a potential new target involving Aplp1, a cell surface protein implicated in the propagation of alpha-synuclein, the protein associated with Parkinson’s disease. The findings in Nature Communications on May 31 illustrate how Aplp1 interacts with Lag3, another cell surface receptor, facilitating the spread of harmful alpha-synuclein proteins between brain cells, a hallmark of Parkinson’s disease.

The research underscores Lag3’s role as a target for a combination cancer drug already approved by the FDA, which utilises antibodies to direct the immune system towards eliminating specific targets. According to Xiaobo Mao, Ph.D., associate professor of neurology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and a member of the Institute for Cell Engineering, understanding the Aplp1-Lag3 interaction provides new insights into alpha-synuclein’s role in Parkinson’s disease progression. Mao suggests that targeting this interaction with pharmaceutical interventions could potentially bring hope and optimism by slowing disease advancement in Parkinson’s and other neurodegenerative disorders.

The study, co-led by Mao and Ted Dawson, M.D., PhD, also involved Valina Dawson, PhD, and Hanseok Ko, PhD, all esteemed professors at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and researchers at the Institute for Cell Engineering. Previous research has established that misfolded alpha-synuclein proteins aggregate and move from one brain cell to another, causing cell death in dopamine-producing neurons—a process identified by Johns Hopkins researchers as parthanatos, a form of programmed cell death. This process leads to movement impairments, emotional instability, and cognitive decline, characteristic of Parkinson’s disease.

The researchers explain that Aplp1’s interaction with Lag3 on the cell surface facilitates the uptake of alpha-synuclein aggregates by healthy brain cells, ultimately contributing to their demise. Previous studies by Mao and Dawson’s team have highlighted Lag3’s role in binding with alpha-synuclein and promoting disease spread, with recent experiments focusing on Aplp1’s involvement in this process.

Using genetically modified mice lacking Aplp1, Lag3, or both proteins, researchers observed a significant reduction—up to 90%—in the uptake of harmful alpha-synuclein proteins by brain cells. Furthermore, administering the Lag3 antibody blocked the interaction between Aplp1 and Lag3, preventing healthy brain cells from absorbing disease-associated alpha-synuclein aggregates.

Ted Dawson notes that the Lag3 antibody, specifically nivolumab/relatlimab, approved for cancer treatment in 2022, demonstrated efficacy in halting the spread of alpha-synuclein seeds in mouse models. Due to Aplp1’s close association with Lag3, the antibody surpasses the effectiveness of Lag3 depletion alone.

The implications of this research extend beyond Parkinson’s disease, potentially influencing treatment approaches for other neurodegenerative conditions lacking definitive cures. In Alzheimer’s disease, characterised by memory loss, mood disturbances, and muscle problems, tau proteins undergo misfolding and aggregation in neurons, exacerbating the disease. Mao suggests that targeting Lag3, which also interacts with tau proteins implicated in dementia, with the same antibody approach could yield intriguing therapeutic benefits in Alzheimer’s research.

Following the promising outcomes with the Lag3 antibody in mice models, Ted Dawson outlines plans for future trials involving anti-Lag3 antibodies in both Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease models. Additionally, Johns Hopkins researchers are exploring strategies to prevent unhealthy cells from releasing alpha-synuclein, potentially intercepting disease progression at an early stage. These promising outcomes should encourage and inspire the scientific community in future research and trials.

More information: Xiaobo Mao et al, Aplp1 interacts with Lag3 to facilitate transmission of pathologic α-synuclein, Nature Communications. DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49016-3

Journal information: Nature Communications Provided by Johns Hopkins Medicine

Recent research highlights the positive impact of meaningful social interactions on well-being, emphasizing the importance of context

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Recent research reveals that engaging in meaningful social interactions with peers significantly reduces loneliness and enhances affective well-being. Conducted over three years with university students, the study tracked social interactions and momentary well-being across three cohorts. While previous studies have explored the impact of social interactions within various contexts, this new research examines explicitly the positive effects of meaningful interactions on well-being. Lead author Mahnaz Roshanaei from Stanford University emphasises, “Our findings indicate that meaningful social interactions contribute positively to affective well-being, stress management, and reducing loneliness.”

The study underscores the significance of the interaction context. Face-to-face interactions yielded more excellent well-being benefits than virtual communication channels like messaging and texting. Moreover, the timing of interactions mattered; meaningful social interactions during rest periods showed higher well-being outcomes than during activities such as studying or dining.

The research also highlighted how the context of social interactions shifted during the COVID-19 pandemic. While pre-pandemic settings significantly influenced well-being outcomes, the pandemic’s lockdowns demonstrated that online interactions could also positively impact well-being during periods of isolation.

Acknowledging the study’s limitations, mainly its focus on university students in the United States, researchers suggest future investigations encompass more diverse demographics and explore the subjective experiences of social interactions in greater depth.

Dr. Roshanaei anticipates that these findings could inform the development of tailored interventions aimed at enhancing social well-being. “This research lays the groundwork for personalised strategies that promote healthy social lives,” she notes, suggesting potential applications in designing personalised recommendations for fostering social support and connections. This practical application of the research findings is a significant step towards improving mental health through social engagement strategies.

Overall, the study underscores the pivotal role of meaningful social interactions in promoting well-being. It offers insights that could shape future approaches to improving mental health through social engagement strategies. The findings of this research indicate that meaningful social interactions significantly reduce loneliness and enhance affective well-being, which are significant contributions to the field of mental health and social well-being.

More information: Mahnaz Roshanaei et al, Meaningful Peer Social Interactions and Momentary Well-Being in Context, Social Psychological and Personality Science. DOI: 10.1177/19485506241248271

Journal information: Social Psychological and Personality Science Provided by The Society for Personality and Social Psychology

Gaining Benefits from Observing the Natural World in Urban Areas

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Recent eye-tracking research has unveiled compelling insights into the mental health benefits of observing natural elements during urban walks. This study, conducted jointly by Bangor University and Technion-Israel Institute of Technology and published in People and Nature, involved urban residents with eye-tracking glasses during guided 45-minute walks through city environments. Participants were instructed to focus their visual attention on greenery, such as trees, plants, lawns, flowers, or artificial structures.

The findings revealed that directing one’s gaze towards natural elements significantly correlated with reduced levels of anxiety and heightened feelings of restoration. Dr Whitney Fleming, a Human Geography lecturer at Bangor University, elaborated on the study’s outcomes, noting, “Participants who engaged more with green elements reported substantial decreases in anxiety, particularly when their focus was on trees.”

These results underscore the therapeutic potential of urban green spaces, suggesting that even brief interactions with nature can yield significant mental health benefits. The study’s implications extend to urban planning and architecture, advocating for integrating natural features into city landscapes to support residents’ well-being.

The “Nature Gaze” study urges urban planners and architects to recognise their pivotal role in enhancing urban mental health. By incorporating more green environments into urban designs, they can offer a straightforward yet potent strategy for promoting a healthier and more resilient population. This emphasis on their responsibility can make them feel empowered to make a positive change.

Furthermore, the research underscores the critical role of empirical evidence in shaping urban policies that foster human well-being. As cities continue to grow and evolve, this understanding of the role of natural elements in enhancing mental health becomes increasingly crucial. The study highlights the benefits of green spaces and provides a solid scientific basis for reconsidering urban landscapes to maximise their therapeutic potential.

The “Nature Gaze” study contributes valuable insights into how urban environments can be designed to promote mental health. By emphasising the benefits of observing natural elements in cities, the research offers a pathway towards creating more sustainable and supportive urban spaces for residents’ overall well-being.

More information: Whitney Fleming et al, The nature gaze: Eye-tracking experiment reveals well-being benefits derived from directing visual attention towards elements of nature, People and Nature. DOI: 10.1002/pan3.10648

Journal information: People and Nature Provided by Bangor University