Hormone helps mice lose weight

UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers have identified a hormone in mice that can cause their bodies to start burning stored fat. Scientists have long known that when mice(or humans) are starving, their bodies will switch from producing energy using carbohydrates to using stored fat. Now scientists have discovered a specific hormone in mice that actually causes the switch. The researchers think that this could lead to new drugs and treatments to combat obesity in humans. They discovered this by starving mice and isolating the hormone, known as FGF21. They then tested the hormone by injecting it into healthy(non starved) mice to verify their findings.
The article is pretty interesting, so you should check it out. I especially liked the quote by one of the scientists, Dr. Steven Kliewer. He said, "We want to see if we can get some benefits of eating less without actually eating less.” That just cracked me up.
Via Eurekalert: Hormone helps mice 'hibernate,' survive starvation

For a previous mouse torture/testing article: Nanotech Injection helps paralyzed mice walk

Nanotech Injection helps paralyzed mice walk

Samuel Stupp at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill has come up with a way to use nanotech to partially repair the spinal cords of mice who were completely paralyzed. He and his team used a specifically tailored molecule to convince stem cells to grow into new nerves. Normally in an injury of that magnitude, the bodies naturally occurring stem cells would become scar tissue rather than new nerves. By preventing the scar tissue from forming, the stem cells instead become new nerves. The entire procedure did not require any surgery or invasive procedures. It could all be accomplished by injecting the tailored molecules directly into the damaged area.
Stupp says he does not think the technique is mature enough to completely heal a severed spinal cord. But he does think that significant improvement in the quality of life for people with severe spinal cord injuries is a possibility using his technique. he hopes to start clinical trial using humans test subjects within two years.

LiveScience.com: Simple Injection Shows Promise for Treating Paralysis
ABC News: Paralyzed Mice Walk Again