2026 News Feed
Researchers Identify Potential New Target for Type 2 Diabetes
A protein called Miro1 found at elevated levels in the skeletal muscle of people with Type 2 diabetes may contribute to insulin resistance, potentially making it a target for future treatments that help the body regulate blood sugar, according to a study published today in Nature Communications. Researchers found that removing Miro1 restored the muscles’ response to insulin in preclinical models, while exercise reduced the protein’s levels in people with Type 2 diabetes.
Learn More
Researchers Examine Low Testosterone Screening Rates Among U.S. Army Personnel
Approximately 1 in 4 active-duty male U.S. Army personnel may have a morning testosterone measurement below a commonly used clinical threshold, according to new research from Pennington Biomedical Research Center published this week in JAMA. The findings provide estimates of low testosterone screening results across the active-duty Army population and offer insight into the potential implications of routine testosterone screening for military personnel.
Learn More
Louisiana Researchers Test Technology-Assisted Approach to Preventing Summer Weight Gain in Adolescents
Summer break can bring changes in daily routines that make it harder for adolescents to maintain healthy habits. Researchers from Pennington Biomedical Research Center, FMOL Health | Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health and LSU are exploring how technology can help keep adolescents engaged in healthy behaviors during and after a structured summer program.
Learn More
Study Links Life-Course Clinical Obesity to Signs of Brain Health Changes in Midlife
New research from the Bogalusa Heart Study has found that greater exposure to clinical obesity during young adulthood is associated with a greater burden of white matter changes in the brain by midlife, providing new insight into how metabolic health across the lifespan may influence brain health.
Learn More
Study from Pennington Biomedical Reveals How Warm Temperatures Influence Appetite and Weight Gain
Researchers at Pennington Biomedical Research Center have identified a key brain mechanism that connects environmental temperature with appetite and energy balance, offering new insight into how external conditions can shape body weight over time.
Learn More
Dr. Chris Morrison Awarded Up to $2 Million NIH Grant to Study How the Brain Detects Dietary Protein Restriction
Dr. Chris Morrison, John S. McIlhenny Endowed Professor in Nutritional Neuroscience and Associate Executive Director for Basic Science at LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center, was awarded a prestigious National Institutes of Health (NIH) R01 research grant totaling up to $2 million to investigate the hormone FGF21 and the detection of dietary protein restriction.
Learn More
“Be the Reason Kids Greaux Healthy” Connects Experts to Advance Childhood Obesity Care
Nearly 200 healthcare professionals, researchers, educators and community leaders gathered Sept. 24 at LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center for the 2026 Childhood Obesity Conference, “Be the Reason Kids Greaux Healthy.” Presented by Pennington Biomedical’s Greaux Healthy initiative, the conference brought together professionals from across Louisiana and beyond to explore evidence-based approaches to preventing and treating childhood obesity and improving health outcomes for children and families.
Learn More
What Science Says About Ultraprocessed Foods and the Aging Brain
The colorings, additives and preservatives added to food products, as well as food processing techniques, are a source of great concern in 2026 because they are ubiquitous worldwide, yet the effects of these items on metabolic health are not fully understood. In addition, researchers are increasingly investigating how these dietary items may also affect the brain as people age. Dr. Owen Carmichael of LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center is helping advance that understanding through a new comprehensive look at the potential relationship between ultraprocessed foods – those featuring extensive processing and additives – and the aging brain.
Learn More
Researchers Identify Brain Circuit Linked to Food Cravings During Pregnancy
Why do food cravings become so strong during pregnancy? Researchers at LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center, in collaboration with colleagues, have identified a brain mechanism that may help explain how pregnancy changes the motivation to seek certain highly palatable foods. This collaborative study was led by Dr. Yanlin He of Pennington Biomedical Research Center, together with Dr. Pingwen Xu of the University of Illinois Chicago and Dr. Chunmei Wang of Baylor College of Medicine.
Learn More
‘Momnesia’ is Real – Scientists Find a Biological Explanation for Temporary Forgetfulness during Pregnancy
Many women usually say the same thing during pregnancy: they walk into a room and forget why, misplace their keys or struggle to follow a conversation. This phenomenon, often called ‘pregnancy brain’ or ‘momnesia,’ has long lacked a clear biological explanation.
Learn More
