In more socially engaging environment, white fat turns to brown
Tuesday, September 6, 2011 - 12:30
in Biology & Nature
When mice are given a more engaging place to live with greater opportunities for social stimulation, some of their energy-storing white fat is transformed to energy-burning brown fat. As a result, the animals expend more energy and lose weight even as they eat more. The findings point to the powerful effect that animals' social and physical environments can have on their metabolisms.