Hypothalamic DNA 5-hydroxymethylation levels are altered by diet-induced weight gain during the development of obesity in a sex-specific manner.

Obesity is a major health concern that is associated with altered gene transcription in the hypothalamus. However, the mechanisms controlling this gene expression dysregulation remain largely unknown. DNA 5-hydroxymethylation (5-hmC) is a potent transcriptional activator that is expressed at 10 times higher levels in the brain than the periphery.

Controlling hypothalamic DNA methylation at the Pomc promoter does not regulate weight gain during the development of obesity.

Obesity is a complex medical condition that is linked to various health complications such as infertility, stroke, and osteoarthritis. Understanding the neurobiology of obesity is crucial for responding to the etiology of this disease. The hypothalamus coordinates many integral activities such as hormone regulation and feed intake and numerous studies have observed altered hypothalamic gene regulation in obesity models.

Black holes with surrounding matter in scalar-tensor theories.

We uncover two mechanisms that can render Kerr black holes unstable in scalar-tensor gravity, both associated with the presence of matter in the vicinity of the black hole and the fact that this introduces an effective mass for the scalar. Our results highlight the importance of understanding the structure of spacetime in realistic, astrophysical black holes in scalar-tensor theories.