Warm Environments Could Prevent Osteoporosis

This x-ray shows osteoporosis in a leg joint. AP.
This x-ray shows osteoporosis in a leg joint. AP.
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Warm Environments Could Prevent Osteoporosis

This x-ray shows osteoporosis in a leg joint. AP.
This x-ray shows osteoporosis in a leg joint. AP.

A research team from the University of Geneva (UNIGE), in Switzerland, has observed that exposure to warmer ambient temperatures (34 °C) may help prevent osteoporosis.

During the study carried out on mice, the team found that heat enhances the composition of gut microbiota. With heat, the synthesis of polyamines increases, which affects the activity of osteoblasts (the cells that build bones) and reduce the number of osteoclasts (the cells that degrade bones). The study was published in the Cell Metabolism journal.

In one experiment, the researchers placed newborn mice at a temperature of 34 °C in order to minimize the heat shock associated with their birth. They found that they had longer and stronger bones, confirming that bone growth is affected by ambient temperature.

By placing several groups of adult mice in a warm environment, the scientists observed that while bone size remained unchanged, bone strength and density were largely improved. They then repeated their experiment with mice after an ovariectomy, and found that heat protected them from osteoporosis that usually follows such a procedure, and could protect women from the osteoporosis that occurs after menopause.

The Geneva scientists wanted to understand the role of the microbiota in this effect, so they transplanted the microbiota of mice living in a 34° environment to osteoporotic mice, whose bone quality was rapidly improved.

"These findings suggest that the effects of warmth favors bone density and strength during adulthood through microbiota alterations," lead author Mirko Trajkovski wrote in a report published on the UNIGE website.

In order to be able to use this knowledge to develop therapeutic strategies, scientists must identify precisely the role of particular bacteria in particular diseases.

"We still need to identify candidate bacteria, and develop several 'bacterial cocktails' to treat metabolic and bone disorders, such as osteoporosis," Trajkovski concluded.



Kate, Princess of Wales, to Present Women's Singles Trophy at Wimbledon

Britain’s Kate, Princess of Wales awaits the arrival of France’s President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron in Windsor, England, Tuesday July 8, 2025, on the first day of a three-day state visit to Britain. (Chris Jackson/Pool via AP)
Britain’s Kate, Princess of Wales awaits the arrival of France’s President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron in Windsor, England, Tuesday July 8, 2025, on the first day of a three-day state visit to Britain. (Chris Jackson/Pool via AP)
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Kate, Princess of Wales, to Present Women's Singles Trophy at Wimbledon

Britain’s Kate, Princess of Wales awaits the arrival of France’s President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron in Windsor, England, Tuesday July 8, 2025, on the first day of a three-day state visit to Britain. (Chris Jackson/Pool via AP)
Britain’s Kate, Princess of Wales awaits the arrival of France’s President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron in Windsor, England, Tuesday July 8, 2025, on the first day of a three-day state visit to Britain. (Chris Jackson/Pool via AP)

Kate, the Princess of Wales, is set to present the trophy to the winner of the women's singles final at Wimbledon on Saturday after opting not to attend the match last year while she was recovering from cancer.

The All England Club said Kate, the wife of Prince William, will be back in the Royal Box on Center Court for the match between eighth-seeded Iga Swiatek and No. 13 Amanda Anisimova. She will then take part in the on-court trophy presentation, The AP news reported.

Kate has been the patron of the All England Club since 2016 and has regularly attended the men's and women's finals. However, she was not there when Barbora Krejcikova defeated Jasmine Paolini for the women's title last year.

She did hand the trophy to Carlos Alcaraz after his victory over Novak Djokovic in the men's final, when she made only her second public appearance since announcing she was diagnosed with cancer.

She has been gradually returning to public duties since since announcing last fall that she had completed chemotherapy, and took part in welcoming French President Emmanuel Macron during his state visit to Britain this week.