Bethesda: We all know the type: The friend or colleague who stays slim and trim without much effort and despite eating the same high-calorie fare that causes everyone else to gain weight. As it turns out, the way the muscles of the inherently thin work may give them the edge.

Washington: It’s an unfortunate reality for many in low-income racial and ethnic minority communities: Unemployment is disproportionately high, crime is an ever-present problem, access to affordable health care can be nonexistent, and the struggle to pay rent and keep food on the table is a daily challenge. For these communities, the last thing on anyone’s mind is AIDS.

Washington: Scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have made a surprising discovery about the origin of diabetes. Their research suggests that problems controlling blood sugar — the hallmark of diabetes — may begin in the intestines.

Washington: Certain measures of kidney health may predict who is likely to die prematurely, according to a study appeared in the Journal of the American Society Nephrology (JASN).

St. Paul: A larger waistline may be linked to an increased risk of decreased mental functioning in people infected with the AIDS virus HIV, according to research published recently in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

Washington: It’s been more than two month since the new year and swimsuit season is lurking on the horizon – how are those weight-loss resolutions working out?