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Discovery: Beyond The Abyss: 05/12/2011 GMT

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05/12/2011 GMT

Beyond The Abyss

BBC World Service - Discovery, Beyond The Abyss, 05/12/2011 GMTSearch BBC

Vivienne Parry explores the crucial role the hormone leptin plays in the body.

Leptin, a hormone produced by fat cells, failed to be a wonder solution to obesity 20 years ago. But now scientists believe it's critical to how the body works.

When leptin failed to be a wonder solution to obesity, this hormone produced by fat cells, disappeared from the headlines. 

Twenty years on scientists now believe leptin is critical to how the body works, regulating appetite, the immune response, inflammation and depression. 

Vivienne Parry investigates.

Discovery: Beyond The Abyss

BBC World Service

Meet the new wave of explorers who are are racing to go back to the deepest place on Earth

After more than 50 years, a new wave of explorers are racing to go back to the Mariana Trench, the deepest place on the planet.

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05/12/2011 GMT

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