Researchers from Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Germany have isolated a signaling molecule that can activate brown fat cells called adenosine. Also released during stress, adenosine when bound to brown fat cell receptors, increases fat burning. Earlier studies had suggested this was not possible.

Professor Alexander Pfeifer from the Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology of the University Hospital Bonn says, "Not all fat is equal," "If we are able to activate brown fat cells or to convert white fat cells into brown ones, it might be possible to simply melt excess fat away." Brown fat converts energy into heat. The team is also investigating the possibility that adenosine can convert white fat cells (lovehandles and undesirable fat) to brown fat cells, the process is called “browning”.

Questions remain if applications are possible for cellulite.