Researchers measured protein mobility in retinal rod photoreceptors and found delayed axial diffusion in each compartment compared to aqueous solution. This study sheds light on selective barriers imposed by sensory cilia.
Stuart Dryer, a University of Houston biology professor, has been awarded the prestigious AAAS Fellowship for his work in molecular physiology and ion channel regulation. His research on ion channels could lead to new treatments for cancer, asthma, and kidney diseases.
A study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology found that the type of food eaten after exercise can significantly impact metabolic health. Eating low-carbohydrate meals after exercise enhanced insulin sensitivity more than eating balanced or low-calorie meals. The study suggests that people can still reap important health benef...
Researchers at Kansas State University found that antioxidants can cause harm by suppressing key signaling mechanisms necessary for muscle function. The study suggests that increasing blood flow and oxygen delivery to the skeletal muscle is crucial during physical activity.
Researchers at the University of Washington analyze PLC signal transmission process using fluorescence technology, extending kinetic model to cover entire signaling cascade. The studies reveal steps linking changes in PtdIns(4,5)P2 to potassium channel activity regulation.
A new study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology suggests that human running speeds can exceed 28 mph due to limitations imposed by muscle fiber contractile speed. Researchers found that elite sprinters' foot-ground contact times are brief, implying a biological limit on how quickly muscles can generate forces.
Researchers developed a mathematical methodology to reduce biologic variation in laboratory results, improving the sensitivity of detecting physiologic changes. By using multiple paired sets of patient data, they found a substantial decrease in the difference necessary to achieve a given confidence interval.
Researchers found that chloride channels amplify signal transduction in mouse vomeronasal sensory neurons, increasing responsiveness to pheromones and odorants. The study used patch clamp recordings and whole cell recordings to demonstrate the critical role of chloride in this process.
Researchers found that naked mole rat brain tissue can survive for over half an hour without oxygen, which could lead to new treatment options for brain injuries caused by heart attacks, strokes, and accidents. This adaptation may also provide insights into how to prevent permanent human brain damage after temporary loss of oxygen.
Researchers used FRET to study GAT1 transporters and found correlations between oligomerization state and function. The results show the power of the FRET-based approach for distinguishing among distinct states of proteins.
A new study found that rats exposed to fuel vapor from both leaded and unleaded gasoline exhibited increased aggressive behavior. Exposure to either type of fuel vapor led to significant changes in brain chemistry, including fluctuations in neurotransmitters.
Researchers have discovered a mechanism for accelerating slow inactivation in Shaker mutant K+ channels using tetraethylammonium, providing new insights into potassium pore dynamics. The study's findings have important implications for subsequent research on this topic.
A study by scientists from the University of Valencia has shown that cockroaches eliminate excess nitrogen by excreting ammonia, unlike most terrestrial insects. The research suggests an evolutionary convergence between cockroaches and ants, arriving at similar metabolic solutions through their associations with endosymbionts.
Phillip A. Sharp has been awarded the 2010 Herbert Tabor Lectureship for his groundbreaking research on small RNAs, RNA interference, and its potential to revolutionize biology and generate new therapeutics. Sharp's work builds on his landmark discovery of RNA splicing in 1977, which earned him a Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.
A study suggests that many dinosaurs were probably endothermic, athletic animals due to their high energy requirements during walking and running. This trait may have enabled them to thrive in various habitats, including colder regions, allowing them to cover the entire Mesozoic landscape.
A new study published in Biology Letters found that amputees who use running-specific prosthetic legs have no performance advantage over counterparts with biological legs. The researchers measured forces exerted on the ground and leg swing times, finding a 9% impairment in force production.
The Journal of Dairy Science, the official journal of the American Dairy Science Association, has been selected as a new publisher by Elsevier. With an Impact Factor of 2.486 and 5-year Impact Factor of 2.978, it ranks first in agriculture, dairy and animal science category.
Researchers at Tufts University reduced breast cancer metastasis to bone by 77 percent and overall frequency of metastasis by 36 percent in a study using an experimental agent to inhibit ROCK, a protein found to be over-expressed in metastatic breast cancer.
N-type channel function is modified by lipids according to new Rittenhouse laboratory findings, supporting the ArA generation hypothesis. The study provides insight into VGCC modulation, shedding light on an oily competition between two hypotheses.
A new study led by Dan MacNulty found that wolves' predatory ability peaks when they are two to three years old, not throughout their entire adult lives. The study suggests that physiology limits predation and that older wolves rely on athletic ability, which diminishes with age.
A probiotic bacterium, Bacillus polyfermenticus, has been shown to effectively treat colitis in mice by promoting the growth of new blood vessels. The study found that the bacteria increased angiogenesis, a process necessary for wound healing, and reduced inflammation in affected tissues.
A Canadian study found that giving caffeine to newborn rats causes detrimental effects on sleep and breathing patterns in adulthood. Adult rats showed reduced sleeping time, increased time to fall asleep, and fragmented non-REM sleep. Breathing problems were also more common in caffeine-treated rats.
A study found that trunk flexibility is associated with arterial stiffness in middle-aged and older adults, suggesting a potential indicator for cardiovascular risk. Regular stretching exercises may slow age-related arterial stiffening, according to the authors.
In the early 1960s, a Harvard-educated surgeon and US Air Force General proposed testing women in space due to their lighter weight, lower heart rate, and fewer reproductive system issues. A total of 19 women were enrolled, with 68% passing the tests, earning them the nickname 'Mercury 13'. The data from these women's physiological tes...
Jack W. Szostak's Nobel Prize-winning discovery of telomerase has revealed a crucial link between chromosome maintenance and cellular senescence. His work also laid the foundation for understanding the molecular origins of life and aging processes in humans.
Researchers found that elephants use two pathways to 'hear' ground-borne vocalizations: somatosensory pathway through feet and trunks, and bone conduction pathway through toenails. This allows them to understand seismic communication over long distances.
Dean Franklin, an engineer, and two physicians, Robert Rushmer and Robert Van Citters, pioneered noninvasive imaging and treatment of the heart. They developed devices that measured blood flow, heartbeat dimensions, and blood pressure without cutting open the body.
A new study found that exercise reduces appetite and burns fat first, then carbohydrates, slowing weight regain and overeating. Exercise also prevents the increase in fat cells during weight regain, making it easier to stay on a diet.
A study with hamsters shows that chronic alcohol consumption blunts the biological clock's ability to synchronize daily activities to light. The research suggests that this disruption can have long-lasting effects on the body's internal clock, even after withdrawal from alcohol.
Researchers analyzed 10 strains of Shewanella, a genus important for bioremediation, and found significant genetic differences despite similarities. The study reveals that similarity in gene regulation is a key factor in determining phenotypic similarity among closely related strains.
A new computer program called Scaffold Hunter helps researchers identify potential active agents for cancer and malaria treatment by navigating the vast ocean of molecules. The program generates maps of chemically-related structures and links them to biological activity, identifying promising candidates.
A new study published in Journal of Applied Physiology shows that drinking beetroot juice reduces oxygen uptake, allowing individuals to exercise for up to 16% longer. The study also found lower resting blood pressure in those who consumed beetroot juice compared to a placebo.
Researchers found that acute stress enhances learning and memory by increasing glutamate transmission in the prefrontal cortex. The study suggests that moderate stress may be beneficial for cognitive function, contradicting the common perception of chronic stress as detrimental.
Seabirds face an 'energetic bottleneck' in winter, struggling to find enough food to survive harsh conditions. The study suggests that the birds' high energy demands may be too much to handle, leading to catastrophic losses during the winter months.
Research highlights the gender disparities in stroke risks, with males outnumbering females by two to one, while women's outcomes worsen with age. Women also face disadvantages in stroke treatment, including lower response rates to tissue plasminogen activator.
The study found that Pistorius' energy cost of running is similar to accomplished male distance runners but 17% lower than performance-matched sprinters. His ability to hold speed over longer sprint races is identical to intact-limb athletes, but his sprinting mechanics are dissimilar.
Researchers at UAB have created a 3D computer protein map of the acid-sensing ion channel-1 protein, which can help identify new drug targets and test compounds to slow brain-cell death, halt brain cancer, and improve pain control.
Researchers at Oregon State University have made a groundbreaking discovery about bird physiology, finding that birds' lung structure and musculature are critical to their flight capacity. This study suggests that birds did not descend from theropod dinosaurs but instead evolved on a parallel path.
Researchers have successfully created a line of induced pluripotent stem cells from adult pigs, providing a valuable model for studying therapeutic potential and addressing ethical concerns. The pig iPS cells closely resemble human stem cells, making them an exciting emerging field with rapid progression and multiple applications.
Researchers demonstrated a non-invasive procedure that increased myocytes and reduced cardiac tissue injury by 60%, improving heart function by 40%. The therapy also reduced fibrosis, promoting regeneration of heart tissue.
Researchers have successfully measured marine phytoplankton physiology through satellite measurements of fluorescence, providing a reasonably accurate picture of the ocean's health and productivity. This will help evaluate the impact of global warming, climate change, and desertification on oceans.
A new study advances our understanding of connexin hemichannel closure by elucidating the loop gating mechanism. The research also sheds light on the conformational changes occurring within the loop gate, providing a clearer picture of how these channels are kept closed.
Research found that Andean women's uterine artery blood flow and oxygen delivery are higher than European counterparts at high altitude, resulting in larger babies. The study suggests genetic adaptation allows Andean mothers to adapt to the high-altitude environment, protecting their fetuses from reduced growth.
A new JGP study advances conclusions about the essential features of the Shaker K+ channel. Researchers propose that if three of four voltage sensors are in an activated conformation, the fourth can open and close the channel by itself.
A new study by University of Alaska Fairbanks researchers suggests that the size of male crested auklets' crests may be an indicator of their quality as mates. Males with larger crests have been found to have lower levels of stress hormones, indicating they are better equipped to cope with the challenges of reproduction.
Researchers have discovered that small RNAs on the X chromosome play a crucial role in male fertility, escaping silencing effects and influencing sperm formation. This finding opens up new possibilities for understanding and potentially treating male infertility and developing non-hormonal contraceptives.
A new study suggests that astronauts need to modify their workouts to avoid extensive muscle loss during long-duration missions in space. Muscle biopsies taken from astronauts revealed an average of 15% muscle mass loss and 20-30% loss of muscle performance, posing risks to crewmembers' health.
Despite exercising for three months, octogenarian women failed to increase muscle mass, but showed improved efficiency in activating and synchronizing their muscles. The study suggests that it's essential to build as much muscle mass as possible earlier in life to ensure more strength in later years.
The Journal of General Physiology explores the mysteries of TRP channels, which are crucial for various senses. The latest Perspectives series provides a comprehensive overview of their biophysics, protein structure, and gating processes, shedding light on areas in need of further exploration.
A debate between world-leading experts reveals conflicting views on blood pressure control, with some arguing the kidneys play a key role and others pointing to the brain's influence. The discussion highlights major issues in blood pressure control and will guide future studies.
Researchers found that rats deficient in sodium chloride shied away from pleasurable activities, leading to a potential link between salt cravings and depression. High salt intake contributes to high blood pressure and other health problems, but the study suggests salt may have a mood-elevating effect.
A team of University of Washington scientists has uncovered the basis for the strong yet dynamic attachment of spindle fibers to kinetochores, a site on each chromosome that mechanically couples to spindle fibers. This discovery sheds light on how chromosomes are accurately and evenly divided during cell division.
Researchers are sending worms to the International Space Station to study muscle atrophy in zero gravity. The goal is to understand why astronauts experience dramatic muscle loss and potentially develop new treatments for muscle wasting diseases.
A new study published in the Journal of Physiology found that an early childhood diet may have a profound influence on adult obesity and diabetes. The research, led by Dr. Raylene Reimer, suggests that the composition of an infant's diet can alter the expression of genes involved in metabolism and weight regulation.
SUNY Downstate researchers discovered that the PKMzeta molecule stores complex memories while leaving other brain functions intact. This finding suggests that targeting specific debilitating memories with PKMzeta erasure could be effective in treating conditions like depression, anxiety, and addictions.
Researchers have developed a method to create novel types of stem cells, offering opportunities for expanding research and drug discovery. The technique enables the creation of rat and human pluripotent stem cells with characteristics similar to mouse embryonic stem cells.
A new study shows that aerobic exercise affects the release of two key appetite hormones, ghrelin and peptide YY, more effectively than non-aerobic exercise. Aerobic exercise suppresses hunger by decreasing ghrelin levels and increasing peptide YY levels, leading to a greater suppression of hunger compared to weight lifting.
Young African-American men have higher central blood pressure and stiffer blood vessels compared to their white counterparts, indicating early signs of hypertension. Central blood pressure is a key factor in detecting the problem, suggesting that it may be developing undetected in young African-American men.
New study finds direct link between obesity and increased leptin levels, leading to damage similar to hypertension and diabetes. Leptin stimulates greater production of superoxide, creating toxic molecules that harm endothelial cells.
The study uses electronic tracking to monitor the movements of Atlantic bluefin tuna, revealing new insights into their migratory patterns, physiology, and population structure. The data show that fish from different populations forage together on common grounds before moving to distinct spawning areas.