Dr. Frances M. Ashcroft's research discovered a rare genetic form of diabetes, permanent neonatal diabetes mellitus, and developed a treatment allowing children to switch from daily insulin injections to a daily pill. The American Physiological Society presented her with the Walter B. Cannon Award.
Researchers at OHSU have identified a G protein-coupled receptor called TAAR1 as a key player in the brain's response to methamphetamine. The discovery offers new hope for developing therapies to reverse meth's adverse health effects and reduce addiction, by targeting this newly found receptor.
A study by UNC researchers found that normal breathing's rhythmic motion regulates mucus clearance, promoting lung health in CF patients. This rhythm also re-hydrates airways, accelerating mucus removal.
Researchers have identified a growth-factor antibody that may treat chronic lung disease affecting premature infants. The treatment, which inhibits transforming growth factor-beta activity, improved lung development and body growth in animal models of bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
A new study reveals that diabetes causes erectile dysfunction by affecting the brain's nitric oxide mechanisms. The researchers found that restoring nitric oxide production in the brain can alleviate erectile dysfunction in diabetic rats.
Researchers at UC Davis have made a groundbreaking discovery about the body's temperature sensing capabilities. By reassembling subunits from different ion channels, they found that there are more than six channel types responsible for sensing temperature, which could help solve the mystery of thermosensitivity in animals.
Researchers found that acute colitis was associated with decreased body weight, food intake, and fat content, while chronic colitis led to reduced bone mineral density and lower energy expenditure. Chronic inflammation also altered metabolism, reducing the use of nutrients as an energy source.
Research by G. Edgar Folk and colleagues found that Arctic animals, including rodents, maintained a 24-hour cycle of rest and activity despite living in continuous light. The study suggests that these animals may be conscious of the sun's position in the sky and use it as a cue to regulate their circadian rhythm.
Sexual symptoms can signal serious disease; common medical disorders negatively impact sexual function. Physicians should routinely consider risk factors and assess dysfunctions.
A new study suggests that pre-dive intake of antioxidants Vitamin C and E can reduce alterations in cardiovascular function. This intervention showed a positive effect on vascular endothelial function, while other cardiac changes were unaffected.
A new study by researchers at the University of Miami reveals that nicotine can accelerate the progression of kidney disease in smokers. Human mesangial cells were found to express nicotinic receptors, which are activated by nicotine and lead to increased cell proliferation and fibronectin production.
A study found that newborns with low blood sodium consumed more dietary sodium and weighed more than their peers. The researchers concluded that very low serum sodium in pre-term and new-born infants is a significant contributor to long-term sodium intake, a key marker for obesity.
Researchers investigated how specific body characteristics affect the elderly's ability to regulate temperature during cold stress. The study found that certain traits, such as percent body fat and skeletal muscle mass, become more important with age, suggesting changes in the body's thermoregulatory responses.
Researchers found that resistance-breathing training and endurance respiratory muscle training improved swimming endurance by 33-38% and breathing capacity. The study also showed significant improvements in underwater scuba swimming time by 66%.
Research reveals that warmer waters cause a deficiency in oxygen uptake and distribution, limiting fish populations. This study investigates the effect of water temperature on eelpout (Zoarces viviparus) physiology, showing a direct link between oxygen limitation and population density changes.
Research suggests that adolescent brain maturation is associated with synaptic pruning, a process that eliminates weak connections between neurons. Delta wave activity declines during adolescence, beginning at around age 11, with a 25% decrease by age 14, and is related to age but not physical growth or sexual maturation.
A new study found a genetic link between the 'diabetes gene' (calpain-10) and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which affects up to five percent of females. The study suggests that specific variants of the CAPN10 gene may contribute to PCOS susceptibility, providing hope for diagnosis and treatment.
Researchers found that different parts of the brain are activated depending on the cause of itching, with allergen-induced itches activating the supplementary motor and posterior parietal areas. Histamine-induced itches, on the other hand, activate a smaller area of the brain, suggesting a compulsion to scratch in those cases.
Dartmouth researchers discover that low doses of arsenic disrupt steroid hormone receptor signaling, affecting biological processes and disease risks. The study found that arsenic suppresses the ability of critical receptors to respond to normal hormone signals.
Barbara A. Horwitz, a renowned physiologist at UC Davis, has been awarded the Bodil M. Schmidt-Nielsen Distinguished Mentor and Scientist Award for her outstanding contributions to physiological research and dedication to training young physiologists. Her teaching career has also earned numerous awards, including several APS awards.
Children with treatment-resistant bedwetting have higher levels of sodium and urea in their nighttime urine, suggesting an imbalance of prostaglandin hormone-like substance. Researchers found that these imbalances lead to polyuria and enuresis, shedding light on the physiological mechanisms behind this condition.
A new study reveals that inhibiting glucocorticoids can prevent skin abnormalities caused by psychological stress, which could worsen conditions like psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. Glucocorticoid blockade reversed psychological stress-induced abnormalities in epidermal structure and function.
A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reveals that VIP synchronizes biological clocks, clarifying its role alongside GABA. Without VIP, cells lose synchrony, indicating its coordinator function.
Scientists have discovered that the giant danio, unlike its cousin the zebrafish, exhibits indeterminate growth due to hyperplasia, allowing it to continuously grow into adulthood. This study provides a model for understanding muscle growth and has potential applications in investigating muscle wasting diseases such as muscular dystrophy.
Researchers found that diastolic heart failure patients have severely reduced exercise tolerance despite normal leg blood flow, suggesting other factors such as muscle oxygen use contribute to symptoms. The study suggests targeting these additional factors could help develop effective treatments for this common form of heart failure.
During intense exercise, muscles rely on anaerobic metabolism for force production, leading to muscle fatigue and impaired performance. The study found that the mechanisms of muscular fatigue are similar to those discovered in laboratory research on cell and tissue samples.
Researchers at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh have identified interleukin-23 (IL-23) as the key molecule causing destructive lung inflammation in cystic fibrosis patients. This discovery provides a specific target for developing new therapies to improve quality of life for these patients.
Researchers found that aged mice experiencing weekly light-cycle shifts had significantly higher death rates than those on a normal daylight schedule. The study suggests that disruption of circadian rhythms can impact well-being and physiology in older animals.
Researchers have confirmed that veins stiffen as we age, a change that may contribute to high blood pressure. Regular exercise training may help maintain vein flexibility. The study, led by William Farquhar from the University of Delaware, recruited healthy young and older adults and monitored their blood flow.
Researchers have found that a neurotransmitter pathway in the skin, involving substance P and its related receptor, may play a key role in temperature regulation. By blocking this pathway, they found reduced blood flow to the skin, suggesting more than one mechanism is involved in regulating body temperature.
Researchers at the University of Washington developed an implantable electronic chip that induces brain changes in monkeys lasting more than a week. The device strengthens weak connections in the motor cortex, which may have potential in rehabilitating patients with brain injuries or paralysis.
A study found that high water temperatures and cadmium exposure severely impact oyster physiology, leading to increased energy demand and reduced oxygen supply. Oyster populations are already declining due to environmental stressors like overfishing, disease, and poor water quality.
Research on Glanville fritillary butterflies found that females with enhanced flight capabilities reproduce more quickly and establish new populations. The study suggests that genetic differences influence behavior, and the environment favors individuals with certain traits.
Researchers found that histamine receptor overactivation may cause low blood pressure during exercise recovery, leading to fainting. Antihistamine use before exercise significantly reduced post-exercise hypotension in a study.
A recent study published in the Journal of Physiology found that short bursts of intense exercise separated by recovery time provide similar benefits to longer periods of moderate exercise. High-intensity interval training can be an effective option for those with limited time, burning calories during and after exercise.
A new study published in The Journal of Physiology shows that short bursts of intense exercise can produce similar results to traditional endurance training. This type of high-intensity interval training may be a viable option for individuals with limited time, improving muscle health and performance despite lower overall training volume.
A combination of a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor and a protease inhibitor may prevent the negative cardiovascular effects of long-term protease inhibitor use, including hardening of the arteries. This could allow patients to take their medications without worrying about these side effects.
The study found that crucian carp store vast amounts of glycogen in their brain to survive anoxia, with levels reaching 15 times higher in February than July. This adaptation allows them to extend their survival time without oxygen by 150-fold.
Researchers created the first 'encyclopedia' of nuclear receptors, revealing their role in regulating reproduction and nutrient metabolism. The study found that certain receptors form networks to control processes such as diet-derived lipid use for energy.
New research published by the American Physiological Society found that brains of rats bred to be lean are more sensitive to orexin A, a chemical that stimulates appetite and physical activity. This suggests a biological basis for being a couch potato, where fidgeting and other minor movements can burn calories and aid weight control.
Researchers discovered that a balance of low tidal volume and periodic deep inflation, or 'sighs,' is necessary to maintain open lungs while preventing ventilation-induced lung injury. The study found that overdoing 'sighs' can lead to further injury, highlighting the importance of finding an optimal frequency range for deep inflation.
Study reveals rats' hearts can withstand severe hypothermia with minimal oxygen loss, highlighting the importance of continued CPR efforts. However, prolonged exposure leads to fatal heart failure upon rewarming, suggesting improved cardiac output as a key factor in survival.
The American Physiological Society awarded over $150,000 in fellowships to 20 middle and high school teachers for a summer of in-depth scientific research. The program aims to promote excellence in K-12 science education by giving teachers laboratory research experience and effective education strategies.
A study published by the American Physiological Society found that a single therapeutic dose of radiation can cause up to 39% spongy bone loss in mice, reducing their weight-bearing connections by 64%. This has significant implications for astronauts on long space missions and patients receiving radiation therapy.
Researchers identified PAR-domain basic leucine zipper transcription factors as key players in modulating detoxifying genes and handling chemicals. The study suggests that circadian clocks play a crucial role in modulating drug toxicity, potentially leading to improved treatment regimens.
Researchers found that a significant component of the muscle reaction in whiplash injuries arises from being startled by the abrupt motion and loud sound of impact. This new understanding may lead to improved prevention and management techniques for this common injury.
A new enzyme, prolyl endoprotease (PEP), has been identified that can efficiently degrade gluten in the human stomach, a process previously impossible. This breakthrough offers potential relief to those with celiac disease, who currently rely on a strict gluten-free diet.
Dr. Turner's research on the Na-K-2Cl co-transporter (NKCC1) has significantly advanced our understanding of salivation and fluid secretion. His work has led to the development of valuable experimental tools, benefiting researchers worldwide.
A study by American Physiological Society found that sildenafil can improve cardiac output and exercise performance during acute hypoxia, but not at normoxia. The results show that responders improved their time trial performance at altitude with sildenafil, while non-responders showed no significant improvement.
Blocking the conversion of glucose to lactate in mammary tumor cells impaired mitochondrial function and hindered tumor cell proliferation in low oxygen conditions. Alterations in glucose metabolism are linked with changes in mitochondrial physiology, highlighting LDH-A's critical role in tumor growth.
Researchers discovered that the partnership between COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes plays a critical role in blood vessel development in newborn mice. This finding suggests exploring new roles for COX enzymes in biology and potentially developing new drugs.
Researchers found that female domesticated canaries varied the size of their eggs in response to the attractiveness of the male's song. The study highlights the importance of behavioral stimuli for reproductive physiology. In this experiment, attractive songs led to larger eggs, but no difference was observed in brood sex ratio.
A Queen's University study discovered a new heterodimer formed by COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes in genetically modified mice. This finding may impact the development of alternative anti-inflammatory drugs, potentially reducing cardiovascular risks associated with existing pain medications.
A recent study found that acetaminophen is safe to use after a heart attack, but it does not offer any protection for the heart. The researchers tested the effects of acetaminophen on animals with induced heart attacks and found no significant impact on blood flow, heart muscle damage, or ventricular function.
A joint research effort is testing a micro-climate cooling system to be placed in soldiers' boots and under their battledress hoods. The device aims to lower the wearer's core body temperature, potentially providing relief for desert soldiers operating in hot environments.
Research suggests that women live longer than men due to the biological imperative of attracting mates, with males competing aggressively for female attention. This competition leads to riskier behavior and physiology, ultimately shortening male lifespans relative to females.
Scientists studying social stress in Syrian hamsters found that subordinates eat more and gain weight after being defeated by a dominant hamster. This model can help researchers understand human stress-induced obesity.
Researchers have identified alveolar type I cells as potential diagnostic markers for acute lung injury. The study's findings suggest that these cells may play a crucial role in the development of pulmonary diseases.
The American Physiological Society has named Steed, a doctoral student, its first K-12 Minority Outreach Fellow. She will visit classrooms to share her career path and model for minority students what they can achieve in biomedical research. The fellowship aims to encourage pre-college minority students to consider careers in science.
Researchers have found that lactic acid is not a waste product, but rather a link between anaerobic and aerobic metabolism. Efficient use of lactic acid enables athletes to generate more energy from their body's fuel sources, reducing fatigue and improving performance.