A study by University of Arizona researchers found that prenatal nicotine exposure reduces the ability of newborns to respond to low blood oxygen, leading to prolonged and potentially lethal apneas. The study used a pump implant to simulate nicotine exposure in pregnant rats, mimicking the situation observed in smoking pregnant women.
Research on Western Sandpipers reveals that birds fatten more rapidly as they move further north, with longer stays at refuelling sites resulting in lower fattening rates. This suggests changes in behaviour or physiology may be responsible for the observed differences.
Physiologist Dr. Pawelczyk highlights the human body's challenges in space life medicine and physiology, including radiation effects and heavy metal ion bombardment. He emphasizes the importance of current and future research to address these issues and prevent health problems such as osteoporosis and cancer risk.
Lung surfactant plays a crucial role in balancing host defense and reducing surface tension. Research has also linked surfactant to the innate and adaptive immune systems, with collectins such as SP-A and SP-D regulating immune responses and preventing infection and lung injury.
A JAP study reveals that headdown bedrest accurately models the physiological responses of astronauts to spaceflight, with similar declines in cardiorespiratory responses to exercise. This finding has important implications for helping space travelers and aiding earthbound elderly individuals.
Scientists have identified specific DNA fragments in tomatoes that influence their nutritional content and taste. By analyzing these fragments, researchers can develop targeted breeding strategies to create healthier and tastier tomatoes.
A recent study published in The Journal of Physiology reveals that the brain relies on outflow signals to predict limb movement, even when sensory inputs from receptors are blocked. This finding sheds light on how our brains learn to move accurately and provides insight into phantom limb sensations.
Research reveals that differences in overall muscle efficiency cannot be explained by variations in individual mitochondria's ability to convert food energy into ATP. Instead, the findings suggest that ATP usage within the muscle plays a crucial role in determining efficiency.
A team of researchers has identified how botulinum toxin, commonly known as botox, enters and affects neurons. The study reveals that the toxin binds to a protein called SV2, allowing it to gain entry into nerve cells.
Researchers identified issues with commonly used anti-PKC-delta antibodies that affect immunoblotting studies of phosphoproteins. This limitation may lead to misinterpretation of PKC-delta expression levels in heart cells.
Researchers at Joslin Diabetes Center discovered a link between Necdin and E2F4 proteins, altered after patients took the drug rosiglitazone. The study suggests that thiazolidinediones work by altering cell differentiation states, offering new potential targets for diabetes treatment.
Researchers genetically engineered mice whose hearts glow with a green light, shedding light on heart development. The study reveals the presence of specialized cells that delay beating between heart chambers, improving understanding of irregular heartbeats and basic physiology.
Researchers found that four major parameters return to normal after one day, and all changes recover within three days. Blood pressure variability is a key predictor of competition time, with low frequency variability being the most significant factor.
The American Physiological Society selected 14 early-career researchers for the 2006 Caroline tum Suden/Frances A. Hellebrandt award, recognizing their research in physiology and its significance to the field. The awardees will present their work at the Experimental Biology conference in San Francisco.
Researchers found that isolated female rats subjected to a 30-minute stressor recover more quickly and mount a stronger immune response than male counterparts. This difference may be related to the demands of motherhood, which has evolved to provide females with protection against trauma.
Scientists have identified a second molecular pathway that enables cells to adapt to low-oxygen environments, reducing protein synthesis to conserve energy. This finding sheds light on the physiology of cancer and cardiovascular disease, where oxygen levels are often abnormally low.
Researchers found that a four-year study combining weight-bearing exercise and calcium supplementation increased bone mineral density in women by 1-2%, reversing typical loss of BMD with age. The regimen, developed for the BEST Study, includes six core exercises to build bone in key fracture sites.
A new study by Leah D. Whigham and colleagues found that the human adenovirus Ad-37 causes obesity in chickens, while other viruses like Ad-36 and Ad-5 have been linked to human obesity. More research is needed to determine if these viruses contribute to human obesity.
A study found that 50% tomato juice drink completely prevented smoke-induced emphysema in mice, with lycopene cited as a key contributor. Researchers believe the model can be used to explore pathophysiology and therapeutic intervention for human diseases.
The American Physiological Society has honored 16 scientists with prestigious awards and distinguished lectureships, recognizing their significant contributions to the field of physiology. The recipients include Jo Rae Wright and Ulrich H. Von Andrian, who received the Walter B. Cannon Award and Henry Pickering Bowditch Award, respecti...
A CU-Boulder study found that moderate exercise extended the life expectancy of lab rats carrying a genetic blueprint for heart failure by at least 10 percent to 15 percent. This suggests low-intensity exercise may have benefits in early stages of congestive heart failure.
The American Physiological Society's Frontiers in Physiology program brings science education into classrooms, modernizing teaching methods. Teachers learn research techniques and education strategies to enhance student learning.
Exercise has been shown to delay the onset of heart failure and improve survivability in rats with spontaneously hypertensive heart failure. The study also found that low-intensity exercise suppressed many physiological changes associated with CHF, including alterations in myosin heavy chain isoform expression and cardiac cell morphology.
A new study examines the evolution of human life history, proposing a distinct phase known as 'late life,' where age-related deterioration ceases. This research suggests that late life may be characterized by a plateau in mortality rates after a certain age.
Researchers monitored the accuracy with which subjects could step onto a target, finding that vision was blocked only after the foot had left the floor. This suggests that people use visual information to adjust their footfall while their foot is moving forwards.
A Brg1 mutation in mice reveals the importance of SWI/SNF complexes in beta-globin regulation and erythropoiesis. This study may provide insight into common ailments such as beta thalassemia and anemia. The findings highlight the significance of chromatin-remodeling complexes in development and physiology.
A study identifies CD36 as a multifunctional glycoprotein that detects fat in the mouth, influencing behavior and digestive physiology. Altering this system may increase obesity risk through feeding dysregulation.
Researchers Phillipe Besnard and colleagues pinpoint CD36 as the sensor for lipid detection in the oral cavity. They show that lingual stimulation of CD36 influences behavioral and digestive physiology. The findings suggest a potential pathway mediating fat taste, which may contribute to obesity risk through feeding dysregulation.
Nine minority physiology grad students have received $18,000 APS Porter Fellowships to pursue full-time studies towards a Ph.D. in physiology. The fellowships aim to increase diversity among students in the field.
Researchers pinpoint CD36 as the first candidate for detecting fatty acids in the oral cavity, influencing digestive physiology and potentially increasing obesity risk. The study also reveals an alteration in the fat perception system may impact HIV transmission through human milk.
Subordinate male cichlid fish rapidly develop dominant behaviors and physiology after a social opportunity, linked to early expression of the egr-1 gene. The study reveals a neural mechanism linking social status to sexual physiology in animals.
Subordinate male fish undergo rapid transformation when more dominant males are removed, exhibiting increased aggression, brightness in colors, and changes in brain gene expression. The research reveals a crucial connection between social cues and reproductive physiology in both humans and fish.
The USC TREC Center will investigate how to prevent cancer by controlling obesity in children and adolescents, with a focus on high-risk ethnic groups.
Scientists have used satellite technology to track salmon sharks migrating from the glacial waters of Alaska to the warm seas off Hawaii. The study found that these top predators can survive in a broad range of thermal conditions due to specialized proteins in their heart muscle cells.
Researchers discover DMT1 protein shields lung cells from toxic particles, including vanadium, by regulating iron transport. The finding offers new insights into lung protection and potential therapeutic applications.
Night-time hemodialysis patients showed comparable cardiovascular measures to healthy patients, with restored endothelial progenitor cell biology and improved blood pressure. This therapy may address high cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in end-stage renal disease patients.
Researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine identify a new way cells replicate through damaged DNA by using the protein Rev1 as a template. This discovery opens up a new area of study with potential innovative approaches to cancer prevention and treatment.
A recent study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology found that visceral fat buildup is a major consequence of inactivity. The researchers discovered that increasing exercise amounts can significantly reduce visceral fat, while even moderate exercise can prevent accumulation and reverse it in some cases.
The American Physiological Society is offering $2,000 Katrina grants to graduate students and postdoctoral fellows affected by the hurricane. Over 40 universities are providing assistance with laboratory space, research assistance, fellowships, housing, meals, and stipends.
A study by University of Illinois researchers found that estrogen reduces levels of a crucial nuclear receptor corepressor, N-CoR, leading to increased breast cancer cell growth. The anti-estrogen drug tamoxifen can facilitate recovery of N-CoR, suggesting potential therapeutic implications for its use.
Researchers found that high-dose vitamin E supplementation improved rat lifespan, cognitive function, and neuromuscular performance. The results show a significant correlation between vitamin E levels and mitochondrial function, supporting the free radical theory of aging.
Researchers have discovered a potential mechanism to eliminate the unwanted taste of artificial sweeteners by inhibiting the natural termination of taste-receptor signals. By targeting specific receptors and kinases, scientists hope to develop more effective and pleasant sugar substitutes.
Researchers at the University at Buffalo have identified microtubules as a critical target for treating Parkinson's disease, which is caused by damage to these intracellular highways. The study found that protecting microtubules can prevent the toxic effects of rotenone on dopamine-producing neurons.
A research team led by Professors Lamb and Pugh has been awarded the Proctor Medal for their comprehensive analysis of molecular events underlying photoreceptor response to light. Their work enables straightforward use of the electroretinogram in analyzing deficits in various basic and clinical situations.
Researchers found that stem cells in the bone marrow of female mice can produce new egg cells, contradicting long-standing theories on mammalian reproductive physiology. This discovery could lead to new treatments based on regenerative medicine.
A new study found that high school age children with a healthy weight had favorable lipid profiles, including lower levels of triglycerides and higher ratios of HDL cholesterol. The leanest teens, those with less than 25 percent body fat, had the best lipid/lipoprotein profiles.
A study by University of Illinois-Chicago researchers found that a plasminogen system component called PAI-1 actually enhances muscle regeneration when deficient. This suggests the plasminogen system may have multiple roles in muscle repair and offers potential therapeutic targets for aging and degenerative diseases.
Researchers found that Viagra can stimulate water permeability in kidney cells by increasing cyclic-GMP levels, potentially alleviating symptoms of nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. Long-term studies are needed to confirm the effectiveness and safety of this approach.
The University of Oregon has developed a new environmental chamber to study the human body's response to everyday stresses. The chamber allows for precise simulation of extreme conditions, including altitude up to 18,000 feet and temperature control between 14 and 122 degrees Fahrenheit.
The NIH is funding a high-throughput screening center network at Scripps Research Institute and Scripps Florida to identify proof-of-concept molecules for studying human health and developing new treatments. The three-year grant aims to accelerate the application of chemical biology to understand physiology and pathophysiology.
Three NYC students won the Grand Prize by writing essays on major scientific achievements by Nobel Prize winners, including physics, chemistry, and medicine. The winners will attend the Nobel prize ceremonies in December.
A new study from the University of Colorado found that walking at a leisurely pace can increase calorie burn by up to 25% for obese adults. Additionally, reducing walking speed from 3 miles per hour to 2 miles per hour can decrease knee joint loads by up to 25%.
A recent study published in the Journal of Physiology reveals that muscle fatigue can significantly impact limb control, particularly when visual cues are absent. This finding has significant implications for athletes involved in high-speed, precision-based sports like serving a tennis ball or shooting a bow and arrow.
A study by Edward F. Coyle found that Lance Armstrong's long-term training increased muscular efficiency, leading to an 8% improvement in power production. Combining this with a planned weight loss, his steady-state power output improved by 18%. This increase in muscle efficiency may be due to an increase in type I muscle fibers.
Scientists have discovered that Rh proteins, previously thought to be inactive carriers, play a crucial role in facilitating the transfer of carbon dioxide in and out of red blood cells. This finding has significant implications for our understanding of human physiology, including breathing, pH regulation, and kidney function.
Research found that stress before vaccination led to better immune responses and greater protection nine months later. Stress may prime the immune system for oncoming trauma, enhancing its long-term memory for antigens.
A new study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology found that short bursts of high-intensity exercise can improve muscle health and endurance capacity similar to traditional endurance training. The study showed a significant increase in citrate synthase, an enzyme indicating tissue oxygen utilization, in trained subjects.
Researchers found hydroxycitric acid delays intestinal glucose absorption, reducing insulin output and slowing post-meal glucose levels. This delay can help reduce high peaks of glucose and the need for insulin, potentially leading to a therapeutic role in managing diabetes.
A new study demonstrates that moderate thyroid hormone therapy normalizes cardiac cell shape and reduces stress on the heart's wall by nearly 40%. This change may lead to a novel therapeutic approach for heart failure. Further animal studies are needed before human testing.
Research finds that prenatal exposure to increased or decreased levels of nutrition leads to an increased risk of obesity in postnatal life. The study shows that the fetus has a functional capacity for regulating its appetite, which can be influenced by signals of nutritional status.