Research by Professor Anurag Agrawal reveals that plants can detect the difference between various insect species and respond accordingly, adjusting their growth, behavior, and chemical defenses. In turn, insects adapt their phenotype and physiology to better digest the plant, highlighting a flexible co-evolutionary strategy.
Researchers will study 12 astronaut crew members before, during and after space missions to assess cardiac mass, compliance and relaxation. Findings may help prevent cardiac atrophy and arrhythmias in individuals confined to long-term bed rest or with conditions associated with cardiac stiffness.
New research from the University of Pennsylvania suggests that physiology, particularly the vagus nerve, plays a role in gender differences in food choices. Studies found that women exhibited diminished vagally-mediated hormonal and gastric responses to food compared to men, which could explain why women tend to prefer healthier foods.
The study found that estrogen receptors are more widely expressed in the brain during fetal and neonatal periods, influencing brain development. Antisense oligodeoxynucleotide treatment decreased brain estrogen receptor levels, leading to changes in ventilation and body growth in male and female rats.
This study reveals sex hormone effects on body fluid regulation and blood pressure, with men showing greater plasma AVP sensitivity to hypertonic saline infusion. This increased sensitivity is associated with higher systolic pressure, pulse pressure, cortisol levels, and sodium retention.
Research reveals women exhibit a greater decrease in arterial pressure during recovery, with reduced cardiac output and lesser increases in vascular resistance. Engaging light activity supports arterial pressure, regardless of gender.
Researchers develop a microsurgical technique to manipulate signaling proteins in developing mouse brains, revealing a previously unknown molecular mechanism involved in forming the cerebral cortex. The study shows that this protein directs the development of cortical areas, including vision, touch, and memory.
Researchers at Ohio State University found that social stress makes specific immune cells resistant to corticosterone, a hormone regulating inflammation. This resistance can lead to uncontrolled inflammation, increasing the severity of infections and tissue damage.
Prominent plant scientists share their perspectives on genetically modified crops, exploring their potential to address world hunger and improve nutrition. The publication addresses concerns over safety, regulation, and social impact, offering a science-based understanding of the GMO controversy.
Researchers identify genes from a rare Austrian plant that allow it to accumulate large amounts of nickel, enabling the potential to engineer crops to clean up polluted sites. This discovery could also lead to functional foods with micronutrients and improved crop nutrition.
Boston University has received a $14 million Leadership Award to enhance its standing in biomedical engineering, while UC Davis has received a $12 million Leadership-Development Award for its visionary plan. Both institutions will use their awards to link genomics with organ-level physiology and improve medical applications.
The Frontiers in Physiology program provides laboratory research experience to middle- and high-school-level teachers, learning effective education strategies and sharing experiences. Teachers participate in experiments, such as studying Siamese Fighting Fish behavior and exploring factors affecting blood flow and pressure.
Researchers at Cornell University have successfully demonstrated hybrid nanodevices that can administer drugs and treatments using biomolecules and tiny nickel propellers. The devices are powered by ATP and can be assembled, maintained, and repaired using life's physiology.
Dr. Lee Hartwell has made significant contributions to our understanding of the cell cycle and its role in cancer development. His work with yeast has identified over 50 genes crucial for controlling cellular growth and division.
A recent study by Ohio State University researchers found that a chemical called tumor necrosis factor (TNF) directly stimulates the brain's digestive control center, causing nausea and vomiting. Elevated TNF levels can lead to long-term changes in digestion function, resulting in persistent symptoms.
Virginia Tech dairy scientist R. Michael Akers has greatly advanced understanding of mammary gland development, growth factors, and transgenic technology worldwide. His research discovered new information about growth hormone regulation and produced transgenic mice that synthesize IGF-I in their mammary tissue.
The American Society of Plant Physiologists has self-published a comprehensive 1400-page textbook on biochemistry & molecular biology of plants, featuring original drawings and photographs. The book is designed for upper-level undergraduate and graduate courses, and was introduced to sell well over 600 copies at the ASPP Annual Meeting.
Researchers have discovered that ozone directly affects plant aging genes, accelerating leaf yellowing and growth retardation. The findings may lead to the development of ozone-resistant plant varieties, reducing agricultural losses estimated at $3 billion annually.
Researchers propose a 10-year effort to understand Arabidopsis genes and their interactions. The goal is to build a complete "wiring diagram" of the plant's biological pathways and create a 'clickable plant' for interactive exploration.
Researchers identify a component of Chilean tarantula venom that specifically blocks stretch-activated channels, implicated in various physiological processes. This peptide toxin shows promise in treating conditions such as congestive heart failure, heart attacks, and brain tumors.
Researchers have located 67 gene regions in hypertensive rats that are also linked to high blood pressure in humans. This study uses a genome-wide approach to pinpoint the exact genes involved in human hypertension, accelerating the search for potential treatments.
A study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology reveals that a specific pathway controls the breakdown of proteins regulating muscle type. The ubiquitin/proteasome pathway determines which proteins are degraded, allowing for the switching of muscle type during exercise training or constant contraction.
Researchers found that specific tastes can be produced by temperature stimulation, just as certain chemicals can evoke only certain taste qualities. Thermal taste is different on different parts of the tongue, with sweetness perceived on the tip, sourness on the side, and bitterness in the back.
Steven J. Swoap, an assistant professor of biology at Williams College, has been awarded a $497,000 National Science Foundation (NSF) grant to investigate the mechanism of how restricting caloric intake lowers blood pressure. He will also receive a $95,783 NIH award to study why skeletal muscle becomes more fatiguable under disuse.
Armstrong's groundbreaking work elucidated the physical processes underlying electrical signaling in and between cells. His research has contributed significantly to our understanding of ion channels and their role in transmitting nerve impulses, with implications for drug development and treatment of various diseases.
Researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have discovered that calcium channels help regulate cell movement by opening to admit more calcium ions when cells are stretched. This boost in motility enables cells to move forward again, which could lead to breakthroughs in wound healing and cancer treatment.
Researchers from the University of Iowa have identified a feedback loop mechanism that could explain the prolonged nature of migraines. The discovery reveals that inflammatory agents released during a migraine stimulate certain neurons to increase calcitonin gene-related peptides (CGRP) secretion, leading to persistent pain.
Rudolph's application of physiology to congenital heart disease significantly advanced understanding of normal and abnormal heart development in newborn humans. His research led to the development of new diagnostic and treatment methods for congenital heart defects.
Researchers at UNC Chapel Hill discovered molecular changes in nerve cells that may play a role in causalgia, a painful medical syndrome. The study found that nerve fibers affected by injury become supersensitive to norepinephrine, leading to persistent burning pain.
The National Institute on Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse has awarded a $7 million grant to Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center to study the causes of alcohol addiction. The studies will provide insights into brain processes that lead to alcoholism, with a focus on understanding the fundamental actions of alcohol on the brain.
The Exposure-to-Risk Monitoring System uses a non-invasive technique to provide immediate results of chemical exposure, tracking exhaled breath to determine amount and type of chemical inhaled. The system also considers individual physiology and can identify multiple chemicals simultaneously.
A shellfish toxin study has discovered a mechanism that may help treat cystic fibrosis by stimulating fluid flow through protein phosphatase inhibition. This could lead to loosening of accumulated mucus in the lungs and gut, reducing bacterial infections and early death.
Scientists have isolated a novel gene involved in phosphorylating starch in potato tubers. Inhibiting its expression leads to reduced phosphate content and altered starch properties, resulting in improved degradation and reduced cold-induced sweetening. This discovery has significant implications for plant biotechnology.
Researchers at the University of Florida successfully prevented high blood pressure and its damaging effects on the heart and kidneys in laboratory animals. The study used gene therapy to decrease the effectiveness of angiotensin II, a hormone that regulates blood pressure, and showed promising results.
A new measurement technique developed by researchers at the University of Illinois can identify and measure up to 30 compounds found in a single cell. The method uses nanoliter sampling, capillary electrophoresis, and fluorescence spectroscopy to provide a detailed snapshot of the cell's physiology.
Studies found that tree species' moisture preference doesn't always correlate with their growth rate during droughts. Researchers used tree rings to analyze the energy stored in trunks, revealing inconsistencies between leaf physiology and radial growth.
Researchers visualize calcium stored deep within intact muscle and brain cells, discovering tiny, discrete compartments that can be opened or closed by drugs or natural chemicals. This finding could lead to a better understanding of physiological mechanisms underlying high blood pressure, heart failure, stroke, and aging.
Scientists at the University of Illinois are investigating how glucocorticoids help regulate the body's response to infection, including changes in behavior. Glucocorticoids appear to modulate cytokine production and reduce behavioral effects, providing a protective mechanism against immune overreaction.
Researchers at UC Davis found that diets deficient in amino acids can increase seizure severity, shorten time before seizures occur and reduce chemical stimulant needed. The study suggests specific brain regions are influenced by diet components, with implications for treating epilepsy, particularly in underdeveloped countries.
Scientists have long known that proteins like colicin Ia can punch holes in cell membranes to kill bacteria. Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine mapped the structure of colicin Ia, revealing a massive chunk of protein must cross the membrane to form an open channel.