A study found that mental fatigue impairs physical performance in humans, causing participants to exhaust more quickly. The researchers speculate that perception of effort occurs in the brain and may be linked to dopamine levels.
A research model has shown that training people to avoid falls by exposing them to unstable situations can help them maintain their balance on a slippery floor. The study found that trained subjects were better at controlling the landing foot and unconsciously changed their gait, reducing the risk of falling.
A new study by Yale University researchers identifies a mechanism behind stroke in patients with sleep apnea, revealing impaired cerebral autoregulation and increased risk of death. Symptoms of sleep apnea include loud snoring, pauses in breathing and excessive daytime fatigue.
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.
A new study confirms that exercise can reverse the age-related decline in neural stem cells in the hippocampus of mouse brains. Exercise restores a brain chemical promoting new stem cell production and maturation.
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.
A new study reveals that fructose consumption can induce leptin resistance, leading to weight gain when combined with a high-fat diet. Leptin resistance developed silently, without obesity, and was associated with higher triglyceride levels in the blood.
A study by the University of South Florida Health Sciences Center found that resveratrol reduces fat production and increases breakdown in the liver of mice fed alcohol. This prevents accumulation of fat and suggests resveratrol as a promising agent for preventing or treating human alcoholic fatty liver disease.
The American Physiological Society has established a $50,000 relief fund for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows who lost belongings or incurred relocation costs due to Hurricane Ike. The grants aim to help recipients get back on their feet and continue their contributions to the field of physiology.
A team of researchers has developed a pacemaker to stimulate the muscles that control breathing in horses. This technology may also benefit humans with laryngeal paralysis or those who undergo laryngeal transplants. The study's findings provide insights into the coordination of movement and breathing in equines.
Researchers found that women's muscle strength was 30% lower when compared to before casting, while men regained 99% of their strength within a week. The study suggests that hormonal differences may contribute to slower recovery times in women.
For obese patients, a single session of exercise boosts fat-burning oxidation and reduces accumulated fat by-products inside the muscle, improving metabolic health. The study found that exercising increased fat storage in muscles, suggesting a potential therapeutic benefit for individuals at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
A new study found that honey bees reared quickly perform less optimally on tasks, leading to oxidative damage and reduced longevity. This suggests a link between rapid development and aging, with potential implications for human health.
Researchers found that high-dose statins can decrease satellite cell proliferation, potentially affecting muscle healing and repair. The study's findings suggest a need for further research on the effects of statins on muscle progenitor cells in older adults.
Researchers found that even after years of steroid use, muscle fibers still gave lifters an advantage. The study suggests that anabolic steroids can enhance muscle fiber size and endurance even after withdrawal.
Racing sled dogs have an extraordinary ability to rapidly adapt to sustained strenuous exercise and display enormous aerobic capacity. They can burn up to 12,000 kilocalories per day, fueling their runs with a high-fat diet.
A four-month exercise program improved fitness, reduced fat, and prevented lean muscle loss in older sedentary individuals. In contrast, dieting alone led to greater lean muscle loss, highlighting the importance of exercise for maintaining muscle mass and overall health.
A study published by the American Physiological Society found that quercetin, a naturally occurring substance in fruits and vegetables, reduces the likelihood of contracting the flu. The study also showed that stressful exercise increases susceptibility to the flu, but quercetin cancels out this negative effect.
A study with sheep found that blocking acid-sensitive potassium channels prevents damage to the fetal cerebellum, which is vulnerable to injury from alcohol. The researchers also found that a drug called doxapram can block these channels, preventing damage and reducing the number of Purkinje cells in the cerebellum.
A study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology found that athletes who ingested caffeine with carbohydrate after exhaustive exercise had 66% more glycogen in their muscles four hours later. This suggests that post-exercise caffeine consumption can aid in muscle refueling and potentially enhance athletic performance.
A recent study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology examines the validity of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEpo) testing. The research found that the detection power of the test is poor, with high rates of false negative results. This has significant implications for anti-doping efforts and fair competition.
A Finnish study of identical twins found that physical inactivity and acquired obesity impair the expression of genes involved in energy production, contributing to insulin resistance. The study suggests that lifestyle factors play a significant role in developing diabetes and heart disease.
A genetic variation in the GLUT2 gene is associated with higher intakes of sugars in two distinct populations. The study found that individuals with the variation consistently consumed more sugars, regardless of age or sex.
A mouse study has found that caloric restriction leads to beneficial hormonal changes, which play a role in extending life. The study suggests that calorie restriction is more effective than exercise in promoting longevity.
During WWII, physiologists developed altitude chambers to study high-altitude effects on humans. They trained animals to parachute and discovered techniques to prevent decompression sickness and hypoxia. These innovations paved the way for pressurized aircraft and safer air travel.
A study by researchers at the University of Mississippi found that consuming green tea's EGCG significantly inhibits breast tumor growth and angiogenesis in female mice. The results suggest that EGCG may provide protection against breast cancer by targeting tumor blood vessels and cells.
A new study found that uncontrollable stress worsens symptoms of endometriosis in rats by activating inflammatory mechanisms and damaging organs. The study, conducted on seven female rats, showed that stressed animals developed more severe lesions and organ damage than unstressed controls.
Researchers found that a common asthma medication can improve smell function in individuals with biochemistry-based hyposmia. The study used 369 participants and showed significant improvements in over 70% of patients, with no correlation between blood levels and treatment efficacy.
Researchers discovered that atypical antipsychotic drugs like olanzapine can disrupt energy metabolism in male rats, leading to increased blood sugar levels and abdominal fat storage. The study suggests that these changes may occur earlier than previously thought and could have implications for human health.
A new study found that female college freshmen who lived on campus consumed significantly more calories and sugar than their off-campus counterparts. However, the on-campus students also engaged in higher levels of physical activity, with an average of 90,000 steps per week compared to 42,000 for off-campus students.
Preliminary study results show testosterone administration reduces bone turnover, with potential protective effects on existing bone mass. Testosterone replacement therapy may benefit older men with low-to-normal testosterone concentrations.
Researchers found that anticipating a positive humorous laughter experience reduces potentially detrimental stress hormones, while increasing beneficial chemicals like beta-endorphins and human growth hormone. The study suggests that seeking out positive experiences can help reduce stress and boost overall well-being.
A new study in mice found that moderate and high doses of estrogen replacement therapy increased problems in the kidney and heart. The results suggest that ERT dosage may be an important determinant in a woman's overall health.
A recent study found that maternal exercise during pregnancy has a positive impact on fetal cardiac programming, reducing fetal heart rate variability. The research also revealed lower heart rates among fetuses exposed to maternal exercise compared to non-exercising mothers.
A recent study found that even light loads of 26 pounds can decrease upper extremity blood flow, contributing to shoulder fatigue. Backpack straps typically compress the axillary vein, causing abnormally high blood pressure and subsequent decreased blood flow in the shoulders and arms.
Physiologists investigate nanoparticles' potential to cause diseases like atherosclerosis and kidney stones. Researchers are exploring how nanoparticles interact with cells and tissues to understand their role in these conditions.
Dr. Watts' research suggests that serotonin may play a role in lowering blood pressure, contradicting previous findings that it causes constriction. She hopes to resolve the 'serotonin puzzle' with her lecture and gather input from fellow physiologists.
The American Physiological Society awarded $86,000 in travel fellowships to 52 underrepresented minority students and scientists to attend the Experimental Biology conference. The program aims to encourage more students from minority groups to become scientists and remain in the field.
Researchers have discovered that heart hormones can eliminate human pancreatic and breast cancers in mice, reducing tumors by up to 97%. The treatment has shown no side effects and has the potential to make cancer a chronic condition.
A study found that severe asthma is characterized by air trapping and incomplete reversibility with bronchodilator treatment. This suggests a distinct physiological difference between severe and non-severe asthma, potentially leading to new treatment approaches.
Granger received the award for his research on preeclampsia, a pregnancy-related disease affecting nearly 5-7 percent of U.S. pregnancies. He has also improved graduate education at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.
Researchers have developed a new neural-machine interface that enables prosthetic arms to respond directly to the brain's signals, allowing for greater control and movement. This technology has the potential to provide an even greater number of arm and hand movements beyond the four already achieved.
Researchers found a significant drop in blood pressure during the sleep trial, but not during resting or standing trials. This reduction occurred mostly after lights out, just before falling asleep, and may explain the lower cardiovascular mortality associated with siesta-taking.
Researchers found that female diabetic rats had reduced nitric oxide levels, while male diabetic rats produced more, leading to increased vascular dysfunction. The study suggests sex-specific therapeutic interventions may be necessary for effective treatment of vascular disease in diabetes.
Researchers found genomic determinants underlying alcohol and tobacco use on chromosomes 1, 3, and 4. A common locus for both was discovered on chromosome 1, with a linked area for smoking also present. The study suggests sex-specific genetic factors may contribute to the observed sex differences in alcohol and tobacco use rates.
Researchers identified distinct genetic factors for blood pressure regulation in males and females, shedding light on gender-based disparities in cardiovascular health. The study's findings suggest that genetic diagnostic and therapeutic indices for hypertension must consider gender differences.
Research suggests that female gender is associated with slower progression rates in certain renal diseases, possibly due to the protective effects of estrogen on kidney health. Estrogen inhibits the activity of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), which promotes scarring in the kidneys.
Two studies have found significant gender-based differences in newborns' hearts and livers that may explain why female infant deaths are higher after heart surgery and pediatric liver transplants are less successful. Newborn girls' hearts accumulate more acid during ischemia, which may lead to injury, while their livers produce more an...
A recent study using spontaneously hypertensive rats found that testosterone supplements promote renal injury and exacerbate hypertension in aging male rats. The research suggests that natural decrease in testosterone levels with age may affect the progression of cardiovascular/renal disease in men taking testosterone replacement therapy.
A new study aims to identify markers for deadly blood clots in menopausal women by analyzing blood platelets. Researchers are testing their theory as part of the Kronos Early Estrogen Prevention Study, with hopes that it can lead to tools for doctors to provide hormonal therapy commensurate with a woman's risk.