A new study finds that moderate long-term exercise in male and female mice induces a sex-dependent cardiac adaptation, with females exhibiting greater physiological changes. This research may help improve treatment strategies for women and men with heart disease.
A study in aged female rats suggests estrogen depletion may trigger high blood pressure and obesity after menopause. The researchers found that estrogen-depleted rats experienced significant weight gain, increased blood glucose levels, and elevated blood pressure compared to intact rats.
A study by Danish researchers found that acute sleep deprivation leads to increased urinary output and more salt in urine, particularly in men. The findings also showed a reduced nighttime dip in blood pressure, lower levels of sodium-regulating hormones, and excessive excretion of osmoles.
Women with diabetes lose protective effect of estrogen on kidneys, which normally reduces risk of chronic kidney disease. Research suggests that hormone ratio rather than absolute levels determines impact on diabetic kidney disease.
Researchers have found that grape seed polyphenols reduce salt-sensitive hypertension in young rats, while soy polyphenols protect against hypertension in estrogen-depleted/ovariectomized rats. Kudzu root extract also blunts blood pressure rise and improves glucose tolerance in animal models of insulin resistance.
Repeated bouts of shorter exercise with rest periods burn more fat than single long sessions, according to a recent study in Japan. Researchers found that the repeated exercise method enhanced fat mobilization and utilization during and after exercise.
A lab study found that prenatal nicotine exposure can lead to cardiac vascular dysfunction beyond the formative years, and into adulthood. Female offspring are more likely to be impacted than males, with decreased coronary flow and increased heart susceptibility to ischemia and reperfusion injury.
Eight South African plant extracts have been found to inhibit angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity, a potential treatment for high blood pressure. The study identified Tulbaghia violacea, commonly known as wild garlic, as the most promising plant with over 50% ACE inhibition in both extract forms.
A new study finds that exposure to phenanthraquinone, a chemical component of diesel exhaust particles, can impair the ability of resistance arteries to regulate blood flow to bone marrow. The study, conducted on animal models, reveals that post-menopausal females and elderly males are most likely to be impacted.
The study found significant improvements in insulin resistance, with a 60% reduction in HOMA scores after six months. Additionally, the group experienced substantial reductions in body weight, BMI, waist circumference, and total visceral adipose tissue.
A study found that exercise can improve aerobic fitness and reduce cardiovascular disease risk in people with mild to moderate multiple sclerosis. After an eight-week aerobic cycling regimen, participants showed significant improvements in aerobic fitness, triglyceride levels, and resting blood pressure.
A new study found significant sex differences in cardiac performance and metabolism in rainbow trout. Female trout prefer carbohydrates and tolerate lower oxygen levels better than males. The study also revealed distinct layer structures in the ventricle, with males having a larger epicardium-to-endocardium ratio.
A study by Washington State University found that Iyengar yoga reduces demands of illness and stimulates lower lymphocyte NF-?B activation in breast cancer survivors, indicating improved immune function and quality of life. The practice has also been shown to decrease physical and emotional burdens associated with cancer survivorship.
Researchers found that oxytocin improved heart rate and variability in isolated prairie voles. The peptide also reduced heart rate response to social stressors. These findings suggest a potential protective effect of oxytocin on cardiac function during social isolation.
Researchers identified periaqueductal grey area (PAG) as key brain structure involved in cardiorespiratory response to exercise. PAG activity increases during anticipation and exercise, suggesting its role in autonomic regulation of cardiovascular changes.
A new animal study reveals that moderate alcohol consumption significantly increases breast cancer tumor size and angiogenesis, providing insights into the mechanisms of alcohol-induced breast cancer. The study confirms that even low levels of EtOH intake can stimulate tumor growth and malignancy.
The University of Texas researcher, James D. Stockand, has been awarded the 2007 Henry Pickering Bowditch Memorial Award for his work on regulating sodium channels and its potential to control hypertension. His research may lead to better treatment methods for this serious condition.
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.
The American Physiological Society awarded $47,000 travel fellowships to 38 underrepresented minority students and scientists for the 2007 Experimental Biology conference. The program aims to encourage more students from diverse groups to pursue careers in science.
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 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.
Researchers found a significant circadian rhythm in swim performance, with athletes performing better in the evening and worse in the morning. The study's results suggest that a circadian rhythm affects athletic performance, with peak performance occurring at 11pm.
Researchers studied emperor penguin breeding habits to understand how they conserve energy in extreme cold. The study found that deep body temperatures decrease during huddling, but core temperature remains constant, suggesting a trade-off between egg incubation and energy savings.
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.
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.
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.
A new study finds that tanshinone IIA, an active ingredient in the Chinese herb danshen, significantly reduces blood pressure in hamsters. The treatment also enhances expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and increases production of nitric oxide.
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.
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.
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.
Women's long-term weight training programs increase biologically active growth hormone, a key factor in muscle development and bone strength. The study found that heavy loading cycles or workouts with moderate to heavy intensity regimens stimulate growth hormone production.
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.
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.
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.
A study has identified three proteins that can predict chronic lung rejection in transplant patients, offering new hope for early intervention and prevention. The proteins, which form a 'biosignature' of organ rejection, were found using advanced high-tech tools and analysis techniques.
Researchers found increased elastin synthesis in moderately diseased lung tissue of COPD patients, suggesting the lungs may be attempting to repair themselves.
Researchers found that chronic alcohol abuse disrupts the protective barrier in the lungs, making it harder for the body to handle fluid accumulation. This can lead to serious illnesses like pneumonia and ARDS.
Researchers have identified unique expression domains for two proteins, SPLUNC1 and SPLUNC2, in the lungs of people with cystic fibrosis. The discovery could help understand the immune system's role in the disease and potentially prevent lung damage.
Researchers found that mice with a genetic predisposition to severe flu symptoms mount an enhanced immune response in the lungs compared to those with milder disease. The study aims to identify genes controlling inflammation variation during influenza infection and may help determine who would benefit most from limited vaccine supply.
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.
A new study suggests that some insects could have grown larger during the late Paleozoic period due to higher oxygen levels. The tracheal system of insects allows them to transport oxygen efficiently, but this system limits their growth.
Researchers found that seals can dive to over 1,000 meters and for more than an hour without shivering, allowing their bodies to cool and reduce oxygen demand. This adaptation helps seals conserve oxygen and minimize brain damage caused by hypoxia during long dives.
A new study found that longer-lived rodents have significantly lower levels of a thyroid hormone that regulates metabolic rate. The study suggests an important regulatory role of thyroid hormone in longevity, with higher thyroid hormone levels correlating with shorter lifespans.
Hydrogen sulfide gas induces a state of suspended animation in mice, maintaining normal blood pressure, which may help treat critically ill patients. The gas reduces metabolic rate and body temperature, but surprisingly does not decrease blood pressure.
Researchers found that naked mole-rats have higher levels of oxidative stress and damage than mice, contradicting the oxidative stress theory of aging. The study suggests that the mole-rat's longevity may stem from its ability to defend against acute bouts of oxidative stress.
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.
Researchers discovered that a protein called ChREBP initiates fat storage when carbohydrates are present. Disabling this protein reduces obesity and improves glucose control in obese mice. The study suggests a potential new approach to treating type 2 diabetes.
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.