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Off-world colony simulation reveals changes in human communication over time with Earth

Researchers studied the effects of isolation on human psychology, physiology, and team dynamics in a simulated off-world colony. The study found that crews' communication with mission control diminished over time, causing initial friction but eventually leading to increased cohesion despite cultural and personal differences.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Physiology·TypeObservational study·DateNov 8, 2021

Exposure to deadly urban heat worldwide has tripled in recent decades, says study

A new study found that urban heat exposure has tripled worldwide since the 1980s, affecting nearly a quarter of the global population. The study revealed that city dwellers are exposed to extreme heat and humidity for more person-days, with 1.7 billion people affected on multiple days.

SourceColumbia Climate School·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 4, 2021

Study identifies molecule that stimulates muscle-building in humans

Researchers found that consuming dileucine enhances the metabolic processes driving muscle growth, resulting in a 42% increase in protein synthesis. In contrast, leucine alone showed no significant impact on protein breakdown, highlighting the molecule's potential as a signaling agent for muscle-building pathways.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalJournal of Applied Physiology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 9, 2021

Can chips replace animal testing?

Researchers at Hebrew University have developed human-on-a-chip technology that allows for real-time monitoring of drug treatments in humans. The technology has the potential to significantly reduce testing and production time for drugs, saving time, money, and unnecessary suffering.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateMar 9, 2021

How we age

Researchers construct a composite measure of physiological dysregulation among human populations and compare it to other primates. Despite differing lifestyles, Tsimane adults show marginally higher rates of increase in physiological dysregulation, but still lower rates compared to urban populations.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London (B )·DateSep 21, 2020

Robot research honored

Assistant Professor Fabrizio Sergi at the University of Delaware received a NSF CAREER Award for his work on motor control and brain-body interaction using MRI-compatible robots. His research aims to improve neurorehabilitation practices for individuals with motor impairment, such as stroke survivors.

United in musical diversity

A recent study in Science journal found that all cultures studied have similar music characteristics, such as fast rhythms for dance and soft tempos for lullabies. This suggests that there are fundamental universal properties of music that reflect commonalities in human cognition.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalScience·DateNov 22, 2019

Peering into a more 'human' petri dish

Cell culture media has remained relatively unchanged for over 70 years, but Jason Cantor is developing 'physiologic media' that closely mimics real biological conditions. This allows researchers to study cell behavior in a more accurate and relevant way, potentially revealing fundamental insights into human diseases such as blood cancer.

SourceMorgridge Institute for Research·JournalTrends in Cell Biology·DateNov 4, 2019

Monitoring the corrosion of bioresorbable magnesium

Scientists at ETH Zurich have created a new family of bioresorbable magnesium alloys containing zinc and calcium, which can be resorbed by the human body. Analytical transmission electron microscopy revealed a previously unknown dealloying mechanism governing the dissolution of precipitates in the magnesium matrix.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateOct 23, 2019

Heart-on-a-chip mimics drug response seen in humans

Researchers replicated human-like drug responses in TARA's engineered heart-on-a-chip system, predicting cardiac safety and efficacy. The study validated the platform's ability to model different heart diseases and measure contractile force of Cardiotype tissues.

SourceCG Life·JournalToxicological Sciences·DateAug 6, 2019

SLAS Discovery announces its July feature article, '3D Cell-Based Assays for Drug Screens: Challenges in Imaging, Image Analysis, and High-Content Analysis'

The switch from 2D to 3D cell cultures in drug discovery improves the accuracy of human physiological conditions and increases the success rates of drugs. High-content analysis with 3D cell cultures is expected to increase the quality of compounds progressing to preclinical stages.

Neuroscience research questions current alcohol limit

A new study published in Addiction Biology found that drinking one pint of beer or a large glass of wine can significantly compromise a person's sense of agency. This sense of agency is crucial for human social behavior, implying knowledge of the consequences of actions. The researchers used an indirect measure called intentional bindi...

SourceUniversity of Sussex·JournalAddiction Biology·DateJun 21, 2019

Need for social skills helped shape modern human face

A new review suggests that social communication played a significant role in shaping the modern human face. The study, led by University of York researchers, concludes that our faces evolved not only due to factors like diet and climate but also to facilitate nonverbal communication and establish large social networks.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateApr 15, 2019

Surgery in space

Current understanding of human physiology and surgery in space is crucial for future astronauts. The review highlights novel pathologies that could arise from prolonged weightlessness and exposure to cosmic radiation, emphasizing the need for specialized training and medical preparedness.

SourceWiley·JournalBJS·DateJun 20, 2018