Articles tagged with Human Physiology
Scientists discovered that transposable elements influence human brain development by partnering with two specialized proteins known as Krép-el-associated box-containing zinc finger proteins. These partnerships regulate gene expression in neurons and influence the development and function of adult organs.
Researchers have found that male seahorses transport nutrients to their developing babies during pregnancy, a complex process similar to human pregnancy. This breakthrough provides new insights into the biology of seahorse pregnancy and its potential parallels with human reproduction.
TARA's in vitro human cardiac models replicate drug responses similar to those observed in humans, supporting their use as a robust platform for new medicines evaluation. The models' ability to reproduce diverse mechanisms of action showcases their applicability for cardiac drug discovery and development.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have engineered peptides that bind selectively to polysialic acid on cells, potentially providing a barrier against viruses. The findings suggest these peptides could be used to treat diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and cancer.
A new University of Otago study found that mating with sterile males early in life increases female growth but reduces lifespan. Mating with fertile males later in life has the opposite effect, increasing reproductive output. The findings suggest long-term consequences of social interactions between males and females.
Breeding methodologies can increase fructan levels in winter wheat cultivars without reducing genetic diversity. Researchers successfully developed wheat cultivars with increased fructan levels using recurrent genomic selection, providing a proof-of-concept for improving nutritionally enhanced crops.
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.
New research uses physiological cues, specifically heart rate analysis, to discern between natural humans and computer-generated faces. By extracting pulse-rate signals from video sequences, the authors can classify input faces as either CG or NAT.
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.
TARA Biosystems' human heart-on-a-chip technology shows promise in predicting preclinical systolic and diastolic in vivo observations for novel cardiac drug MYK-491. The platform uses human induced pluripotent stem cells to create physiologically relevant cardiac tissues.
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.
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.
Researchers analyzed fossil data to discover nearly all early African herbivore communities were unique before 700,000 years ago. This suggests the earliest humans lived in non-analog ecosystems that differ from modern Africa's ecosystems.
A new study from Northwestern University suggests that human ecology has played a more significant role in shaping the human gut microbiome than genetic relationships. The research found that the human gut microbiome is more similar to that of Old World monkeys like baboons than apes like chimpanzees.
A study found that the endocannabinoid system is present in human testis tissue and may be involved in regulating sperm cell development. The system includes key components such as enzymes and receptors that degrade and interact with endocannabinoids, suggesting a potential role in reproductive function.
Researchers analyzed human hair fibers from polluted areas in China and found increased degradation with higher PAH levels. Exposure to UV radiation further damaged contaminated fibers, suggesting a toxic combination.
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.
Researchers at Utah State University found that cyclists align in patterns within a plus-or-minus 30-degree arc corresponding to the human near-peripheral visual field. This helps them safely react to changes or disturbances from neighboring riders, leading to lower individual rider energy expenditures.
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.
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...
Researchers found that human endurance activities share the same metabolic limits, with energy expenditure unable to exceed 2.5 times resting metabolism. This universal limit applies across various events and muscle groups, suggesting a common adaptive mechanism.
Researchers discover that progesterone triggers the mineralocortoid receptor in elephant sharks, while aldosterone and cortisol do not. This finding provides new insights into the evolution of human physiology.
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.
The NASA Twin Study has provided a comprehensive multi-omics view of the human body's response to long-term space flight. The study found increased collagen proteins in urine, correlating with vascular remodeling during space flight.
Researchers discovered a genetic variant in troponin I that disrupts calcium-binding affinity in thin muscle filaments, leading to arrhythmias in human cardiac cells. This finding may contribute to SUDI by triggering sudden cardiac arrest.
A KAIST research team found that blue-enriched white light exposure improves melatonin levels and subjective perception of alertness, mood, and visual comfort compared to warm white light. This study proposes a new approach to indoor lighting strategies, benefiting residential areas, learning environments, and working spaces.
Researchers are developing a new paradigm called 'network physiology' that examines how organs communicate and adjust to each other. This approach has the potential to improve health monitoring techniques by capturing data streams from different organ systems.
A review of over 140 studies explores climate change's impact on animal life, including humans, through increased frequency and severity of heat waves. Behavioral changes, such as altered migration patterns and increased water demands, may lead to dehydration and cellular stress.
A joint ESA-University of Bath project aims to estimate forces experienced by lower limbs in different gravity environments, mapping variation in external loads, muscle strength, and reduced gravity effect.
Researchers discuss potential benefits of inducing torpor in humans for spaceflight and medical treatment. Synthetic torpor could protect astronauts from radiation hazards and reduce demands on spacecraft mass.
Researchers pinpointed microRNA-31 as a predictive indicator of clinical outcome and functional relevance in driving the disease. The study uses an artificial gut to culture human biopsy samples and track molecular abundance, offering a personalized testing platform for therapeutic agents.
Research highlights the physiological and pathophysiological functions of olfactory receptors in human tissues, including their potential applications in cancer diagnosis and therapy. The receptors also regulate skin regeneration, intestinal digestion, and hair growth.
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.
A new rabbit model with clinical similarity to human patients has been developed for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) research. The model exhibits signs of muscular dystrophy, including impaired physical activity and muscle loss, making it a promising tool for advancing DMD research and developing novel therapies.
A new study found that men with higher levels of testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) had weaker religious ties. The research analyzed data from over 1000 men and suggests that physiological factors, such as hormones, may play a role in shaping religiosity later in life.
A systematic review of protein supplement studies found that consuming protein with meals helps maintain body weight while decreasing fat mass. Snacking on protein supplements may not be as effective for weight control and can even lead to increased calorie intake.
Researchers found that just one simulated night shift altered levels and time-of-day patterns of over 100 proteins in the blood. These disruptions can lead to higher diabetes rates and decreased energy expenditure, highlighting the importance of timing treatments around the circadian clock.
Researchers used Blood Vessel-Chip to model and predict thrombosis induced by anti-CD154 monoclonal antibody, demonstrating its potential for safety testing and efficacy assessment. The chip recreated key parameters of thrombosis and provided insights into the mechanisms and biomarkers involved.
A TGen-ASU study found that different types of exercises affect unique sets of genes in muscle tissue. The research identified 48 unique genes affected by aerobic exercise and 348 unique genes affected by weight lifting.
Researchers studied six healthy young male volunteers to collect physiological information as they went about their daily lives, measuring thousands of physiological indicators. The study found that most sensor readouts showed time-specific variability, including blood pressure, heart rate, and cortisol levels.
A Russian researcher and his colleagues have determined the normal range of boron in human tissues, revealing its importance in metabolism. The study found that men and women have different dietary balances but similar boron functions, suggesting a gender-independent metabolism.
Anaerobic bacteria can produce vitamin ergothioneine in oxygen-free environments, challenging the previously oxygen-dependent theory. This discovery suggests that ergothioneine may have played a crucial role in early Earth's life forms.
A study of Russian cosmonauts found significant changes in their bodies due to spaceflight, affecting all major cell types and organs. The research revealed that the human body lacks mechanisms to rapidly adapt to such extreme changes, leading to widespread physiological responses.
Research with house mice suggests that a strength in one area of Darwinian fitness may come at the expense of another. Good fighters and good runners had about the same body mass, despite differences in oxygen consumption during running. The findings give a clue as to how trade-offs may have shaped our evolution.
Researchers discovered that the skin microbiome contains archaea, a type of extreme-loving microbe, which vary in abundance with age. The study found that archaea were most abundant in subjects younger than 12 and older than 60, and people with dry skin have more archaea.
Researchers develop new method to calculate indoor CO2 concentrations more accurately, using established concepts from human metabolism and exercise physiology. The new approach considers body size, composition, diet, and physical activity to provide a more reliable estimate of CO2 generation rates.
Researchers identified over 1,300 genes completely knocked out in at least one individual, including the APOC3 gene, which regulates triglyceride metabolism. These individuals had low triglyceride levels and were protected from post-meal rise in plasma triglycerides.
The Salk Institute has received a $3 million gift from the Glenn Foundation, enabling continued investigation into aging and age-related diseases. The center aims to advance understanding of biological aging and its effects on various diseases, with a focus on developing interventions to delay or cure age-related conditions.
A novel microfluidic device models human kidney function, exhibiting more natural cell behaviors than traditional culturing methods. The device's glomerular filtration system is crucial for healthy cell function and accurately predicting renal drug toxicity in humans.
The National Sleep Foundation has established key indicators of good sleep quality, including sleeping for at least 85% of the time and falling asleep within 30 minutes. The report highlights areas where research is needed to further define good sleep quality across age groups.
Researchers found that people prefer large, widespread species for basic needs like food and medicine due to their ability to produce large quantities. In contrast, smaller palm species are often used for psychological and self-actualization needs with less dependency on biological traits.
Researchers developed a tiny, soft, and wearable acoustic sensor that measures vibrations in the human body, allowing for monitoring of human heart health and recognition of spoken words. The device can gather continuous physiological data and has implications for remote healthcare and communication for people with speech impairments.
Researchers at Yale and Cincinnati Children's Hospital propose that the human female orgasm evolved to stimulate ovulation, a trait shared with many other placental mammals. The study suggests that female orgasm became superfluous for reproduction later in evolution, freeing it for secondary roles.
Researchers found that SIRT3's level of mRNA decreases, but its location remains the same after endurance exercise and fasting. This suggests that the activity of this enzyme may not be directly regulated by changes in its abundance within mitochondria in human skeletal muscle cells.
A study of elite male cyclists found that chronic sleep restriction decreased energy expenditure during exercise, maximal aerobic power, and time to exhaustion. The results also showed a decrease in submaximal heart rate and peak heart rate, highlighting the impact of sleep loss on athletic performance.
Researchers at Stanford University discovered that touching a robot's intimate areas triggers physiological arousal in humans. The experiment used Aldebaran Robotics' NAO human-shaped robot and measured skin conductance and reaction time.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital developed a wearable device to monitor and control organs-on-chips, a platform for testing drug compounds. The system uses Google Glass for hands-free control and monitoring, enabling high-accuracy predictions of physiological responses.
A groundbreaking study led by Dr. Dagmar Krüger has revealed that the human gut's secretory capacity does not decline with age, contradicting long-held assumptions. The research team examined over 2200 specimens from 450 patients with bowel disease and found no correlation between intestinal secretion and age or gender.
A University of Missouri study found that men who engaged in high-impact activities during adolescence and young adulthood had greater bone mineral density than those who didn't. This association was observed across all ages, suggesting that it's never too late to start a bone-strengthening exercise program.
The Self, Motivation and Virtue Project at OU is funding interdisciplinary research on moral self and virtue development. Researchers are studying topics including integrity, cultural narratives, and Buddhism's central claims about the self.