Articles tagged with Human Physiology
Scientists have found that training can effectively reduce the size of the human blind spot, improving vision in individuals with age-related macular degeneration. The researchers trained participants on a direction-discrimination task for 20 consecutive weekdays, resulting in a 10% reduction in functional blindness.
Researchers at Louisiana Tech University have created a biocomposite nanomaterial that can be synthesized under physiological conditions, making it suitable for targeted drug delivery to combat diseases like cancer. The new material is also stable and resistant to agglomeration, allowing for controlled synthesis and modification.
Researchers found that people with a small opening in the heart (PFO) were more susceptible to acute mountain sickness and had impaired lung function at high altitudes. The study suggests PFOs may impair performance at high altitude due to inefficient blood oxygenation.
Kay E. Davies has made significant contributions to understanding Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a genetic disorder that causes rapid muscle weakness. Her research has led to the development of dystrophin minigenes and utrophin-based treatments, offering hope for all DMD patients.
Researchers created human cell lines to study gene expression in precursor cells, enabling the prediction of UCP1 expression and potential transformation of white fat cells into brown fat cells. This breakthrough offers a promising tool for developing personalized obesity treatments.
Dr. Laurel H. Carney has been awarded the William and Christine Hartmann Prize in Auditory Neuroscience for her research on auditory physiology and perception. Her work aims to understand how the brain hears and develop strategies to aid listeners with hearing loss.
WSU researchers found a direct link between BPA and estradiol's effects on sperm production, disrupting DNA interactions needed for creation. This discovery bolsters the estrogen hypothesis and suggests that endocrine disruptors like BPA impair reproduction.
A study by King's College London found that amateur cyclists aged 55-79 had levels of physiological function similar to younger individuals. The study revealed that exercise can buy extra years of healthy function compared to sedentary people, and cycling is particularly beneficial for maintaining health and wellbeing.
The Microphysiological Systems Program is developing human-on-a-chip models to study cell-cell, drug-cell, and organ-drug interactions. These models have the potential to revolutionize experimental biology and medicine by increasing efficiency and human relevance in pharmaceutical development and testing.
A University of Oregon study found that high school athletes who return to activity within 60 days experience a significant regression in their balance and walking speed, affecting their ability to perform simple mental tasks. This regression was seen in 12 of 19 athletes, with 10 returning within less than a month.
Research at the University of Basel reveals that aberrant mTOR signaling in the liver affects not only hepatic metabolism but also entire body physiology. The study found that activation of mTORC1 in the liver reduces locomotor activity, body temperature, and lipid metabolism.
Researchers at MIT developed a robot that augments the grasping motion of the human hand, working in sync with the wearer's fingers to grasp objects of various shapes and sizes. The device aims to assist people with limited dexterity in performing routine household tasks.
A recent MSU study has discovered that many preclinical models of human breast cancer can replicate several key characteristics, particularly at the gene level. The researchers analyzed 1,172 mouse mammary tumor samples from 26 different models and found that most human breast cancers can be represented by one specific strain of mice.
Associate Professor David Newman is a world leader in aviation medicine, receiving the 2014 John Paul Stapp Award for his work in aerospace biomechanics. He has made significant contributions to the field of aviation safety, focusing on pilot fitness and aviation-related health issues.
Researchers discovered a protein responsible for gas exchanges in zebrafish gills, which may mimic human kidney function. NHE3 protein controls sodium and hydrogen ions, aiding in energy-saving balance and waste removal.
Joan Chiao's research investigates how cultural factors influence basic psychological and neural processes underlying social behavior and emotion processing. The study focuses on the physiological and cultural foundations of traits such as empathy and altruism, shedding light on their role in shaping human social interactions.
Researchers have identified a specific protein involved in mediating the skin's response to UVR and found that the signal transduction cascade resembles a light-activated pathway in the eye. This new insight into the molecular pathway underlying UVR detection could lead to improved sun protection methods.
The Wyss Institute will use its Organs-on-Chips technology to test human physiological responses to radiation and evaluate drugs designed to counter those effects. The project aims to improve the national ability to respond to nuclear radiation incidents and reduce animal testing.
A team of biomechanics experts at SMU are investigating the forces involved in typical basketball collisions and their relationship to balance and body control. The research aims to estimate 'flopping' forces from video data and potentially enhance video reviews of alleged flopping.
Physiology's enduring relevancy is highlighted through Dr. Joyner's research on complex bodily functions like blood pressure and blood flow during exercise. The redundancy in human systems complicates genetic explanations for diseases, leading to a comeback of multi-directional thinking in physiology
The collaboration aims to accelerate the translation of Organs-on-Chips from benchtop to marketplace, providing more predictive and useful measures of drug efficacy and safety in humans. The Wyss Institute has developed over ten Organs-on-Chips, including lung, heart, liver, kidney, bone marrow, and gut-on-a-chip technologies.
Researchers found that high school athletes experienced compromised focus and task-switching abilities for up to two months after brain concussions. The study's findings suggest that athletes may need longer recovery periods than current practices dictate to minimize the risk of subsequent concussions.
The Wuzhishan miniature pig genome sequence has provided valuable knowledge for medical engineering and drug design. Despite high levels of polymorphism, the genome is mostly homozygous, with 84% homology between humans and pigs.
Researchers found that motor unit firing patterns varied significantly across the menstrual cycle, with a significant increase in the late luteal phase, potentially affecting joint stability and injury risk. The study suggests that hormone fluctuations may play a role in knee injuries among female athletes.
A recent study on rhodopsin in Xenopus rod photoreceptor cells reveals that the geometry of micro-compartments formed by incisures affects its signaling. The researchers found that boundary geometry, rather than heterogeneity in diffusion or bound fraction, explains differences in rhodopsin distribution
A study published in the American Journal of Physical Anthropology found that singing gibbons use the same vocal techniques as professional soprano singers. The research reveals a physiological similarity between gibbon and human voices, suggesting that complex vocal abilities evolved in humans were not due to unique modifications.
The Wyss Institute is developing an automated instrument that integrates 10 human organs-on-chips to study complex human physiology outside the body. This will accelerate assessment of drug safety and efficacy, informing regulatory decision-making.
Research reveals that king penguins in areas with daily human disturbance show less stress from noise and approaching humans, but experience increased heart rate after capture. The study emphasizes the importance of considering human presence effects on ecological studies and conservation measures.
A new study funded by the California Raisin Marketing Board found that eating raisins as an after-school snack prevents excessive calorie intake and increases feelings of fullness. The three-month study among normal-weight children ages 8-11 showed significant benefits from snacking on raisins.
Researchers at Harvard's Wyss Institute have created a living human gut-on-a-chip that mimics the structure, physiology, and mechanics of the human intestine. The device supports the growth of living microbes and could help understand intestinal disorders such as Crohn's disease.
University of Missouri nutrition experts recommend eating balanced meals and farm-fresh produce to promote healthy eating choices. Families can implement healthy eating ideas by trying seasonal fruits and vegetables, such as those available at local farmers markets or grocery stores.
Research by Berthelot and Len found that athlete performance follows an exponential growth curve to a peak before declining irreversibly between the ages of 20 and 30. This pattern is also observed in other physiological parameters such as lung function and cognitive skills, suggesting a universal law governing human capability evolution.
A recent study published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry suggests that vitamin A plays a more direct role than previously believed in various physiological functions. The study found that vitamin A itself is active in activating nuclear receptor TR4, which plays roles in sperm cell production, lipid regulation, and central nervo...
Physiologist E. Paul Zehr uses Batman as a framework to discuss exercise and physical training, illustrating how the body responds to physical discipline. His approach connects science to popular culture, helping students understand physiology better.
Researchers found that heat acclimation provided significant benefits for athletes competing in cool weather, including improved aerobic performance. The study's findings suggest that heat acclimation could be a practical and effective approach to improve athletic performance in cooler conditions.
A Spanish research team has created a system that measures human physiological parameters and uses them to control virtual character behavior in real-time. The goal is to create a more immersive experience by tapping into the unconscious mind.
A recent study led by the University of Colorado at Boulder found that upgrading a wastewater treatment plant in Colorado has mitigated the problem of male fish becoming feminized due to chemical contaminants. The team observed no effects on male sex characteristics after 28 days of exposure to effluent water, contradicting previous fi...
The study provides strong evidence that the NBD dimer does not fully dissociate in each gating cycle, proposing a new gating model for CFTR with two distinct cycles. This advancement sheds light on the chloride channel's behavior and may lead to improved treatments for cystic fibrosis patients.
A new study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology suggests that human running speeds can exceed 28 mph due to limitations imposed by muscle fiber contractile speed. Researchers found that elite sprinters' foot-ground contact times are brief, implying a biological limit on how quickly muscles can generate forces.
A meta-analysis of 134 studies involving over 3,400 participants found that men's brain and body responses were more aligned during sexual arousal. In contrast, women's mind-body responses were less consistent. The study suggests significant gender differences in how people experience and respond to sexual stimuli.
A meta-analysis of 134 studies involving over 3,400 participants found that men's subjective and physiological measures of sexual arousal were more closely matched than women's. The researchers identified two methodological differences - the type of stimuli and timing of assessment - that may contribute to this gender difference.
Researchers charted microbial communities across the human body, finding unique and diverse populations in different regions. The study suggests that personalized microbial communities vary widely from person to person and could hold key insights into human health.
Heat waves pose a significant threat to older adults and individuals with chronic diseases, who are more susceptible to heat-related illnesses due to impaired thermoregulation. Air conditioning and working fans can reduce the risk of mortality by up to 80% and 30%, respectively.
A new study from the University of Missouri suggests that high-impact activities like running can have a greater positive effect on bone mineral density (BMD) than resistance training. The research found that runners had greater spine BMD than cyclists, and that high-impact activity may override the benefits of lean body mass on BMD.
Researchers at Caltech have created images of the heart's muscular layer showing a connection between muscle configuration and contraction. The findings provide evidence that the helical shape is crucial to the heart's effective beating, settling a 50-year debate.
Researchers investigated physiological methods used by well-trained runners to control exercise intensity and avoid exhaustion. They found that heart rate response scales with race distance, indicating athletes actively manage their body's increasing strain.
Researchers have discovered that Tabebuia extract can delay dietary fat absorption in animal models, reducing triglyceride levels. The extract's potential use in treating obesity and associated diseases like type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease is being explored.
A human clinical study by Montana Center for Work Physiology and Exercise Metabolism found that wildland firefighters who consumed a yeast-based antioxidant supplement, Wellmune WGP¹, had significantly fewer upper respiratory tract infections compared to a placebo group. The study showed a strong statistical trend of 23% fewer infectio...
Researchers at University College London used a virtual human simulation to predict the effectiveness of an HIV drug against resistant mutations. The study could lead to tailored treatment approaches for patients developing resistance to their drugs.
Mice fed human diet exhibit distinct liver gene expression profiles compared to those on a chimpanzee diet, suggesting dietary influences on physiological differences between humans and other apes. This study replicates previous findings in mice fed different diets.
Researchers explore how genes, neurotransmitters, and brain function impact athletic performance and endurance. Studies reveal that certain genetic variations and mental state can significantly enhance physical abilities.
A new study finds that daylight saving time (DST) significantly disrupts the human circadian clock's seasonal adjustment. Researchers analyzed sleep patterns of over 55,000 people in Central Europe and found that DST timing fails to adapt, leading to significant disruptions in daily rhythms.
Researchers discovered that specific genetic variants of an odor receptor determine how people perceive pleasant or unpleasant odors. The study focused on two sex steroid-derived chemicals and found that different genetic variations led to varying reactions.
Researchers at EMBL have identified a molecule called n-cofilin crucial for preventing neuronal disorders. The protein helps organise cell skeleton, essential for brain development and function.
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 recent study conducted by University of California - San Diego researchers found that using a Taser on healthy individuals does not cause lasting harm. The study monitored the physiological effects of a single Taser activation in human subjects and discovered no clinically significant or lasting changes.
Preliminary results of Taser exposure on healthy subjects revealed no clinically significant changes in cardiovascular and blood parameters after a single 5-second exposure. The study measured systolic and diastolic blood pressures, heart rate, calcium, sodium, potassium levels and blood pH in 32 subjects.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital found that patients and therapists share similar physiologic responses during moments of high positive emotion, leading to higher ratings of therapist empathy. The study suggests a biological basis for empathic connection during psychotherapy, with implications for improving therapeutic tec...
A genetic variant of BARD1 has been found to be associated with an increased risk of breast cancer, particularly in women who carry the BRCA2 mutation. The study suggests that inheriting this allele may increase a woman's breast cancer risk, but for most women, the risk is only slight.
Physiologist Dr. Pawelczyk highlights the human body's challenges in space life medicine and physiology, including radiation effects and heavy metal ion bombardment. He emphasizes the importance of current and future research to address these issues and prevent health problems such as osteoporosis and cancer risk.