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Good fighters are bad runners

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.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateJul 21, 2017

Yale researchers shed light on evolutionary mystery: Origins of the female orgasm

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.

SourceYale University·JournalJournal of Experimental Zoology Part B Molecular and Developmental Evolution·DateAug 1, 2016

Google glass meets organs-on-chips

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.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalScientific Reports·DateMar 18, 2016

The gut: Performing into old age

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.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalThe Journal of Physiology·DateMar 9, 2016

We've all got a blind spot, but it can be shrunk

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.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateAug 31, 2015

Louisiana Tech University researchers discover synthesis of a new nanomaterial

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.

SourceLouisiana Tech University·JournalJournal of Visualized Experiments·DateAug 24, 2015

Exercise allows you to age optimally

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.

SourceKing's College London·JournalThe Journal of Physiology·DateJan 5, 2015

Aberrant mTOR signaling impairs whole body physiology

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.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 11, 2014

Can mice mimic human breast cancer? MSU study says 'yes'

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.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalBreast Cancer Research·DateJun 5, 2014

Cultural foundations of human social behavior

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.

Protecting the skin from sun exposure

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.

SourceRockefeller University Press·JournalJournal of General Physiology·DateJan 27, 2014

Primate of the opera: What soprano singing apes on helium reveal about the human voice

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.

SourceWiley·JournalAmerican Journal of Physical Anthropology·DateAug 23, 2012

Evolution of sport performances follows a physiological law

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.

SourceSpringer·JournalAGE·DateJul 1, 2011

The science behind the cape

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.

SourceAmerican Physiological Society·JournalAJP Advances in Physiology Education·DateMar 8, 2011