Articles tagged with Biological Rhythms
Scientists at UNIGE have identified a neural circuit linking the biological clock to a region of the brain involved in sleep and wakefulness in fruit flies. This circuit, involving dopamine signaling to the mushroom body, plays a crucial role in regulating wakefulness throughout the day.
Researchers discovered a protein called SLC25A34 that connects the body clock, temperature, and diet to how fat cells store and spend energy. This protein, found in mitochondrial cells, acts as a switch that responds to time of day, temperature, and food intake, influencing fat burning and storage.
Giant salamanders play a significant role in freshwater ecosystems, while indicator species selection can aid in monitoring biodiversity. Subterranean animals, like salamanders and crustaceans, have unique internal biological clocks and rhythms, offering insights into adaptation to dark environments.
The SUNY Technology Accelerator Fund is providing grants to support research in AI, energy-efficient semiconductors, and non-invasive monitoring. Five campuses will receive funding for projects that could improve cancer diagnostics, circadian rhythm disorders, and burn diagnostics.
Even low levels of nighttime light exposure can lead to structural changes in the heart, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease. Researchers analyzed data from 11,017 participants and found that those exposed to higher levels of light saw a thickening of the heart's walls and reduced flexibility during a heartbeat.
A new study suggests that eating jetlag, which disrupts the body's biological rhythm, may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease in men. The study found that each additional hour of eating jetlag was associated with a 14% increased risk of cardiovascular disease and a 21% increased risk of coronary heart disease.
Researchers found that meal timing programs the liver's daily rhythms and can have serious metabolic and health consequences when out of sync. The liver uses food signals to activate metabolic pathways, which can conflict with the body's natural circadian clock, leading to health issues.
A new study has found that social jet lag, or the mismatch between weekday and weekend sleep schedules, may contribute to teenage anxiety. The research, published in Sleep Medicine Reviews, found a small but consistent correlation between social jet lag and higher levels of anxiety in teenagers.
Researchers at Kyushu University found a new molecular pathway that explains why intraocular pressure increases at night. Norepinephrine increases RHOB in the eye's drainage system, weakening its
Aging reprograms skin genetic activity by increasing inflammatory gene expression in the epidermis, leading to a loss of skin function. This mechanism is mediated by the collaboration of two proteins, BMAL1 and YAP, which normally maintain skin homeostasis.
A new cell therapy has been developed to accelerate circadian realignment in preclinical models, reducing the time required for animals to adjust to shifts in the light-dark cycle that mimic jet lag and shift work. Encapsulated leptin-producing cells have been shown to be effective in facilitating entrainment of circadian rhythms.
Researchers at UT Health San Antonio have uncovered how the liver's internal clock coordinates the release of proteins that regulate metabolism. The findings suggest that understanding this internal clock could help guide future research on metabolic disease and inform optimal timing for meals and medication.
A team of researchers led by UMass Amherst believes a second, undiscovered internal clock regulates brain energy-intensive work and may link neurobiological brain function to the body's circadian clock. The three-protein clock has deep evolutionary precedent and disruption could contribute to human disease.
Researchers elucidated how different organs use the same clock machinery to regulate unique biological processes. The study identified key transcription factors that modulate circadian function in a tissue-specific manner, providing new insights into organ-specific temporal control.
A new study found consistent summertime peaks in both mass shootings and suicide deaths in the US, indicating a possible link between the two. The researchers observed seasonal fluctuations in these forms of violence, raising the possibility that mass shootings may share risk pathways with suicidal behavior.
Deep-diving insect larvae have developed sturdy air sacs that control their buoyancy, defying the idea of oceanic insect extinction. Their unique respiratory system uses resilin to adjust air sac volume and pH, allowing them to thrive in extreme depths.
A nationwide analysis of over 18 million patients found a 30% higher risk of developing retinal vascular disease in the month following the spring clock change, while a 20% lower risk was observed in the fall. The study suggests that gaining an hour of sleep may be protective against disease risk.
Researchers identify CD36 as a key regulator connecting circadian rhythm disturbances to abnormal bile acid metabolism and cholestatic liver injury. Elevated CD36 expression contributes to inflammatory activation and liver fibrosis, while CD36 deficiency restores bile acid metabolic rhythms and reduces liver damage.
A recent study published in Metabolism found that our internal clock independently affects the energy we burn after eating, peaking in the morning and decreasing at night. This discovery sheds light on why late eating may contribute to weight gain or struggles with weight loss.
Researchers from Kyushu University discovered that the circadian clock protein BMAL1 drives macrophages towards a pro-inflammatory M1 state by activating inflammatory signaling pathways. This mechanism links the body clock to intracellular metabolism and immune function, offering new insights into treating inflammatory diseases.
A study found that women with Hashimoto's thyroiditis are more likely to have an evening chronotype and increased daytime sleepiness, associated with higher levels of thyroglobulin antibodies. The research highlights the importance of investigating underlying mechanisms for this association.
Research highlights the interplay between circadian disruption and cardiovascular comorbidities, including cardio-cerebral, cardio-hepatic, and cardio-renal interactions. Chronotherapies show promise in re-entraining circadian rhythms, with potential applications for personalized treatment.
A recent study from Texas A&M University suggests that irregular sleep patterns may increase the risk of dementia. The research team, led by Karienn Souza, found that chronically disrupted circadian rhythms can lead to activated microglia, which can contribute to inflammation and damage in the brain. The team plans to test a new therap...
Researchers investigate how environmental stressors like jet lag and high-fat diets affect Alzheimer's risk. They aim to determine if restoring metabolic rhythms can prevent the progression of the disease, taking a holistic view of health and natural rhythms.
Professors José María Martín-Olalla and Jorge Mira Pérez refute the 2025 study linking Daylight Saving Time to negative health outcomes, citing a critical error in methodology. The original study's conclusions were based on an incorrect calculation of daily readjustments, which resulted in a zero annual cumulative total.
A Salk Institute study identifies Fibroblast Growth Factor 1 (FGF1) as the molecular signal that tells the liver when to release fat into the bloodstream, following a precise rhythm timed to the body's internal clock.
Research suggests that exercising at a time that matches an individual's natural chronotype (morning or evening alertness) can lower cardiovascular disease risk. The study found that chronotype-aligned exercise improved blood pressure, fasting glucose, cholesterol levels, and sleep quality more effectively than mismatched timing.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis found that a mother's circadian rhythms cross the placenta to the baby before birth, setting the biological clock for daily patterns called circadian rhythms. The study suggests that stable circadian rhythms during pregnancy are crucial for healthy fetal development.
Researchers at Charité develop test to determine circadian rhythm using hair roots, revealing genetic and lifestyle factors influencing internal clock. The new method shows promise for tailoring therapies to individual rhythms, potentially improving treatment outcomes.
Researchers at The University of Osaka discovered that the cyanobacterial circadian clock is controlled by factors intrinsic to one protein, which remains stable under different conditions. This finding offers significant insight into how living organisms measure time.
A study by King's College London found that night shift workers with type 2 diabetes face challenges in maintaining a healthy diet and managing their condition. The research revealed limited access to nutritious food options during night shifts, leading to poorer quality nutrition and greater variability in glucose levels.
A study by researchers at the University of Basel and University of Bern found that spring fatigue is not a real biological phenomenon, but rather a culturally influenced concept. Participants in an online survey reported feeling more exhausted in spring, but the data showed no correlation with seasonal changes.
Researchers discovered that a plant's internal daily timekeeper coordinates growth by controlling an electrochemical 'language' between different tissues. A key clock component, CCA1, boosts stem elongation while restricting root growth by controlling hormone signaling and proton pump activity.
Researchers found a smooth variation in sensitivity to diapause induction with air temperature and daylight length, suggesting genes regulating circadian rhythm play a key role. The timeless gene was associated with variations in female diapause sensitivity, providing insights into molecular mechanisms behind diapause.
University of California San Diego scientists have solved how the circadian clocks within microscopic bacteria precisely control gene expression during the 24-hour cycle. The researchers identified six proteins needed to rebuild this clock, generating a simplified cyanobacterial system with a clock that only needs.
A new analysis of 73 species reveals that most animals are changing their habits in response to warming, but surprisingly, many are thriving. The study found that most species shifted their timing in warmer years, yet maintained or even increased their numbers despite the climate crisis.
A new study from Texas A&M University reveals that circadian disruptions change the structure of mammary glands, weaken immune defenses, and fuel aggressive breast cancer. Disabling an immune checkpoint molecule called LILRB4 helps restore the immune system's ability to fight back.
A team of researchers at Washington University in St. Louis developed a computational tool to reveal connections in the mouse suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), the body's central circadian pacemaker. The study identified five functional cell types and found that a small subset of 'hub' cells are critical to SCN timekeeping.
Researchers found that patients who received immunochemotherapy before 3:00 pm experienced significantly longer progression-free survival and overall survival compared to those treated later. Earlier administration of immunotherapy was also associated with lower risks of cancer progression and death.
Researchers found that filamentous cyanobacteria regulate their metabolism during the day and genome repair at night, revealing a new circadian rhythm in these microorganisms. Their study also uncovered diversity-generating retroelements and mobile genetic elements active throughout the day-night cycle.
Neural signals respond differently depending on time of day, with reduced activity at sunrise and enhanced at sunset. Blocking adenosine reveals a key regulator of cortical excitability across the day.
A comprehensive review synthesizes current insights into the intricate connections between gut microbiota and sleep regulation, highlighting the crucial role of peripheral organs in modulating brain function and behavior. Disruptions in gut microbiota composition are closely linked to sleep disturbances across multiple disorders.
A new study from UC San Francisco found that saturated fat affects the behavior of a protein called PER2, which orchestrates fat metabolism and circadian rhythms. Mice eating a diet high in hydrogenated fats struggled to adapt to winter, whereas those on unsaturated fat diets adjusted easily.
A team of researchers led by Stephen McCormick has uncovered how fish know when to migrate, revealing that their pituitary gland is studded with photoreceptors that can perceive daylight changes. This discovery sheds light on the enduring migration mystery and will help in planning for climate change's impact on migrating fish populati...
A study published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings found that shift workers have a 15% higher risk of developing kidney stones, especially younger workers and those with low levels of manual labor. Lifestyle factors such as BMI, fluid intake, and smoking habits significantly contribute to the occurrence of kidney stones.
Research team led by Charlotte Förster found that synchronization with the moon has decreased significantly since LED introduction and widespread smartphone use. Menstrual cycles now mostly align only in January when gravitational forces are at their highest.
A new clinical trial found that feeding blueberries to infants as their first solid food can reduce allergy symptoms and support long-term health. The study suggests early introduction of blueberries may improve infants' immune systems and gut health.
A study published in the journal Sleep analysed data from over 26,000 days and nights to find that bedroom temperature and daytime light are associated with objectively measured sleep. People living with dementia have disrupted sleep patterns when bedrooms are hotter or lighting is dimmer.
Research reveals that chemotherapy impairs molecular and behavioral measures of the primary biological clock found in the brain. In a study on female mice, paclitaxel treatment disrupted circadian rhythm-related gene expression and behavioral adaptations to light challenges.
Researchers found that breast milk components like melatonin and cortisol vary over the course of the day. Labeling expressed milk as 'morning,' 'afternoon,' or 'evening' could help align feeding times with circadian signals, supporting infant sleep and immune development.
A study published in Annals of Translational Medicine found that intense light therapy can lower troponin levels and increase ANGPTL4 protein, protecting heart tissue. The treatment may reduce the risk of myocardial injuries after non-cardiac surgery, which affects 20% of patients and increases one-year mortality rates.
Professor Siegfried Kasper reveals biological bases of psychiatric disorders alongside psychosocial determinants, influencing treatment protocols globally. His pioneering research transformed approaches to treatment-resistant depression, improving millions of lives.
Research found passing rates peak at noon, lowest in early morning and late afternoon, with implications for high-stakes evaluations like job interviews. Strategies like quality sleep and mental breaks can help counteract time-of-day effects.
Researchers used AI to analyze bird songs and calls of 53 European forest bird species, revealing far more activity types than previously thought. The study showed that some species are active around dawn and twilight, and their song patterns need adjustment for breeding bird surveys.
A new study by the University of Southampton found that adults with ADHD traits report lower quality of life and more severe insomnia. Insomnia was identified as a potential link in this association, suggesting that targeting insomnia complaints may improve the quality of life for people with ADHD.
Dr. Randy J. Nelson's research reveals that artificial light exposure disrupts immune function, causes neuroinflammation, and influences mood regulation. His work has significant implications for understanding depression and anxiety disorders, as well as the obesity epidemic.
A global study by UniSA researchers found that 94% of people who use wearable activity trackers are open to sharing their health information with healthcare providers. This could lead to more personalized and responsive care. The demand for personalized healthcare is on the rise, and wearable activity tracker market is increasing.
Researchers at Flinders University found that blue-enriched light can make people less sensitive to losses, leading to riskier gambling behaviors. The study suggests that reducing blue light exposure could be a potential strategy to mitigate impulsive gambling.
A new study from the University of Michigan reveals that humans' circadian rhythms are still wild at heart, tracking seasonal changes in daylight. The research shows a genetic component to this seasonality, which could help explain individual differences in how strongly people are affected by changes in day length.
A University of Florida Health study found that earlier and more consistent daily activity patterns are associated with better heart and lung fitness in older adults. The research suggests that understanding individual circadian rhythms could lead to personalized health strategies, including tailoring activity and treatment schedules.