Articles tagged with Biological Rhythms
A new Northwestern Medicine study suggests that muscle injuries heal faster when they occur during the body’s natural waking hours. The findings could have implications for shift workers and may also prove useful in understanding the effects of aging and obesity.
Researchers found that less than half of estimates for species studied agreed with diel classifications, and 74% switched phenotypes. The study's results will help conservation initiatives better conserve species by understanding when they are active.
New research from the University of Surrey found that morning blue light therapy improved sleep quality and daily activity in older adults. The study, which investigated 36 adults aged 60 and over, revealed that exposure to blue-enriched light in the morning led to greater daytime activity and regular sleep patterns.
Researchers discovered that adolescents with higher body mass indexes consumed more calories later in the day than their peers of healthy weight. The study controlled for environmental and behavioral influences to isolate the role of the circadian system in shaping eating patterns.
Researchers found that teens with obesity consumed more calories in the late afternoon and early evening compared to their peers of healthy weight. The study, published in PNAS, demonstrates that the body's biological clock directly impacts food intake throughout the day.
Researchers found two patterns of irregular sleep schedules that can increase cardiac risk in adolescents. Maintaining a regular sleep-wake cycle may protect them from future adverse cardiac outcomes.
McGill researchers found that music at an individual's natural tempo significantly reduces pain perceptions. The study discovered the greatest reductions in pain levels occurred when melodies were played at a rate matching the participant's own preferred tempo.
A large study published in BMJ Mental Health found clear time of day patterns in frame of mind, with people generally waking up feeling best in the morning and worst around midnight. The study also revealed seasonal influences on mental health and wellbeing, with better mood during summer months.
Researchers at McGill University discovered a novel brain mechanism that explains why bipolar patients alternate between mania and depression. A dopamine-based 'second brain clock' controls mood shifts, operating in tandem with the body's natural sleep-wake cycle.
Researchers at KAIST and U of Michigan developed a digital biomarker to predict symptoms of depression using smartwatch data. The technology estimates circadian rhythm disruption, which can lead to depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues.
Researchers at the University of Bristol found no increase in cortisol release after waking, contrary to long-held assumptions. The study's findings suggest that daily cortisol rhythms may play a more significant role in regulating stress responses.
Researchers have identified a novel mechanism controlling circadian gene expression and behavioral rhythms through chemical bonding of monoamine neurotransmitters to histone proteins. This discovery could lead to targeted therapies for conditions involving circadian rhythm disruptions, such as insomnia and depression.
Researchers discovered that norepinephrine triggers blood vessel constriction to propel cerebrospinal fluid through the brain, clearing out waste. The findings suggest that sleep aids may disrupt this process, potentially affecting long-term cognitive health.
A study published in PNAS found that short-term timing patterns of past brain activity are the primary determinant of sleep spindle timing, accounting for over 70% of its variability. These individualized patterns change with age and provide a new target for understanding how sleep supports memory.
Researchers explore circadian nutrition as a potential solution for industrialized societies plagued by fatigue. Time-restricted feeding and night/active phase-restricted feeding have shown promise in improving muscle endurance and reducing cognitive dysfunctions.
Researchers at Tokyo Metropolitan University discovered that durian plants bloom approximately 50 days after a 15-day dry spell, affecting both grafted and seed-grown varieties. This study sheds light on the tropical ecosystems and can inform effective agricultural practices to predict flowering and manage harvests.
Researchers at RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences have discovered that macrophages, a type of immune cell, work differently throughout the day due to the body's internal clock. This daily rhythm determines when immune cells are most efficient at detecting threats and mounts a response.
Research highlights the critical link between the body's circadian clock and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Disruptions in circadian rhythms exacerbate inflammation, suggesting that aligning treatment strategies with natural biological cycles could improve patient outcomes.
Glioblastoma brain tumors synchronize their growth with the daily release of steroid hormones like cortisol, according to new research. Blocking these signals slows tumor growth and disease progression in animal models.
A team of researchers has created the first complete map of the brain's circadian clock in the fly Drosophila, revealing at least 240 neurons involved in regulating daily rhythms. This detailed mapping provides a foundation for exploring circadian dysregulation linked to health conditions such as sleep disorders and metabolic diseases.
Researchers found overlapping genetic underpinnings between rhythm-related skills and language-related traits, including dyslexia. The study identified 16 regions of the genome that overlapped between rhythm and language, suggesting a complex genetic architecture shared by these fundamental human traits.
Researchers found a strong link between depression and menstrual pain in a new study published in Briefings in Bioinformatics. Depression may be a cause of dysmenorrhea, rather than a consequence, according to the findings.
Researchers found that cyanobacteria use variations in pulse amplitude to convey information in single cells, regulating genes and controlling cellular processes. This discovery sheds light on how biological rhythms work together to coordinate cellular functions.
The Associated Professional Sleep Societies (APSS) is accepting research abstracts and session proposal submissions for SLEEP 2025. Accepted abstracts will be published online and explore topics such as machine learning, sleep and the glymphatic system, and obesity management.
A new study by University of Surrey and University of Aberdeen researchers found that jetlag impacts metabolism, causing reduced energy spent processing meals and changes in blood sugar and fat levels. The metabolic effects are temporary, recovering within 2-3 days, while impairment of sleep and alertness takes longer to recover.
A recent study published in Nutrition & Diabetes found that consuming over 45% of daily calorie intake after 5 p.m. is associated with increased glucose levels, regardless of individual weight or body fat composition. This can lead to a higher risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and chronic inflammation.
Researchers developed a novel model predicting mood episodes using only sleep-wake pattern data from wearable devices. The study found daily changes in circadian rhythm are key predictors of mood episodes, offering new possibilities for tracking individual changes to prevent future episodes.
A new study found that artificial light significantly disrupts the circadian rhythms of honey bees, leading to impaired behaviors and reduced sleep periods. This poses a threat to their essential role as pollinators, supporting ecosystem stability and global food security.
A pioneering study has uncovered the vital role that gut microbiota plays in regulating stress responses by interacting with the body's circadian rhythms. The findings open the door for developing new microbial-based therapies to help individuals better manage stress-related mental health conditions.
Researchers identify interleukin-17A as a key regulator of fat storage, carrying implications for addressing obesity and preventing wasting. The discovery highlights the interaction between the immune system and circadian rhythms, which may hold therapeutic potential for metabolic disorders.
The John Innes Centre, LMU Munich, and Leiden University have secured €8.3m in funding to study circadian rhythms in non-photosynthetic bacteria, which could have significant implications for human health and the environment. The project aims to understand the properties and ecology of biological clocks across a new kingdom of life.
Scientists studied Drosophila species' ability to adapt to day length fluctuations, revealing the critical role of the Pdf gene in regulating circadian plasticity. The study found that Drosophila melanogaster has a wider distribution due to its flexibility in responding to environmental changes.
A study of over 13 million hours of data found that exposure to bright nights and dark days is associated with an increased risk of death. Those exposed to high levels of light at night had a 21–34% increased risk, while those exposed to high levels of daylight had a 17–34% reduction in their risk of death.
A clinical trial found time-restricted eating improved blood sugar regulation and reduced markers of metabolic dysfunction in adults with metabolic syndrome. Participants who followed a customized eight-to-ten-hour eating window saw significant improvements compared to standard treatments.
A recent study found that limiting food consumption within a 10-hour window per day improved key indicators of heart health in adults with metabolic syndrome. The study demonstrated significant reductions in blood sugar and cholesterol levels, as well as lower levels of hemoglobin A1c, a marker of long-term blood sugar management.
Research from UC Irvine reveals that disrupted circadian clocks accelerate colorectal cancer by altering the diversity and abundance of gut bacteria, compromising intestinal barrier function. This discovery offers new avenues for prevention and treatment strategies.
A new study published in the SLEEP journal found that using artificial lighting synchronized to natural biological rhythms improves quality of sleep and work performance for night shift workers. Strategic exposure to light accelerated body-clock adjustment and improved alertness and performance, as well as sleep after a night shift.
A new study using wearable devices and questionnaires found that people exposed to higher levels of night-time aircraft noise experienced more restlessness during sleep and disrupted daily sleep rhythm. The results suggest a link between night-time aircraft noise exposure and sleep disturbance, with potential long-term effects on health.
A study shows that eating and exercise can shift the timing of our internal clocks, with the liver clock responding to food intake and the muscle clock requiring a combination of both. This research has implications for metabolic problems like type 2 diabetes and suggests that timing of exercise may also be important.
A novel LED device with alternating orange and blue wavelengths has been shown to effectively reset circadian clocks in humans. The study found that the light outpaced other devices in advancing melatonin levels, offering a new approach to counteract seasonal affective disorder.
A Dutch study found that night owls are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes due to a disrupted circadian rhythm. Participants with late chronotypes had a 46% higher risk of T2D and increased body fat, including visceral and liver fat.
Researchers found that bacteria can anticipate the arrival of new seasons by using their internal 24-hour clocks. Samples exposed to short days showed significantly higher survival rates when plunged into ice, indicating that photoperiodism is critical in preparing bacteria for longer-term environmental changes.
Researchers discovered that cyanobacteria can anticipate seasonal changes by sensing photoperiod, promoting cold resistance and altering lipid metabolism. This adaptation may have evolved before circadian clocks, suggesting a new perspective on biological timekeeping.
Researchers found that moth species with overlapping ranges in the southeastern US have distinct clock genes, including the 'disco' gene. The study reveals how vision evolves when a species switches its pattern of activity, and provides insights into the mechanisms behind species speciation.
Charles Darwin's work on biological rhythms dates back to 1838, when he observed plant leaves closing in response to touch. He also noted seasonal and daily changes in animal behavior, hibernation patterns, and tidal rhythms, demonstrating a profound engagement with chronobiology.
A recent study published in PNAS explores how plants combine clock signals with environmental cues under naturally fluctuating conditions. The research team developed statistical models that accurately predict gene expression activity under control of circadian clock responses to environmental signals.
Researchers have identified certain times of the day when cancer cells are most responsive to medication-based treatments, suggesting personalized treatment plans could improve efficacy and reduce side effects. The study used a method called high-throughput deep phenotyping to analyze the circadian rhythms of breast cancer cell lines.
A new study from Oregon Health & Science University reveals that people who are overweight and ignore their body's signals to sleep at night experience negative health consequences. The study found sex-specific differences in health impacts, with men having higher levels of belly fat and women having higher overall body fat percentage.
A study by McGill University researchers found that the timing of malaria parasite infection affects disease severity and host response. Circadian rhythms influence vulnerability to malaria parasites, with night-time infections resulting in less severe symptoms and slower parasite spread.
A study published in Current Biology found that bouncing is the primary movement facilitating synchronization in dance, occurring independently of music and partner movements. Researchers identified two modes of synchrony: music-driven and partner-driven, with bouncing acting as a supramodal rhythm regulator.
Scientists at Washington University in St. Louis have found that altering GABA receptor density affects circadian rhythm amplitude and synchrony among SCN cells. Reducing or mutating these receptors decreased the mice's daytime wheel-running and reduced nocturnal activity.
A special issue of the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics explores the effects of various fasting regimens on body weight, cardiometabolic disease risk, and sleep. The study found that time-restricted eating can result in clinically meaningful weight loss and reduction in liver enzymes in adolescents with type 2 diabetes.
A Flinders University study found that exposure to brighter light at night is associated with a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The research used data from approximately 85,000 people and tracked their light levels for nine years.
The study aims to understand the activation of the internal clock that regulates body processes in cluster headache patients. Researchers found a new circadian pattern of pain in a laboratory headache mouse model, which disappeared when clock genes were genetically altered.
A new study reveals that physiological synchrony significantly enhances perceived romantic attraction. Super Synchronizers, who naturally synchronize well in social and nonsocial contexts, are perceived as more romantically appealing. This study integrates experimental and observational methods to investigate the mechanisms of romantic...
A Michigan Medicine study reveals that circadian rhythms play a crucial role in mobilizing innate lymphoid cells, which defend barrier tissues. The study found that clock genes regulate the activation of these cells at different times of day.
The researchers created soft robots equipped with electronic skins and artificial muscles to sense their surroundings and adapt in real-time. These robots can perform various tasks, such as monitoring internal conditions, providing treatments, and delivering drugs over an extended period.
A single episode of intense exercise reduces subsequent physical activity and body temperature in mice, leading to weight gain. The study highlights the importance of considering not only calories burned during exercise but also subsequent activity levels and circadian rhythm for effective weight loss.
A new study found that circadian misalignment in teens is associated with increased carbohydrate intake and sedentary behavior. The research involved 377 adolescents and showed that a later sleep schedule was linked to greater carb consumption and sedentary behavior.
Researchers have identified shared genetic links between disturbed sleep, neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric conditions. Polygenic scores for certain conditions are associated with chronotype and insomnia, suggesting potential new therapies.