Articles tagged with Biological Rhythms
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.
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 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 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.
Researchers found that plants produce electric potential in sync with their daily cycles, which can be harnessed as a renewable energy source. The study discovered that the electric streaming potential increases with decreased ion concentration and increased pH.
Researchers found that optimizing individual time-of-day delivery can significantly enhance the efficacy of immune checkpoint blockades in solid tumors. Proper regulation of circadian rhythms is necessary to suppress inflammation and support peak immune function.
Researchers found that snails from tidal areas developed stronger circatidal rhythms compared to those in nontidal regions. The study suggests that environmental adaptations can influence the expression of genes controlled by biological clocks, leading to potential changes in physiological processes.
A study of 23 elderly patients with hypertension found that evening aerobic exercise improved baroreflex sensitivity, a mechanism that regulates blood pressure. This improvement led to better blood pressure regulation and reduced muscle sympathetic nerve activity, making evening exercise more effective than morning exercise.
The Sleep Research Society has recognized four individuals with its 2024 awards, honoring their exceptional contributions to sleep and circadian science, education, and public health. The winners include Dr. Elizabeth Klerman, Dr. David Raizen, Michael Perlis, and Julie Flygare.
A new study from Washington State University found that just a few days on a night shift schedule can disrupt protein rhythms related to blood glucose regulation and energy metabolism. This dysregulation may lead to chronic metabolic conditions such as diabetes and obesity.
Researchers have discovered that synchronization between the central circadian clock and peripheral clocks in muscle and skin is crucial for maintaining tissue function and preventing degenerative processes associated with aging. Time-restricted feeding can partially replace the central clock and enhance the autonomy of the muscle cloc...
A study of 25,000 NBA matches found that home teams from the Western Time Zone Area have a near 10% better win ratio when playing against Eastern Teams. The researchers suggest that elite basketball coaches and teams should consider the physical and mental effects of time zone travel on game planning.
A new study from MIT researchers has found that many genes involved in drug metabolism follow a circadian rhythm, affecting how much of a drug is available and how effectively the body breaks it down. The study's findings have implications for developing better dosing schedules for existing drugs.
Research found that higher light levels increase activity in the posterior hypothalamus, leading to improved cognitive performance during executive tasks. In contrast, lower light levels decreased activity in this region, negatively correlating with cognitive performance.
Researchers found that simulated microgravity significantly disrupted rhythmicity and sleep patterns in humans, leading to reduced sleep duration and increased daytime naps. The study's findings have important implications for future spaceflight and conditions involving prolonged bed rest.
A recent study found that even simple marine polychaete worms, such as Platynereis dumerilii, have unique daily rhythms and behavioral patterns. The researchers discovered that these individual differences can provide an evolutionary edge and increase the resiliency of the species.
The review found women report lower sleep quality, more fluctuations, and higher likelihoods of developing restless legs syndrome and sleep-related eating disorder. Women's brains respond differently to food images after sleep deprivation, with increased emotional processing and activation.
Researchers at INRAE discovered that female sex pheromones can remotely modulate the circadian rhythm of males in the African cotton moth, Spodoptera littoralis. This finding paves the way for exploring biocontrol methods targeting the pest.
A randomized controlled trial reveals that infant gut microbiomes oscillate with a circadian rhythm, detectable as early as 2 weeks after birth. Diet has less impact on the development and composition of the infant microbiome than previously thought.
A study by Hokkaido University and Aarhus University reveals a 'nocturnal' surge in vocalization activity among little auks in Arctic summer, contrary to expectations. The findings provide valuable insights into avian behavior under continuous daylight environments.
A recent study by CNRS scientists shows that zebrafish larvae without functional eyes still maintain synchronized circadian rhythms with light-dark cycles. This finding suggests alternative neural circuits may set the biological clock in some species.
A new study examined three decades of malpractice claims and found that medical incident severity and payment decisions were higher during daylight saving time compared to standard time. The results suggest that the spring transition to daylight saving time has a significant impact on healthcare outcomes and costs.
The ICNIRP panel states that research on SWL exposure is inconsistent, with some studies indicating possible effects on alertness or sleep and others not supporting such effects. The panel also notes that potential long-term adverse effects of SWL exposure are unclear, particularly regarding its impact on chronic diseases and conditions.
Researchers from Heinrich Heine University Duesseldorf discovered a novel genetic regulator of flowering time in barley, enabling the plants to speed up development during short days. This mutation makes barley nearly immune to photoperiod limitations, allowing for cultivation in marginal environments with sub-optimal growing conditions.
Recent research suggests that problems with sleep and internal body clock can trigger or worsen psychiatric disorders. The study highlights the importance of understanding the relationship between sleep, circadian rhythms, and mental health, which could lead to new preventative measures and therapies.
Plants use their circadian clocks to regulate responses to changes in water and salinity levels, offering a new avenue for creating drought-resistant crops. The discovery of the ABF3 feedback loop reveals a delicate balance between boosting stress tolerance and maximizing growth and yield.
Researchers found that patients sleeping near windows slept better than those in other parts of the ward. Light exposure was also critical in regulating circadian rhythms, with short wavelength enriched morning light improving sleep quality. Fluctuations in noise levels negatively impacted sleep, emphasizing the need for noise mitigati...
Researchers discovered that male large black chafer beetles have a 48-hour circadian clock to detect female pheromones, synchronized with females' mating behavior. The study sheds light on the biological mechanism behind this unusual cycle, leaving experts wondering about the underlying cues that govern natural rhythms.
Researchers studied the effects of resveratrol on circadian clock gene expression in young and older human adipose-derived progenitor cells. They found increased levels of some components in older-APCs compared to young-APCs, but also observed gained rhythmicity of some components after resveratrol treatment.
Researchers found that reindeer spend more time ruminating and less time in non-REM sleep, suggesting a possible restorative function of rumination. The study suggests that reindeer may be able to save time by resting during rumination, allowing them to cope with limited sleep time during the arctic summer.
A new study published in Nature Human Behaviour found that the colour of light has a limited impact on the human internal clock and sleep. The researchers exposed volunteers to different coloured lights, including blueish and yellowish lights, to determine their effect on the body.
A new study from the University of Gothenburg reveals that night owls are more likely to develop artery calcification than early risers. The research, which examined data from over 771 middle-aged participants, suggests that circadian rhythms play a crucial role in cardiovascular disease.
Researchers from Osaka University have discovered a link between the rare D-form of the amino acid alanine and the circadian clock's influence on glucose metabolism in the kidney. The study found that D-alanine regulates gluconeogenesis, a process that creates new glucose to maintain energy levels, and is mediated by the protein Cry2.
Researchers found that primary cilia length affects wound-healing time, with shorter cilia associated with faster healing. The circadian rhythm influences primary cilia length, leading to enhanced daytime wound repair.
Researchers designed LEDs that emit different wavelengths of blue light to support natural circadian rhythms. Using these new bulbs increased nighttime melatonin levels by 12.2% and reduced daytime melatonin by 21.9% compared to conventional LED exposure.
A meta-analysis of 15 randomized controlled trials found significant improvements in sleep efficiency and psycho-behavioral symptoms in patients with Alzheimer's disease. Light therapy also alleviated depression and reduced patient agitation and caregiver burden.
A genetic study found that grizzly bears' energy production follows a daily pattern even during hibernation, with a blunted amplitude and shifted peak. This suggests that the circadian rhythm helps bears conserve energy while still maintaining some metabolic function.
Researchers discovered that individuals with obesity expel more energy at night compared to those with a healthy weight. During the day, people with obesity have higher insulin levels, indicating their body is working harder to process glucose.
Researchers at UTHealth Houston are studying the impact of circadian rhythm on heart attacks and cardiac surgery, with a focus on identifying novel therapies to protect the heart. They will investigate the role of key genes and signaling pathways in modulating daytime variations in cardiac injury.
A study tracked skin temperature in 600 participants for six months, finding that individual differences were more significant than sex-based variations. The team used wearable devices to monitor skin temperature and found patterns consistent with menstrual cycles in women.
Researchers found that quasimodo (qsm) gene helps sync feeding to light/dark cycles, while genes clock (clk) and cycle (cyc) govern eating/fasting cycles. This discovery sheds light on animal behavior and potential treatments for eating disorders.
Researchers discovered a malaria protein, PfAP2-P, that plays a key regulatory role in immune evasion and parasite development. This protein acts as an activator of proteins required for the parasite to exit infected red blood cells and invade new ones.
Lucas Bowman Sutton, a Rensselaer doctoral student, has been awarded the US Department of Energy's Office of Science Graduate Student Research award to conduct research on the circadian clock at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. He will utilize the Spallation Neutron Source to differentiate proteins that regulate timekeeping in living cells.
Researchers discovered BMAL1 is significantly upregulated in senescent cells and modulates the senescence program through AP-1. The study highlights a previously unappreciated role of BMAL1 in regulating cellular senescence and circadian clock components.
A UNIGE team investigated the destruction of neurons at different times of the day using fruit fly models and found that cellular stress was more deleterious to neurons at night. This suggests that the circadian clock exerts a protective effect on dopaminergic neurons against oxidative stress.
Jennifer Hurley, Ph.D., is investigating how the 24-hour cycle affects human health and has been granted $2.1 million over five years from the National Institutes of Health. Disruptions to circadian rhythms have been linked to serious medical conditions such as neurological disorders, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.
Researchers found that two common songbirds have smaller eyes than their counterparts from less bright outskirts, adapting to urban light. This study suggests that sensory pollutants like human-caused light may play a role in the decline of bird populations.
A study found that captive giant pandas living in zoos outside their natural latitude exhibit reduced activity, potentially impacting their wellbeing. The researchers monitored the behavior of 11 pandas at six zoos, finding that daylight and temperature cues played a crucial role in regulating their circadian clocks.