Articles tagged with Biological Rhythms
A study suggests that artificial light at night disrupts the winter dormancy period of mosquitoes, causing them to bite humans and animals longer into the fall. This delay in diapause may increase the risk of West Nile virus transmission.
Psychiatrists at Indiana University School of Medicine found deaths by suicide increased during the week of a full moon, especially in people over age 55. They also identified 3-4 p.m. and September as peak times for suicides.
Researchers discovered a plant biological clock-regulated mechanism that helps plants tolerate cold temperatures and damage from bright light. The mechanism, controlled by the SIG5 gene, signals proteins in chloroplasts to protect against environmental stress, potentially improving crop resilience for colder climates.
Researchers at UC San Diego and UC Merced developed a high-throughput method to study the circadian clock in real time, shedding light on its internal functions. The study found that kinases play a crucial role in relaying the circadian rhythm from the core oscillator to gene expression.
A meta-analysis found strong links between cluster headache and migraine and the circadian system, with specific patterns of attacks and hormonal associations. The study suggests using circadian-based treatments as a potential new approach for headache disorders.
A York University study found that rotating shift work is associated with an increased risk of frailty among middle-aged and older workers in Canada, especially for women. The research used a comprehensive approach to investigate the relationship between shift work and frailty, which may be linked to circadian rhythm disruptions.
A study found that self-reported sleep quality is significantly associated with quality of life for individuals over time and when comparing between people. High-quality sleep improves quality of life regardless of sleep duration or timing.
Researchers have discovered a previously unrecognized mechanism that controls grain number in barley, potentially increasing yield. Approximately 40% of initiated floral primordia set grains, representing untapped yield potential.
A recent study published in Current Biology found that the human body can predict regular mealtimes based on physiological changes. The research team discovered that daily blood glucose rhythms may be driven by both meal size and timing, suggesting a physiological drive for some people to eat at certain times.
A new study found that stroke patients experience a daily rhythm in cerebral blood flow regulation, with greater regulation during afternoon hours compared to morning and night times. This discovery may improve health outcomes by guiding daily activity and personal care during stroke recovery.
Researchers found that patients undergoing polysomnographies experienced longer REM sleep in winter than summer, but less deep sleep in autumn. The study suggests that humans may need more winter sleep to adapt to seasonal changes.
A new study from Karolinska Institutet found that exercising in the early active phase increased gene expression involved in fat breakdown and thermogenesis, leading to a higher metabolic rate. This effect was independent of food intake and may prove beneficial for people who are overweight.
A study analyzed gene expression data from 46 different human tissues to understand the impact of circadian and circannual cycles on human health. The research revealed that certain genes have strong diurnal or seasonal preferences, which could inform effective diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
A new study has shed light on the complex interplay between our body clock, sex, and age, revealing sex-dimorphic gene expression rhythms and reduced rhythmic programs with age across various biological functions. These findings may lead to new ways of diagnosing and treating pathologies such as sleep disorders and metabolic diseases.
Researchers found that seminal fluid protein sex peptide alters the female fly's behavior by changing the expression of genes involved in metabolism and the circadian clock. Post-mating, sex peptide increases egg-laying, aggression, activity and feeding while reducing sleep and interest in mating.
Researchers found that female lymphoma patients who received afternoon chemotherapy had a 12.5 times reduced mortality rate and a 2.8 times decreased cancer recurrence rate compared to morning treatment. This is due to the body's natural circadian rhythm, which affects white blood cell counts and bone marrow proliferation.
Scientists create a temperature-compensated biological clock using Belousov–Zhabotinsky gels, which retain their oscillation period despite temperature changes. This innovation mimics the natural property of circadian rhythms, offering a new approach to artificial biological clocks.
Researchers found that female patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma treated in the afternoon had reduced mortality rates and cancer recurrence compared to those treated in the morning. The study suggests that timing chemotherapy delivery according to an individual's circadian clock may improve treatment outcomes.
Researchers found abnormal 12-hour gene activity cycles in postmortem brains of patients with schizophrenia. The study identified altered timings of neural connections and mitochondrial function, suggesting potential underlying causes for behavioral abnormalities.
A recent study published in Science Advances has deepened the understanding of circadian rhythm regulation in mammals. The research found that intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) is controlled by a neural network, whereas calcium ions are regulated by intracellular mechanisms.
A new study by University of California, Davis researchers reveals that the internal circadian clock in sunflowers coordinates florets to open in concentric rings, attracting more pollinators. The study found that continuous light disrupts this pattern, leading to fewer pollinator visits.
Researchers found that the molecular clock helps cells maintain normal physiology during and after prolonged starvation, enabling them to adapt more efficiently. The study suggests that a functional circadian clock is crucial for cellular recovery after glucose deprivation.
Researchers at USC Keck School of Medicine found that liver cancer cells hijack circadian clock proteins to replicate and spread. Inhibiting these proteins can prevent cancer cell multiplication and potentially improve outcomes for patients with liver cancer.
Researchers found that time-restricted eating synchronizes circadian rhythms across multiple systems in mice, activating genes involved in specific diseases like cancer. Nearly 40% of genes in the adrenal gland and pancreas were affected by time-restricted eating, offering guidance for managing diseases.
Researchers discovered a point mutation in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster that leads to a temperature-dependent lengthening of circadian clock periods. The mutation affects the nuclear export signal of the PERIOD protein, resulting in its retention in the cell nucleus at higher temperatures.
Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University found that closed-eye perception of brightness is remarkably stronger than previously reported, with values up to 10 times higher. The color of the light also affects perception, with red being perceived as brighter and blue as darker.
Researchers found that students fell asleep later and woke up later in winter due to limited daytime light exposure. Daytime light exposure had a greater impact on circadian rhythms than evening light exposure.
Researchers at UNIGE and LMU discovered that immune system's anti-tumour activity peaks in the morning. Tumours implanted at night grew faster than those implanted in the afternoon. Administering immunotherapy treatments early morning significantly enhanced their effectiveness, suggesting a new strategy for cancer treatment.
A new study by RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences found that the circadian body clock influences immune responses to vaccines. The research discovered that the shape of mitochondria in dendritic cells changes throughout the day, impacting their ability to break down vaccines.
Researchers found that substantial exercise, sleeping longer and later, and eating a low sugar, high carb breakfast can increase alertness. A high carbohydrate breakfast was linked to individuals revving up their alertness quickly in the morning.
A new study from the University of Ottawa reveals that morning types tend to have superior verbal ability, contrary to previous research suggesting that evening types have an advantage. The study found that accounting for factors like bedtime and age, morning individuals outperformed their evening counterparts in verbal intelligence.
The Sleep Research Society advocates for the elimination of daylight saving time and adoption of permanent standard time due to its association with acute sleep loss and chronic circadian misalignment. This can lead to stress, altered metabolism, and inflammation, ultimately resulting in adverse health consequences.
A recent study published in Journal of Biological Rhythms found no association between the time of day when COVID-19 vaccine was received and antibody response. The researchers recruited 332 Japanese participants and measured antibody titers against SARS-CoV-2, with age-specific decreases observed.
A new study in mice has mapped the cells, genes, and pathways that respond to exercise and diet, offering potential targets for drugs that mimic exercise's benefits. Exercise was found to push these systems in the opposite direction of high-fat diets.
A two-week intervention targeting the circadian system helped shift teens' bedtime by an hour and a half earlier, increasing total sleep time by approximately an hour. The study also found improved concentration, reduced irritability, and better morning alertness in participants.
Researchers have identified a small molecule drug, SHP656, that can target the circadian clock proteins responsible for glioblastoma's recurrence and spread. The drug has shown promise in reducing cancer stem cell growth without harming normal stem cells.
A new UCLA study reveals a link between REM sleep duration and body temperature in animals, suggesting that REM sleep acts like a 'thermostatically controlled brain heater'. This challenges popular views on the role of REM sleep in learning and emotional regulation.
Scientists at UC San Diego have illuminated the role of key neurons that alter function in response to seasonal changes in light exposure. The study found that neurons change expression of neurotransmitters in response to day length stimuli, triggering behavioral changes.
Researchers found that circadian rhythm disruption is a common factor among multiple mental health disorders. The study suggests that investigating the molecular underpinnings of CRD could lead to better therapies and treatments for these conditions.
Researchers found that adolescents with faster dental biorhythms (5-6 day cycle) weighed less and gained less weight over 14 months. Those with slower biorhythms (7-8 day cycle) produced the greatest weight gain, suggesting a link between tooth growth patterns and metabolic rate.
Research found that adolescents with faster dental biorhythms (five or six-day cycle) weighed less and gained less weight than those with slower biorhythms. This discovery provides a new avenue for exploring links between childhood overweight and adult health risks.
A new UCI-led study reveals that the circadian clock's disruption can drive colorectal cancer progression through genetic mutations and increased tumor growth. The study found that both environmental and genetic disruptions of the circadian clock contribute to APC loss of heterozygosity, a critical factor in CRC development.
Researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine found that disrupting circadian clocks leads to increased fat cell growth and insulin production. Stress and other factors can throw the body's 'clocks' out of rhythm, contributing to weight gain.
Researchers found that night-shift workers experience disrupted sleep quality and circadian rhythms, even after years of night shift work. Their study, published in eBioMedicine, used wearable tech to monitor 140 workers, revealing a significant impact on health.
A new study published in Neurobiology of Sleep and Circadian Rhythms found that shift work can lead to long-lasting health effects, including increased severity of strokes. The research, led by Texas A&M University, suggests that disrupted internal body clocks can alter gut and brain interactions, leading to worse stroke outcomes.
Researchers identified distinct circuits in the eye that drive vision and non-vision functions, such as regulating pupil size and sleep/wake cycles. Rod photoreceptors were found to play a crucial role in controlling pupillary light responses and circadian rhythm regulation.
A study published in Cell Reports found that a rhythmic small intestinal microbiome prevents obesity and type 2 diabetes in mice. The researchers used mouse models to explore how diet and feeding patterns affect the gut microbiome and its impact on host health, particularly with obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Researchers at the Netherlands Cancer Institute discovered that prostate cancer cells hijack the circadian rhythm to become resistant to hormone therapy. The study found that proteins regulating the circadian clock play a crucial role in tumor cell survival, offering a potential target for new treatment strategies.
The study clarifies the role of photoperiodism in regulating rice flowering time. Phytochrome B makes connection between light and Evening Complex, while active ELF3-1 protein triggers late flowering. Evening Complex plays essential role in inducing flowering, with inactive proteins leading to no flowering.
Biologists at the University of Rochester have identified two key systems controlling gene expression related to longevity: circadian networks regulating negative lifespan genes and the pluripotency network controlling positive lifespan genes. This research provides new insights into understanding how longevity evolves and may lead to ...
Researchers discovered that moonlight adjusts the reproductive cycle of marine bristle worms to specific hours during the night. The study reveals how light receptors decode sun- and moonlight to adjust the plastic daily clock, which is essential for species survival.
Scientists create a bendable organic LED with a mica backing that produces soft, warm light similar to candlelight, with minimal blue wavelength emissions. This device offers a potential solution for sleep-friendly lighting alternatives.
Researchers discovered that genes in the fetal suprachiasmatic nuclei respond to rhythmic behavior in the mother before the biological clock starts ticking on its own. This finding may have implications for premature babies and highlights the importance of a healthy maternal circadian system during pregnancy.
Researchers found that restricting calories and eating at the right time of day can lead to a longer, healthier life. Mice on a reduced-calorie diet lived up to 35% longer when fed at night, extending their median lifespan by nine months.
The study found that cryptochromes are conserved across various green organisms, influencing cell structures responsible for photosynthesis. The researchers discovered that a specific cryptochrome can actually lead to increased growth despite appearing darker green due to denser packed cell membranes.
A new study suggests that working non-traditional shifts may delay the onset of natural menopause in women. The researchers found a significant association between rotating shifts and later age at menopause, possibly due to disruptions in circadian rhythms. Further investigation is necessary to determine the underlying mechanisms.
A long-term study reveals that urbanization disrupts natural biorhythms in corals, affecting their metabolism, growth, and reproduction. Despite healthy appearance, corals near urban areas show altered diel and lunar cycles, microbiome patterns, and decreased physiological performance.
A team of researchers from the University of Münster has made new findings on the internal clock of the fruit fly, demonstrating the role of transport proteins in regulating circadian rhythms. The study found that ions transported by KCC play a crucial role in synchronising the internal clock with external day-night rhythms.
A new report has provided the first scientific consensus on healthy daily light exposure to support sleep, alertness, and well-being. The recommendations aim to optimize lighting in workplaces, public buildings, and homes to promote healthier body rhythms and improve overall health.
A pooled data analysis of 18 studies found that shift workers performed significantly worse than non-shift workers in five cognitive outcomes. The results suggest that shift work may increase the risk of workplace injuries and errors due to impaired brain function, particularly in impulse control and situational response.