Articles tagged with Biological Rhythms
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.
A study led by Kyoto University researchers found that modulating hormone levels can improve meibomian gland disorder, a common cause of dry eyes. Topical administration of nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) boosted NAD levels and rebooted 3-HSD activity in mutant mice, alleviating dryness.
Research by the University of Queensland found that male livers with hepatic diseases undergo a sex change as part of a self-protective mechanism. The study suggests that this transformation may be driven by the female hormone oestrogen, which helps to slow down disease progression.
Researchers from Washington State University found that the optimal time of day for different cognitive tasks does not differ based on task type. Participants who felt sleepy should consider postponing important tasks until a later time to avoid performance impairment.
A new study finds that immune cells clear away a key Alzheimer's disease protein on an oscillating daily cycle controlled by circadian rhythms. The discovery provides a potential mechanism linking Alzheimer's disease to disruptions in sleep cycles and may lead to the development of chronotherapeutics.
Research at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute found that the circadian system influences the immune cells' clearance of Amyloid-Beta 42, a key protein linked to Alzheimer's disease. Boosting daily oscillations could increase clearance and prevent brain damage.
A study found that bright light during daylight hours and dim light in the evening improves glucose metabolism, thermoregulation, and energy expenditure. In contrast, a dim day with bright evening led to reduced postprandial glucose levels despite unchanged insulin levels.
Research found that preschoolers' melatonin levels are suppressed by even dim light before bedtime, with suppression rates ranging from 70% to 99%.
Researchers discovered a small fraction of diatom cells participate in sexual reproduction, while others block growth and reduce nutrient absorption. This phenomenon occurs in nutrient-rich conditions, representing a paradox for microalgae that usually compete for resources.
A team of NTU Singapore scientists has developed a predictive computer programme using wearable technology data to detect depression risk. The programme, Ycogni model, achieves an accuracy of 80% in detecting individuals at high or low risk of depression.
A study by Baylor College of Medicine found that Rev-erbα/β in cardiomyocytes mediates a normal metabolic rhythm, enabling the cells to use lipids as energy during resting time. Removing Rev-erbα/β disrupts this rhythm, leading to progressive dilated cardiomyopathy and lethal heart failure.
A comprehensive study of exercise performed at different times of the day has identified distinct health-promoting signaling molecules produced by the body in an organ-specific manner. The findings suggest that exercising at the right time can optimize health benefits, particularly for individuals at risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Researchers discovered how different tissues respond to exercise at various times of day, influencing sleep, memory, and metabolic homeostasis. The 'Atlas of Exercise Metabolism' provides a comprehensive map of exercise-induced signaling molecules present in different tissues following exercise.
Researchers found that local gravitational tides modulate the cyclical behavior of organisms, even in the absence of other rhythmic influences. The study questions the validity of free-run experiments and highlights the importance of considering gravitational oscillations in biological research.
Researchers recorded and modeled electrical activity of circadian clock neurons in the four-striped grass mouse, revealing a unique day/night rhythm in firing rate. The study highlights notable differences from nocturnal animals and may help adapt clock neuron function to diurnal species' biological demands.
Researchers found that Arctic krill respond to visual changes during the Arctic polar night by swimming up or down in search of food and avoiding predators. The study revealed that even small changes in light intensity can entrain the biological rhythms of krill, helping them navigate their environment.
A new gene called Tango10 has been identified as critical for daily behavioral rhythms, modulating the activity of neurons to drive the animal's sleep-wake cycle. The study suggests that targeting this molecular pathway could lead to therapeutics to address sleep problems and related human diseases.
A study by José María Martín-Olalla suggests that cancelling daylight saving time could result in increased early morning activity in winter, negatively impacting human health. This is due to the UK's alignment with sunrise during winter mornings, which has helped regulate daily activity.
A team of international scientists has shown that skeletal muscle cells from people with type 2 diabetes have a different circadian rhythm, leading to altered mitochondrial metabolism. The study suggests that considering cellular rhythms when prescribing treatments for type 2 diabetes could optimize their effectiveness.
Researchers have found that heart cells regulate their circadian rhythms through changes in sodium and potassium ion levels, which can impact heart rate. This new understanding may lead to better treatments and preventative measures for combating heart conditions.
Researcher Jennifer Hurley is using in-vivo experimentation and big data analytics to identify environmental cues that tune the circadian clock's control over metabolism. Her study aims to find genes responsive to environmental signals, such as nutrients, to understand how environment affects sleep-wake cycle.
Research in mice reveals that coordinated clock-gene and neuronal activity rhythms are necessary for daily hormone release, with the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) and paraventricular nucleus (PVN) working together to generate circadian rhythms. Disruption of these clocks can lead to various pathologies.
Researchers visualize key proteins in Drosophila brains, revealing their daily oscillations and spatial organization. The study highlights the importance of clock proteins in regulating circadian rhythms, which control sleep-wake cycles, metabolism, and cancer risk.
Skeletal muscle secretes a molecule that regulates around 35% of liver functions, with the remaining basal functions independent of muscle activity. Ageing alters this communication, leading to non-optimal functions and accelerated ageing.
A new study from McGill University reveals that delaying school start times can help reduce stress and improve coping skills in teenagers during times of crisis. The research found that allowing teens to follow their natural sleep-wake cycle led to improved mental health outcomes.
Chronic light exposure disrupts circadian rhythms in rats, leading to memory deficits and amyloid β accumulation similar to Alzheimer's disease. Fluoxetine treatment prevents these effects, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy.
Scientists at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin have identified a crucial communication pathway between peripheral circadian clocks, enabling tissue-level synchrony. Disrupting this pathway can lead to timing disruptions and increase the risk of metabolic disorders.
Researchers at University of Colorado Boulder have developed a blood test that can assess the timing of an individual's internal circadian clock, potentially leading to personalized medicine breakthroughs. The study found that analyzing a combination of molecules in a single blood draw can determine the timing of a person's biological ...
Researchers found that consuming protein at breakfast increases skeletal muscle growth and function in humans, as seen in a study of women aged 65 and above. The study's findings suggest that the timing of protein intake is crucial for maintaining skeletal muscle health, with early morning consumption being particularly beneficial.
Scientists from the John Innes Centre and University of Bristol found that deep shade triggers changes in plant circadian clocks, suppressing stem elongation. This adaptation allows plants to coexist in dense forests and crop canopies without wasting energy.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have identified a novel gene, Per2AS, that controls the sleep/wake cycle in mice, revealing the importance of non-coding genes in regulating biological processes. The study's findings could lead to breakthroughs in understanding internal body clocks and their role in various diseases.
A recent study led by Kyushu University reveals that chronic kidney disease induces heart inflammation through dysfunctional white blood cells. The researchers found that elevated levels of vitamin A disrupt the circadian clock in these cells, leading to increased expression of a protein called GPR68.
A Northwestern University-led team is developing a wireless implant that regulates circadian clocks, aiming to halve recovery time from disrupted sleep. The 'living pharmacy' device could also treat pain and disease with precise timing and dosing.
A study from the University of Surrey found that 67% of UK adults are overweight or obese, with time-restricted feeding showing potential to combat obesity. More than 400 participants believed they could reduce their 'feeding window' by three hours if associated health benefits were clear.
Researchers have identified a complex network of genes controlling sleep cycles that can be understood and potentially changed. This knowledge could lead to medicines for individuals with disrupted circadian rhythms and improved crop production.
A study suggests that targeting plants' internal clocks, known as circadian clock genes, can lead to higher yields and more sustainable farming practices. By matching the plant's natural rhythms with optimal growing conditions, farmers can reduce resources required and apply treatments at precise times for improved efficiency.
A team at Kanazawa University found that vasopressin neurons play a critical role in regulating the timing of output from the molecular clock, which governs circadian behaviors. The study used mice with altered GABA signaling to demonstrate the importance of these neurons in maintaining behavioral rhythms.
A study reveals that the mouse placenta's circadian clock regulates the expression and activity of ABCB1, a drug efflux transporter, in a 24h rhythm. This finding suggests that the timing of maternal treatment could be crucial to avoid non-desirable effects on foetal development during pregnancy.
New research from the University of Waterloo reveals shift work disrupts the circadian clock, affecting immune response and increasing risk of infection. The study shows sex differences in immune system reactivity, with males more prone to overactivation and females better prepared to fight off infections.
Researchers summarize growing knowledge on light therapy's mechanism, effectiveness, and applications in treating neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Light stimulation has been shown to restore memory and cognition, improve sleep quality, and reduce symptoms in patients with these conditions.
Adults born prematurely may be more susceptible to severe influenza infections due to disruptions in their lung biological clock, research in mice suggests. The study found that premature infants who received life-saving oxygen were more likely to develop long-term lung problems and increased flu risk.
Researchers have discovered how plants use their metabolism to sense time and conserve energy, shedding light on the 'plant clock'. This understanding could help optimize crop growth in various conditions, such as different seasons and latitudes. The study's findings may lead to more reliable food production and improved yields.
Researchers from Osaka University have discovered that insect neurons promoting egg-laying require a circadian clock gene for day length-dependent responses. This study provides new insights into the importance of biological clocks in regulating seasonal physiological functions like reproduction and temperature tolerance in insects.
A new study published in PLOS ONE found that the circadian rhythms of Japanese red flour beetles vary geographically, with weaker rhythmic amplitudes at higher latitudes. The researchers collected beetles from 37 rice mills across Japan and found no variation in rhythm period with latitude or longitude.
Researchers discovered that cells within a single organ can synchronize their circadian rhythms without receiving timing cues from the brain or other external signals. This finding suggests a novel mechanism of coordination, where cells exchange molecules to stay in phase.
Scientists investigate rhythmic changes in yeast cells' hydrogen peroxide levels and find that inactivating peroxiredoxin decouples cell division from metabolism. This discovery could provide insights into uncontrolled cell division in tumor cells.
A new study reveals that nearly every cell has its own clock, which controls various aspects of homeostasis and organ function. Disruption of the clock can lead to diseases such as diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease, highlighting the importance of tuning our internal time with the environment.
A study on mice reveals that GABA release from vasopressin-producing neurons regulates the suprachiasmatic nucleus clock and constrains behavioral rhythms to specific time-windows. Gene-based molecular clocks are necessary but insufficient for generating circadian behavior, highlighting the importance of intercellular communication.
Scientists studied gene expression patterns in Drosophila to understand the circadian rhythm, finding that individual flies have unique rhythms and genetic variations can affect behavior. The study also reveals genes that regulate circadian rhythms in humans, potentially impacting metabolic patterns and disease
A study from Lehigh University finds that light pollution may increase the likelihood of preterm birth, with a possible increase of up to 12.9%. The researchers suggest that circadian rhythm disruption could be a biological mechanism underlying this link.
Researchers at Nagoya University and Groningen University develop a method to control the daily rhythm of human cells using light. They discovered two compounds, TH303 and TH129, that can lengthen the circadian clock period and found a way to reverse this effect by changing the compound's structure with light.
Research reveals that macrophages, key immune cells, respond to pathogens and stress through circadian-controlled metabolism. The study showed an incredible amount of circadian timing in macrophage behavior, but the clock regulated immunity in unexpected ways.
Researchers at EPFL and Weizmann Institute of Science study spatial shifts of gene expression within liver lobules in relation to the circadian clock. The study reveals that many liver genes are both zonated and rhythmic, regulating key metabolic functions.
A study found that a single DNA base-pair change in a specific gene can influence whether a plant is a lark or night owl, affecting its flowering time and ability to withstand climate change. The research could help farmers select plants with clocks best suited to their location.
Researchers found that YKL-40 is regulated by clock genes and involved in clearing away Alzheimer's proteins in the brain. People with lower levels of YKL-40 fare better in terms of cognitive decline, suggesting it may be a potential therapeutic target.
Researchers from KAIST and Florida State University developed a model describing PER molecule motion in cells, showing how aging and diseases disrupt circadian rhythms by hindering condensation around the cell nucleus. This leads to irregular sleep-wake cycles and unstable rhythms.
Researchers found a molecular basis for the connection between disrupted circadian rhythms and substance abuse in mice with an NPAS2 gene mutation. The study revealed sex-based differences in behavioral changes related to cocaine administration and striatum activation.
Researchers have identified a neural pathway that links the circadian clock, stress, and wakefulness in mammals. The study found that excessively active corticotropin-releasing factor neurons triggered insomnia and other sleep disorders when the circadian rhythm was disturbed.
Researchers found that solitary red mason bee females emerge with a mature circadian clock, allowing them to forage and care for offspring daily. In contrast, social honeybees have a delayed maturation of their internal clock, explaining their age-related behavioral shifts.
Scientists from UNIGE and HUG identified the essential role of circadian clocks in beta cell regeneration. The study found that regeneration is significantly greater at night, when mice are active, and that the BMAL1 gene plays a crucial role in this process.