Articles tagged with Biological Rhythms
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.
Researchers developed a wearable device to monitor stress levels using sweat biomarkers, measuring cortisol, glucose, and vitamin C. The device tracks circadian rhythms and can be controlled via a smartphone, offering noninvasive monitoring of stress levels.
Research at Indiana University Kelley School of Business found that wearing blue-light-filtering glasses can lead to better night's sleep and improved work engagement. Daily task performance and organizational citizenship behavior also increased with blue light reduction.
A study by chronobiologists from the University of Groningen found that Olympic swimmers performed best in the finals due to their biological clock. The researchers analyzed times from four Olympic Games and found a significant sinusoid performance pattern over the course of a day, with peak performance occurring late afternoon.
Research from the University of Kent found that TRESK plays a crucial role in regulating the brain's central circadian clock. Lowering TRESK levels disrupted the biological rhythm, causing the clock to lose its day-night association.
Researchers investigated the impact of sleep deprivation on glymphatic system function, which regulates waste removal in the brain. The study found that astrocytes play a crucial role in regulating this process, and disruptions to circadian rhythms can lead to neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease.
Research reveals that circadian rhythms play a crucial role in guiding waste removal from the brain through the glymphatic system. The study found that individuals who rely on daytime sleep are at higher risk for developing neurological disorders, including Alzheimer's and dementia.
Researchers developed a genetically engineered mouse to visualize fluctuations in circadian clocks of cell types. They found that removing clock genes from AVP neurons disrupted the entire SCN network, while VIP neurons were less affected.
Researchers at Nagoya University have found the mechanism of the night-to-day transition of the circadian rhythm in green algae. By controlling the activity of ROC75, they can wake up green algae and enhance their photosynthetic activities to produce larger amounts of lipids.
Researchers found distinct responses to ultraviolet and other colors of light between day- and night-biting mosquito species. The study's findings have important implications for using light to control harmful insects.
A study by McGill researchers found that sodium concentrations can influence circadian rhythms in mice, activating neurons associated with the master clock. This discovery opens new possibilities for treating negative health effects of long distance travel or shift work.
Two genes, ELF3 and GI, control a plant's internal clock, regulating the timing of flowering in response to daylight. The study provides insights into how plants anticipate environmental changes and breed better-adapted varieties.
A new study by UCSF researchers found that weaker or irregular circadian rhythms in daily rest and activity cycles are associated with a greater likelihood of developing Parkinson's disease later on. Disruptions in the brain's internal clock may be an early warning sign of neurodegenerative disease processes.
A study of 3,000 independently living older men found that weak or irregular circadian rhythms are associated with a greater likelihood of developing Parkinson's disease years later. The researchers suggest that these disruptions may reflect neurodegenerative processes already affecting the brain's internal clock.
A team of Kyoto University researchers has discovered an intimate connection between methylation and the body's circadian rhythms, linking ancient mechanisms in bacteria to humans. Disruption of methylation can cause various pathologies, including cancer, and inhibiting it in mice and human cells disrupted their body clocks.
Researchers from Waseda University found damped, low-amplitude circadian oscillations in cyanobacteria lacking KaiA, challenging previous studies. The findings suggest the circadian clock may have evolved gradually from these oscillations.
Research found that malaria parasites have an inherent clock that drives their activity, resulting in cyclical fevers in humans. The parasite's gene expression patterns remained consistent despite changes in lighting conditions and host circadian rhythms.
Scientists have discovered that malaria parasites have an intrinsic clock controlling their invasion of human cells. This finding opens up new avenues for treating the disease by disrupting its biological rhythms.
New research reveals that certain internal clock neurons in fruit flies, previously thought to send time-keeping cues to the brain, actually receive cues from the external environment. This finding has significant implications for understanding circadian rhythm disruptions and their associated health problems.
Researchers at Nagoya University's ITbM discovered two new compounds that target specific components of the circadian clock. KL101 and TH301 lengthen the period of the circadian clock and are expected to provide a promising foundation for treating obesity.
Researchers discovered that plant circadian clocks play a critical role in water consumption, allowing plants to use resources more efficiently. The study found that altering circadian rhythms can improve water use efficiency without compromising plant growth.
A randomized clinical trial found that cataract surgery increased melatonin secretion in patients aged 60 and above. The study suggests that changes in light perception due to cataract surgery may affect the body's natural circadian rhythm.
Researchers discovered a pigment called melanopsin sensitive to blue light affects circadian rhythms but cone photoreceptors respond strongly to long wavelength oranges and yellows at sunrise and sunset. The study identifies a cell in the retina regulating brain centers that impact sleep, mood and learning.
A study published in PLOS Biology found that global brain fluctuations decrease as the day progresses, affecting cognitive function and connectivity. The researchers analyzed fMRI data from over 900 subjects and observed a cumulative decrease in global signal fluctuation and functional connectivity with time of day.
A study published by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine found that later school start times significantly reduce vehicle accidents involving teen drivers. Teenagers who get more sleep are less likely to make poor decisions such as not wearing a seat belt or engaging in distracted driving.
Shift workers are at a higher risk of developing metabolic syndrome, heart disease and type 2 diabetes due to disrupted circadian rhythms. Employers and workers can take steps to mitigate these risks, including establishing consistent sleep schedules, controlling light exposure and promoting healthy nutrition and exercise.
Disturbances in the internal clocks of pancreatic cells are linked to type-2 diabetes. Researchers successfully restored clock function using a natural compound, improving insulin secretion and providing new hope for diabetes care. The study shows that synchronizing the internal clocks can help regulate blood sugar levels.
A study led by McGill University found that anti-inflammatory medications are most effective when taken during the active periods of our biological clocks, promoting post-operative healing and recovery. This discovery suggests a new approach to treating pain and inflammation following surgery.
A German high school's flexible scheduling system, which allows students to start school later, has been shown to improve their sleep patterns and ability to concentrate. The study found that students who started school later slept more soundly and were better equipped to handle coursework.
Researchers found that mice's visual capability changes between day and night due to their internal clock, not eye changes. They used a maze experiment to study how the circadian rhythm influences behavior and nerve signals in the retina.
Researchers at Salk Institute discover intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) in humans, which respond to blue light and help establish healthy day-night cycles. The study's findings may lead to 'smart' lights that prevent depression, foster sleep, and maintain circadian rhythms.
A pilot study found that limiting food consumption to a 10-hour window per day improved health outcomes in participants with metabolic syndrome. Participants experienced significant weight loss, reduced abdominal fat, and stable blood sugar and insulin levels.
Researchers found that time-restricted eating can lead to weight loss, reduced abdominal fat, lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and more stable blood sugar and insulin levels. The study included 19 participants with metabolic syndrome who experienced improved sleep and a 3-4% reduction in body weight.
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have discovered that stress hormones, such as corticosterone, play a crucial role in controlling the circadian rhythm of brain cells. By using test rats and a new method involving medical micropumps, they were able to restore the rhythmic activity of clock genes in the cerebellum even after t...
Researchers studied Drosophila and Chymomyza flies, revealing two possible explanations for arrhythmic behavior in high-latitude species. The study suggests that strong behavioral rhythms may be a disadvantage in polar regions, but certain characteristics could aid survival.
Daylight Saving Time transitions can have lasting impacts on health, causing biologic clocks to become desynchronized and increasing the risk of heart attacks and ischemic strokes. Average sleep duration shrinks by 15-20 minutes during DST, potentially leading to fatal accidents.
Researchers found that skin in mice expresses its own photoreceptors using neuroposin, synchronizing circadian clocks to light-dark cycles independently of eyes or brain. This discovery has implications for understanding skin physiology and potentially enhancing medical practice.
Research by LMU Munich chronobiologists reveals that sleep-wake cycles drive cycles of protein abundance and phosphorylation in synaptic proteins. Synaptic phosphorylation plays a key role in regulating synaptic function, particularly during sleep-wake transitions.
The study reveals that the compound eyes of fruit flies play a crucial role in synchronizing their circadian clocks with light exposure. As daylight periods increase, the evening activity peak is delayed and the 'siesta' period is extended, highlighting the flexibility of the circadian clock mechanism.
Researchers found a key driver of nutrient absorption synchronization with Earth's day-night light cycle, linking it to weight gain. The commensal bacteria program the metabolic rhythms by activating protein histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3), which enhances fat absorption.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota Medical School found that a little stress can actually improve the functioning of our internal biological clock. Stress leads to rhythmic phosphorylation of eIF2α, promoting production of ATF4 protein, which activates Per2 gene, ultimately making the clock tick faster.
Researchers from North Carolina State University have shown that the E75 protein plays a critical role in regulating biological rhythms in Daphnia magna. Suppression of E75 results in longer molt cycles and reduced numbers of offspring. The study highlights the potential impact of environmental stressors on population sustainability.
Researchers at the University of Miami discovered that fruit flies have an innate time- and color-dependent preference for light, contrary to decades-long assumption that they are attracted to blue light. The study found that fruit flies prefer green light early in the morning and late afternoon, and avoid blue light throughout the day.
Researchers at the Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown discovered that the brain's circadian clock controls the function of immune cells in the gut, which are crucial for maintaining gut health. Disrupting this clock leads to reduced immune cell numbers, severe inflammation, and increased fat accumulation.
Researchers discovered GABA neurons play a crucial role in refining circadian output rhythms in mice, ensuring noiseless communication with neurons outside the suprachiasmatic nucleus. This finding could aid the development of new clinical approaches for diseases related to the circadian clock.
Scientists at USC and UC San Diego have discovered a potential novel target for treating glioblastoma, the deadliest form of brain cancer. They found that targeting the circadian clock in tumor stem cells can disrupt the growth and development of the tumor, leading to its death.
Researchers have found that gene expression patterns in the brain are highly disrupted in people with schizophrenia, suggesting a link to the disease's molecular mechanisms. The study's findings could help researchers better understand schizophrenia and identify potential therapeutic targets.
Research finds that more than 64% of employed Russians work evenings, nights, or weekends, disrupting their biological and social rhythms. The negative effects include depression, headaches, burnout, and chronic fatigue, leading to workplace accidents and injuries.
A new Northwestern University study found that distinct areas of the brain process short pulses of light to affect sleep, challenging the widely accepted belief that all light information is relayed through one central pathway. The research suggests that acute exposure to light does not interfere with overall circadian rhythms.
A study published in Sleep Medicine Reviews found that bathing 1-2 hours before bedtime in water of 104-109 degrees Fahrenheit can significantly improve sleep quality. This is due to the cooling effect on the body, which regulates the circadian cycle and helps with rapid sleep onset.