Articles tagged with Biological Rhythms
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 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 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 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.
A mathematical modeling study reveals that photosensitivity and PER2 level affect the efficacy of a clock-modulating drug, enabling precision medicine for circadian disruption. The researchers identified adaptive chronotherapeutics to identify precise dosing regimens that can restore normal circadian phase under different conditions.
A study led by Michigan Medicine has revealed the presence of naturally occurring DMT in mammalian brains, sparking interest in its role within human brains. The discovery was made possible by detecting DMT in brain neurons using techniques such as in situ hybridization.
Researchers found that morning exercise increases metabolic response in skeletal muscle, while evening exercise boosts energy expenditure for an extended period. The effects of exercise timing may differ due to the body's circadian clock.
Researchers found that the LUX gene regulates stomata opening and closing, as well as activating defense mechanisms. The study could lead to more resistant crops and better treatment for human diseases.
A recent review article by Dr. Tobias Eckle and colleagues reveals a link between circadian rhythms and cardioprotection in the face of limited oxygen availability. The study identifies period 2 (PER2) as an adenosine signaling target, which plays a crucial role in cardiac adaptation to hypoxia.
A new study by UCI researchers found that body parts like the liver and skin have internal clocks that respond to light changes, regardless of the brain's central clock. This discovery has significant implications for understanding circadian rhythms, aging processes, and overall well-being.
Researchers identified TIMELESS as a potential circadian clock regulator involved in minor sleep phase changes. A mutation in the TIMELESS gene causes accumulation of the protein, leading to phase advances in mice and advanced sleep phase in humans.
Research reveals humans are more sensitive to evening light than previously thought, with large individual differences in sensitivity. Exposure to light after dusk can disrupt the circadian rhythm, leading to potential health consequences.
Researchers at Saint Louis University found that low levels of the hormone adropin predict increased weight gain and metabolic dysregulation in male monkeys fed a high-sugar diet. Adropin regulates glucose and fat metabolism, and its expression is controlled by biological clocks.
Researchers found that circadian rhythms impact immune responses, with morning immune cells elevated and nighttime levels suppressed. This discovery may lead to time-tailored therapies for human patients.
Researchers from Kanazawa University discovered that saturation of transcription or translation generates a dead zone in the circadian clock system, enabling it to remain insensitive to light signals during daytime. This finding highlights the fundamental properties of circadian clocks determined at the single-cell level.
A new study finds that women and mice experience changes in their daily schedules and activity levels during the first third of pregnancy. The study suggests that these changes may be related to hormonal influences and could have implications for preterm birth prevention.
Research suggests that exercise performed in the evening may be more productive due to increased levels of ZMP, a metabolite that activates metabolic pathways related to glycolysis and fatty acid oxidation. In human studies, lower oxygen consumption and better exercise efficiency were observed in the evening compared to morning.
Rhythmic food intake drives liver gene expression independently of the molecular clock, regulating metabolic pathways and potentially leading to health issues like aging and obesity. The study's findings have implications for understanding circadian biology and the impact of timing on health.
Researchers found that low-dose BPA exposure during gestation alters circadian rhythms, leading to increased activity and disrupted daily patterns in mice. This study suggests a potential contributing factor to hyperactivity observed in BPA-exposed mice.
Researchers identified 727 genes in fat tissue that express their own circadian rhythm, many carrying out key metabolic functions. Morning-peaking transcripts regulate gene expression and nucleic acid biology, while evening-peaking transcripts are associated with redox activity and organic acid metabolism.
Researchers have discovered a promising new drug that targets the biological clock of cancer cells, slowing their growth and halting their spread. By disrupting the circadian rhythm of cancer cells, this drug may provide an effective new treatment option for various types of cancer.
New research reveals that shift work can impair glucose tolerance and disrupt maternal circadian rhythms in early pregnancy, leading to reduced fetal growth and longer pregnancies. This study provides valuable insights into the effects of shift work on human metabolism and pregnancy outcomes.
A UCI-led study reveals that fasting affects circadian clocks in the liver and skeletal muscle, rewiring metabolism for improved health. Fasting-driven cellular responses prime the genome for new gene expression patterns, suggesting optimal timed fasting could benefit health.
Research by neurobiologists at the University of Würzburg reveals that high-intensity light extends sleep duration and delays evening activity in Drosophila. The study's findings suggest a molecular mechanism involving photo receptors and neuropeptides that regulate the circadian clock.
Researchers found that dairy cows' milk yield and composition follow predictable annual cycles driven by photoperiod, regardless of geographic location. The study's findings will help dairy farmers better manage their herds and interpret the effects of management strategies.
Researchers found a novel time-keeping mechanism within liver cells that contributes to disease development when its natural rhythm is disrupted. The study suggests that the circadian clock modulates HNF4A's classical functions, providing a potential explanation for diseases such as diabetes and cancers.
A new study finds that spinal cord injuries profoundly impact the body's internal clocks, affecting body temperature, hormone fluctuations, immunity, and other bodily processes. The researchers discovered that expression of clock genes was reduced in both injured and uninjured tissue, with implications for recovery.
A study of male and female rats found that moderate spinal cord damage alters daily body temperature and activity patterns. Restoring normal routines through circadian therapies may promote recovery after spinal cord injury.
A new study reveals that cells decide when to divide based on their internal clocks, with the time of day having a stronger influence than previously thought. The circadian clock continuously influences cell division throughout the day and night, fine-tuning the process by decreasing or accelerating division at different times.
New studies reveal that disrupted circadian rhythms can drive anxiety and exacerbate brain disorders, highlighting the importance of regulating wake-sleep cycles. Healthy sleep habits are also found to be critical in preventing various diseases, including Alzheimer's disease and anxiety disorder.
Researchers are developing sensing technologies to measure circadian rhythm in shift workers, exploring the impact on cognitive performance, productivity, and accidents. The goal is to provide personalized feedback to enhance users' well-being and cognitive ability.
Researchers discovered that midazolam, a commonly used anesthetic, alters cardiac circadian biology and increases susceptibility to myocardial ischemia. Targeting the circadian rhythm protein Period 2 (PER2) with nobiletin, a flavonoid found in citrus peels, provides significant cardioprotection against MI in a mouse model.
A novel mathematical approach has uncovered 12-hour cycles of genetic activity in animal cells, independent of 24-hour circadian rhythms. Laboratory experiments confirm the existence and independence of these cycles, which have significant implications for understanding gene functions over time and their influence on health and disease.
A study of over 1,000 patients with epilepsy found that seizures are linked to natural rhythms in around 80% of cases, with most occurring in a circadian rhythm. Weekly and longer cycles were also detected, with two-thirds of people having multiple types of cycles associated with their seizures.
Researchers at Northwestern University developed a simple blood test called TimeSignature that can identify the body's precise internal time clock. The test measures gene expression markers and can be taken any time of day, allowing for more accurate diagnosis and treatment of diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and Alzheimer's.
A new study published in Cell Metabolism found that limiting the times when lab mice eat can correct obesity and other metabolic problems, even when they're fed an unhealthy diet. The results suggest a previously unknown link between disruption of the clock and eating behavior.
Salk Institute researchers found that restricting food intake to a 10-hour window can protect against obesity and metabolic diseases. By controlling the animals' feeding and fasting cycles, they can override their genetically programmed sickness.
Scientists at Helmholtz Zentrum München discovered a metabolic network controlled by muscle cell circadian clocks, regulating fat storage and glucose metabolism. The study found that without this internal clock, mice became leaner and had more muscle mass.
Marimo algae balls sink at night and float during the day due to photosynthesis and biological circadian rhythms, according to a new study published in Current Biology. The research has implications for conserving these endangered species, which have experienced a global decline.
Researchers found that plant's daily oscillatory clock interacts with the aging linear clock during their lifetime, influencing leaf yellowing timing. The study identified key genes, such as PRR9, involved in this interaction.
Neurons in brain's master clock exhibit regular activity cycle that is disrupted under constant light conditions. Blocking these neurons reduces the severity of shifts in daily rhythms, suggesting a potential mechanism for modern sleep disorders.
A study discovered that plants regulate their internal 'circadian clock' using sugars from photosynthesis to stay in tune with day and night cycles. This process enables plants to match their activities to the time of day, crucial for growth, flower opening, and energy reserve management.
Researchers found that mice with obesity develop new liver circadian rhythms that impact fat accumulation and burning, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy for treating obesity-related liver diseases. Administering drugs at specific times when PPAR-alpha is most active could enhance effectiveness and reduce toxicity.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine has published a clinical practice guideline on the use of actigraphy in evaluating adult and pediatric patients with suspected sleep disorders. Actigraphy is recommended as a useful tool for gathering objective data on sleep habits, but not used as a substitute for polysomnography.
Researchers find two opposing kinases regulating circadian clock, one stabilizing key protein PER2 and the other promoting its degradation. This discovery provides new targets for treating circadian disorders.
A Finnish study found a link between a gene variation and increased risk of Alzheimer's disease in the elderly, particularly those with job-related exhaustion in shift workers. The research suggests that genetic predisposition combined with lifestyle disruptions can increase Alzheimer's risk.
A recent study by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine found that NFL teams perform better at night due to their circadian rhythms. The research revealed fewer turnovers and mental errors during late evening games compared to afternoon games, suggesting a significant impact of circadian timing on game-day statistics.
A study has found that circadian rhythms influence atherosclerosis, a condition leading to heart attacks and strokes. The researchers identified the molecular mechanism controlling rhythmic arterial leukocyte migration and developed a targeted therapy to stop its recruitment in atherosclerotic areas.
A team of researchers has found that light and temperature stimuli mutually regulate the circadian rhythm of fruit flies. The study identified molecular pathways in photoreceptors that affect the fly's inner clock, including a previously unknown pathway involving photopigments.
Researchers analyzed human plasma proteins over time, identifying 30 proteins regulated by the circadian clock and affecting cancer, immune function, and metabolism. Circadian misalignment altered glucose homeostasis and energy metabolism pathways.
Researchers found that chronic sleep deprivation, even without extended wakefulness, was associated with increased reaction time performance and daytime arousal. The study highlights the complex relationship between sleep and alertness in humans.
A large study of over 91,000 people found a strong association between disrupted body clock rhythms and an increased risk of depression, bipolar disorder, and poor wellbeing. Disruptions to normal daily circadian rhythms were linked to mood instability, loneliness, lower happiness, and worse cognitive function.
Researchers at Texas A&M University have identified the Period 2 (Per2) gene as a potential contributor to breast cancer risk. Per2 suppresses a gene called BMAL or CLOCK, and its expression is lost in many mammary tumors, suggesting it may have protective effects.
A study published in PNAS found that genes regulating immune system and metabolic processes fail to adapt to new sleep patterns caused by night shifts. Eight healthy volunteers were subjected to a five-day schedule simulating night shift work, showing that almost 25% of rhythmic genes lost their biological rhythm.