Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Fruit flies adapt activity to “white nights”

Research team at University of Münster finds that a specific gene variant allows fruit flies to synchronize their circadian rhythm with temperature cycles under constant light. This adaptation enables better mating opportunities and increases the allele's evolutionary success.

SourceUniversity of Münster·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 31, 2022

New findings on the internal clock of the fruit fly

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.

SourceUniversity of Münster·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 17, 2022

Scientists discover how our circadian rhythm can be both strong and flexible

Researchers found that the master clock and slave clock operate via distinct molecular mechanisms, allowing for robustness and flexibility in regulating bodily rhythms. The master clock's ability to adapt to environmental changes enables quick adjustment to new time zones after international flights.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 17, 2022

Scientists dive deep into the different effects of morning and evening exercise

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.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences·JournalCell Metabolism·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 14, 2022

Neurobiologists identify a new gene important for healthy daily rhythms

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.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 15, 2021

A breakdown in communication -- mitochondria of diabetic patients can’t keep time

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.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 20, 2021

The human immune system is an early riser

Researchers found that the human immune system is most active just before dawn, making it an important consideration for vaccination and cancer therapy. The study's findings suggest that stimulating the immune system at the right time could lead to better treatment outcomes.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNature Immunology·TypeNews article·DateOct 18, 2021

‘Fight or flight’ – unless internal clocks are disrupted, study in mice shows

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.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 1, 2021

The Daylight Award 2022 is open for nominations

The Daylight Award 2022 is now open for nominations, honoring groundbreaking research on the effects of daylight on human health and well-being. The award also recognizes innovative architectural projects showcasing unique uses of daylight, aiming to improve living conditions and environmental impact.

Time of day affects global brain fluctuations

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.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateFeb 18, 2020

The circadian-hypoxia link in cardioprotection

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.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalCurrent Pharmaceutical Design·DateJun 11, 2019

Study shines light on night-time alertness

Research suggests that red light can impact alertness at night via pathways other than the circadian system, contradicting previous assumptions about blue light's dominance. The study found that moderate levels of red light increase alertness in individuals, making it a viable alternative to blue light for improving nighttime alertness.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Neuroscience·DateAug 26, 2009

Dartmouth researchers find two circadian clocks in the same plant tissue

Researchers found that Arabidopsis plants respond differently to light and temperature signals, with one gene focused on photosynthesis and the other sensitive to temperature. This discovery suggests that plants have multiple internal clocks operating within a single tissue, allowing them to make critical decisions about flowering.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 7, 2003