Physiology News and Research

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Human physiology is the science of the mechanical, physical, and biochemical functions of humans in good health, their organs, and the cells of which they are composed. The principal level of focus of physiology is at the level of organs and systems. Most aspects of human physiology are closely homologous to corresponding aspects of animal physiology, and animal experimentation has provided much of the foundation of physiological knowledge. Anatomy and physiology are closely related fields of study: anatomy, the study of form, and physiology, the study of function, are intrinsically tied and are studied in tandem as part of a medical curriculum.

Super-Cooled Brain Cell Molecules Shed Light on Epilepsy Drug Action

By super cooling a molecule on the surface of brain cells down to about minus 180 degrees Celsius -; nearly twice as cold as the coldest places in Antarctica -; scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine say they have determined how a widely-used epilepsy drug works to dampen the excitability of brain cells and help to control, although not cure, seizures.

11 Jun 2024

Study Highlights Key Protein-Lipid Interactions in Mitochondrial Energy Production

By studying mutations in yeast and human cells, Johns Hopkins Medicine scientists say they have found that biochemical bonds between fats and proteins in the mitochondrion, the cell's powerhouse, play a crucial role in how our cells produce energy.

10 Jun 2024

Genetic Insights into Salt Gland Formation and Stress Responses in Sea Lavender

Basic helix–loop–helix (bHLH) transcription factors are essential for various plant processes, including growth, development, and stress responses.

7 Jun 2024

Researchers Identify Molecular Stop Signal in Cell Division Monitoring

Every second, many million cells divide throughout the body. During nuclear division (mitosis), the genetic material must be divided correctly and fully amongst daughter cells; faults in this process can result in improper development or genetic diseases, and many cancer cells have an uneven number of chromosomes.

5 Jun 2024

"Cervix-on-a-Chip" Offers Promise for New Bacterial Vaginosis Treatments

Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) has been identified as one of the many unmet needs in women's health and affects more than 25% of reproductive-aged women.

3 Jun 2024

Unlocking the Power of Circadian Rhythms for Enhancing Cancer Immunotherapy

A multidisciplinary research team at the University of California, Irvine has revealed that the circadian clock – the biological pacemaker that governs daily rhythms in physiological processes, including immune functions – can be leveraged to enhance the efficacy of checkpoint inhibitor cancer therapy.

29 May 2024

Understanding the Genetic Basis of Tea Aroma with Lipidomics and Hormone Profiling

The journey from tea leaf to infusion is a complex one, with a multitude of factors influencing the final taste and aroma.

28 May 2024

Deciphering the Genetic Basis of Bayberry Fruit Quality

The Chinese bayberry, Myrica rubra, is a subtropical fruit highly valued for its distinctive flavor, nutritional benefits, and economic importance.

28 May 2024

Study Reveals Allele-Specific DNA Methylation in Hybrid Poplar Regeneration

Understanding plant regeneration at the molecular level is pivotal for advancements in genetic transformation and genome editing.

27 May 2024

Exploring Cell-in-Cell Events Across the Tree of Life

In a new review paper, Carlo Maley and Arizona State University colleagues describe cell-in-cell phenomena in which one cell engulfs and sometimes consumes another.

22 May 2024

Understanding Lactate's Role in Energy Metabolism

As a student competing in track and field at his Parlier high school, Robert Leija was obsessed with how to improve his performance and, in particular, prevent the buildup of lactic acid in his muscles during training.

16 May 2024

New Technique Reveals Microscopic Heart Vessels with Unprecedented Clarity

A new imaging technique tested in patients could improve the evaluation of cardiac conditions and undiagnosed chest pain.

7 May 2024

Circadian Coordination: Key to Tissue Function and Aging Prevention

Discovered in the 1970s, circadian clocks are essential for the regulation of biological time in most cells in the human body.

3 May 2024

Genetic Insights: Safflower Genome Assembly Unlocks Key Traits for Crop Improvement

A research team completes a high-quality chromosome-scale assembly of the 'Chuanhonghua 1' safflower genome.

30 Apr 2024

The Potential Impact of CRISPR-Cas9 Gene Editing on Controlling Chagas Disease

The principal vector of Chagas disease, a serious public health hazard in Central and South America as well as the southern United States, is kissing bugs, also known as triatomine bugs.

23 Apr 2024

Researchers Identify Link Between Mitochondrial Depletion and Protein Build-Up in Neurons

Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University have identified how proteins collect abnormally in neurons, a feature of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's.

22 Apr 2024

Astrocytes Identified as Key Trigger for Epileptic Seizures

Epilepsy, where patients suffer from unexpected seizures, affects roughly 1% of the population.

22 Apr 2024

Placenta's Role in Gestational Diabetes Revealed

A recent study led by the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute has discovered that a deficiency in placental expression of the gene insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGFBP1) and low circulating levels of IGFBP1 are linked to insulin resistance during pregnancy, indicating a potential risk factor for the onset of gestational diabetes.

17 Apr 2024