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.

Groundbreaking research collaboration shedding light on major diseases wins $12.5 million NIH grant

A groundbreaking research collaboration at the University of Virginia School of Medicine that is shedding light on everything from cancer to diabetes to cardiovascular disease has received $12.5 million from the National Institutes of Health.

24 May 2019

Scientists examine hormonal links between diet and obesity

Obesity is a growing public health crisis, bringing with it many serious risk factors, including cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.

24 May 2019

Common genetic variant associated with increased food intake and weight gain

Researchers have discovered that children who do not have obesity, but who are at risk for the chronic disease due to a common genetic variant eat more, according to a new study to be published in the June 2019 issue of Obesity.

23 May 2019

New technology helps reduce cost and time needed to do common laboratory tests

A desire for a simpler, cheaper way to do common laboratory tests for medical diagnoses and to avoid "washing the dishes" led University of Connecticut researchers to develop a new technology that reduces cost and time.

23 May 2019

Scientists develop new genetic tool to modify and understand gene function

Scientists of the National Center for Cardiovascular Research led by Rui Benedito have developed a new genetic tool (iSuRe-Cre) that provides certainty in Cre-inducible genetic modifications, a key technique for understanding gene function.

22 May 2019

New fluorescent sensor can detect migrating cancer cells

A new fluorescent sensor developed by researchers from the University of Adelaide can detect migrating cancer cells and could be used to target medication to stop metastasis in aggressive cancers.

22 May 2019

Scientists identify new therapeutic target for depression

Depression is one of the most widespread disorders that affects society, according to the World Health Organization. In fact, it is estimated that 4 million people are affected in Spain.

22 May 2019

Study provides new insights into key beneficial function of small ancient protein

Cell boundaries are made of lipids. When cells are severely damaged, these lipids need to be rapidly removed to avoid toxicity and facilitate tissue healing. Researchers have discovered that a small ancient protein, Serum Amyloid A (SAA), plays a previously unknown key role in this vital process.

21 May 2019

Study helps explain why lack of sleep is bad for the heart

In recent years, numerous studies have shown that people who don't get enough sleep are at greater risk of stroke and heart attack.

21 May 2019

Simple prevention methods could reduce tungiasis in children, study suggests

Tungiasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by penetrated sand fleas which burrow into the skin of the feet.

21 May 2019

PDIA1 enzyme levels could help diagnose individuals’ predisposition to cardiovascular disease

Measuring the blood plasma levels of an enzyme called PDIA1 could one day become a method of diagnosing a person's predisposition to cardiovascular disease even if they are healthy, i.e., not obese, diabetic or a smoker, and with normal cholesterol.

20 May 2019

A member of light-sensitive protein family plays role in adjusting skin color

A team of Brown University researchers found that opsin 3 -- a protein closely related to rhodopsin, the protein that enables low-light vision -- has a role in adjusting the amount of pigment produced in human skin, a determinant of skin color.

18 May 2019

Study aims to optimize device implantation in patients with atrial fibrillation and stroke risk

According to clinical studies, about a third of patients with atrial fibrillation will suffer a stroke during their lifetime. Between 70 and 90% of these strokes are caused by a thrombus formed in the left atrial appendage.

16 May 2019

A direct link established between chronic insomnia and cognitive problems

Chronic insomnia disorder, which affects approximately 10 percent of adults, has a direct negative impact on cognitive function of people aged 45 and over, independent of the effect of other health issues.

15 May 2019

GW researchers lay groundwork for improving diagnostic utility of neonatal EEGs

Neonatal brain injury is a leading cause of lifelong disability. Researchers at the George Washington University are laying the groundwork for a future where health care providers can more accurately diagnose brain injury and dysfunction in newborns with the use of an inexpensive and non-invasive diagnostic tool -- electroencephalography.

15 May 2019

Nanoparticles present in many food items affect gut microbiota, study shows

University of Sydney research provides new evidence that nanoparticles, which are present in many food items, may have a substantial and harmful influence on human health.

13 May 2019

Reviews provide overview of advances in the knowledge of focal and sclerotic bone diseases

Recently, extraordinary progress has been made in our understanding of the mechanisms and molecular pathways underlying focal and sclerotic bone diseases, rare disorders which have a strong genetic component.

13 May 2019

Researchers identify important signaling molecule in the biology of Hodgkin's lymphoma

Although classical Hodgkin's lymphoma is generally easily treatable today, many aspects of the disease still remain a mystery.

13 May 2019

Study finds lower survival rate among cancer patients in New Mexico

Researchers at the Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine have found that cancer patients in New Mexico have lower chances of survival when compared to the rest of the nation.

13 May 2019

New therapy to re-engage the heart's natural electrical pathways offers more treatment options

A new therapy to re-engage the heart's natural electrical pathways - instead of bypassing them - could mean more treatment options for heart failure patients who also suffer from electrical disturbances, such as arrhythmias, according to research led by the University of Chicago Medicine.

13 May 2019