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.

Salk neuroscientists identify traveling brain waves as a computational engine

Your brain has something surprising in common with the ocean: waves! Electrical activity washes over the brain's surface, creating what are called traveling brain waves or neural traveling waves.

21 Jul 2026

New peptide from cone snail venom shows promise for non-opioid pain relief

An international research team led by the Medical University of Vienna has investigated a new peptide derived from cone snail venom which significantly reduced inflammation-induced pain in an animal model.

21 Jul 2026

New target makes cancer cells vulnerable to immune destruction

Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago have identified a molecular switch that helps determine whether cancer cells remain soft and difficult to destroy or become stiff enough for the immune system to attack.

20 Jul 2026

Trans-tympanic optical stimulation of the cochlea evokes reliable auditory responses

A new study, using Mongolian gerbils as an animal model, demonstrated for the first time that trans-tympanic infrared laser stimulation of the cochlea evokes reliable, auditory-guided behaviour in awake animals without the need for genetic modification or invasive surgical implantation.

17 Jul 2026

Experts recommend renaming PCOS to better reflect whole-body impacts

A condition affecting approximately 170 million adolescents and women worldwide has a new name – one that better reflects its complexity and far-reaching health impacts.

15 Jul 2026

Fruit fly study uncovers gene behind seasonal winter dormancy

Researchers at Washington State University have discovered a molecular "winter lock" that keeps animals in a less active winter state until favorable conditions return, a discovery that could improve pest control and lead to a better understanding of seasonal health conditions in humans.

15 Jul 2026

Brain’s immune cells play key role in maintaining stability of neuronal networks in Alzheimer's disease

Researchers at Trinity College Dublin have discovered that microglia – the main immune cells of the brain – play a critical role in maintaining the stability of neuronal networks in Alzheimer's disease.

15 Jul 2026

Unlocking the potential of organoids in modern drug discovery

Explore how organoids are unlocking new possibilities in modern drug discovery by improving disease modelling within DMTA-driven research workflows.

From TTP plc 15 Jul 2026

Myotonia may play a much larger role in driving muscle damage than previously recognized

For decades, researchers studying myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) have focused on the disease's underlying genetic cause: a mutation that produces a toxic form of RNA, disrupting the normal processing of thousands of genetic messages inside cells.

13 Jul 2026

Study reveals distinct roles of oxygen-sensing proteins in skeletal muscles

Skeletal muscles-responsible for movement, joint stabilization, and postural support-are highly metabolically active and heavily reliant on oxygen during physical activity.

13 Jul 2026

Dysregulation of immune regulator NF-κB drives major human diseases

NF‑κB controls genes involved in inflammation, immunity, cell survival, and proliferation. Triggered by cytokines (TNF‑α, IL‑1β), microbial products, or cellular stress, it translocates to the nucleus and induces pro‑inflammatory mediators.

13 Jul 2026

Smelling dark chocolate before training may improve workout performance

Chocolate odors influence resistance exercise performance in fasted men, highlighting the potential of sensory cues to enhance training and appetite control.

13 Jul 2026

Cold-exposed mothers pass metabolic protection to male rat offspring through milk

Maternal cold exposure during early pregnancy improved glucose control and reduced liver fat in male rat offspring, with benefits persisting into late adulthood. The findings implicate a breast milk LCA, gut microbiota, and Th17 immune pathway, while human cohort data showed an observational link between winter conception and lower MASLD risk.

12 Jul 2026

Wearable forehead patch tracks brain-water shifts during sleep at home

A soft, wireless NIRS forehead patch tracked water-sensitive brain signals during 16 overnight home sleep recordings in four healthy men. The signals changed with EEG/EOG-defined sleep stages, suggesting a new way to study sleep-linked brain-fluid dynamics, although the device did not directly measure CSF flow or glymphatic clearance.

9 Jul 2026

New noninvasive approach analyzes compounds released during cupping therapy

Cupping therapy is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) technique used to treat chronic pain, expedite muscle recovery, and other conditions.

9 Jul 2026

Random sounds during sleep disrupt brain waves and impair memory

A research team in Freiburg has investigated how random sounds played during sleep affect the consolidation of new memories.

9 Jul 2026

Sniffing chocolate scent boosts leg workout performance without extra effort

When was the last time you went to the gym and found working out a bit harder than expected? Leg day in particular can be tough, but a new Frontiers in Physiology study found a promising trick that might make it easier: sniffing chocolate.

9 Jul 2026

University of Malaga scientists find way to improve morphine treatments

Scientists at the Department of Cell Biology of the University of Malaga have taken a step forward in the search for more effective treatments for pain with a new study that continues advancing in mitigating the addictive effects of morphine -one of the main drugs used for this purpose- as well as the development of analgesic tolerance to this drug.

9 Jul 2026

Active birth control pills may increase emotional eating

Combined oral contraceptives are associated with increased emotional eating, suggesting hormonal effects on eating behaviors and potential binge eating risks.

9 Jul 2026

Study links PTSD to accelerated biological aging and chronic disease

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) remains a common condition affecting World Trade Center (WTC) responders 25 years after the attack on the Twin Towers.

8 Jul 2026