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.

Neuroscientists discover a key piece of the placebo effect puzzle

The placebo effect is very real. This we've known for decades, as seen in real-life observations and the best double-blinded randomized clinical trials researchers have devised for many diseases and conditions, especially pain.

24 Jul 2024

Boosting ketone levels enhances heart function in mice with HFpEF, study shows

Increasing ketone supply to the heart in mice with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) allowed their hearts to utilize more ketones and produce more energy, according to preliminary research presented today at the American Heart Association's Basic Cardiovascular Sciences Scientific Sessions 2024.

24 Jul 2024

Comprehensive dataset from A4 study yields key insights about Alzheimer's disease

Data from the Anti-Amyloid Treatment in Asymptomatic Alzheimer's (A4) study, the first and largest clinical trial of pre-symptomatic Alzheimer's disease, is now widely available to researchers studying the condition.

24 Jul 2024

Review highlights hidden gut-brain connection in neurological disorders

Research reveals the gut microbiota-brain axis as a critical link in understanding and treating neurological disorders through microbial interventions.

23 Jul 2024

Ohio State leads multi-million dollar research on long COVID solutions

A 2022 study suggesting that blocking a single molecule could protect against severe illness in COVID-19 has led to a $15 million federal grant supporting a comprehensive effort to learn more – with finding a solution to long COVID at the center of the new research.

23 Jul 2024

Researchers identify a less-invasive approach to measure intracranial pressure in patients

Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers have published new research that reports on a potential alternative and less-invasive approach to measure intracranial pressure (ICP) in patients.

23 Jul 2024

Study offers new insight into the underlying brain mechanisms of sleep apnea-induced hypertension

Nearly 40 million adults in the U.S. have sleep apnea, and more than 30 million of them use a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine while sleeping.

23 Jul 2024

New study sheds light on irregular heartbeat risk

Two new, basic animal research studies shed light on alcohol consumption and the heart. The first study may help explain why binge drinking sometimes causes an irregular heartbeat and a possible way to prevent it. The second study investigated why alcohol may have a negative impact on heart function in women taking estrogen replacement therapy.

23 Jul 2024

Ginseng genome unlocks secrets of medicinal benefits

A landmark study has successfully decoded the complete ginseng genome, unveiling the genetic mechanisms that govern saponin biosynthesis. This detailed genetic map illuminates the evolutionary and metabolic pathways of Panax ginseng, a staple in traditional medicine. This pivotal discovery promises to drive forward breeding initiatives and augment the plant's medicinal qualities, unlocking new possibilities for therapeutic applications.

19 Jul 2024

Early adult weight gain linked to poor heart health in later life, study finds

People who gain excess weight from their 20s onwards have less healthy hearts by the time they are in their 60s, according to research published in the European Heart Journal today (Wednesday).

16 Jul 2024

Bowel movement frequency is linked to long-term health, study suggests

Everybody poops, but not every day. New research by the Institute for Systems Biology (ISB) suggests bowel movement frequency is linked to long-term health.

16 Jul 2024

Archaea: Unseen players in human microbiome and infectious diseases

Archaea, key players in the human microbiome, are linked to various diseases but their pathogenic potential remains speculative. This study highlights their role in conditions like periodontitis and gastrointestinal infections.

16 Jul 2024

Harnessing brain proteins for enhanced diabetes and weight-loss drugs

A network of proteins found in the central nervous system could be harnessed to increase the effectiveness and reduce the side effects of popular diabetes and weight-loss drugs, according to new research from the University of Michigan.

15 Jul 2024

SH2B1 gene defends against obesity via the paraventricular hypothalamus

Obesity is a complicated condition, caused by a combination of genetics, the food environment, behavior, and other factors.

15 Jul 2024

Drastic caloric restriction by athletes diminishes performance and compromises the immune system

Drastically cutting back on caloric intake to lose weight ahead of competition is commonplace among athletes.

15 Jul 2024

Study links improved dietary fat quality to reduced cardiovascular and diabetes risk

The impact of dietary fat quality on lipid metabolites and its association with reduced cardiometabolic disease risk.

15 Jul 2024

Existing drug shows promise for treating common liver disease

The University of Barcelona has led a study that suggests using the drug known as pemafibrate to treat liver disease associated with metabolic disorders, the most common liver pathology in the world, which affects one in four people. The drug has long been marketed in Japan for another use: improving blood lipid levels in patients with hyperlipidaemia, a common condition in diabetics. Now, however, it could help address this serious liver disease, which still has no specific treatment.

11 Jul 2024

Repurposing pemafibrate to treat liver disease associated with metabolic disorders

10 Jul 2024

60 years in the making: Nanoparticles revolutionize nucleotide delivery

Researchers trace the 60-year evolution of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) for nucleic acid delivery, highlighting their potential to revolutionize gene therapy with safer and more effective treatments.

10 Jul 2024

Researchers receive $2 million in grants to advance studies on age-related cognitive impairment

Two University of Oklahoma researchers have been awarded more than $2 million in grants from the Hevolution Foundation to further their studies on age-related cognitive impairment, with an emphasis on improving "health span," or the number of years a person remains healthy.

9 Jul 2024