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.

New study on genotype-phenotype associations sheds light on human complex traits, diseases

A new study analyzing the association between an individual's genetics (genotype) and their observable characteristics resulting from the interaction of genetics and the environment (phenotype), contributes new knowledge to the understanding of human complex traits and diseases.

2 Jun 2021

Scientists discover the central role of LRRC8A gene in cellular ability to survive osmotic shock

Cells have to constantly adapt to their surroundings in order to survive. A sudden increase in the environmental levels of an osmolyte, such as salt, causes cells to lose water and shrink. In a matter of seconds, they activate a mechanism that allows them to recover their initial water volume and avoid dying.

2 Jun 2021

Study examines if myoDN improves myoblast differentiation exacerbated by diabetes

Skeletal muscle makes up 30% to 40% of body weight and serves multiple functions like heat production and energy metabolism.

1 Jun 2021

Genetic differences within microalgal symbionts relate to the coral species they inhabit

The microscopic algae that live inside and provide nutrients to their reef-building coral hosts may be evolving in tandem with the corals they inhabit, so each partner is fine-tuned to meet one another's needs.

From Penn State University 1 Jun 2021

Genomic study can reveal adaptive mechanisms of life under future ocean acidification

Human-driven global change is challenging the scientific community to understand how marine species might adapt to predicted environmental conditions in the near-future (e.g. hypoxia, ocean warming, and ocean acidification).

27 May 2021

Light-controlled on/off switch can help reset the biological clock

The biological clock is present in almost all cells of an organism. As more and more evidence emerges that clocks in certain organs could be out of sync, there is a need to investigate and reset these clocks locally.

26 May 2021

Three-dimensional organization of genome is extremely dynamic during gamete formation

Inside the nuclei of cells, the genome is tightly organized (packaged). This three-dimensional (3D) genome organization is basic because it controls gene expression.

21 May 2021

Lack of functional GAS2 gene causes severe hearing impairment in mice

A gene called GAS2 plays a key role in normal hearing, and its absence causes severe hearing loss, according to a study led by researchers in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.

10 May 2021

Mutant corn gene found to increase the amount of sugars in the seeds and leaves

An abnormal accumulation of carbohydrates—starches and sugars—in the kernels and leaves of a mutant line of corn can be traced back to a single misregulated gene, and this finding provides insights into how the plant responds to stress.

From Penn State University 5 May 2021

New integrative genetic screening technology offers insights into role of DNA accessibility in cancer

In a new resource for the scientific community, published today in Nature Biotechnology, researchers in the lab of Neville Sanjana, PhD, at the New York Genome Center (NYGC) and New York University (NYU) developed CRISPR-sciATAC, a novel integrative genetic screening platform that jointly captures CRISPR gene perturbations and single-cell chromatin accessibility genome-wide.

30 Apr 2021

Study shows that autophagy plays a key role in messenger RNA degradation

Autophagy is essential in messenger RNA (mRNA) degradation, according to researchers from the Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech).

27 Apr 2021

Protein in skeletal muscular system may play a key role in the body's fight or flight response

Researchers at the University of Cincinnati say a regulatory protein found in skeletal muscle fiber may play an important role in the body's fight or flight response when encountering stressful situations.

26 Apr 2021

Combination of organic farming and genetic engineering can increase global sustainability

To increase global sustainability, EU law should be revised to enable the use of gene editing in organic farming.

23 Apr 2021

Study highlights the importance of autophagy in gene regulation

A fine balance between the production and degradation of biomolecules is required for optimal cell function. Autophagy is a mechanism through which cells break down and recycle their own components.

20 Apr 2021

New method can improve the drug testing process

When developing a new drug, the first question is, “does it work?” and the second question is, “is it harmful?”

9 Apr 2021

Dopamine-releasing brain cells shed light on Parkinson’s disease

Scientists have found that botulinum toxin—commonly known as Botox—can expose the inner workings of the brain, in addition to smoothing out wrinkles.

From New York University (NYU) 7 Apr 2021

Electron cryo-tomography reveals 3D images of sarcomeres at high resolution

Using electron cryo-tomography, researchers have created the first high-resolution 3D image of the sarcomere.

25 Mar 2021

Disease-driving B cells play a role in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

A study by researchers proposes that disease-driving B cells—a kind of white blood cell—have a role in the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

23 Mar 2021

New highly sensitive RNA detection method advances in situ transcriptomics

Human cells typically transcribe half of their roughly 20,000 genes into RNA molecules at any given time. Just like with proteins, the function of those RNA species not only relies on their abundance but also their precise localization within the 3D space of each cell.

18 Mar 2021

Spraying leaves with vitamin C can dramatically increase protein production

The production of high-value pharmaceutical proteins in plants provides benefits over other manufacturing techniques.

10 Mar 2021