Credit: iStock In a year like no other in our lifetimes, many of us found ourselves putting aside our usual pursuits and thirsting for information on the coronavirus pandemic. I Spy Physiology blog contributors quickly switched gears to keep you informed, including a series of posts covering the physiology of COVID-19 and how it affects … Continue reading 2020’s Most-read I Spy Physiology Posts
Cell Physiology
Cautious Hope for Long Overlooked Disease
Credit: iStock One year ago, Victoria Gray became the first person in the U.S. to receive a revolutionary treatment for sickle cell disease (SCD). SCD is a genetic disorder in which the red blood cells—the cells that carry oxygen throughout the body—can become shaped like a crescent, or “sickle.” These misshaped cells build up in … Continue reading Cautious Hope for Long Overlooked Disease
Spotlight On: Mitochondria
Credit: iStock You may remember learning about mitochondria, the “powerhouse of the cell” in science class. Mitochondria earned this nickname because of their ability to maintain the supply of a chemical called ATP that is our primary source of energy. Mitochondria help with almost every reaction in our body that requires energy, from contracting our … Continue reading Spotlight On: Mitochondria
Spotlight On: Oxidative Stress
Credit: iStock Oxidative stress is a term that many of us have heard or seen on food and vitamin labels for quite some time, but few people understand what this is. Oxidative stress is the imbalance of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which is a byproduct of metabolism that is made up of different compounds, including … Continue reading Spotlight On: Oxidative Stress
Firefly “Magic”
Here come real stars to fill the upper skies,And here on earth come emulating flies,That though they never equal stars in size,(And they were never really stars at heart)Achieve at times a very star-like start.Only, of course, they can't sustain the part. –Robert Frost, “Fireflies in the Garden” The warm glow of fireflies—also called lightning … Continue reading Firefly “Magic”
In May, Take Steps to Prevent Melanoma
With the weather getting warmer, you may be tempted to bare more skin in the coming months. However, sunnier days can increase your risk of skin cancer if you don’t protect yourself. May is Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month. Read on to learn more about your body’s largest organ and how melanoma grows. Your … Continue reading In May, Take Steps to Prevent Melanoma
When’s the Best Time to Eat? Your Body Clock Knows
The American Heart Association recently released a statement suggesting that when and how often you eat could affect your risk for developing heart disease and stroke. Until now, the focus on diet has been primarily about how much and what you eat. This news—that the time of day you eat may also be important—could change … Continue reading When’s the Best Time to Eat? Your Body Clock Knows
Microvesicles and Blood Vessels and Exercise, Oh My!
The American Heart Association recommends that adults get at least 30 minutes of endurance exercise every day to keep your heart, lungs, and circulatory system healthy. A daily workout can help reduce your risk of developing diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Endurance exercise is basically any activity that increases your breathing and … Continue reading Microvesicles and Blood Vessels and Exercise, Oh My!
Nanoparticles: A High-Tech Solution for Lung Cancer Treatment
Credit: iStock Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death for both men and women in the U.S., according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). Responsible for 1 in 4 cancer deaths, there were approximately 224,390 new cases and 158,000 lung cancer deaths in 2016 alone. Despite the seemingly grim outlook for lung cancer … Continue reading Nanoparticles: A High-Tech Solution for Lung Cancer Treatment
The Antioxidant-Activity Connection
Antioxidants: It’s one of the biggest health buzzwords today. The fabled powers of these mysterious compounds have been featured on daytime TV, plastered on age-defying beauty products and foods in the grocery store, and sold to us as a major reason to frequent juice bars and smoothie shops. Antioxidants are not just an overblown fad, though. … Continue reading The Antioxidant-Activity Connection