Credit: iStock/ibreakstock The adrenergic system is a crucial component of the sympathetic nervous system and has widespread effects throughout the body. “Adrenergic” comes from “Andren,” relating to “adrenaline” (a stress hormone also referred to as epinephrine in the U.S.), and “ergic” derived from the Latin “ergy,” meaning “at work.” Put together, the word “adrenergic” is … Continue reading History of Adrenergic Receptors
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The Top 10 Most-read I Spy Physiology Posts of 2024
Credit: iStock/gustavofrazao It’s been another “ph-un” filled year of physiology on the I Spy Physiology blog! We’ve featured posts ranging from marijuana research and bone cancer in children to how many steps do we really need to take per day and if alkaline water lives up to the hype. To complement our Women’s Health Research … Continue reading The Top 10 Most-read I Spy Physiology Posts of 2024
How Exercise Protects You from Dementia
Credit: iStock More than 7 million people in the U.S. live with neurodegenerative disorders. These are chronic diseases of the nervous system that worsen over time. Degenerative disorders are difficult to slow or reverse when nerve cells (neurons) stop working the way they should or die. Examples include Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis and … Continue reading How Exercise Protects You from Dementia
Mississippi’s Heart Beats for the Jackson Heart Study
Credit: iStock/ibusca Mississippi has had its moments in the spotlight: the 2022 water crisis, political scandals and its continued thread of racism. Despite the grim persona the state often reflects at the national level, Mississippi has several opportunities that could help it overcome this negative identity. As a biased Alabamian-turned-Mississippian, I tend to see Mississippi … Continue reading Mississippi’s Heart Beats for the Jackson Heart Study
Ripples in Childhood, Waves in Adulthood: Early Childhood Stress and Your Health
Credit: iStock/FangXiaNuo Playgrounds, red balloons, lollipops, sandcastles on the beach and jump ropes are just some of the images that come to mind when you think of a happy childhood. Many people grow up with curiosity, play and the building of foundational memories that shape who they become. From learning to ride a bike to … Continue reading Ripples in Childhood, Waves in Adulthood: Early Childhood Stress and Your Health
How Does Eating and Exercising at the Right Time Reduce Your Risk of Chronic Disease?
Karyn Esser, PhD, presents her research at the 2024 American Physiology Summit. Credit: American Physiological Society The role of the biological clock (circadian rhythm) on human health and disease was covered in depth at the 2023 American Physiology Summit. Learning about how the body’s clock works with other organs is a topic scientists are continually … Continue reading How Does Eating and Exercising at the Right Time Reduce Your Risk of Chronic Disease?
Spotlight On: The Vagus Nerve
Credit: Yoko Wang In recent years, the vagus nerve has become more well-known than ever before, as it has become a golden target for many chronic disease therapies. What is the vagus nerve? And what does it do, and why is it so important to our health? For centuries, the vagus nerve (also called the … Continue reading Spotlight On: The Vagus Nerve
Wearing High Heels May Help You Walk More Efficiently
Credit: iStock High heels—whether it’s an ultra-slim stiletto, a chunky block heel or a versatile wedge—have been making a fashion statement since the 16th century. King Louis XIV of France popularized wearing heels for men and women a couple of centuries later. If you don’t wear heels regularly, you may wonder how people who do … Continue reading Wearing High Heels May Help You Walk More Efficiently
Women in Science: How Far We’ve Come and Where We Still Need to Go
Credit: iStock The International Day of Women and Girls in Science is on February 11. While women have long been hidden from the scientific history books, influential figures—Hedy Lamarr, Katherine Johnson and Rosalind Franklin to name a few—are becoming more and more celebrated in mainstream media for their work. Yet, women and girls are still … Continue reading Women in Science: How Far We’ve Come and Where We Still Need to Go
Fighting Social Isolation and Loneliness to Protect Our Health
Credit: iStock People are social creatures, and we are meant to connect with others. However, when we are alone, when we feel alone or isolated, or when we struggle to find meaning in our lives, we can become lonely. Loneliness has become a serious public health concern that affects people of all ages, genders and … Continue reading Fighting Social Isolation and Loneliness to Protect Our Health