In the past several decades, heat waves have been occurring more frequently, with a recent major heat event breaking temperature records in Europe. When people don’t have access to air conditioning, fans or simply a shady spot, the extremely high temperatures can be dangerous, especially for the elderly. While young adults are more able to … Continue reading How Our Body Stays Cool in the Heat and What Changes as We Age
Scientific Research
Photoblog: Experimental Biology 2019
Experimental Biology (EB) 2019 was a whirlwind of science, collaboration and reconnection. I Spy Physiology volunteer blog editor Audrey Vasauskas was our “woman on the street” during the poster sessions. She asked APS members and other EB attendees at the opening reception poster sessions “What are you most excited about for this EB 2019?” Read … Continue reading Photoblog: Experimental Biology 2019
Time to Breathe
Like a candle flame, our metabolism consumes oxygen and releases carbon dioxide (CO2). Breathing removes the CO2 and brings in fresh oxygen, ensuring that metabolism—and life— can continue. It is the buildup of CO2 more than the lack of fresh oxygen that makes you feel a strong urge to inhale when you hold your breath—like … Continue reading Time to Breathe
Surprising Ways to Protect Your Heart: Research from Experimental Biology 2019
Scientists who study physiology and other biomedical research fields—including anatomy, biochemistry, pathology and pharmacology—gather every year at the Experimental Biology (EB) meeting to network, collaborate and communicate new research findings. This year’s EB meeting in Orlando, Fla., featured studies ranging from the gut microbiome to heart disease to adolescent health. Read on to learn … Continue reading Surprising Ways to Protect Your Heart: Research from Experimental Biology 2019
The Jury Is Still Out on Whether Brown Fat Can Make You Thin
Obesity is a major health problem that carries enormous costs to both the individual and society. Being overweight may limit quality of life and work productivity and cause disease, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke and some types of cancer. It may even lead to premature death. Obesity is defined as the excess accumulation … Continue reading The Jury Is Still Out on Whether Brown Fat Can Make You Thin
Scientific Meetings Set the Stage for Collaboration and Communication
It’s almost April, and April showers bring May flowers, as the saying goes. In the world of science, April also brings more than 170 scientific meetings, including the American Physiological Society annual meeting at Experimental Biology (EB). Scientific meetings serve an important role in the process of advancing what we know about disease and finding … Continue reading Scientific Meetings Set the Stage for Collaboration and Communication
Tart Cherries Are Sweet for Blood Vessel Health
Now that it’s officially spring, you may be looking forward to the bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables that will soon be available in grocery stores, farmers markets and perhaps even your own garden. The Montmorency cherry, tucked into the colorful landscape of the produce aisle, is tasty and healthy. The Montmorency cherry is a … Continue reading Tart Cherries Are Sweet for Blood Vessel Health
Maybe She’s Born with It: Genetics Give Competitive Swimmers Their Edge
Competitive swimming is a demanding sport that requires maintaining a high level of activity—while partially submerged in the water—without being able to breathe naturally. It’s a sport—like any form of exercise—that may not be suited to everyone. Years of research have shown that competitive swimmers have larger lungs and better lung function than non-swimmers. In … Continue reading Maybe She’s Born with It: Genetics Give Competitive Swimmers Their Edge
Survival of the Fishes: Research in Comparative Physiology
Animals can be cute, cuddly, weird-looking and even scary. To a comparative physiologist—someone who studies the physiological function of different species—animals can also be the key to understanding human health. Animals can provide clues about the world’s larger ecological systems. This is becoming more and more important as climate change and pollution become two of … Continue reading Survival of the Fishes: Research in Comparative Physiology
Halloween Musings on Mutations
The word “mutation” may conjure up images of fictional monsters, Marvel X-Men and creatures with non-human characteristics. It’s true that mutations are often associated with disease: something that has gone wrong in the body to produce an oddly shaped body part or sometimes cancer. However, mutations can’t be categorized as “good” or “bad” so easily. … Continue reading Halloween Musings on Mutations
