Credit: iStock/Evgenii141 Six years after the revolutionary development of mRNA vaccines for COVID-19, 4D cellular physiologist Jennifer Lippincott-Schwartz, PhD, FAAAS, and her research team took synthetic mRNA technology to the next level. In her recent keynote talk at the 2026 American Physiological Summit in Minneapolis, Lippincott-Schwartz’s group—led by Heejun Choi, PhD—at Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s … Continue reading Rainbow mRNAs Help Researchers Discover the Hidden World of Cells
Scientific Research
The 2026 American Physiology Summit in Minneapolis: You Betcha!
Yoko Wang, PhD, presents her poster at the 2026 American Physiology Summit. All photos in this post courtesy of Wang. Spring is always the season I am waiting for. Not only for the sunshine and blooms, but also for the annual American Physiology Summit! This year’s Summit took place in Minneapolis, the largest city in … Continue reading The 2026 American Physiology Summit in Minneapolis: You Betcha!
Scenes from the 2026 American Physiology Summit: My Week in Photos
Viet Dinh, PhD, presents his poster at the 2026 American Physiology Summit. All photos in this post courtesy of Dinh. The 2026 American Physiology Summit took place in Minneapolis April 23−27, where thousands of physiology researchers, educators and students from around the world convened. I’ve had the pleasure of attending the Summit, the annual meeting … Continue reading Scenes from the 2026 American Physiology Summit: My Week in Photos
Travel, Sleep Loss and Performance in College Women’s Soccer
Credit: Anthony Militello/Seattle University Athletics Between classes, practices and cross-country flights, college athletes often live life on a tight schedule. Caroline Penner, an undergraduate researcher at Seattle University, presented her research at the 2026 American Physiology Summit. Her research tracked how in-season travel affected the sleep patterns and game performance of Division I women’s soccer … Continue reading Travel, Sleep Loss and Performance in College Women’s Soccer
Why Sleep During Pregnancy is a Health Issue, Not a Luxury
Credit: iStock/AsiaVision Many people assume poor sleep during pregnancy and the weeks after giving birth is simply part of the experience. The physical changes of pregnancy—and the demands of caring for a newborn—can make rest feel out of reach. But research shows sleep does far more than fight fatigue. It plays a direct role in … Continue reading Why Sleep During Pregnancy is a Health Issue, Not a Luxury
Laughing as Medicine: Why a Giggle a Day Might Be Good for You
Credit: iStock/FG Trade Latin We’ve all heard the saying “Laughter is the best medicine,” but what does science say? It turns out that laughing isn’t just pleasant, it can be genuinely beneficial for your mind and body throughout your life. Let’s start with stress. Chronic stress is everywhere in modern life, contributing to anxiety, fatigue … Continue reading Laughing as Medicine: Why a Giggle a Day Might Be Good for You
Seeing Parenthood Through a Physiology Lens
Credit: iStock/PIKSEL Becoming a parent changes how you see everything, including science. As a physiology PhD trainee and former Navy hospital corpsman who practiced medicine in a mid-level role, I’ve spent years learning how the body works under pressure. I didn’t expect my most meaningful physiology lesson to happen in a delivery room. My son … Continue reading Seeing Parenthood Through a Physiology Lens
Spotlight On: Short-chain Fatty Acids
Credit: iStock/VectorMine The gut microbiota in our body produces various substances called metabolites. One of those metabolites is short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). These are the compounds our digestive system produces when dietary fiber that we can’t digest ferments in the gut. Acetate, butyrate and propionate are some of the major SCFAs. SCFAs are important biofuels … Continue reading Spotlight On: Short-chain Fatty Acids
Spotlight On: Parkinson’s Disease
Credit: iStock/Devonyu Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that affects how the brain controls movement. It develops gradually, often beginning with subtle symptoms that are easy to overlook. The condition was first described in 1817 by the British physician James Parkinson. Today it is recognized as one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases worldwide, … Continue reading Spotlight On: Parkinson’s Disease
Beyond the Bugs: Could Chemicals from Microbes Help Lower Blood Pressure?
Credit: iStock/Elena Istomina Did you know that the trillions of bacteria residing in your gut actively influence one of the most critical numbers in your life: your blood pressure? For a long time, scientists mainly looked at genetics, diet and lifestyle as the key reasons behind high blood pressure. While these factors are important, there’s … Continue reading Beyond the Bugs: Could Chemicals from Microbes Help Lower Blood Pressure?