Helping Kids Understand Physiology: One Teacher’s PhUn Week Story

Each week on the I Spy Physiology blog, we present examples of physiology in everyday life. This week, the American Physiological Society (APS) is sponsoring an annual event called Physiology Understanding (PhUn) Week. This is the time when scientists and educators take to the streets to spread the word about physiology. APS members have worked … Continue reading Helping Kids Understand Physiology: One Teacher’s PhUn Week Story

2016’s Ten Most Read Posts

It’s been a physiology-full 2016 on the I Spy Physiology blog! From exercise to respiration to heart health and beyond, we’ve explored how the bodies of humans and other animals work, adapt and react. Today, we take a look back at our 10 most read posts of the year. Concussions among football players was headline … Continue reading 2016’s Ten Most Read Posts

Bring on Winter! (But Stay Safe and Healthy)

  Winter officially begins next week with the winter solstice—the day of the year with the fewest hours of sunlight—on Dec. 21. With the cold weather and shorter days, you might be tempted to curl up under a blanket until the spring thaw. Whether you plan to hibernate or get outside to enjoy the chill, … Continue reading Bring on Winter! (But Stay Safe and Healthy)

The Proof Is in the Papers: APS’s Long History with the Nobel Prize

Last month, Yoshinori Ohsumi of the Tokyo Institute of Technology was awarded the 2016 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. Dr. Ohsumi won for his research in autophagy, the mechanism that cells use to break themselves down—an essential function in all cells. The Nobel Prize, arguably the most prestigious award in the life sciences, was … Continue reading The Proof Is in the Papers: APS’s Long History with the Nobel Prize

What Is Physiology?…and Why You Should Care

Physiology provides an explanation of life, and everyone—not just doctors and scientists—would benefit from understanding some essential physiological concepts. But to learn how physiology applies to everyday life, you must first understand what it is. Physiology is the study of how living organisms function in sickness and in health. Physiologists study functions that may take … Continue reading What Is Physiology?…and Why You Should Care