Credit: American Physiological Society Earlier this fall, comparative physiologists met in San Diego for the eighth APS Intersociety Meeting in Comparative Physiology. Comparative physiology is the study of biological processes—particularly adaptation to various environments—of different species. In short, comparative physiologists study animals. The theme of this year’s conference, “From Organism to Omics in an Uncertain … Continue reading Climate Change Research Is a Focus at APS’ Comparative Physiology Conference
APS Conferences
New Trends in Sex and Gender Medicine Conference: Transgender Health, Addiction, Colon Cancer and More
Credit: iStock Scientists studying how sex and gender affect health and medical outcomes delve into topics—such as female reproductive risk factors, transgender health, and how biological sex affects COVID-19 outcomes, the microbiome and opioid addiction—that haven’t always been studied extensively or well understood. Researchers who specialize in these areas understand how much biological sex matters … Continue reading New Trends in Sex and Gender Medicine Conference: Transgender Health, Addiction, Colon Cancer and More
Recapping the Seventeenth International Conference on Endothelin
Credit: iStock Dozens of leading endothelin (ET) researchers from around the world presented new findings at the Seventeenth International Conference on Endothelin (ET-17), hosted and organized by the American Physiological Society (APS). Their work highlighted practical uses of blocking the ET system and the use of ET as a biomarker for disease. Endothelins are amino … Continue reading Recapping the Seventeenth International Conference on Endothelin
Probiotics for Gout, New Therapies for Heart Disease and More Discussed at APS Research Conference
The number of people who develop long-term health problems such as obesity, high blood pressure and kidney disease increases every year. Because these chronic conditions affect so many, it is important to better understand what causes them. International scientists who study the kidneys, heart, blood vessels and other organs recently gathered to discuss the relationship … Continue reading Probiotics for Gout, New Therapies for Heart Disease and More Discussed at APS Research Conference
How Math Is Leading to Breakthroughs in Cancer, Breath Tests and Understanding of Glaucoma
What do you get when you put mathematicians and physiologists in a room together? The question may sound like the beginning of a joke, but the answer is not a punchline. Last week, math modelers and experts who study the body’s smallest blood vessels—called the microcirculation—met in Scottsdale, Ariz. This group of elite scientists explored … Continue reading How Math Is Leading to Breakthroughs in Cancer, Breath Tests and Understanding of Glaucoma
Baking Soda, Body Fat and Blood Tests: Research from the APS/ASN Renal Conference
If you don’t know what “renal” means, you’re probably not alone. The main organs of the renal system—sometimes thought of as our personal plumbing system—are the kidneys and bladder. The renal system gets rid of waste through urine and helps regulate blood pressure. Current research shows that renal health relies on many other body systems … Continue reading Baking Soda, Body Fat and Blood Tests: Research from the APS/ASN Renal Conference
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
The Latest in Physiological Education: A Report from ITL
Physiology educators gathered last month in Madison, Wis., for the third APS Institute on Teaching and Learning (ITL) conference. Attendees discussed the latest trends in science education through a series of talks, interactive workshops and poster sessions. Read on to learn more about what’s new and what’s next in the classroom. As recently as a … Continue reading The Latest in Physiological Education: A Report from ITL
Exploring Causes and New Treatments for Sickle Cell Disease
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a lifelong disorder of the red blood cells. It’s caused by a mutation in a single gene and affects about 100,000 people in the U.S. Normal red blood cells are round, a shape that helps the cells carry oxygen around the body. But red blood cells in people with SCD … Continue reading Exploring Causes and New Treatments for Sickle Cell Disease