Credit: iStock/aga7ta The menstrual cycle is a remarkable biological process that plays a crucial role in human reproduction. The cycle involves a series of complex interactions between hormones and the body’s reproductive organs with the primary goal of preparing the body for pregnancy. Understanding these processes can provide insights into health, fertility and how birth … Continue reading Spotlight On: The Menstrual Cycle
Hormones
The Physiology of Transgender Health Care
Credit: iStock/angelp Transgender people have a gender identity that is different from the gender associated with their assigned sex at birth. A transgender man may have been raised as a girl but later identifies as a man. A transgender woman may have been raised as a boy and now identifies as a woman. There are … Continue reading The Physiology of Transgender Health Care
COVID-19: What’s Sex Got to Do with It?
Credit: iStock The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continues to challenge the scientific community. Scientists across the globe are still trying to figure out the risk factors for severe COVID-19. Being male seems to be a higher risk, and many researchers are looking into why males experience COVID-19 symptoms more severely than females. My lab studied the … Continue reading COVID-19: What’s Sex Got to Do with It?
Spotlight On: The Endocrine System
On any given day, you may feel stressed, moody, happy, tired or thirsty. All of these feelings seem to move and change seamlessly—and they are all a result of your endocrine system. Your endocrine system is made up of glands—for example, islets of Langerhans (within the pancreas)—that produce and secrete hormones and of organs—such as … Continue reading Spotlight On: The Endocrine System
2017’s 10 Most-read Posts
Another physiology-filled year on the I Spy Physiology blog is almost over. This year, we’ve explored dozens of topics, ranging from skin cancer, gut health and spinal cord injury to the mystery of how hibernating animals’ muscles remain strong. We’ve celebrated women in science and smiled at the thought of turkeys running on treadmills. Today, … Continue reading 2017’s 10 Most-read Posts
Dog Gazing: Attachment between Hound and Human
While walking through Santiago, Chile, you are likely to come across at least one of the countless wandering dogs that live on the busy streets. Homeless dogs are a normal part of Santiago’s culture. They are quick to make friends with anyone who offers a welcoming hand or food. They are not quick, however, to … Continue reading Dog Gazing: Attachment between Hound and Human
When Hormones Take Your Breath Away
After a healthy childhood, my best friend suddenly started having breathing difficulties when she was 20 years old. The doctor diagnosed her with asthma. With the help of inhaled medications, she was able to control her symptoms. But a year later, the medications were no longer effective and she started having monthly, life-threatening asthma attacks. … Continue reading When Hormones Take Your Breath Away
It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, It’s Your Thyroid Gland!
The thyroid gland—a small, butterfly-shaped gland found at the base of the neck—is the “Clark Kent” of endocrine organs. The thyroid’s actions are extremely powerful, but most people don’t know about its secret superpowers. An endocrine organ releases substances called hormones into the bloodstream. These hormones are carried to other areas of the body where … Continue reading It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, It’s Your Thyroid Gland!