RxPG News : Physiology

How exercise changes structure and function of heart

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 04:00:00 PST

For the first time researchers are beginning to understand exactly how various forms of exercise impact the heart. Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) investigators, in collaboration with the Harvard University Health Services, have found that 90 days of vigorous athletic training produces significant changes in cardiac structure and function and that the type of change varies with the type of exercise performed. Their study appears in the April Journal of Applied Physiology.

Repeated methamphetamine use causes long-term adaptations in brains of mice, researchers find

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 04:00:00 PST

Repeatedly stimulating the mouse brain with methamphetamine depresses important areas of the brain, and those changes can only be undone by re-introducing the drug, according to research at the University of Washington and other institutions. The study, which appears in the April 10 issue of the journal Neuron, provides one of the most in-depth views of the mechanisms of methamphetamine addiction, and suggests that withdrawal from the drug may not undo the changes the stimulant can cause in the brain.

U. Iowa study finds biological link between pain and fatigue

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 04:00:00 PST

A recent University of Iowa study reveals a biological link between pain and fatigue and may help explain why more women than men are diagnosed with chronic pain and fatigue conditions like fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Scientists identify new longevity genes

Wed, 12 Mar 2008 04:00:00 PST

Scientists at the University of Washington and other institutions have identified 25 genes regulating lifespan in two organisms separated by about 1.5 billion years in evolutionary change. At least 15 of those genes have very similar versions in humans, suggesting that scientists may be able to target those genes to help slow down the aging process and treat age-related conditions. The study will be published online by the journal Genome Research on March 13.

Oregon study raises questions on synthetic progestins

Sun, 09 Mar 2008 05:00:00 PST

The widely used synthetic progestin medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) decreased endothelial function in premenopausal women in a study done at the University of Oregon. The finding, researchers said, raises concerns about long-term effects of MPA and possibly other synthetic hormones on vascular health in young women.

Genetic tags reveal secrets of memories' staying power in mice

Thu, 21 Feb 2008 05:00:00 PST

A better understanding of how memory works is emerging from a newfound ability to link a learning experience in a mouse to consequent changes in the inner workings of its neurons. Researchers, supported in part by the National Institutes of Health's National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), have developed a way to pinpoint the specific cellular components that sustain a specific memory in genetically-engineered mice.

Immune deficiency and balance disorder result from single gene defect

Thu, 21 Feb 2008 05:00:00 PST

A genetic defect that causes a severe immune deficiency in humans may also produce balance disorders, according to a new study by researchers at the University of Iowa, The Jackson Laboratory and East Carolina University.

Transparent fish to make human biology clearer

Wed, 06 Feb 2008 05:00:00 PST

Zebrafish are genetically similar to humans and are good models for human biology and disease. Now, researchers at Children's Hospital Boston have created a zebrafish that is transparent throughout its life. The new fish allows scientists to directly view its internal organs, and observe processes like tumor metastasis and blood production after bone-marrow transplant in a living organism.

Anemia treatment may be a double-edged sword

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 05:00:00 PST

Erythropoietin has so far been known to doctors as a hormone that boosts red-blood-cell production. Now, a mouse study led by Lois Smith, MD, PhD, an ophthalmologist at Children's Hospital Boston, shows it also keeps blood vessels alive and growing in the eye. The findings not only add a new function to the hormone, but also give doctors a reason to pause before prescribing it to patients with diseases affected by abnormal blood-vessel growth, such as retinopathy and cancer.

Breakdown of kidney's ability to clean its own filters likely causes disease

Tue, 29 Jan 2008 05:00:00 PST

Jan. 29, 2008 -- The kidney actively cleans its most selective filter to keep it from clogging with blood proteins, scientists from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis reveal in a new study.

Lungs' mast cells could provide new treatment target for asthma, other respiratory disease

Tue, 29 Jan 2008 05:00:00 PST

NEW YORK (Jan. 29, 2008) -- An enzyme released by mast cells in the lungs appears to play a key role in the tightening of airways that is a hallmark of asthma -- pointing to a potential new target for treatment against the illness.

The pitter patter of little feet... climbing straight up a wall

Tue, 29 Jan 2008 05:00:00 PST

Building upon several years of research into the gecko's uncanny ability to climb sheer walls, researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, have developed an adhesive that is the first to master the easy attach and easy release of the reptile's padded feet. The material could prove useful for a range of products, from climbing equipment to medical devices.

Researchers put the bite on mosquitoes

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 05:00:00 PST

Few things sting like a mosquito's bite--especially if that bite carries a disease such as malaria, yellow fever, Dengue fever or West Nile virus. But if researchers from The University of Arizona in Tucson have their way, one day mosquito bites may prove deadly to the mosquitoes as well.

UVa biomedical engineering study shows magnetic field can reduce swelling

Thu, 03 Jan 2008 05:00:00 PST

A recent study by University of Virginia researchers demonstrates that the use of an acute, localized static magnetic field of moderate strength can result in significant reduction of swelling when applied immediately after an inflammatory injury.

'Runner's high' may also strengthen hearts

Thu, 08 Nov 2007 05:00:00 PST

Endorphins and other morphine-like substances known as opioids, which are released during exercise, don't just make you feel good -- they may also protect you from heart attacks, according to University of Iowa researchers.

University of Iowa team discovers first moisture-sensing genes

Wed, 07 Nov 2007 05:00:00 PST

Researchers in the University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine have discovered the first two genes involved in moisture sensing (hygrosensation). The discovery also reveals a two-sensor hygrosensing system in fruit flies that may allow the flies to detect subtle changes in humidity -- an ability that is critical for the flies' survival. The results appear in the Nov. 8 issue of Nature.

Hearing changes how we perceive gender

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

EVANSTON, Ill. --- Think about the confused feelings that occur when you meet someone whose tone of voice doesn�t seem to quite fit with his or her gender.

MSU researcher helps develop computer game for Ugandan children recovering from cerebral malaria

Tue, 23 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

EAST LANSING, Mich. �The computer program Captain�s Log � originally used with individuals diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, brain injuries or learning disabilities � is being adapted to rehabilitate Ugandan children who are survivors of cerebral malaria.

Endobronchial valve significantly improves emphysema

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

CHICAGO, Oct. 22 � Emphysema patients whose lungs are implanted with a pencil eraser-sized, one-way endobronchial valve experience significantly improved measures of lung function and report better quality of life, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine researcher Frank C. Sciurba, M.D., reported today at CHEST 2007, the annual meeting of the American College of Chest Physicians. Scientific sessions continue through Thursday, Oct. 25, at the McCormick Place Lakeside Center in Chicago.

Spinal cord injury expert to be honored by research foundation

Thu, 18 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

NEW BRUNSWICK/PISCATAWAY, N.J. � Dr. Wise Young, the Richard H. Shindell Professor of Neuroscience at Rutgers University and founding director of Rutgers� W.M. Keck Center for Collaborative Neuroscience, is receiving the Melvyn H. Motolinsky Research Foundation�s 2007 Distinguished Service Award.

Immune cells promote blood vessel formation in mouse endometriosis

Thu, 18 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

A discovery in mice of immune cells that promote the formation of new blood vessels could lead to new treatments for endometriosis, a painful condition associated with infertility that affects up to 15 percent of women of reproductive age.

Massive microRNA scan uncovers leads to treating muscle degeneration

Wed, 17 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

Researchers have discovered the first microRNAs � tiny bits of code that regulate gene activity � linked to each of 10 major degenerative muscular disorders, opening doors to new treatments and a better biological understanding of these debilitating, poorly understood, often untreatable diseases. The study, to be published online this week by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, was led by Iris Eisenberg, PhD, of the Program in Genomics at Children�s Hospital Boston. Louis Kunkel, PhD, director of the Program in Genomics and an investigator with the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, was senior investigator.

Testosterone turns male juncos into blustery hunks -- and bad dads

Mon, 15 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- The ability to ramp up testosterone production appears to drive male dark-eyed juncos to find and win mates, but it comes with an evolutionary cost. Big fluctuations in testosterone may also cause males to lose interest in parenting their own young, scientists have learned.

Marines land at UO, leave with plans to wear Oregon-made training suits

Wed, 10 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

EUGENE, Ore. -- (Oct. 10, 2007) -- A few came. They ran. They left. As a result of their August visit the U.S. Marine Corp begins training in 2008 in new running suits chosen after tests of competing products in the University of Oregon's environmental chamber.

Appendix isn't useless at all: It's a safe house for bacteria

Mon, 08 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

DURHAM, N.C. � Long denigrated as vestigial or useless, the appendix now appears to have a reason to be � as a �safe house� for the beneficial bacteria living in the human gut.

New thoracic imaging approach can pinpoint underlying venous problems

Mon, 08 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

CINCINNATI� University of Cincinnati (UC) radiologists have developed a new technique for capturing images of chest veins that eases diagnosis of venous diseases.

Evil genes made me do it

Mon, 08 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

While there have been numerous medical studies investigating the physiological and biochemical basis for behavioral disorders such as antisocial personality disorder and borderline personality disorder, there have been virtually no comprehensive studies aimed at providing a physiological explanation of malignant narcissism�a term that characterizes individuals who exhibit malevolent behavior but are still able to function effectively in society.

Study links chemical to inhibited milk synthesis, secretion in humans

Mon, 08 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

CINCINNATI�University of Cincinnati (UC) researchers have identified the neurotransmitter serotonin as the chemical responsible for inhibiting milk production and secretion in human mammary glands.

Treatment blocks pain without disrupting other functions

Wed, 03 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

A combination of two drugs can selectively block pain-sensing neurons in rats without impairing movement or other sensations such as touch, according to a new study by National Institutes of Health (NIH)-supported investigators. The finding suggests an improved way to treat pain from childbirth and surgical procedures. It may also lead to new treatments to help the millions of Americans who suffer from chronic pain.

UAB wins $5.7M neurofibromatosis grant

Tue, 02 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. � A team of UAB geneticists, doctors and biostatisticians has received $5.7 million from the U.S. Department of Defense to study and test new treatments for neurofibromatosis, or NF.

Scientists say sabercat bit like a pussycat

Mon, 01 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

In public imagination, the sabre-toothed cat Smilodon ranks alongside Tyrannosaurus rex as the ultimate killing machine. Powerfully built, with upper canines like knives, Smilodon was a fearsome predator of Ice-Age America's lost giants.

Discovery supports theory of Alzheimer's disease as form of diabetes

Wed, 26 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

EVANSTON, Ill. --- Insulin, it turns out, may be as important for the mind as it is for the body. Research in the last few years has raised the possibility that Alzheimer�s memory loss could be due to a novel third form of diabetes.

Pathway to cell death redefined in landmark study

Thu, 20 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

PITTSBURGH, Sept. 20 -- A new study led by investigators from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine demonstrates that the process of necrosis, long thought to be a chaotic, irreversible pathway to cell death, may actually be triggered as part of a regulated response to stress by a powerful protein, SRP-6, that can potentially halt necrosis in its path. Further, the research team realized that this protein might be harnessed to direct some cells -- those in cancerous tumors, for instance -- to die, while saving others, such as degenerating neural cells responsible for Alzheimer�s and Parkinson�s diseases. The work appears on the Sept. 21 cover of the journal Cell.

Velociraptor had feathers

Thu, 20 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

A new look at some old bones have shown that velociraptor, the dinosaur made famous in the movie Jurassic Park, had feathers. A paper describing the discovery, made by paleontologists at the American Museum of Natural History and the Field Museum of Natural History, appears in the Sept. 21 issue of the journal Science.

Species still have more viable offspring if they can choose their best mate

Tue, 18 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

Athens, Ga. -- When it comes to picking a mate, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young had an answer: �If you can�t be with the one you love, love the one you�re with.� As it turns out, that may be a cardinal rule in the animal kingdom, too.

New research seeks to enhance quality and security of wireless telemedicine

Mon, 17 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

A team of researchers led by Fei Hu, assistant professor of computer engineering at Rochester Institute of Technology, is working to advance the integration of radio frequency identification technology, also known as RFID, into cardiac sensor networks, a new wireless technology for telemedicine delivery. The team will also work to enhance the security of the systems used in the process, thereby reducing the possibility of identity theft and cyber-terrorism. The effort is being supported by a $400,000 grant from the National Science Foundation�s Cyber Trust Program. Hu, the principal investigator, will collaborate with Yang Xiao, professor of computer science at the University of Alabama.

Women prescribed drugs linked to birth defects not often advised to use birth control

Mon, 17 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

PITTSBURGH, Sept. 17 � Although prescription medications that may increase the risk of birth defects are commonly used by women in their childbearing years, only about half receive contraceptive counseling from their health care providers, according to a large-scale study from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine reported in the Sept. 18 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Researchers discover correlation between GERD and obesity in females

Fri, 14 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

A group of scientists recently discovered an association between being overweightand a disease called gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) in women.

Nicotine may accelerate atherosclerosis, may be as dangerous as tar

Wed, 12 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

NEW YORK (Sept. 10, 2007) -- It's well known that smoking cigarettes increases risk for a host of serious health problems from cancer to heart disease. Now a new study from Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City looks at how they do their dirty work by contributing to atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries. The evidence points to nicotine, the addictive chemical in cigarettes.

MIT: Leveraging learning for artificial respiration

Tue, 11 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

CAMBRIDGE, MA- MIT researchers have found that the body's innate ability to adapt to recurring stimuli could be leveraged to design more effective and less costly artificial respirators. The new approach could minimize the need for the induced sedation or paralysis currently necessary for some patients on mechanical ventilation.

Low vitamin D during pregnancy linked to pre-eclampsia

Fri, 07 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

PITTSBURGH, Sept. 7 � Vitamin D deficiency early in pregnancy is associated with a five-fold increased risk of preeclampsia, according to a study from the University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences reported this week in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.

Specific brain protein required for nerve cell connections to form and function

Wed, 05 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

CHAPEL HILL � Neurons, or nerve cells, communicate with each other through contact points called synapses. When these connections are damaged, communication breaks down, causing the messages that would normally help our feet push our bike pedals or our mind locate our car keys to fall short.

Mice stressed in simulated weightlessness show organ atrophy

Mon, 03 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

New Brunswick, N.J. � A ground-based, experimental model used to simulate astronaut weightlessness in space has provided Rutgers scientists an opportunity to study the effects of stress on immune organs.

High and mighty: first common height gene identified by researchers behind 'obesity gene' finding

Sun, 02 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

Whilst we all know that tall parents are more likely to have tall children, scientists have been unable to identify any common genes that make people taller than others. Now, however, scientists have identified the first gene, known as HMGA2, a common variant of which directly influences height.

Flies prefer fizzy drinks

Wed, 29 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

While you may not catch a fly sipping Perrier, the insect has specialized taste cells for carbonated water that probably encourage it to binge on food with growing microorganisms. Yeast and bacteria both produce carbon dioxide (CO2) when they feast, and CO2 dissolves readily in water to produce seltzer or soda water.

Gene triggers obsessive compulsive disorder-like syndrome in mice

Wed, 22 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

Using genetic engineering, researchers have created an obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) - like set of behaviors in mice and reversed them with antidepressants and genetic targeting of a key brain circuit. The study, by National Institutes of Health (NIH) -funded researchers, suggests new strategies for treating the disorder.

Elephantnose fish 'see' with their chin

Tue, 21 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

Originating in Central Africa, Peters' elephantnose fish (Gnathonemus petersii), finds its bearings by means of weak electrical fields. Scientists from the University of Bonn have now been able to show how well this works. In complete darkness the animals can even distinguish the material of objects at a distance or dead organisms from living ones. The results have now been published in the Journal of Experimental Biology.

Scientists tackle mystery mountain illness

Tue, 21 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

Experts at the University are studying an illness known as HAPE (high altitude pulmonary oedema), which causes fluid to build up in the lungs can and can occur from as low as 2,500 metres, affecting people of all age groups and fitness levels.

Understanding hypertension in African Americans proves elusive

Thu, 16 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

Exercise cannot reduce a sodium-retaining hormone in African Americans known to potentially cause hypertension, found Michael D. Brown, Ph.D., the senior author of a study in the September issue of Experimental Physiology. Brown is an associate professor of kinesiology at Temple Universityï¿½s College of Health Professions.

New Joslin research identifies sirtuin protein instrumental in fat production and metabolism

Wed, 15 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

BOSTON--August 15, 2007--A new Joslin Diabetes Center-led study has identified a protein found in fat cells that may play a major role in how fat is produced and stored, offering a new target for treatments to prevent obesity and reduce the risk for type 2 diabetes. This latest research appears in the August 2007 issue of Cell Metabolism.

Older climbers face uphill battle on Mount Everest

Tue, 14 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

In this era of not surrendering to age, some claim that 60 is the new 40. But new research shows that 60 year olds cannot keep up with 40 year olds on Mount Everest and suffer a sharply higher chance of dying if they do reach the summit.

Risk of common vaginal infection linked to preterm birth appears higher for blacks

Sat, 11 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

BOSTON, Aug. 11 Risk of a common vaginal infection linked to preterm birth appears to escalate when even one partner is African-American, according to a University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine study presented today at the 34th annual meeting of the Infectious Diseases Society for Obstetrics and Gynecology in Boston.

Gene predicts better outcome as cortex normalizes in teens with ADHD

Mon, 06 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

Brain areas that control attention were thinnest in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) who carried a particular version of a gene in a study by the National Institutes of Healths (NIH) National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). However, the areas, on the right side of the brains outer mantle, or cortex, normalized in thickness during the teen years in these children, coinciding with clinical improvement. Although this particular gene version increased risk for ADHD, it also predicted better clinical outcomes and higher IQ than two other common versions of the same gene in youth with ADHD.

Why nectar-feeding bats need a 'power drink' to fly

Sun, 05 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

Nectar-feeding bats burn sugar faster than any other mammal on Earth and three times faster than even top-class athletes ecologists have discovered. The findings, published online in the British Ecological Society's journal Functional Ecology, illustrate that because they live life on an energetic knife edge, these bats are very vulnerable to any changes in their environment that interrupt their fuel supply for even a short period.

Scientists find why red beans and rice can be nauseating

Wed, 01 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

People cry foul when fowl is undercooked, but what about red beans and rice

Learning a second language -- Is it all in your head?

Wed, 25 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

EVANSTON, Ill. --- Think you haven't got the aptitude to learn a foreign language New research led by Northwestern University neuroscientists suggests that the problem, quite literally, could be in your head.

Discoverer of Sly Syndrome finds way of delivering medicine to fight rare genetic disorder

Wed, 25 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

ST. LOUIS -- The scientist who discovered Sly Syndrome nearly four decades ago and a team of colleagues at Saint Louis University are a step closer to finding an approach to treat the rare genetic disease. Sly Syndrome causes bone defects, mental retardation, vision and hearing problems, heart disease and premature death.

Monell researchers find metabolic defect in liver that can lead to obesity

Tue, 24 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

Philadelphia (July 24, 2007) -- Researchers at the Monell Chemical Senses Center have identified a genetically-transmitted metabolic defect that can lead to obesity in some individuals. The defect involves decreased production of liver enzymes needed to burn fat and may help to explain why some people become obese while others remain thin.

Study sheds light on why humans walk on two legs

Mon, 23 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

Studying chimpanzees trained to use treadmills, a team of anthropologists has gathered new evidence suggesting our earliest apelike ancestors started walking on two legs because it required less energy than getting around on all fours.

Enzyme eliminated by cancer cells holds promise for cancer treatment

Wed, 18 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

An enzyme that cancer cells eliminate, apparently so they can keep proliferating, may hold clues to more targeted, effective cancer treatment, scientists say.

Evidence found for novel brain cell communication

Mon, 16 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

An article published today, July 16, 2007, in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences provides strong evidence for a novel type of communication between nerve cells in the brain. The findings may have relevance for the prevention and treatment of epilepsy, and possibly in the exploration of other aspects of brain functions, from creative thought processes to mental illnesses such as schizophrenia.

Bak protein sets stressed cells on suicide path, researchers show

Thu, 12 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

When a cell is seriously stressed, say by a heart attack, stroke or cancer, a protein called Bak just may set it up for suicide, researchers have found.

Scleroderma outlook improves as survival increases

Thu, 12 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

Washington, D.C. -- Individuals with scleroderma are living significantly longer today, compared with 30 years ago, and the physicians who treat this rare disease of connective tissue hope the newer drugs now on the market may extend lives even further.

More muscle for the argument to give up smoking

Mon, 09 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

Researchers at The University of Nottingham have got more bad news for smokers. Not only does it cause cancer, heart attacks and strokes but smokers will also lose more muscle mass in old age than a non-smoker. The effect of this predisposes smokers to an accelerated decline in physical function and loss of independence.

First all-African produced genetically engineered maize is resistant to maize streak virus

Sun, 08 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

Maize streak viruses (MSV), geminiviruses that can destroy most of a maize crop, are endemic to sub-Saharan Africa and adjacent Indian Ocean islands where they are transmitted by leafhoppers in the genus Cicadulina. Maize can supply 50% of the caloric intake in sub-Saharan Africa but, in certain years, a farmers entire crop can be wiped out. Now, scientists at the University of Cape Town, South Africa, along with colleagues at the South African seed company, PANNAR Pty Ltd, have developed a resistant variety of maize that they hope will help alleviate food shortages as well as promote the reputation of genetically engineered (GE) foods in Africa. Dr. Dionne Shepherd of the University of Cape Town will be presenting the results of her recent work and that of coauthors B. Owor, R. Edema, A. Varsani, D.P. Martin, J.A. Thomson and E.P. Rybicki, at the annual meeting of the American Society of Plant Biologists in Chicago (July 8, 11:20 AM) in a major symposium on Plant Biology in Sub-Saharan Africa organized by Debby Delmer of UC Davis.

A gene that protects from kidney disease

Sun, 08 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

Researchers from the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) and the University of Michigan have discovered a gene that protects us against a serious kidney disease. In the current online issue of Nature Genetics they report that mutations in the gene cause nephronopthisis (NPHP) in humans and mice. NPHP is a disease marked by kidney degeneration during childhood that leads to kidney failure requiring organ transplantation. The insights might help develop effective, noninvasive therapies.

Rapid evolution of defense genes in plants may produce hybrid incompatibility

Sun, 08 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

One of the basic tenets of evolution is speciation in which populations of the same species become so genetically and morphologically variable that they can be classified as two different species. Individuals of these species may be capable of mating, but they may not produce offspring, and if offspring are produced, they will be sterile or so defective that they die before they are able to reproduce. Although speciation has been observed and studied since Darwin and Wallace first proposed their theory, the complex molecular mechanisms responsible are not yet fully known. One of these molecular mechanisms, hybrid necrosis, was studied by Dr. Detlef Weigel and his colleagues at the Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology in Germany. Dr. Kirsten Bomblies will present their results at the Presidents symposium at the annual meeting of the American Society of Plant Biologists (July 11, 2PM). Bomblies and Weigel observed hybrid necrosis in crosses of thale cress, Arabidopsis thaliana, a member of the mustard family, and found that it is associated with plant genes that respond to pathogen attack.

Research suggests fitness reduces inflammation

Fri, 06 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

Although a number of studies have suggested that regular exercise reduces inflammation a condition that is predictive of cardiovascular and other diseases, such as diabetes it is still not clear whether there is a definitive link. And if such a link exists, the nature of the relationship is by no means fully understood.

Illinois researchers presenting at ASPB Annual Meeting in Chicago, July 7-11

Fri, 06 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

Leading scientists at research institutions in Chicago and across Illinois will be presenting research findings at the American Society of Plant Biologists (ASPB) annual Plant Biology meeting in Chicago (July 7-11). ASPBs meeting will be held as a Joint Congress in conjunction with the annual meetings of the American Fern Society (AFS), the American Society of Plant Taxonomists (ASPT), and the Botanical Society of America (BSA).

Faulty cell membrane repair causes heart disease

Tue, 03 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

During vigorous exercise, heart muscle cells take a beating. In fact, some of those cells rupture, and if not for a repair process capable of resealing cell membranes, those cells would die and cause heart damage (cardiomyopathy).

Chronically sleep deprived? You can't make up for lost sleep

Mon, 02 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

EVANSTON, IL -- Weve all experienced that occasional all-too-short night of sleep -- staying out too late at a party on a weeknight, studying into the wee hours for a morning exam or being kept up during the night with a sick child. Our bodies try to catch up by making us sleep more and/or more deeply the following night.

Key to male infertility

Fri, 29 Jun 2007 04:00:00 PST

A factor in immune cells regulates human semen and seems to determine whether a man will be fertile, according to a new study.

Natural signal holds promise for psoriasis, age-related skin damage

Thu, 28 Jun 2007 04:00:00 PST

The body may hold a secret to normalizing skin cell growth that is over zealous in psoriasis and non-melanoma skin cancers and too slow in aging and sun-damaged skin, researchers say.

Type 1 diabetes and heart disease -- Heavier may mean healthier

Sat, 23 Jun 2007 04:00:00 PST

CHICAGO, June 23 -- Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences studying links between an early sign of heart disease called coronary artery calcification and body fat have found that, paradoxically, more fat may have some advantages, at least for people particularly women who have type 1 diabetes. Cardiovascular complications, including heart disease, are a leading cause of death for people with diabetes, who tend to suffer cardiovascular disease decades earlier than non-diabetics.

Study suggests other causes for childhood brain aneurysms

Wed, 13 Jun 2007 04:00:00 PST

CINCINNATIA new University of Cincinnati (UC) study questions the commonly held scientific belief that childhood brain aneurysms are caused by trauma, infection or underlying vascular malformations.

Drug slows and may halt Parkinson's disease

Sun, 10 Jun 2007 04:00:00 PST

CHICAGO --- Northwestern University researchers have discovered a drug that slows and may even halt the progression of Parkinsons disease. The drug rejuvenates aging dopamine cells, whose death in the brain causes the symptoms of this devastating and widespread disease.

Drug slows and may halt Parkinson's disease

Sun, 10 Jun 2007 04:00:00 PST

CHICAGO -- Northwestern University researchers have discovered a drug that slows and may even halt the progression of Parkinsons disease. The drug rejuvenates aging dopamine cells, whose death in the brain causes the symptoms of this devastating and widespread disease.

Synthetic amylin curbs tendency to binge eat

Fri, 08 Jun 2007 16:00:00 PST

The synthetic form of a hormone previously found to produce a feeling of fullness when eating and reduce body weight, also may help curb binge eating and the desire to eat high-fat foods and sweets. The findings on fast food consumption and binge eating tendencies are based on a 6-week research study of 88 obese individuals.

Agonized death throes probable cause of open-mouthed, head-back pose of many dino fossils

Fri, 08 Jun 2007 04:00:00 PST

Berkeley -- The peculiar pose of many fossilized dinosaurs, with wide-open mouth, head thrown back and recurved tail, likely results from the agonized death throes typical of brain damage and asphyxiation, according to two paleontologists.

Have I been here before?

Thu, 07 Jun 2007 04:00:00 PST

Have I been here before? In today's fast-moving world of look-alike hotel rooms and comparable corridors, it can take a bit of thinking to answer this simple question. University of Bristol neuroscientists working with colleagues at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) report in the June 7 early online edition of Science that they have identified a neuronal mechanism that our brains may use to rapidly distinguish similar, yet distinct places.

Neuronal activity gives clues to working memory

Wed, 06 Jun 2007 04:00:00 PST

NEW YORK (June 6, 2007) -- A newly discovered interplay of cells in one of the brain's memory centers sheds light on how you recall your grocery list, where you laid your keys, and a host of important but fleeting daily tasks.

Uncovering the molecular basis of obesity

Tue, 05 Jun 2007 04:00:00 PST

Why does the same diet make some of us gain more weight than others? The answer could be a molecule called Bsx, as scientists from the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), the German Institute for Nutrition (DIFE), Potsdam, and the University of Cincinnati report in the current issue of Cell Metabolism. Bsx is the molecular link between spontaneous physical activity and food intake. Mice lacking the molecule show less spontaneous physical activity, perceive hunger signals differently and have a lower concentration of feeding hormones in their brain than normal mice. Being conserved across species Bsx might be a promising target for controlling diet-induced obesity in humans.

Harboring hostility may be linked to unhealthy lungs

Sun, 03 Jun 2007 04:00:00 PST

Washington Young adults with a short temper or mean disposition also tend to have compromised lung function, says a recent study published in the journal Health Psychology, by the American Psychological Association (APA). This occurred even when asthma and smoking were ruled out as possible causes of lung dysfunction.

Cellular message movement captured on video

Fri, 01 Jun 2007 04:00:00 PST

Scientists have captured on video the intracellular version of a postal delivery service. Reporting in the journal Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications (BBRC), bioengineering researchers at UC San Diego published videos of a key message-carrying protein called paxillin moving abruptly from hubs of communication and transportation activity on the cell surface toward the nucleus. Paxillin was labeled with a red fluorescence marker to make it stand out in live cells.

When the villain becomes your friend: The strange tale of muscle lactate

Thu, 31 May 2007 04:00:00 PST

In a paper published this week in The Journal of Physiology, Frank de Paoli and colleagues, working at the University of Aarhus in Denmark, add to the growing literature leading to a more complete understanding of the physiological role of lactic acid production in muscle.

An 'elegant' idea proves its worth 25 years later

Wed, 30 May 2007 04:00:00 PST

The simple notion of copying the bodys own natural waste disposal chemistry to mop up potentially toxic nitrogen has saved an estimated 80 percent of patients with urea cycle disorders --- most of them children according to a report in this weeks New England Journal of Medicine summarizing a quarter century of experience with the treatment.

UVa researcher studying disease that cripples newborns

Tue, 22 May 2007 04:00:00 PST

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (May 22, 2007) Each year, the parents of an estimated one in 20,000 newborns are shocked to learn their child has type 1 congenital myotonic dystrophy (CDM1), a progressive and crippling genetic disorder. Although doctors know that babies inherit CDM1 from their mother and prenatal tests are available, many children are not diagnosed until they are born.

Clock gene plays role in weight gain, study finds

Thu, 17 May 2007 04:00:00 PST

Scientists at the University of Virginia and the Medical College of Wisconsin have discovered that a gene that participates in the regulation of the bodys biological rhythms may also be a major control in regulating metabolism. Their finding shows that mice lacking the gene Nocturnin, which is regulated by the circadian clock in the organs and tissues of mammals, are resistant to weight gain when put on a high fat diet and also are resistant to the accumulation of fat in the liver. This new understanding of weight gain could potentially lead to therapies for inhibiting obesity and for treating its effects on health.

Soy estrogens and breast cancer: Researcher offers overview

Wed, 16 May 2007 04:00:00 PST

Are soy products healthy additions to a person's diet, safe alternatives to hormone-replacement therapy or cancer-causing agents The answer, according to University of Illinois food science and human nutrition professor William Helferich, is, It depends.

Testosterone may help men with multiple sclerosis

Mon, 14 May 2007 04:00:00 PST

Close on the heels of a large-scale clinical trial just underway to confirm that the female hormone estriol combats the effects of multiple sclerosis (MS) in women, a just completed pilot study at UCLA now shows promise for the use of testosterone to combat its effects in men.

University of Arizona neurobiologist John Hildebrand elected to the National Academy of Sciences

Wed, 09 May 2007 04:00:00 PST

John G. Hildebrand, the University of Arizona neurobiologist known for his seminal work on the neurobiology and development of insect olfactory systems and their effects on insect behavior, was elected to the National Academy of Sciences on May 1, 2007.

Anthropologist given one of nation's top scientific honors

Wed, 09 May 2007 04:00:00 PST

Kent State University Professor of Anthropology Dr. C. Owen Lovejoy, who is internationally recognized as one of todays preeminent biological anthropologists in the study of human origins, has been elected to membership in the prestigious National Academy of Sciences (NAS) for excellence in original scientific research.

University of Pittsburgh discovers genetic 'shut down' trigger in healthy immune cells

Wed, 09 May 2007 04:00:00 PST

PITTSBURGH, May 9 -- A fundamental genetic mechanism that shuts down an important gene in healthy immune system cells has been discovered that could one day lead to new therapies against infections, leukemia and other cancers. Results of a University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine study on the mechanism, called a somatic stop-codon mutation, are being reported today in the online journal PLoS ONE, published by the Public Library of Science.

Plants tag insect herbivores with an alarm

Wed, 09 May 2007 04:00:00 PST

Rooted in place, plants can't run from herbivoresbut they can fight back. Sensing attack, plants frequently generate toxins, emit volatile chemicals to attract the pest's natural enemies, or launch other defensive tactics.

Researchers at Illinois explore queen bee longevity

Tue, 08 May 2007 04:00:00 PST

The queen honey bee is genetically identical to the workers in her hive, but she lives 10 times longer and unlike her sterile sisters remains reproductively viable throughout life. A study from the University of Illinois sheds new light on the molecular mechanisms that account for this divergence. The study appears in the online edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Tropical plants go with the flow ... of nitrogen

Mon, 07 May 2007 04:00:00 PST

Stanford, CA Tropical plants are able to adapt to environmental change by extracting nitrogen from a variety of sources, according to a new study that appears in the May 7 early online edition of The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Smelling for first time results from knowing abnormalities in congenital loss of smell

Mon, 30 Apr 2007 04:00:00 PST

New discoveries about the biochemical basis of the majority of cases of the congenital inability to smell any odor, no matter how strong, have enabled their discoverer, Dr. Robert I. Henkin, director of The Taste and Smell Clinic in Washington, DC, to treat such patients, enabling them to smell something for the first time in their lives.

Free weight training gets workers with rotator cuff injuries back on the job

Sun, 29 Apr 2007 04:00:00 PST

Resistance training, some of it job-specific, was successful in getting 90 percent of workers with severe rotator cuff injuries back to work, the majority (75 percent) at their previous job, after traditional physical therapy had failed to do so. Furthermore, all but one of the 42 employees in the study (98 percent) reported satisfaction with the resistance-training program and its outcome.

Genome-wide search unearths surprising clues for diabetes and triglycerides

Thu, 26 Apr 2007 04:00:00 PST

Scientists from the Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Lund University and Novartis today announced the discovery of three unsuspected regions of human DNA that contain clear genetic risk factors for type 2 diabetes, and another that is associated with elevated blood triglycerides. The findings stem from the work of the Diabetes Genetics Initiative (DGI), a public-private partnership established in 2004 between Novartis, the Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, and Lund University, and also reflect a close partnership with two other diabetes research groups. The three groups studies, appearing together in the April 26 advance online edition of Science, are among the first to apply a suite of genomic resources to clinical research, including the Human Genome Project, the SNP and HapMap Projects, and genome-scale laboratory and analytical tools.

Chronic family turmoil and other problems cause physical changes

Fri, 20 Apr 2007 04:00:00 PST

Adolescents who are chronically exposed to family turmoil, violence, noise, poor housing or other chronic risk factors show more stress-induced physiological strain on their organs and tissues than other young people.