Category Archives: Physiology

Physiology

The earlier a chemist wins the Nobel prize the longer they are likely to live – Chemistry World

Winners of the chemistry Nobel prize may be missing out on their fair share of an unusual benefit of the premier scientific award a longer life. Nobel laureates in physics and medicine appear to live significantly longer than their chemistry counterparts.

A new study1 suggests Nobel winners in the sciences physics, chemistry, and physiology or medicine live progressively longer than they might have, depending on how early they receive the prize. It shows scientists who win the Nobel prize live about one year longer than the population at large for every 10 years earlier than average they were awarded it.

But it comes after a 2019 study2 into the ages of Nobel laureates that found chemistry prize winners tend to receive the award when they are older.

Taken together, the two studies indicate winners of the chemistry Nobel tend not to live as long after they receive the prize as do laureates in other fields in fact, its a quantifiable phenomenon.

Our analysis indicates that Nobel chemists have only 3.95 extra years of longevity compared to physics (6.19 years) and physiology or medicine (5.9 years), says behavioural economist Ben Chan of the Queensland University of Technology, the lead author of the new study.

The study reports the statistical effect that winning a science Nobel had among 387 laureates between 1901 and 2000, but it cant pinpoint any reason for the increased longevity.

It seems likely, however, that receiving such an esteemed award would reduce work-related stress and promote healthier behaviour or happiness, Chan says. Any resulting increases in status and social standing could also result in a healthier and longer life.

And the earlier you receive the Nobel prize, the better. Early achievers are likely to enjoy such benefits, which accumulate through ones life, Chan says.

Physicist and numerical modeller Rasmus Bjrk of the Technical University of Denmark near Copenhagen, who led the 2019 study on the ages of Nobel winners, suggests receiving the prize leads to a less stressful work life. One has basically been set up for life, he says. No university in the world would fire a laureate, and funding for research will be plentiful for the rest of their academic career.

Both Bjrk and Chan note the pressure on academics to secure funding by winning awards, and Chan suggests that, because winning the Nobel and other awards has such a marked effect, it might be a sign the system needs reform. One might ask the question whether the current recognition system in science could be improved, he says.

Read more:
The earlier a chemist wins the Nobel prize the longer they are likely to live - Chemistry World

Physiology

Global Wellness Day #Think Magenta – Times of India

On the occasion of Global Wellness Day, which is celebrated on every second Saturday of June. Human beings have progressed extensively in the field of technology. Machines are replacing the work of human. This has resulted in less human interactions and more of virtual interactions. Even though this has its own advantages in connecting across countries, the feelings and emotions aspect in human interactions has taken a back seat.

The pandemic has changed our perspective towards life in many ways and helped us learn a lot of new things. The rapid spread of news on Covid-19 happened through media inputs. The day started for most people by looking into the statistics /data of Covid-19 infection, more so through WhatsApp groups. With the spread of Covid-19 infection, there was also spread of hopelessness, uncertainty and fear which brought in a lot of negativity.

What happens to our physiology with negative thoughts?

This input of negative thoughts had set in a cascade of reactions and many succumbed to this fear and hopelessness more than Covid-19 itself. Our thoughts impact the physiology. Positive thinking empowers one at the physiological level of the Cell. Our basic functional units are called cells that function in two modes towards its survival. One is to nourish itself through cellular rejuventation. The other mode is to protect itself from offending agents, for which it has to close its membrane and guard with sensors. At any given time, the cell can perform either of the functions.

Fear and uncertainty send a message deep down to the cells and sets them in a protective mode. If the cells are recruited mostly for protection, then vitality of the cell gets compromised as there is not much nutrition function happening.

Positive thinking helps to switch the mode of function in a balance more towards nourishing mode, thereby the cells are well nurtured and their vitality is improved.

Is it possible to have a volitional control over our thoughts?

Yes, thoughts are generated by the mind and if the mind is nurtured well through the right kind of food and activities, then one can stay positive despite challenges. Ayurveda explains moderation in food, rest and activities and lays a path to good health.

What should one eat to stay positive?

You are what you eat is a famous quote. Our ancient wisdom talks about how food plays a major role in how we act out in the world either by being reactive or by being responsive. One must have balanced nutrition with complex carbohydrates, adequate protein and fat along with vitamins, minerals and trace elements. Millets provide adequate protein, calcium. One big serving of seasonal fruits with breakfast and fresh greens and salads provides adequate vitamins, minerals and trace elements. Eating dinner early improves the quality of sleep.

Practising yoga helps one balance their energy. Breathing efficiently through pranayama practices and meditation give clarity in thinking, thereby enabling one to respond to any situation with a positive attitude.

Similarly, mindful movements like Tai-Chi channelises the flow of life energy called Chi Practising these mindful movements refines the mind to stay focussed with positivity.

Importance of recreational activities and community space for seniors to live a healthy life

With increasing lifespan, the population of seniors is on the rise. Science and technology have helped in expanding the life span and the longevity. But still a lot of work needs to be done to add quality of life to the years of longevity to bring in positive ageing.

Health is holistically defined by WHO as a state of physical, mental, social and spiritual wellbeing. Living in a community set up has proven to be one of the ways to attain this, particularly for seniors. A senior living community brings likeminded people with varied interests together. Service providers of these communities work through various activities to address health concerns in different dimensions.

Health is addressed through the important pillars as its foundation, which includes physical, emotional, mental, intellectual and spiritual well-being.

At the physical level -Nutrition through balanced and customised meals towards elder needs, timely meals with proper rhythm are provided in community set up. Movement as a group activity helps boosting the morale and joy of living together.

At the emotional level- Artistic activities such as dance, drama, art and craft, painting helps expressing emotions with creativity.

At the mental level-Board games, traditional games and memory games help maintain cognitive fluidity and this flexibility brings in cognitive reserve. Cognitive abilities can be improved by enhancing the perception through sensory integration, focussed activities, executive functions like problem solving, decision making and sequencing. These specific activities will help in maintaining cognitive reserve and thereby diminishes the risk of dementia.

At the intellectual level Organising debates, discussions on varied topics, solving puzzles and sudoku takes care of the intellectual health.

At the spiritual level Connecting with the nature through outdoor activities and outreach programs to reach out to the needy, empowers one with hope to give something to others.

Living in a senior living community helps in promoting holistic health and positive ageing.

Positive thinking promotes positive psychology and helps in adding quality to life and pave way for positive ageing.

Views expressed above are the author's own.

END OF ARTICLE

Originally posted here:
Global Wellness Day #Think Magenta - Times of India

Physiology

How does the human body respond to rising temperatures? This one-of-a-kind lab in Ottawa is trying to find out – The Globe and Mail

Research patient Lise Cloutier sits in the worlds only direct air calorimeter a machine that continuously and precisely measures how much heat is gained and lost by the human body at a University of Ottawa lab.Spencer Colby/The Globe and Mail

The cylindrical chamber at the University of Ottawa lab looks at once like a machine from the past and the future. It swings open at a seam, splitting in half to reveal its contents. Tubes and chains dangle from the ceiling and reflect off the aluminum-sheeted walls. Theres just enough room inside for a black metal chair, rigged with wires for data collection and padding for comfort.

The chamber is the labs pice de rsistance. Its the worlds only direct air calorimeter a machine that continuously and precisely measures how much heat is gained and lost by the human body.

Originally developed in the 1970s at Memorial University of Newfoundland, the calorimeter was mothballed in 1990, until Dr. Glen Kenny brought it back to life later that decade. He likened the process to finding a rare Corvette at the dump and then refurbishing it.

More than 1,000 people have sat in the chamber over the years, lending their bodies to science in pursuit of nailing down how, exactly, the body responds to heat under various scenarios. The reason we put the calorimeter back together is that its the golden key in understanding how the human system is going to react to heat exposure, Dr. Kenny said.

Glen Kenny, professor of Physiology and Research Chair in Human Environmental Physiology at the University of Ottawa.Spencer Colby/The Globe and Mail

The Ottawa lab is at the forefront of research globally when it comes to the impacts of rising temperatures on human health, particularly among vulnerable populations such as the elderly and those living with chronic illness. The U.S. military, mining industry, electric utilities and others have looked to Dr. Kenny for help developing heat-management and monitoring strategies to protect people working in hot environments.

Health Canada has also turned to Dr. Kenny for advice. In late 2018, the federal department tasked him with assessing the effects of an extreme heat event on the most vulnerable Canadians. This led to the launch of a multiphase study on prolonged heat exposure, indoor temperature limits and cooling centres.

The study has not yet been published, but the data is in. It provides clear parameters for safe indoor temperatures and it dispels some commonly held views on the efficacy of cooling centres during heat waves.

The findings will inform federal guidance for health authorities across the country as they create strategies to address the growing problem of extreme heat. According to Health Canada, roughly 80 per cent of local and regional health authorities are currently working to take a range of evidence-based action to protect health from extreme heat. The department is aiming to develop its interim guidance this year.

Time is of the essence. When the record-setting heat dome settled over B.C. and then crept eastward last June and early July, Canadians were confronted with the reality that heat is a silent and prolific killer with the power to overwhelm emergency services. It was the deadliest weather event in Canadian history, linked to at least 619 sudden deaths in B.C.

Nearly one year later, as the clock ticks toward another summer, the provinces coroners service has shed light on the circumstances of those who died. According to a death-panel report released Tuesday, people aged 70 and older accounted for two-thirds of the deaths. Almost all 98 per cent died indoors. The overwhelming majority of the victims had at least one chronic disease. Most lived in socially or economically deprived neighbourhoods. More than half lived alone.

Among other recommendations, the report calls for a co-ordinated provincial heat-alert system and the adoption of community wellness checks for the most vulnerable.

Its certainly worth looking back, because a lot went wrong last summer. People in distress couldnt get through to 9-1-1 dispatchers. Some got a busy signal or were put on hold. Some callers who did manage to get through ended up waiting several hours for an ambulance. At one point, every fire truck in Vancouver was out on medical calls.

B.C. report on last years heat wave is a grim reminder that we must better protect our most vulnerable

Cooling in new buildings, tree canopy vital during heat waves: B.C. coroner report

Several emergency-services agencies in B.C. have since upgraded their heat-response plans and increased their staffing levels. B.C.s E-Comm system, which provides dispatch services for police and fire departments, rolled out a new call-transfer process that it says has materially improved answering capacity. BC Emergency Health Services is piloting a new app that allows for on-scene video consultations between a patient and clinician at the dispatch centre. Vancouver Fire Services is training some of its staff in emergency medical response a higher level of care for many firefighters.

Its a good thing. The Pacific Northwest heat dome was a once-in-1,000-year weather event, but it wont be 1,000 years before the next one. As the world warms, episodes of extreme weather will increase in frequency, intensity and duration.

Just last month, a heat wave in India and Pakistan killed at least 90 people. And while B.C. was in heats fatal crosshairs last year, other parts of Canada arent immune. A 2010 heat wave in Ontario and Quebec killed at least 280 people. A 2018 heat wave claimed dozens of lives in Montreal.

To get ready for heat, we must first understand its assault on the body. Theres a lot we already know. We know that if a persons core body temperature reaches 40 C and continues to warm, critical systems will start shutting down. The brain will stop processing normally. The body will lose its ability to cool itself through sweating. The blood will thicken, forcing the heart to beat harder and faster. Breathing will become rapid and shallow. Organ systems will eventually fail.

The body's ideal internal temperature is 36.9 degrees Celsius. As core temperatures rise, our internal regulation turns to acute self-preservation that leaves the body vulnerable in many ways. Symptoms of heatstroke set in above 40 degrees Celsius internally; the American Physician Journal recommends rapid cooling and, if done in a timely manner, it can be 100 per cent effective.

We know that age is the single most important factor in terms of vulnerability to this sort of demise. With each decade, we lose roughly 5 per cent of our ability to thermoregulate to lose heat. We know that sweating causes evaporative cooling and is key to guarding against hyperthermia; high levels of humidity inhibit that evaporative cooling process.

We know that having certain underlying conditions, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, puts people at a greater risk of heat-related illness and death. And we know that it can take a while before the accumulation of heat in the body starts affecting our cells and organs; its usually not until about 24 hours after the onset of a heat wave that people begin dying.

Dr. Kennys latest research takes our understanding further. By studying real people with real health conditions in really hot temperatures for long periods of time, his team is able to make nuanced recommendations that go beyond existing, often one-size-fits-all advice.

This kind of work is extremely important, said University of Washington global health professor Kristie Ebi, a lead author on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Changes 2018 special report about the effects of global warming of 1.5 C above preindustrial levels. Were seeing heat waves at intensities we havent seen before. Were not prepared. We need to understand how to best protect people, particularly the most vulnerable.

Its the most vulnerable that Dr. Kenny is most concerned with. When he explains his findings, he refers to colour-coded graphs with dots representing study participants. He wants policy makers and individual Canadians to pay close attention to the dots that fall outside the clusters. You cant just look at the mean of a dataset, he said. What you need to be concerned about is the outliers. Those are real people. Theyre the ones who are going to collapse.

Roughly 100 people participated in the federally commissioned research at the Ottawa lab. The younger, control cohort ranged in age from 18 to 31, and the older, more vulnerable group ranged from 60 to 80. Among the older demographic, a subset had either Type 2 diabetes or hypertension an underresearched demographic in the area of prolonged heat exposure, Dr. Kenny said, owing to concerns around stress-testing vulnerable people in extreme conditions.

Three years in the making, the study has involved more than 2,400 lab hours.

On trial days, study participants put on shorts and a T-shirt, signed a consent form and got hooked up to some physiological recording devices. These included, among many others, a blood-pressure unit, an ECG machine, a body-temperature probe, a heart-rate monitor and a mask that measures oxygen consumption.

The subject then entered the study space, which consisted of two concentric cylinders (imagine one pop can inside another). The larger cylinder is about the size of a two-car garage, only taller. Thats the environmental chamber. It can be set to different temperatures and humidity levels to simulate various living and workplace scenarios. It regulates the conditions around and within the smaller, inner cylinder. Thats the calorimeter, where the nitty-gritty of the trials took place.

Heres how it works. Researchers measure the temperature and humidity of the air entering the chamber and coming out of it. They measure two sources of heat the heat produced by the body from simply being alive, and the dry heat the body absorbs from the hot air. Those two values, added together, equal the total amount of heat gained. Researchers then measure the moisture levels going in and out of the chamber to determine how much sweat was produced and evaporated. Thats the amount of heat lost. The difference between the heat gained and the heat lost is the amount of heat being stored in the body.

Housed at the University of Ottawa, the worlds only direct

air calorimeter is considered the key to understanding

the impact of extreme heat on the human body. Scientists

measure the temperature and humidity of the air entering

the chamber and coming out of it. They can then calculate

how much heat the body was able to shed through thermo-

regulatory processes such as sweating, and how much it

ends up storing. Storing too much heat can lead to illness or

even death.

1. The calorimeter, which is housed in an environmental

chamber (not shown), is equipped with software that

allows researchers to monitor and record the physiologi-

cal responses of a study participant exercising or at rest.

2. The temperature in the chamber is tightly controlled to

simulate hot conditions. Study subjects wear monitoring

devices, including a mask that collects expired gases and

helps determine the amount of heat produced by the

body due to metabolism.

3-4. By precisely monitoring air temperatures and humidi-

ty levels flowing into (3) and out of (4) the calorimeter,

researchers can measure the rate of heat-exchange

between the body and the environment. Using these

measurements and the rate of heat production described

in (2), the calorimeter can be used to quantify the

real-time accumulation of heat within the body.

kathryn blaze baum and john sopinski /

the globe and Mail, Source: Dr. Glen P. Kenny,

University of Ottawa, Human and Environmental

Physiology Research Unit

Housed at the University of Ottawa, the worlds only direct

air calorimeter is considered the key to understanding

the impact of extreme heat on the human body. Scientists

measure the temperature and humidity of the air entering

the chamber and coming out of it. They can then calculate

how much heat the body was able to shed through thermo-

regulatory processes such as sweating, and how much it

ends up storing. Storing too much heat can lead to illness

or even death.

1. The calorimeter, which is housed in an environmental

chamber (not shown), is equipped with software that

allows researchers to monitor and record the physiologi-

cal responses of a study participant exercising or at rest.

2. The temperature in the chamber is tightly controlled to

simulate hot conditions. Study subjects wear monitoring

devices, including a mask that collects expired gases and

helps determine the amount of heat produced by the

body due to metabolism.

3-4. By precisely monitoring air temperatures and humidi-

ty levels flowing into (3) and out of (4) the calorimeter,

researchers can measure the rate of heat-exchange

between the body and the environment. Using these

measurements and the rate of heat production described

in (2), the calorimeter can be used to quantify the

real-time accumulation of heat within the body.

kathryn blaze baum and john sopinski / the globe and Mail,

Source: Dr. Glen P. Kenny, University of Ottawa, Human

and Environmental Physiology Research Unit

Housed at the University of Ottawa, the worlds only direct air calorimeter is considered the key to

understanding the impact of extreme heat on the human body. Scientists measure the temperature and

humidity of the air entering the chamber and coming out of it. They can then calculate how much heat

the body was able to shed through thermoregulatory processes such as sweating, and how much it ends

up storing. Storing too much heat can lead to illness or even death.

1. The calorimeter, which

is housed in an environ-

mental chamber (not

shown), is equipped with

software that allows

researchers to monitor

and record the physiologi-

Follow this link:
How does the human body respond to rising temperatures? This one-of-a-kind lab in Ottawa is trying to find out - The Globe and Mail

Physiology

Be Careful of Overeating While Pregnant: Maternal Obesity Greatly Increases a Childs Risk of Heart Problems – SciTechDaily

According to a recent study in mice, maternal obesity affects the fetus heart health and function.

Obesity is defined as an abnormal or excessive buildup of fat that poses a health risk. A BMI of 30 or above is considered obese.

Obesity has become increasingly prevalent in America. Recent estimates suggest that more than 42% of adults in the United States are obese. Health risks of obesity include type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and sleep apnea. New research has found it might even have an impact on your children too.

According to a recent study, maternal obesity impacts the fetus heart health and function. The research, which was published in The Journal of Physiology, discovered that maternal obesity produces molecular changes in the fetuss heart and modifies the expression of genes involved in nutrition metabolism, dramatically increasing the likelihood of cardiac problems in the child later in life.

This is the first study to demonstrate that the heart is programmed by the nutrition it receives throughout birth. Gene expression changes affect how carbs and fats are metabolized in the heart. They change the hearts nutritional preference away from sugar and toward fat. As a result, the hearts of obese female mices fetuses were bigger, heavier, had thicker walls, and displayed signs of inflammation. The hearts ability to contract and circulate blood throughout the body is impaired as a result.

A mouse model that replicates human maternal physiology and placental nutrient transfer in obese women was used by researchers from the University of Colorado, US. Female mice (n=31) were given a high-fat diet along with a sugary drink, which is roughly equal to a person eating a burger, chips, and a soft drink on a daily basis (1500kcal). Female mice were fed this diet until they became obese, gaining roughly 25% of their initial body weight. A control diet was fed to 50 female mice.

Mouse pups (n=187) were studied in utero, as well as after birth at 3, 6, 9, and 24 months using imaging techniques, including echocardiography and positron emission tomography (PET) scans. Researchers analyzed the genes, proteins, and mitochondria of the offspring.

The changes in offspring cardiac metabolism strongly depended on sex. The expression of 841 genes was altered in the hearts of female fetuses and 764 genes were altered in male fetuses, but less than 10% of genes were commonly altered in both sexes. Interestingly, although both male and female offspring from mothers with obesity had impaired cardiac function, there were differences in the progression between sexes; males were impaired from the start, whereas females cardiac function got progressively worse with age.

The sex difference in the lasting impairments of cardiovascular health and function could be due to estrogen. Higher levels in young females may protect cardiovascular health, the protection diminishes as estrogen levels deplete as the females age. The molecular cause for the sex difference is not yet understood.

Lead author, Dr. Owen Vaughan, University of Colorado, US said:

Our research indicates a mechanism linking maternal obesity with cardiometabolic illness in the next generation. This is important because obesity is increasing rapidly in the human population and affects almost one-third of women of childbearing age. By improving our understanding of the mechanisms involved, this research paves the way for treatments that could be used in early life to prevent later-life cardiometabolic illnesses, which are costly for health services and affect many peoples quality of life. For example, we could offer more tailored advice on nutrition to mothers or children based on their body mass index or sex, or develop new drugs that target metabolism in the heart of the fetus.

Mice have shorter pregnancies, more offspring, and different diets than humans so further studies on human volunteers would be required to extrapolate the findings to womens health. Loss-of-function studies also need to be carried out to prove this mechanism linking maternal obesity and offspring heart function and pinpoint the exact molecules responsible.

Reference: Maternal obesity causes fetal cardiac hypertrophy and alters adult offspring myocardial metabolism in mice by Owen R. Vaughan, Fredrick J. Rosario, Jeannie Chan, Laura A. Cox, Veronique Ferchaud-Roucher, Karin A. Zemski-Berry, Jane E. B. Reusch, Amy C. Keller, Theresa L. Powell and Thomas Jansson, 11 May 2022, The Journal of Physiology.DOI: 10.1113/JP282462

See the rest here:
Be Careful of Overeating While Pregnant: Maternal Obesity Greatly Increases a Childs Risk of Heart Problems - SciTechDaily

Physiology

Does Stretching Cause More Harm Than Good? Yogi Aaron Transforms the Narrative in the Stop Stretching Podcast Come June 14th – PR Newswire

Ushering in a new era of stability, Yogi Aaron challenges the status quo by dismantling damaging ideologies to help others live a pain-free life

PUERTO JIMNEZ, Costa Rica, June 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Whether young or old, athlete or beginner, everyone has been fed the same narrative for decades: "If your muscles are tight, just stretch it out", but what if that idea is doing more harm than good? The words yoga and stretching seem synonymous, right? But what if they preach two separate truths to either hinder or heal pain? One yogi is on a mission to pull back the curtain, uncover the truth, and dismantle the false belief that stretching helps ease pain. Yogi Aaron is proud to announce the release of the Stop Stretching podcast, come June 14th on all major streaming platforms.

Yogi Aaron is the creator of AYAMA (Applied Yoga Anatomy + Muscle Activation), and the owner and yoga director at Blue Osa Yoga Retreat in Costa Rica. During his 30 years of practicing and teaching yoga, Yogi Aaron has developed an intrinsic understanding of yogic philosophy, anatomy, and the subtle body, which spurred his passion for unveiling the truth about how much stretching causes harm.

"Let's answer the BIG question! Why is stretching hurting us? What is actually going on! Many of us have heard that we need to stretch to prevent injuries when we are doing sports, and yet there is no evidence that supports this claim."

As the only yogi in the industry breaking the norm, Yogi Aaron created the Stop Stretching podcast to help each listener understand the physiology of their body, tap into their limitless potential, and develop the confidence to embody yoga both on and off the mat. Listeners will be amazed by the mass influx of information that contradicts mainstream thinking, bringing physiology back into the equation with precision and purpose to reduce pain and implement sustainable change rooted in science.

"Inflexibility is not a sign that muscle needed to be "stretched", but rather muscle tightness is actually a sign that is a muscular instability and that a group of muscles were not contracting properlyWe are no longer focusing on stretching, but instead, activating and stabilizing."

Through proof of concept, dedication to the craft, and unwavering commitment to helping others live a pain-free life, Yogi Aaron's purpose-driven vision has come to fruition with the release of the Stop Stretching podcast, available on all major streaming platforms come June 14th.

To learn more about Yogi Aaron or the Stop Stretching Podcast, please visit:https://YogiAaron.com

Spotify

Apple

About Yogi Aaron

Yogi Aaron, the creator of AYAMA Applied Yoga Anatomy + Muscle Activation, has been teaching yoga for over 30 years, is a bestselling author, and owner and yoga director at Blue Osa Yoga Retreat in Costa Rica. A revolutionary at heart, he's on a mission to get people back in touch with the true essence of yoga, flip the script on stretching, and help humanity live pain-free! Come June 14th, Yogi Aaron will launch his purpose-driven podcast, Stop Stretching to change the conversation around stretching and usher in a new era of activation and stability. He has studied under yogic masters such as Alan Finger, Bryan Kest, Genny Kapuler, Rod Stryker, Swami Rama, and David Swenson, among others.

PRESS CONTACT

AaronWhatsApp +50687047006https://YogiAaron.com

SOURCE Yogi Aaron

Go here to see the original:
Does Stretching Cause More Harm Than Good? Yogi Aaron Transforms the Narrative in the Stop Stretching Podcast Come June 14th - PR Newswire

Physiology

Fact check: No evidence that foot pads can detoxify the body, experts say – USA TODAY

4 simple tips to detox your home

While we may be careful about what we feed our bodies, the air in our home also affects our health. With a few simple precautions you can get rid of harmful toxins and clear the air. Krystin Goodwin (@krystingoodwin) has tips to help you detox your

Buzz60

A widely shared video circulating on social mediapurports to show detox foot pads removing toxins from the bottom of the feet.

"Cleansing Foot Pads provides a healthy and fast effect to your body while you are sleeping," reads the text of aFacebook post shared April 21."From reducing inflammation, relieving the body, to detoxifying your body from all the impurities."

The video generated over 300,000 viewsand close to 500 interactionswithin two weeks. Several other Facebook users have shared similar posts.

But there is no credible evidence to support foot pads clearing the body of toxins. Experts told USA TODAY no scientific studies have been published proving detox foot pads work.

Fact check: No, celery juice will not help heal fibromyalgia

USA TODAY reached out to the Facebook user who shared theclaim for comment.

There is no scientific evidence that proves detox foot pads are effective.

"One of the most common claims for (foot pads)is that they draw out toxins like heavy metals, and that is a claim for which there is very little evidence," said Dr. Murad Alam, vice chair of dermatology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

When the foot pad is removed, it appears dark and discolored,and that supposedlyreflects the toxinsexpelled from the body overnight, social media posts say.

But the discoloration stems from sweat reacting with chemicals in the foot pad,Alam said.

"There's some chemicals like vinegar (in the foot pad), andit's probably just a chemical reaction of moisture affecting the footpad," he said.

The Journal of Heavy Metal Toxicity and Diseases published a study in 2018 that examined whether foot pads remove metals from the body. The presence of metals in the pads before and after use was investigated in 53 participants. It concluded that"detox foot pad(s)did not induce the eliminationof studied metals through the feet."

Fact check: Claim misinterprets data from a 2021 Pfizer report

A 2008 National Public Radio report compared used and unused foot pads and shippedthem to a laboratory for analysis. The labfoundno significant changes between the used and unused pads.

The human body is well-equipped for filtering and eliminating unwanted substances without the use of any external device, experts say. The liver, intestines, kidneys and sweat glands in the epidermisremove toxins.

"Feet are not a detoxification organ," saidDr.Adrianne Fugh-Berman, a professor of pharmacology and physiology at Georgetown University. Fugh-Bermanadded that sweat eliminates few waste compounds compared to the kidneys and liver.

Fact check: New study found 'potential biomarker' of SIDS, but calling it a cause misrepresents findings

In 2010, a federal judge, at the request of theFederal Trade Commission,banned the manufacturersof the Kinoki Foot Pads from selling their products. According to the FTC, the makers "falsely claimed to have scientific proof that the foot pads removed toxic materials from the body."

"There's no special characteristics of foot skinthat make foot skin more likely to be a way to take out toxins or other bad substances," said Alam.

Based on our research, we rate FALSEthe claim that cleansing foot padsdetoxify the body. Expertssaid there's no reliable evidence foot pads work.The pads' discoloration is primarily due to chemicals in the pads. The FTC has also charged a detox foot pad manufacturer with misleading advertising for claiming the pads detoxify the body.

Thank you for supporting our journalism. You cansubscribe to our print edition, ad-free app or electronic newspaper replica here.

Our fact-check work is supported in part by a grant from Facebook.

Go here to read the rest:
Fact check: No evidence that foot pads can detoxify the body, experts say - USA TODAY

Physiology

Lishko named BJC Investigator – The Source – Washington University in St. Louis – Washington University in St. Louis

Polina V. Lishko, a noted molecular biologist and entrepreneur, has been named a BJC Investigator at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Lishko, whose innovative investigations of molecular mechanisms of bioactive lipid signaling has advanced scientific understanding in fields as varied as reproductive biology, vision and neurodegeneration, joins theDepartment of Cell Biology & Physiology.

TheBJC Investigator Programbrings to the School of Medicine scientists who will have a transformational impact on research programs, bring innovative approaches to major biological questions, and whose discoveries stand to inform new ways of understanding disease and developing treatments.

Lishko is an associate professor of molecular and cellular biology at the University of California, Berkeley. Her appointment at Washington University begins Dec. 1.

The BJC Investigators Program is focused on basic science and was inspired by the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes philosophy of investing in scientists with exceptional creative talent. The program aims to bring 10 highly regarded researchers to the School of Medicine and the life sciences ecosystem in St. Louis. Lishko is the seventh BJC Investigator named.

BJC Investigators are recommended by a search committee of leading scientists at the School of Medicine. Their charge is to select candidates who already have indelibly changed their fields, whose discoveries will result in new and fundamental shifts in scientific thinking, and whose laboratories have become hubs for even more work that can galvanize and advance the impact of the schools preclinical departments.

I am so pleased to announce that Dr. Polina Lishko has accepted our offer to join the School of Medicine, said David H. Perlmutter, MD, executive vice chancellor for medical affairs, the George and Carol Bauer Dean, and the Spencer T. and Ann W. Olin Distinguished Professor. Through her dedication to understanding basic biological mechanisms, Dr. Lishko has made breakthroughs and overturned established dogma within multiple fields. Her expertise and innovative approaches to investigating bioelectricity and regulation of ion channels has transformed scientific understanding of the physiology of the retina, fluid flow in the brain and fertility. Dr. Lishkos ability to link detailed molecular mechanisms to disease processes and her broad scientific interests will set the stage for collaborations across the campus that could lead to translational advances in many fields.

Lishko is best known for basic reproductive biology research that has advanced our understanding of male and female infertility and could lead to alternatives to hormonal contraceptives. Many contraceptives for women such as birth control pills, patches and injections; vaginal rings; and some intrauterine devices contain synthetic hormones that prevent pregnancy but cause unpleasant side effects such as weight gain, headaches and mood changes. Effective nonhormonal contraceptives could reduce the burden of birth control for women and perhaps also provide better contraceptive options for men.

Lishko has discovered a protein receptor on sperm cells that revs up sperm so they have the power to drill through the protective outer layer of a human egg and fertilize it, as well as several compounds that can interfere with this process. Separately, she and colleagues identified a drug that short-circuits the energy supply in sperm cells, leaving sperm short of the fuel needed to swim to the egg. These and other findings form the basis of promising experimental contraceptives for women and men.

In 2018, Lishko co-founded the startup company YourChoice Therapeutics. While she has since stepped away from the company, YourChoice Therapeutics continues to build on her research to develop temporary, nonhormonal contraceptives.

Lishkos wide-ranging interests also extend to neurodegeneration and vision. In the field of neurodegeneration, she is studying whether the drop in sex hormones that occurs at menopause changes fluid flow and waste removal in the brain, and contributes to older womens increased risk of Alzheimers disease. In vision, she is developing an eyedrop to prevent age-related macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness in people over age 60, by encouraging normal function of supportive cells in the eye. Lishko has co-founded another startup company, BioTock, to move this translational research from bench to bedside.

We are delighted that Dr. Lishko will be joining our department and bringing her expertise in biophysical and physiological investigations to enrich our research community, saidDavid W. Piston, the Edward Mallinckrodt Jr. Professor and head of theDepartment of Cell Biology & Physiology.Beyond her research accomplishments, Dr. Lishko has an exceptional record as a mentor who has made a major impact through teaching and educational leadership positions. We welcome her to Washington University and look forward to collaborating with her.

Lishko earned her doctorate in biophysics at the Bogomoletz Institute of Physiology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine in Kyiv, Ukraine. After completing her degree, she undertook postdoctoral research at Harvard Medical School and the University of California, San Francisco, before joining the faculty at UC Berkeley in 2012. Among her numerous accolades, she was selected as a Sloan Foundation Fellow and a Pew Scholar in the Biomedical Sciences in 2015, and received a MacArthur Genius Grant in 2020.

Lishkos husband, Yuriy Kirichok, will join theDepartment of Biochemistry & Molecular Biophysicsat Washington University School of Medicine. He is a professor of physiology at the University of California, San Francisco. His pioneering work focuses on channels and transporters that move charged ions across the outer membrane of mitochondria tiny organelles that generate power and serve other functions for cells and how such channels and transporters affect mitochondrial function and contribute to conditions such as diabetes, obesity and neurodegenerative diseases.

Washington University School of Medicines 1,700 faculty physicians also are the medical staff ofBarnes-JewishandSt. Louis Childrenshospitals. The School of Medicine is a leader in medical research, teaching and patient care, and currently is No. 4 in research funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Through its affiliations with Barnes-Jewish and St. Louis Childrens hospitals, the School of Medicine is linked toBJC HealthCare.

Originally published by the School of Medicine

Original post:
Lishko named BJC Investigator - The Source - Washington University in St. Louis - Washington University in St. Louis

Physiology

Unlocking the mysteries of cell migration – EurekAlert

image:Atsuo Sasaki, PhD view more

Credit: Photo/Colleen Kelley

When youre hungry and find your cupboards are bare, youll probably find yourself heading to the grocery store to restock on food.

Human cells act similarly when starved for energy, showing a remarkable resiliency to move to an energy-rich environment to gather nutrients. However, cancer cells also have this ability, and moving toward nutrients can help cancer cells grow and spread (or metastasize) throughout the body.

It is still unclear exactly what mechanisms help cells move to meet energy demands, and an international research group including the University of Cincinnatis Atsuo Sasaki, PhD, has been awarded a $1.5 million Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP) research grant to learn more. Each of the three lead researchers and their institutions, including Sasaki and UC, will receive $500,000 of funding for the project.

HFSP awards grants for basic research projects that require collaboration from an international team of researchers from different disciplines with a goal of explaining sophisticated and complex mechanisms within living organisms. The grants are highly competitive and difficult to earn, but are reserved for top-tier research, as 28 HFSP awardees have gone on to win the Nobel Prize in fields including physiology, medicine, chemistry and physics.

Sasaki has focused his research on cellular energy and metabolism and said his fourth HFSP application proved successful after finding collaborators Laura Machesky of the Beatson Institute for Cancer Research in Scotland and Yasufumi Takahashi of Kanazawa Universitys Nano Life Science Institute in Japan.

About two years ago, Sasaki connected with Machesky, an expert on cellular invasion, a process where cells move and infiltrate nearby tissues. Cancer cells that become invasive help the cancer grow and metastasize to secondary sites.

Takahashi, who specializes in cellular imaging, rounded out the team. Takahashi is a pioneer in a technique known as scanning ion-conductance microscopy (SICM), which uses ion currents to produce high-resolution images of individual cell structures that can be as small as a single micrometer in length.

Sasaki and his lab have focused their study on an energy molecule called GTP. Previous studies have found that brain tumors use a special process to utilize GTP for energy, and tumors in animal models shrunk when that process was blocked.

More recent research from Sasakis team suggests GTP is brought to the front of the cell to help cancer cells move, grow and spread, but it is not known exactly how this happens.

GTP-specific enzymes cannot just go to the front of the cell, said Sasaki, associate professor at the UC College of Medicine. So once we can identify this system, probably we can shut off this GTP-driven cell metastasis. Thats our goal: to identify it, then target it to suppress cancer metastasis.

One of the studys goals is to observe and confirm that GTP is indeed synthesized at the front of cells, which will be accomplished using Takahashis SICM imaging technique. SICM will allow the team to detect cellular metabolic changes at the subcellular level, something that has never been done before, as well as identify specific protein machinery at the front of cells that help cells migrate and grow.

The team will develop a system able to be controlled remotely so that SICM imaging can be performed by anyone, anywhere in the world, a useful feature for international research like this project. They will also explore machine learning technology so that artificial intelligence can use SICM to identify cellular characteristics automatically without the need for human analysis.

The hope is that this new information will help better define what mechanisms are used to help cells move, utilize energy and allocate energy to cell movement, Sasaki said. These mechanisms could become the next generation of targets for cancer drugs.

If we can [observe] this system, then some tumor-specific metabolic or metastatic components can be targeted, Sasaki said. Maybe we can shut off that process to directly suppress the cell migration, or we can control the cells migratory process. Thats the long-term goal of this project.

Cell migration is also involved in certain neurological conditions and defense from bacterial infections, so the knowledge gained from this research may also extend beyond treatments for cancer.

There are so many potential applications, Sasaki said. We are hopeful that this technology can provide a new platform.

Sasaki is the first UC researcher to ever be awarded an HFSP research grant.

Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.

See the original post:
Unlocking the mysteries of cell migration - EurekAlert

Physiology

Cannabis users can misperceive how well their romantic relationships are functioning – EurekAlert

Cannabis users may think their approaches to managing conflict in romantic relationships are better than they are and dont recognize potentially problematic dynamics that might exist, according to a collaborative study conducted by Rutgers and Mount Holyoke College.

The study, published in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence, is one of a few to examine how cannabis use is associated with how couples relate. Researchers say the findings can assist couples in which at least one of the partners uses cannabis better navigate conflict discussion and resolution.

We looked at different indicators of relationship functioning: how satisfied and committed people felt about their relationship, their behavior and physiology during a laboratory-based conflict interaction and their perceptions about their conflict discussion and relationship afterward, said author Jessica Salvatore, an associate professor in the department of psychiatry at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

In the study, 145 couples in which at least one partner used cannabis were asked to report how often they used the substance and how satisfied they were in their relationship. The couples were videotaped engaging in a 10-minute discussion on a topic that they identified as a major source of conflict, during which researchers measured their physiological stress response through their heart rate and respiration.

The couples then had a five-minute discussion on areas where they were in agreement. After, researchers asked how they thought the conversations went and how satisfied they were with conflict resolution.

The videos were observed by two sets of trained raters who assessed each partners conflict behavior, including avoidance (deflecting, skirting or ignoring areas of disagreement) and negative engagement (making demands for change, criticizing or blaming) on separate five-point scales.

A separate set of raters assessed the extent to which partners were able to transition out of conflict, regardless of resolution, toward a discussion of agreements and positive aspects of their relationship. They assigned low scores when participants made no substantive contributions to the discussion of positive aspects of the relationship and high scores when they nominated areas of agreement or positive aspects of the relationship or when they elaborated upon their partners suggestions.

The researchers found participants who used cannabis more frequently showed less parasympathetic withdrawal during their interaction with their partner indicating reduced capacity to flexibly respond to stress. They also issued more criticism and demands, avoided conflict during the discussion and were less able to reorient themselves to a discussion about the positive aspects of their relationship. Yet, paradoxically, when asked how they thought the conflict conversation went, cannabis users reported greater satisfaction with how the conflict was resolved and did not perceive themselves as having used demand or avoidance strategies.

The assessments by the cannabis users were almost the exact opposite of what independent raters found, said Salvatore. However, it is important to note that this studys findings do not mean that cannabis use is wholesale good or bad for relationships. Rather, it gives insight into how couples can better navigate conflict and come to a resolution. When you dont see problems, you cant solve them.

The study was conducted in collaboration with Katherine C. Haydon, an associate professor in the psychology and education department at Mount Holyoke College.

Drug and Alcohol Dependence

Observational study

People

Relationship perceptions and conflict behavior among cannabis users

6-Jun-2022

Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.

Continued here:
Cannabis users can misperceive how well their romantic relationships are functioning - EurekAlert

Physiology

Research Fellow, Department of Anatomy and Physiology job with UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE | 296108 – Times Higher Education

Location: ParkvilleRole type: Full time; Fixed-termfor 12 monthsFaculty:Medicine, Dentistry, and Health SciencesDepartment/School:Department of Anatomy and PhysiologySalary: Level A -$76,886 - $88,312 p.a. plus 17% super

Founded in 1853, the University of Melbourne is Australias #1 university and is consistently ranked amongst the leading universities in the world. We are proud of our people, our commitment to research and teaching excellence, and our global engagement.

AbouttheDepartment of Anatomy and Physiology

https://biomedicalsciences.unimelb.edu.au/departments/anatomy-and-physiology

The Department of Anatomy and Physiology has only recently come into fruition and is an amalgamation between the Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience and the Department of Physiology. Both Departments have a long and illustrious history and have come together to produce a Department with a remarkable breadth and depth in research expertise that underpins our key research themes of neuroscience, metabolism, and cardiovascular sciences, muscle biology, and cell biology.

The increase in a critical mass of our researchers will also help position the Department as a key partner for Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) and other large-scale grant applications relating to chronic, developmental, and degenerative diseases. The goal of the combined Department is to remain at the forefront of scientific research aimed at understanding the structure and function of the human body in health and disease, employing novel and imaginative research methods.

About the Role

An opportunity exists, for a PhD qualified research scientist with specialised skills in neuroscience and metabolism. The Research Fellow will undertake research within a team that is funded by NHRMC and ARC research grants to explore the neuronal control of metabolism and its contribution to metabolic diseases such as type-2 diabetes and obesity. These projects are led by Dr. Garron Dodd. They aim to develop new knowledge and technologies to understand how metabolic hormones (insulin, leptin) work in the brain and what brain cells are important (neurons, neuroglia, endothelial cells) to develop new treatments for metabolic disease. This work will have a strong focus on neuroscience and will explore the brain using in vivo calcium imaging, optogenetics, and CRISPR/Cas-9 technologies

In a typical week at work, you may:

About You

You will be an experienced researcher with a background and understanding of the anatomy and physiology sector. You will possess excellent verbal and written communication skills for effective research collaboration and engagement. You will have evidence of emerging local academic standing through research contributions and the desire to buildan academic career trajectory.

Ideally, you will further have:

Benefits of Working with Us

In addition to having the opportunity to grow and be challenged, and to be part of vibrant campus life, our people enjoy a range of rewarding benefits:

To find out more, please visithttps://about.unimelb.edu.au/careers/staff-benefits.

Be Yourself

At UoM, we value the unique backgrounds, experiences and contributions that each person brings to our community, and we encourage and celebrate diversity. Indigenous Australians, those identifying as LGBTQIA+, females, people of all ages with disabilities and culturally diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply for our roles. Our aim is to create a workforce that reflects the community in which we live.

Join Us!

If you feel this role is right for you, please submit your application including a brief cover letter, your resume and your responses against the selection criteria^ (found in the Position Description) for the role.

^For information to help you with compiling short statements to answer the selection criteria and competencies, please go tohttp://about.unimelb.edu.au/careers/selection-criteria

Should you require any reasonable adjustments with the recruitment process, please contact the Talent Acquisition team athr-talent@unimelb.edu.au.

Due to the impacts of COVID-19, we are currently prioritising applications with current valid working rights in Australia and candidates who are not affected by travel restrictions. Please see the latest updates to Australia's immigration and border arrangements: https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/

The University of Melbourne is required to comply with applicable health guidance and directions issued from the Victoria Health Minister. The University of Melbourne requires all University of Melbourne employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, unless an exemption order applies. All applicants therefore must meet this requirement when submitting an application.

Position Description :PD for Research Fellow (GD) final.pdf

Applications close: 1st July2022 11:55 PMAUS Eastern Standard Time

Continue reading here:
Research Fellow, Department of Anatomy and Physiology job with UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE | 296108 - Times Higher Education