Fri, 8 January 2010
1. Dusty Sarazan describes one way that physiological research helped advance cardiac surgery, and also how research led to the development of the modern treadmill 2. David Linden talks about our imperfect memories 3. David Kraus tells us why we are so sensitive to the odor of hydrogen sulfide gas (what is hydrogen sulfide gas? where does it come from and what does it do?). |
Tue, 8 December 2009
The show's second segment, the Buzz in Physiology, features research on how a probiotic treatment alleviated colitis in mice and how five exercises helped women office workers suffering from repetitive strain injury. (Begins at 10:55) From the American Heart Association, Heart Attack/Stroke Warning Signs. Click here. Total Time: 13:28 Direct download: Episode_28__Tis_the_Season_Thats_Hard_on_Your_Heart.mp3 Category:podcasts -- posted at: 3:44 PM |
Thu, 12 November 2009
The Buzz in Physiology features studies on a simple test that may determine arterial stiffness in adults older than 40, and a look at a 1950s program that tested the fitness of women to become astronauts. (Begins at: 00:43) Direct download: Episode_27__When_the_Sense_of_Smell_Fails.mp3 Category:podcasts -- posted at: 8:56 PM |
Wed, 7 October 2009
A program note: We misspoke when we mentioned that physiologists made an important discovery after a giraffe frightened an instrumented baboon. In fact, a leopard had frightened the baboon. The Buzz in Physiology (Begins at 00:52) A study on how exercise helps prevent weight regain after dieting finds that exercise reduces the drive to overeat, causes the body to burn fat before burning carbohydrates and prevents an increase in the number of fat cells during weight regain. A study on how alcohol can disrupt circadian rhythm finds that chronic drinking blunts the biological clock's ability to synchronize daily activities to light, disrupts natural activity patterns and continues to affect the body's clock even days after the drinking ends. Direct download: Episode_26__Invention_and_Impact_of_Ultrasound.mp3 Category:podcasts -- posted at: 3:34 PM |
Tue, 8 September 2009
From the Buzz in Physiology (Begins at 1:13): Divers who held their breath for several minutes had elevated levels of S100B (a protein found after cell injury) in their bloodstream, which suggests that holding one's breath for a long time disrupts the blood-brain barrier. However, the appearance of the protein was transient and leaves open the question of whether lengthy breath holding can damage the brain over the long term, according to the Lund University researchers. And drinking beetroot juice boosts stamina and could help you exercise for up to 16% longer, according to a study from the University of Exeter. The study shows how the nitrate contained in the juice leads to a reduction in oxygen uptake, making exercise less tiring. You can read the press releases on these studies: Freediving Beetroot |
Fri, 7 August 2009
When a pregnant woman exercises, is it good for her fetus? That is the question that researchers Linda May of the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences and Kathleen Gustafson of the University of Kansas Medical Center are trying to answer. Their work is ongoing, but it is good news, so far, for pregnant women who like to exercise. (Begins at 01:59) Buzz in Physiology (Begins at 00:47) Estrogen can halt the damage caused by a stroke by inactivating the protein, p53. Go here (http://tinyurl.com/l6u9jo) to find a link to the official conference program. Download the program and scroll to page 15, abstract number 5.16. Researchers have found a way to diagnose overtraining syndrome in horses by measuring the secretion of nocturnal growth hormone. To find the study, click here or go to http://tinyurl.com/l7bq75. |
Tue, 7 July 2009
To read the review of the eight-by-eight rule by Heinz Valtin, click here: In the Buzz in Physiology, we look at studies involving a prosthetic device known as the Cheetah Flex Foot and whether it gives a runner who is a bilateral amputee an unfair advantage over limb-intact runners. We also summarize a study in mice in which adult bone marrow stem cells were used as a non-invasive therapy to repair cardiac tissue. And finally, we’ll look at a study that finds that electro-acupuncture successfully reduced sympathetic nerve activity, normalized menstrual cycles and reduced testosterone in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome. (Begins at 1:05) |
Wed, 3 June 2009
Lee Berk of Loma Linda University in California has done a series of studies on laughter and its possible physiological effects. We will talk to him about his latest study, done over the course of a year with diabetic patients. (Begins at 3:50) In this month’s Buzz in Physiology (begins at 0:51), we look at studies that provide possible explanations for:
You can rate the show on iTunes or leave your written comments at lifelines.tv or by calling 301 637-5634 in the U.S. |
Thu, 7 May 2009
In this edition of Life Lines, we talk to Francois Abboud, of the Carver College of Medicine at the University of Iowa whose research identified this sensor. We’ll also talk to him about his recent research looking at the genes that regulate ion channels, microscopic gates that move chemicals in and out of cells, and that play a role in the signaling between the brain and the blood vessels. In experiments with animals, Dr. Abboud and his colleagues deleted one specific ion channel and found that the animals developed high blood pressure. (Begins at 03:51) We’ll also talk to Ann M. Schreihofer, of the Medical College of Georgia, who focuses on the role the brain plays in increasing sympathetic nervous activity, which contributes to many forms of hypertension (high blood pressure). Among the questions her research seeks to answer is why people who are obese become hypertensive. The Schreihofer laboratory has also been looking at sleep apnea and whether it is possible to improve respiratory function as a way to reduce the sympathetic activity that leads to obesity and hypertension. (Begins at 09:43) In the Buzz in Physiology (begins at 1:24), we have studies on:
Total running time: 16:45. Direct download: _Episode_21__Blood_Pressure_and_the_Brain.mp3 Category:podcasts -- posted at: 8:10 PM |
Mon, 6 April 2009
Three years ago, a group of Dutch researchers led by Frits Koning of the Leiden University Medical Center published a study on an enzyme that showed promise as a treatment for celiac disease. The enzyme, prolyl endoprotease, or PEP, could quickly break down gluten in the stomach before it ever reached the small intestine, where it causes damage. In this episode, we ask Frits Koning to update us on his research. To find Dr. Koning’s study on PEP, click here. (Begins at 2:45) Buzz in Physiology. To find the full press release on mental fatigue and exercise, click here. (Begins at 0:52) Total Time: 11:20 |
Wed, 4 March 2009
Scientists have identified about 200 genes that play a role in our body’s ability to become fitter, referred to as “adaptation to exercise.” In this episode, we talk to Mark Olfert of the University of California at San Diego and Claude Bouchard of the Pennington Biomedical Research Center. They have organized a symposium on the genetics of adaptation to exercise, to take place at the Experimental Biology conference in New Orleans in April. They will give us a flavor for the research in this field by telling us a bit about their own work. (Begins at 3:51) In the Buzz in Physiology (Begins at 1:21) University of Illinois researchers are developing a program to train people to avoid falls. This research could be particularly valuable for the elderly, for whom falling can be an especially dangerous proposition. Read the press release here, or the study here. And a study from the University College London Medical School sheds light on why patients with cirrhosis may have a more regular heart rhythm than is normal, and why they develop hepatic encephalopathy, a neurological disorder. The body’s inflammatory response may be the common thread behind the development of these conditions. Click here for the study and here for the press release. |
Wed, 4 February 2009
Obstructive sleep apnea is the most commonly diagnosed condition among sleep-related breathing disorders and can lead to debilitating and sometimes fatal consequences for the 18 million Americans who have been diagnosed with the disorder. To find the related study click here or you can find the press release here. You can rate the show on iTunes or leave your written comments here or call 301 637-5634 in the U.S. Direct download: Episode_18__Where_Love_Begins__In_the_Brain.mp3 Category:podcasts -- posted at: 3:28 PM |
Tue, 6 January 2009
Research update: Dr. Brook published his study in the September, 2009 issue of the journal Hypertension, a publication of the American Heart Association. You can find a press release and more on the study by clicking here. Why was the man known in scientific literature only as “H.M.” so important to neuroscience? David Linden of Johns Hopkins University explains why in the wake of H.M.’s recent death. (Begins at 14:54) The Buzz in Physiology: (Begins at 1:14) A new study with rats could help uncover how we get hooked on sugary food. You can read the full study here. The heart’s beat is not a simple in-and-out movement, but has a bit of a twist to it. Researchers have created images showing the connection between the configuration of the heart’s muscular layer and how the heart contracts. The study is available here. Be sure to click on the supplemental video to see how it works. |
Mon, 1 December 2008
Do you have a tendency to overeat during the holidays? A new study finds that exercise affects the release of two hormones that help regulate appetite, ghrelin and peptide YY. This may help explain why exercise is often, even if only briefly, associated with suppression of appetite. David Stensel of Loughborough University in the United Kingdom will talk about his study, which appears in the American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology. Click here for the full study and here for the press release. (Begins at 11:54) Total Time: 20:27 Direct download: Episode_16_Circadian_Rhythm__Jet_Lag_Exercise__Appetite.mp3 Category:podcasts -- posted at: 10:43 AM |
Fri, 31 October 2008
Kevin Heffernan (13:26) will talk about his study, aimed at trying to uncover why African-American men have a higher rate of hypertension than white men. The research team from the University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign, found some early signs of vascular damage in young, healthy African-American men and found that measuring central blood pressure may be a better way of identifying those at risk. Physiology in the News: (1:25) Reservatrol Beta agonist drugs Mussels Total time: 21:13 Direct download: Episode_15__Can_Turkey_Make_You_Sleepy_.mp3 Category:podcasts -- posted at: 6:08 PM |
Wed, 1 October 2008
We'll also talk to Alexandra Shapiro and Phillip Scarpace of the University of Florida in Gainesville about their study on fructose-induced leptin resistance and obesity. This study is a bit scary if you have a sweet tooth. The study appears in the American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology. Click here for the study and here for the press release. (Begins at 11:40) Buzz in Physiology: What is a 'Halloween" gene and how did it get its name? Lawrence I. Gilbert explains. And Bret H. Goodpaster will discuss his study that found that older people who diet without exercising lose more lean muscle mass than those who exercise without dieting. The study is important because older people tend to lose muscle mass as they age, and too much muscle loss may interfere with activities of daily living. Here is a link to the press release and a link to the study. (Begins at 1:46) Total time: (23:06) |
Mon, 1 September 2008
In the wake of the summer Olympics, we asked Rick Lieber, of the University of California San Diego and the VA Medical Center San Diego, if the muscles of highly trained athletes could get much stronger and whether gene therapy, which is being developed for medical applications, could be used by to enhance performance in the future. (Begins at 12:56) The Buzz in Physiology gives a quick look at a study that finds a possible link between your genes and activity level. Click here for the press release and here for the study abstract. And we detail a study on the benefits of hydrogen sulfide gas. Click here for a link to the study abstract in the American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology and a link to the press release. We also talk to APS member Jim Hicks of the University of California Irvine about his involvement with the film, Wall-E. (Begins at 1:20) Direct download: Episode_13__Is_Quercetin_a_Flu_Fighter_.mp3 Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:46 AM |
Sun, 3 August 2008
The Buzz in Physiology: (Starts at 2:01) A quick look at studies from APS journals that have been in the news. Related Press Releases: FinnTwin Direct download: Episode_12_The_Brain_and_Fetal_Alcohol_Syndrome.mp3 Category:podcasts -- posted at: 2:26 AM |
Tue, 1 July 2008
Athletic Performance and Caffeine: (Begins at 3:05) Taking caffeine and carbohydrates together following exercise refuels the muscles more rapidly, according to a study from the Journal of Applied Physiology done by Australian researcher John Hawley of the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in Australia. Drinking It In: (Begins at 12:55) The discovery of how sugar is absorbed into the small intestine led to oral rehydration therapy and the development of rehydrating sports drinks such as Gatorade. A conversation with the man who made that discovery: Stanley Schultz of the University of Texas Medical School. You can read Dr. Schultz’s historical perspectives paper “From a pump handle to oral rehydration therapy: a model of translational research” by clicking here. The music that you hear at the beginning and end of the program is Body Notes, composed by scientist-musician (and APS member) Hector Rasgado-Flores. The San Diego Chamber Orchestra performs. Running Time: 24:01 Related Press Releases: Sweet tooth and GLUT2 Gene Aging and Caloric Restriction High-intensity Exercise Direct download: Episode_11__Athletic_Performance_and_Caffeine.mp3 Category:podcasts -- posted at: 11:00 AM |
Thu, 5 June 2008
Segment 2: Research Progress on Colon Cancer. John Carethers of the University of California San Diego explains his research findings on colon cancer and the role that the DNA mismatch repair system plays. Begins at 15:24. Total time: 25:10 Body Notes, the theme music at the beginning and end of the show, was composed by APS member Hector Rasgado-Flores and was performed by the San Diego Chamber Orchestra. Do you have a question about physiology? Don’t be afraid to ask! Call our “Ask-a-Physiologist” line at (301) 637-5634. Just leave your question as a voice mail and we’ll have one of our experts answer it. Direct download: Episode_10__Hydrogen_Sulfide__What_a_Gas.mp3 Category:podcasts -- posted at: 2:01 PM |
Mon, 5 May 2008
Segment 1: Warm body, cold heart: Barbara Block of Stanford University talks about her research with the bluefin tuna, one of the few fish species to have a warm body. You can see how marine animals are being tracked by going to www.topp.org. Segment 2: Longer, deeper: Andreas Fahlman of the University of British Columbia Marine Mammal Research Unit in Vancouver and Global Diving Research in Ontario explains the physiology that allows mammals such as sea lions to dive so much deeper and for such a long time, compared to humans. You can find a video showing the work of Dr. Fahlman and his colleagues at www.marinemammal.org/2007/fahlman.php and more is available at www.marinemammal.org/MMRU/. The theme music you hear at the beginning and end of the show, Body Notes, was composed by APS member Hector Rasgado-Flores and was performed by the San Diego Chamber Orchestra. Do you have a question about physiology? Don’t be afraid to ask! Call our “Ask-a-Physiologist” line at (301) 637-5634. Just leave your question as a voice mail and we’ll have one of our experts answer it. Direct download: Episode_9__Physiology_of_Marine_Animals.mp3 Category:podcasts -- posted at: 7:58 PM |
Sun, 6 April 2008
The theme music you hear at the beginning and end of the show, Body Notes, was composed by APS member Hector Rasgado-Flores and was performed by the San Diego Chamber Orchestra. Do you have a question about physiology? Don’t be afraid to ask! You can call our “Ask-a-Physiologist? line at (301) 637-5634. Just leave your question as a voice mail and we’ll have one of our experts answer it. Direct download: Episode_8__World_War_II_Aviation_Physiology.mp3 Category:podcasts -- posted at: 5:00 AM |
Mon, 31 March 2008
Nanoparticles, which are 1,000 times smaller than a bacterium, are being manufactured and incorporated into some commercial products such as cosmetics and clothing. While nanotechnology holds promise, there is little understanding of how these super small particles might affect us if they get inside our bodies. Two researchers from the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine will tell us about their research investigating the role these particles might play in disease. John Lieske will talk about his research on the role one nanoparticle may play in the development of kidney stones. And Virginia Miller will tell us about her work on a nanoparticle that may play a role in hardening of the arteries. Drs. Lieske and Miller will lead a symposium on this topic at the Experimental Biology Conference on Wednesday, April 8. The theme music you hear at the beginning and end of the show, Body Notes, was composed by APS member Hector Rasgado-Flores and was performed by the San Diego Chamber Orchestra. Do you have a question about physiology? Don’t be afraid to ask! You can call our “Ask-a-Physiologist” line at (301) 637-5634. Just leave your question as a voice mail and we’ll have one of our experts answer it. |
Tue, 18 March 2008
The APS has awarded Dr. Watts the Henry Pickering Bowditch Memorial Award for early-career achievement. The award goes to a scientist younger than 42 years whose accomplishments are original and outstanding. It is the Society's second-highest award. The theme music that you hear at the beginning and end of the program, Body Notes, was composed by APS member Hector Rasgado-Flores and performed by the San Diego Chamber Orchestra. Do you have a question about physiology? Don"t be afraid to ask! You can call our "Ask a Physiologist? line: (301) 637-5634. Direct download: Episode_6__The_Mystery_of_Serotonin__Hypertension_1.mp3 Category:podcasts -- posted at: 6:06 PM |
Wed, 27 February 2008
Dr. Vesely will present his research during a symposium at the Experimental Biology conference, which will take place in April in San Diego. The music you hear at the beginning and end of Life Lines is from Body Notes, composed by APS member Hector Rasgado-Flores and performed by the San Diego Chamber Orchestra. |
Tue, 22 January 2008
You can find a summary of the asthma study here. Direct download: Episode_4__Severe_Asthma_Video_Games_One_Physiology.mp3 Category:podcasts -- posted at: 8:11 PM |
Tue, 15 January 2008
The music you hear at the beginning and end of Life Lines is from Body Notes, composed by APS member Hector Rasgado-Flores and performed by the San Diego Chamber Orchestra. Direct download: Special_Episode__Hillarys_Contribution_to_Physiology.mp3 Category:podcasts -- posted at: 1:52 PM |
Fri, 14 December 2007
In this special holiday edition of the podcast, we’ll talk to Perry Barboza of the institute of arctic biology at the university of Alaska in Fairbanks and Lisa Leon of the U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine in Natick Massachusetts. |
Sun, 11 November 2007
In this episode of Life Lines, we speak with Todd Kuiken, a doctor at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago and a professor at Northwestern University, about his efforts to develop a prosthetic arm that responds directly to signals from the brain. He will describe his latest research, which appears in the Journal of Neurophysiology, published by the American Physiological Society. This segment begins at 1:41. In our 'Ask a Physiologist' section, we'll talk to Ken Storey of Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada, who will answer the question 'Can an animal freeze, then thaw out and live?' This segment begins at 9:23. In our final segment, APS Executive Director Martin Frank will talk to Jim Hicks of the University of California at Irvine about the uniquely structured alligator heart and the role it plays in digestion. This final segment begins at 18:34. Photo Credit: Journal of Neurophysiology To read a summary of the prosthetics study in the Journal of Neurophysiology, please click here. To find a press release on the study, please click here. |
Tue, 9 October 2007
Marshall Montrose tells us why the stomach doesn't digest itself. And finally, Greg Atkinson describes the benefits the afternoon nap may have for your heart. For the study abstract click here. The intro and outro music for the Life Lines podcast is from Body Notes, composed by Hector Rasgado-Flores and performed by the San Diego Chamber Orchestra. |



