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When mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) age, the transcription factor GATA6 is increasingly produced in the cell to induce aging response; by transcription factor-based cellular reprogramming, aged MSCs are rejuvenated with a reduction in GATA6 effects on cellular aging. Image credit: AlphaMed Press.

Scientists Identify Gene Responsible for Aging of Human Cells

Dec 1, 2020 by News Staff

A gene called GATA6 (GATA binding protein 6) regulates aging of human mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs), according to new research from the University...

Gratton et al. show that flavanol intake leads to faster and greater brain oxygenation responses to hypercapnia, as well as higher performance only when cognitive demand is high. Image credit: Ally J.

Study: Cocoa Flavanols Can Improve Cognition and Brain Oxygenation

Nov 30, 2020 by News Staff

In a study published in the journal Scientific Reports, researchers have demonstrated that consumption of cocoa flavanols can improve efficiency in blood...

Guarana et al. investigated the effects of blue-light filtration on broad attitudinal and behavioral outcomes, i.e. work engagement, organizational citizenship behavior, and counterproductive work behavior. Image credit: Alexandr Borecký.

Study: Blue-Light Filtering Glasses Improve Sleep Quantity and Quality, Workday Productivity

Oct 15, 2020 by News Staff

Wearing blue-light filtering glasses before sleeping creates a form of physiologic darkness, thus improving both sleep quantity and quality, and is related...

The study sheds new light on the link between sleep deprivation and obesity. Image credit: Sweet Briar College.

New Research Illuminates Dominant Functions of Sleep and How They Change Through Our Lives

Sep 22, 2020 by News Staff

Before the age of 2 or 3 years, the human brain grows very rapidly and, during REM sleep, is busy building and strengthening synapses. After 2 or 3 years,...

Humans can smell in stereo. Image credit: Petra Pezibear.

Humans Navigate with Stereo Sense of Smell

Jun 30, 2020 by Enrico de Lazaro

Humans have a stereo sense of smell that subconsciously guides navigation, according to new research from the Institute of Psychology of the Chinese Academy...

Fjaeldstad & Fernandes provide the first evidence of how coffee impacts short-term taste sensitivity and consequently the way we sense and perceive food following coffee consumption, an important insight in the context of gastronomy as well as in chemosensory testing procedures. Image credit: Katie175.

Coffee Alters Perception of Taste, New Study Shows

Apr 21, 2020 by News Staff

A new study by Aarhus University researchers demonstrates that coffee — regular or decaffeinated — alters the subsequent perception of taste,...

Edwards et al evaluated the influence of avocado consumption on cognitive function and lutein status among adults with overweight and obesity using a randomized-controlled trial with matching design for pertinent study outcomes. Image credit: Sandid.

Avocado Consumption Improves Ability to Focus Attention in Overweight, Obese Adults: Study

Mar 16, 2020 by News Staff

Daily avocado intake over 12 weeks improved the ability to focus attention and increased concentrations of lutein among adults with overweight and obesity,...

Ingestion of a prebiotic diet improves undisturbed NREM sleep, promotes REM sleep rebound after stress exposure, and prevents stress-induced reductions in gut microbial alpha diversity. Image credit: Sabrina Ripke.

Dietary Prebiotics Can Improve Sleep and Fight Stress: Study

Mar 4, 2020 by News Staff

Dietary prebiotics can improve sleep and boost stress resilience by influencing gut bacteria and metabolites (biologically active molecules) they produce,...

Tart cherry concentrate in juice or powdered form, ingested for 7 days to 1.5 hours before exercise performance testing, significantly improved endurance exercise performance. Image credit: Cherry Industry Administrative Board.

Tart Cherry Concentrate Has Significant Benefit for Endurance Exercise Performance

Feb 21, 2020 by News Staff

Tart cherry concentrate may enhance endurance exercise performance via its low glycemic index, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative capacity, and blood...

Protsiv et al determined that average human body temperature in the United States has decreased since the 1800s. Image credit: Vicki4net.

Study: Average Human Body Temperature in U.S. Has Decreased Since 1800s

Jan 16, 2020 by News Staff

Scientists at the Stanford University School of Medicine have found that men born in the United States in the early 19th century had temperatures 0.59...

Wittfeld et al support the hypothesis that higher cardiorespiratory fitness is associated with larger brain volumes in several brain regions that are not primarily connected to motor-related functions. Image credit: Mabel Amber.

Study: Cardiorespiratory Exercise Improves Brain Health, Decelerates Decline in Gray Matter

Jan 3, 2020 by News Staff

A new study, published in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings, provides evidence of an association between cardiorespiratory fitness — which refers to the...

Playing sports has many benefits, including boosting physical, cardiovascular, and mental fitness. Image credit: Mike Kaplan / U.S. Air Force photo.

Athletes Have Quieter Brains, New Research Shows

Dec 10, 2019 by News Staff

Playing sports — including football, soccer and hockey — increases the gain of the external sound signal by turning down the background noise...

An anatomical illustration from Sobotta's Human Anatomy, 1908, shows the structure of a human brain. Image credit: Dr Johannes Sobotta.

New Study Reveals Key Component in Neurophysiology of Sleep

Nov 7, 2019 by News Staff

A new study, led Boston University researchers, shows that slow oscillating neural activity during non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep triggers waves of...

McMaster undergraduate student Ronald Perinpanayagam works with one of the seniors who participated in the study. Image credit: Paulina Rzeczkowska.

High-Intensity Aerobic Exercise Enhances Memory in Older Adults

Nov 6, 2019 by News Staff

High-intensity interval training results in the greatest memory performance in inactive older adults compared to moderate training or stretching, according...

Nguyen et al examined the effect of an acute but moderate prenatal alcohol exposure on glucose metabolism, lipid levels and dietary preference in adolescent and/or adult rat offspring. Image credit: Bridgesward.

Even Small Amounts of Alcohol during Pregnancy Can Cause Insulin Resistance in Male Offspring

Oct 15, 2019 by News Staff

‘Special occasion drinking’ during pregnancy could cause insulin resistance, which increases the likelihood of diabetes, in male offspring, suggests...

JAXA astronaut Aki Hoshide, ISS Expedition 32 flight engineer, taking a space selfie during extravehicular activity on September 5, 2012, with the Sun behind him. Image credit: NASA.

Long-Duration Spaceflight Alters Brain Connectivity: Study

Aug 20, 2019 by News Staff

An international team of scientists has found alterations of task-based functional brain connectivity in a group of astronauts after a long-duration spaceflight....

Before-bedtime bathing can significantly increase your chances of getting a good night’s rest. Image credit: Michelle Maria.

Bathing One-Two Hours before Bedtime Can Improve Sleep, New Review Says

Jul 23, 2019 by News Staff

Bathing 1-2 hours before bedtime in water of about 104-108.5 degrees Fahrenheit (40-42.5 degrees Celsius) can significantly improve the quality and efficiency...

Resveratrol May Protect against Muscle Atrophy Induced by Martian Gravity

Jul 19, 2019 by News Staff

In a study done in rats, a moderate daily dose of resveratrol — a natural antioxidant found in more than 70 species of plants such as grapes, cranberries,...

Nighttime exposure to blue light causes glucose intolerance in diurnal rodents, with a stronger effect in males when they were fed high caloric diet. Image credit: Nicholas Robb.

Nighttime Exposure to Blue Light Increases Sugar Consumption, Animal Study Finds

Jul 10, 2019 by News Staff

Nocturnal exposure to light containing short wavelength emissions (450-500 nm) — the kind of light produced by the screens of many devices —...