Attendees strike a pose at the 2024 American Physiology Summit. The American Physiology Summit, the annual meeting of the American Physiological Society (APS), took place last week in Long Beach, California. The gathering brought together more than 3,000 scientists, exhibitors and staff to explore the science behind the biggest issues impacting life and health—and to have some fun in the process. Social media helped conference attendees spread excitement about their science, meetups with colleagues and friends, and more. APS member Vernon Ruffin, PhD, CEO and principal investigator at the Ruff ..read more

American Physiology Summit attendees attend the poster reception in April 2023. Scientists who study physiology are gathering in Long Beach, California, this week for the 2024 American Physiology Summit—a conference dedicated to sharing discoveries on the cutting-edge of bioscience. Studies highlighted at the Summit span from racial differences in small artery disease in prostate cancer patients to feeding prebiotics to astronauts. Research to be presented at the meeting includes uncovering where gymnasts are most likely to experience tendon injuries, helping older people stay cool in a heat w ..read more

American Physiology Summit attendees at the 2023 meeting. The American Physiological Society’s (APS) inaugural meeting, the American Physiology Summit, was a resounding success last year! With more than 3,100 attendees, 1,800 submitted abstracts, scores of scientific sessions and esteemed lecturers, the physiology community is gearing up for even more in 2024. For members, meeting attendees, industry partners and staff, the excitement of the Summit boils down to one main goal: celebrating science. Scientists from all branches of physiology come together at the event to share their stellar scie ..read more

Credit: Yoko Wang In recent years, the vagus nerve has become more well-known than ever before, as it has become a golden target for many chronic disease therapies. What is the vagus nerve? And what does it do, and why is it so important to our health? For centuries, the vagus nerve (also called the cranial nerve X or 10th cranial nerve) has been an epicenter in medical research. From the work of Galen, a Greek physician and philosopher in the second century, scientists first discovered the existence of the vagus nerve as one of the 12 cranial nerves in the autonomic nervous system. (A cranial ..read more

Credit: iStock High heels—whether it’s an ultra-slim stiletto, a chunky block heel or a versatile wedge—have been making a fashion statement since the 16th century. King Louis XIV of France popularized wearing heels for men and women a couple of centuries later. If you don’t wear heels regularly, you may wonder how people who do are able to walk (or run) so easily while their feet are in an overly arched position (imagine pointing your toes like a ballet dancer). The “Barbie” movie pokes some fun at the idea of a permanently arched foot when Barbie slips out of her shoes and her foot position ..read more

Credit: iStock Peripheral arterial disease, also called peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a disease that affects the blood vessels in the limbs. Roughly 6.5 million people age 40 and older in the U.S. have PAD. This number is expected to increase due to the number of people with diabetes, which is a major risk factor for PAD. PAD develops from a buildup of fatty deposits in the blood vessels (called atherosclerosis). Atherosclerosis narrows the blood vessels and leads to a decrease in blood flow and oxygen to the muscles. People with PAD often experience leg pain in their calves when they wal ..read more

Credit: iStock Atherosclerosis, a disease that affects the large vessels of the body and typically progresses over time, is one of the major causes of heart attack and stroke. It begins with the development of fatty streaks in the blood vessels, which can start forming as early as childhood. Compounds that cause inflammation (including cholesterol and fat) infiltrate the inner layers of the arteries and lead to the development of these fatty streaks. A cascade then starts in which the body produces cells that cause more inflammation. Over time—sometimes decades—this inflammatory cascade leads ..read more

Credit: iStock In physiology research, the term “placebo effect” refers to the positive effects that result from our perception of something being healthy. For example, exercise benefits our health, but just knowing exercise is good for us may also enhance its benefits. There’s also a phenomenon known as the “nocebo effect”—negative effects that happen when we expect something to be harmful. The nocebo effect may be relevant when it comes to what we eat and how it affects our body. Studies have shown that eating foods high in fat and sugar can impair our blood vessel function. While this might ..read more

Credit: iStock The International Day of Women and Girls in Science is on February 11. While women have long been hidden from the scientific history books, influential figures—Hedy Lamarr, Katherine Johnson and Rosalind Franklin to name a few—are becoming more and more celebrated in mainstream media for their work. Yet, women and girls are still not an equal focus in the world of science. Girls are not encouraged enough to pursue careers within STEM fields. A 2019 survey found that just 9% of teenage girls were interested in STEM careers. Another reported that though 74% of girls expressed inte ..read more

Credit: iStock Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)—otherwise known as blood clots in the legs—is a potentially dangerous condition. It interrupts blood flow and can become life-threatening, especially if the clot travels to your lungs. DVT was mainly associated with older people who don’t move around much or those who travel on long flights. But today, DVT is becoming a diagnosis medical professionals are seeing more often in a particular group of people—video gamers. Gamers have almost twice as much risk of having blood clots as nongamers. Market research showed that in 2020, 75% of people in the U.S ..read more