Scientists discover why your appetite suddenly disappears when you’re sick Scientists have uncovered how your body actually tells your brain to stop eating when you’re sick. In a new study, researchers found that specialized cells in the gut detect parasites and send signals that ultimately trigger the brain to suppress appetite. This process builds over time, explaining why you may feel fine at first but then suddenly lose interest in food as an infection takes hold.

You feel awful and can't imagine eating a thing. But why? 🤢

New research shows how specialized cells in the gut detect parasites, sending the brain signals to suppress your appetite. More from ScienceDaily: https://ow.ly/CN4l50YCIas #ISpyPhysiology #FridayPhysiologyFact #GutHealth 🧪

That minty fresh feeling? Scientists now know how our bodies feel cold Scientists have finally pinned down the mechanism behind cold- and menthol-sensing proteins

Brrrr! 🥶

Scientists have pinpointed the protein that helps us sense cold stimuli. This could be an important step toward helping cancer chemotherapy patients with cold hypersensitivity.

Read more from Scientific American: https://ow.ly/zeib50YA3Cj #ISpyPhysiology #FridayPhysiologyFact 🧪

Life Lessons From (Very Old) Bowhead Whales A gene that helped bowheads adapt to frigid Arctic waters also granted them extraordinary longevity. Could it help aging humans become more resilient?

Bowhead whales can live 250+ years due largely to an ability to repair damaged DNA, research shows.

What can we learn from these massive mammals to help build resiliency as we age? Read more at The New York Times: https://ow.ly/9JNI50Yv2QJ #ISpyPhysiology #FridayPhysiologyFact #LongevityResearch 🧪

Music even makes you blink to the beat Rhythmic tunes trigger synchronized eyeblinks and automatic bopping or swaying, new research suggests

Let the music move you, indeed!

Research suggests music triggers involuntary blinking and other movements, helping inform which music is best for certain activities or even aiding Parkinson's patients. More at Scientific American: https://ow.ly/7yBW50YtyJ6 #ISpyPhysiology #FridayPhysiologyFact 🧪

Can’t Sleep? Turn On Some Tunes! - I Spy Physiology Blog You have probably struggled with falling asleep at some point in your life. When you don’t sleep well, you may feel less happy or experience reduced cognitive speed, otherwise known as “brain fog.” Chronic sleep deficiency increases the risk for depression, high blood pressure and the development of various diseases. Having trouble falling asleep or … Continue reading Can’t Sleep? Turn On Some Tunes!

Did you know you can improve sleep quality—and by extension your overall health—with music? 😴

Today is #WorldSleepDay, so get your lullaby on with this vintage #ISpyPhysiology blog post from APS member Allexia Galentine: https://ow.ly/q7o550YpN6w #FridayPhysiologyFact #SleepHealth #SleepScience 🧪

These cells in the body remember fat. Here’s what that means for weight loss Obesity leaves a lasting imprint on fat and immune cells in ways that might make weight regain harder to avoid

Can your body "remember" obesity?

New research shows certain cells in your body contain "memory" for lost weight that can make regaining those pounds easier. Read more from Scientific American: https://ow.ly/8Unf50YmHOw #ISpyPhysiology #FridayPhysiologyFact #ObesityResearch #ScienceTwitter 🧪

Is Jerky Good for You? The modern meat stick is often marketed as a healthier snack. We asked experts to help us sort out its pros and cons.

Jerky = Healthy Food?
That may be a stretch, but it does offer some benefits. For starters, it can be a handy source of protein and iron.

Snap into this The New York Times story for a closer look at jerky's health merits: https://ow.ly/WKcY50YirRa #FridayPhysiologyFact #ISpyPhysiology #Nutrition 🧪

The surprising benefits of standing on one leg Spending a few minutes each day balancing on a single limb can make you stronger, boost your memory and keep your brain healthier.

One simple exercise can improve your physical fitness and brain health—maybe even predict your risk of premature death.

Read more about the surprising benefits of...standing on one leg, from the BBC: https://ow.ly/j3MU50YeKLq #FridayPhysiologyFact #ISpyPhysiology #HealthTips 🧪

One Decade in Life Is More Exhausting Than The Rest, But There Is Good News Some of us remember having more energy in our 20s.

Oof, tired all the time? There’s one decade of life that’s way more exhausting than the rest.

The good news: it doesn’t last forever—and your energy can actually bounce back.

Read why (and when it gets better) from ScienceAlert: https://ow.ly/gkfK50Yc3Im #FridayPhysiologyFact #ISpyPhysiology 🧪

What do cooked rice, potatoes, oatmeal, lentils and green bananas have in common? They're good sources of resistant starch, which helps our "good" gut bacteria thrive. Learn why and what to eat in The Washington Post: https://ow.ly/keSY50Y8euQ #ISpyPhysiology #FridayPhysiologyFact 🧪

Why Does Mint Make Your Mouth Cold? A Scientist Explains The Strange Sensation You've just cleaned your teeth, you're feeling minty fresh and ready to climb into bed.

Why does your mouth feel cold (and minty fresh) after you've brushed your teeth? Because your brain is being tricked. Learn more from Science Alert: https://ow.ly/eWfq50Y3WAR #ISpyPhysiology #FridayPhysiologyFact 🧪

This 'marker' may be more predictive than cholesterol for heart disease C-reactive protein — a marker of inflammation — is as easily measured with blood work in a doctor’s office as cholesterol.

C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation, responds to infection, tissue damage or #autoimmune disease. Research suggests it might predict #HeartDisease better than our cholesterol levels. More in Live Science: https://ow.ly/wKif50Y0kan #ISpyPhysiology #FridayPhysiologyFact 🧪

Close-up of a person walking barefoot on a gravel path surrounded by green foliage in a natural outdoor setting.

Do you ever wonder why you can't wiggle just one toe at a time? (Did you even realize you can't?) Read more about the biomechanics in our feet and how your brain organizes the signals to help us move in Live Science: https://ow.ly/KbqO50XU7z0 #ISpyPhysiology #FridayPhysiologyFact 🧪
📷: iStock

Your morning coffee or dark chocolate indulgence may be doing more than you think. Theobromine in both is associated with slower cellular aging. Read more inThe Washington Post: https://ow.ly/GsnK50XSBYQ #ISpyPhysiology #FridayPhysiologyFact 🧪

Senior woman in a pink shirt lifting a kettlebell during a workout session indoors.

Resistance training helps your brain make chemicals that promote a younger, healthier brain. Read more (plus cited APS Publications AJP-Regu study https://ow.ly/91T750XL4La from Gretchen Reynolds The Washington Post: https://wapo.st/4afNDux #ISpyPhysiology #FridayPhysiologyFact 🧪
📷: iStock

Person wearing headphones and dancing while vacuuming a bright living room with a yellow sofa and large windows.

Put a little "oomph" into your chores and raise your heart rate. A few minutes of vigorous intermittent lifestyle physical activity (VILPA) can help offset the sitting many of us do. Read more from the BBC: https://ow.ly/bls150XGvT3 #ISpyPhysiology #FridayPhysiologyFact 🧪
📷: iStock

Close-up of a man's face with hands clasped together, blowing on fingers intertwined, wearing a dark jacket.

Most of the time, cold fingers and toes are nothing to worry about. They get cold because they're far away from your core. Keeping your whole body warm can help. Read more in The New York Times: https://ow.ly/Tn9050XAUEg #ISpyPhysiology #FridayPhysiologyFact 🧪
📷: iStock

Athlete in gray hoodie and neon green shoes squatting outdoors, holding a blue sports drink bottle during a workout break.

Are you refueling with every workout? Experts say most people undereat long runs but overfuel short ones. The sweet spot depends on duration and intensity. Learn more from The New York Times: https://ow.ly/Y5li50XrHAH #ISpyPhysiology #FridayPhysiologyFact 🧪
📷: iStock

Hands cutting various cheeses on a wooden board surrounded by wine glasses, olives, and a baguette on an outdoor table.

Want to boost your memory and brain power? Eat some cheese or a cup of yogurt. Research suggests these fermented dairy sources promote communication between the gut and brain. Read more from Newsweek: https://ow.ly/mIHF50XoyNh #ISpyPhysiology #FridayPhysiologyFact 🧪
📷: iStock

"Which Is Better, One Long Walk or Many Short Ones?" Check out the answer in The New York Times: https://ow.ly/Qs9w50XqgrW

#ISpyPhysiology #FridayPhysiologyFact 🧪 📷: iStock

"Which Is Better, One Long Walk or Many Short Ones?" Check out the answer in The New York Times: https://ow.ly/kVVq50XjjhP #ISpyPhysiology #FridayPhysiologyFact 🧪
📷: iStock

Two women walking along a sunlit park path surrounded by green trees and city buildings in the background.

"Which Is Better, One Long Walk or Many Short Ones?" Check out the answer in The New York Times: https://ow.ly/kVVq50XjjhP #ISpyPhysiology #FridayPhysiologyFact 🧪
📷: iStock

🦇How do vampire bats get the energy to find their next meal? One lab set out to find the answer. Read more in The New York Times: https://ow.ly/6nmr50X4AI3 #ISpyPhysiology #ComparativePhysiology #Halloween #FridayPhysiologyFact #HalloweenCountdown CC: Ken Welch 🧪
📷: iStock

White disposable coffee cup with a brown cardboard sleeve on a wooden table against a dark background.

What kind of coffee is healthiest? What should you put in it for the best health boost? Read the science behind your morning cup in The Washington Post: https://ow.ly/Fb2f50XbYlF #ISpyPhysiology #FridayPhysiologyFact 🧪

Couples practicing ballroom dance in a brightly lit studio with purple accents on the walls.

Art, music, dance and other creative activities may boost your brain health. What hobby will you pick up to stay healthy? Read more from Nature Communications https://ow.ly/3i4V50X8HhO #ISpyPhysiology #FridayPhysiologyFact 🧪

Adult pushing a stroller with a child dressed in warm clothing on a busy city street with pedestrians in the background. Both are wearing face masks.

Air pollution might do more than harm our heart and lungs—it could cause nearsightedness in our kids too. Learn more in The Washington Post: https://wapo.st/42rLYgR #ISpyPhysiology #FridayPhysiologyFact 🧪

Six colorful weighted vests arranged in two rows on a light green background, each with adjustable straps and buckles.

Do you wear a weighted vest when you walk? Should you? See what experts are saying about this trend. Read more in Time Magazine: https://ow.ly/imgz50X0XrN #ISpyPhysiology #FridayPhysiologyFact #WeightVest 🧪

A yellow measuring tape lies stretched out on a wood counter or table.

In today’s world of weight loss drugs, the flip side is less discussed: people who struggle to gain weight. Here’s what science says about those who are “constitutionally thin”: ow.ly/CcZv50X0RX3 @livescience.com #ISpyPhysiology #FridayPhysiologyFact 🧪

Two professional soccer players in front of a goal. One is on the ground in pain while the other holds his outstretched leg.

When we get a muscle cramp, we tend to think we're dehydrated or need more of a certain nutrient. You probably never thought that our exercise surfaces play a role. But they can. Learn more from @livescience.com: ow.ly/mjaW50WX90w #ISpyPhysiology #FridayPhysiologyFact 🧪

An older with white hair and glasses holds a toddler on his lap. They are both smiling.

Science says grandkids aren’t just joy—they may boost your health too. Lower stress, sharper minds and a longer life are among the benefits. Read more in Time: ow.ly/A3FK50WUNbz #ISpyPhysiology #FridayPhysiologyFact 🧪