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biological clock

Image shows diagram of circadian rhythm.

·October 3, 2017·7 min read

2017 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine Awarded to Circadian Rhythm Researchers

Yesterday, the Nobel Assembly at the Karolinska Institute announced the 2017 Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine is to be awarded jointly to Jeffrey C. Hall, Michael Rosbash and Michael W. Young for their work unraveling the molecular mechanisms behind circadian rhythm.

Featured Neuroscience

·February 29, 2016·2 min read

Biological Clocks Orchestrate Behavioral Rhythms by Sending Signals Downstream

A new study report different groups of neurons program our circadian clocks to orchestrate behavior by sending messages in a unidirectional manner downstream.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·January 10, 2012·3 min read

Disruption of Biological Clocks Causes Neurodegeneration, Early Death

New research at Oregon State University provides evidence for the first time that disruption of circadian rhythms – the biological...

This fMRI shows the activity during deep sleep and wakefulness.

Featured Psychology

·June 27, 2013·4 min read

Helping SAD Sufferers Sleep Soundly

A new study shows sufferers of seasonally affective disorder (SAD), like insomniacs, report sleep patterns incorrectly due to depression.

Featured Neuroscience

·September 16, 2015·4 min read

How a Late Night Caffeine Fix Delays the Human Circadian Clock

A new study reports drinking caffeine during the evening delays the internal body clock by 40 minutes.

Featured Neuroscience

·September 29, 2015·5 min read

How Neuropsin Allows The Retina to Set its Own Biological Rhythm

A new study sheds light on how the retina sets its own biological rhythm using a novel light-sensitive pigment called neuropsin.

This diagram shows how night shift alters dna and increases cancer risk

Brain Cancer Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·March 8, 2021·6 min read

How Night Shift Work Increases Cancer Risk

Night-shifts destroy the natural 24-hour biological rhythm in the activity of certain cancer-related genes, resulting in more vulnerability to DNA damage and causing a mistiming in the DNA repair mechanisms in shift workers.

Featured Neuroscience

·July 9, 2018·4 min read

How Shift Work Disrupts Metabolism

Researchers report metabolic disruptions often seen in shift workers are not influenced by the brain's circadian rhythm, but by peripheral oscillators in the liver, gut and pancreas.

Diagram illustrating the influence of dark-light rhythms on circadian rhythms and related physiology and behavior.

Featured Neuroscience

·June 18, 2013·4 min read

Key Protein is Linked to Circadian Clocks, Helps Regulate Metabolism

A new study reveals how the production of p75NTR protein oscillates in time with the body's natural circadian rhythm and how these oscillations help regulate vital metabolic functions. The findings offer an insight into how circadian rhythm helps maintain the body's overall metabolic health.