How Basal Metabolic Rate Affects Thermoregulation in Cold-Stressed Mice

A recent study in PNAS provides new insight into how the brain regulates body temperature during dexmedetomidine sedation. The work centers on the locus coeruleus, a small norepinephrine‑producing region that plays a key role in arousal and sleep. By examining how this circuit responds during sedation with dexmedetomidine — a widely used ICU drug that induces a sleep‑lik...

Skeletal muscle contractions depend on a precise neurovascular response that ensures oxygen delivery meets metabolic demand. A critical process, known as functional sympatholysis—the attenuation of sympathetic vasoconstriction during exercise—supports blood pressure regulation and exercise tolerance. When this mechanism is impaired, oxygen delivery to muscles is reduced,...

Highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5) viruses remain a serious global health concern. They affect wild and domestic birds and are increasingly spilling over into mammals, including humans. Rapid antigenic changes make vaccine development and pandemic preparedness challenging, as traditional methods struggle to keep pace with emerging variants. To overcome this, researc...