Physiology

Recent articles

Research image showing resting-state functional connectivity in the human red nucleus.

‘Ancient’ brainstem structure evolved beyond basic motor control

The human red nucleus may also help coordinate action, reward and motivated behavior, a new study suggests.

By Sydney Wyatt
16 May 2025 | 5 min read
Illustration of a mouse melting in front of a fan.

To beat the heat, hypothalamus neurons in mice ramp up their firing

The uptick may help the rodents acclimate to temperature hikes and keep their cool.

By Calli McMurray
11 December 2024 | 7 min read
A squirrel sleeps on the ground with its toe in its mouth.

Rousing a ‘new era’ of hibernation research

Novel applications of neuroscience tools have enabled researchers to uncover the neural controls of an extreme biological trait.

By Shaena Montanari
8 November 2024 | 9 min read
Research image of neurons in the nucleus of the mouse solitary tract.

Cell population in brainstem coordinates cough, new study shows

The work also adds to a growing body of evidence showing that mice, and their genetic toolbox, can be used to study cough.

By Calli McMurray
6 September 2024 | 5 min read
A man walks a dromedary camel down an outdoor walkway.

Temperature tunes circadian timing in some desert mammals

Light has hogged all the attention in chronobiology research—but now, in camel, goat and mole rat experiments, temperature takes the lead.

By Calli McMurray
28 June 2024 | 5 min read
Research image of neurons in the rat olfactory bulb.

Neurons in rat olfactory bulb ‘feel the pulse’

Mechanical receptors can detect intracranial pressure changes caused by blood flow, which enables neurons to synchronize with the heartbeat.

By Calli McMurray
26 March 2024 | 6 min read

Explore more from The Transmitter

Research image of neurons with variants of the KCNQ2 gene (bottom row) developing more synaptic protein groups (pink and blue) than control neurons (top row).

ADSI, leucovorin, autism registry; and more

Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 6 October.

By Jill Adams
7 October 2025 | 2 min read
A drosophila connectome.

One year of FlyWire: How the resource is redefining Drosophila research

We asked nine neuroscientists how they are using FlyWire data in their labs, how the connectome has transformed the field and what new tools they would like to see in the future.

By Francisco J. Rivera Rosario
7 October 2025 | 19 min listen
Research image of axons forming a path into brain metastases of small-cell lung cancer, integrating tumors into the brain.

Neurons fuel lung tumors that have spread to brain

Functional synapses between brain cells and cancer cells are key to the metastatic growth, according to new findings from two independent teams.

By Sarah DeWeerdt
6 October 2025 | 7 min listen

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