EMBARGOED
FOR RELEASE UNTIL APRIL 7, 2008
Contact: Donna Krupa
Office: (301) 634-7209
dkrupa@the-aps.org
New Scientific Discoveries
Among Highlights Of The 121st Annual Meeting Of The American
Physiological Society (APS)
SAN DIEGO, CA— Physiology is about how the components
of life – molecules, cells, tissues and organs – work (or don’t work) to
cause health or disease. The members of the American Physiological Society (APS;
www.the-aps.org/press) have specialized in this area of scientific
discovery since the APS was founded in 1887. Having once used gas light to
conduct their research and the telegraph to transmit their findings, today’s
physiologists work in state-of-the-art labs and use the Internet and wikis
to discuss new developments.
This year marks the 121st annual gathering where
members discuss their work. Some 11,000 researchers, exhibitors, and other
scientists will attend the conference, which is part of the Experimental
Biology meeting being held at the San Diego Convention Center from April
5-9, 2008.
Highlights of New Research
Conference highlights from this year’s meeting including the
following new studies:
 INGREDIENT
FOUND IN GREEN TEA SIGNIFICANTLY INHIBITS BREAST CANCER GROWTH IN FEMALE
MICE – Green tea is high in the antioxidant EGCG (epigallocatechin-3-
gallate) which helps prevent the
body’s cells from becoming damaged and prematurely aged. Studies have
suggested that the combination of green tea and EGCG may also be
beneficial by providing protection against certain types of cancers,
including breast cancer. A new study conducted by researchers at the
University of Mississippi finds that consuming EGCG
significantly inhibits breast tumor growth in female mice. These results
bring us one step closer to better understanding the disease and potentially
new and naturally occurring therapies.
 EXERCISE
DURING PREGNANCY LEADS TO A HEALTHIER HEART IN MOMS- AND BABIES-TO-BE
– Studies have shown that exercise has a positive effect on
mothers-to-be, and no detrimental impact on their developing offspring. A
new study finds that not only do women benefit from exercise in pregnancy,
their fetuses do too.
 ENDOMETRIOSIS
WORSENED BY UNCONTROLLABLE STRESS – Endometriosis is a poorly understood
condition that incapacitates and affects the productivity and lifestyle of
millions of women around the world. In the US, it affects approximately six
million women and adolescents at a cost of some $1.6 billion per year. A
new study investigating the relationship between stress and the painful
symptoms of the disease is currently underway. It offers, for the first
time, evidence of the negative consequences of stress in the progression of
endometriosis, most likely through an effect on the immune system.
 WHERE
COLLEGE STUDENTS LIVE CAN IMPACT THEIR WEIGHT, EATING AND EXERCISE HABITS -
The first year of college is often associated with the “freshman 15,” a
reference to the 15 pounds that female college freshman are alleged to gain
during the first year of higher education. The causes of the freshman 15
range from stress-related over-eating to excessive consumption of alcohol. A
new study of female freshman dorm residents adds a new perspective to this
phenomenon, finding that those who avail themselves of school housing
consume significantly higher numbers of calories and more sugar and — unlike
their off-campus counterparts — engage in higher levels of calorie-curbing
physical activity.
 BACKPACK
STRAPS CAN DECREASE BLOOD FLOW IN THE SHOULDER AND ARM – In some
professions – such as the military, firefighting and mountain rescue – the
load of a backpack may equal as much as 60 percent of adult body weight. A
new study finds that even light loads (26 pounds) can decrease upper
extremity blood flow and may result in a loss of fine motor control and
increased fatigue.
 FOR
SOME WHO HAVE LOST THEIR SENSE OF SMELL, A ONCE POPULAR ASTHMA DRUG COULD BE
JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED – Despite the fact that millions of
Americans are believed to have lost their sense of smell no effective method
exists to treat many of these people. That is due in part to the fact that
the causes of smell loss are varied and complex, ranging from chronic
allergies, viral infection, head injury, or no apparent reason at all. Some
seven percent of Americans have lost their sense of smell and with it their
ability to enjoy the fragrance of flowers, foods and beverages. For
individuals whose smell loss relates to the biochemistry of two common
proteins, there is some good news. A team of researchers has found that a
drug used long ago to help asthmatics can benefit some with smell loss.
 NEW
STUDY FINDS ANTICIPATING A LAUGH REDUCES OUR STRESS HORMONES
– Researchers investigating the interaction between the
brain, behavior, and the immune system found in 2006 that simply
anticipating a mirthful laughter experience boosted health-protecting
hormones. Now, two years later, the same researchers have found that the
anticipation of a positive humorous laughter experience also reduces
potentially detrimental stress hormones.
 TREATMENT
WITH AN ANTI-PSYCHOTIC DRUG FOUND TO CAUSE CHANGES IN METABOLISM EARLIER
THAN EXPECTED – Schizophrenia is a complex kind of psychotic mental
illness characterized by thoughts that are uncoupled from reality. While
enormous gains in the effective treatment of these individuals have been
achieved through the use of antipsychotic drugs, the medications have side
effects. Researchers have created a new animal model that allows them to
explore the sequence of some drugs’ early effect in an effort to optimize
them for treatment.
 NEW
STUDY FINDS ADVERSE EFFECTS OF ESTROGEN REPLACEMENT THERAPY (ERT) ARE
RELATED TO THE DOSE – Recent clinical trials indicate that estrogen
replacement therapy (ERT) may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
A new study in mice has examined whether adverse effects of ERT are related
to the doses used. The study found that moderate and high doses of ERT
increased problems in the kidney and heart. These results suggest that ERT
dosage may be an important determinant in a woman’s overall health.
Physiology
is the study of how molecules, cells, tissues and organs function to create
health or disease. The American Physiological Society (APS;
www.The-APS.org/press) has been an integral part of this discovery
process since it was established in 1887.
# # #
NOTE TO EDITORS: The APS annual meeting is part
of the Experimental Biology 2008 (EB ’08) gathering and will be held April
5-9, 2008 at the San Diego, CA Convention Center. To receive press releases
about the above studies please contact Donna Krupa at 301.634.7209 (office),
703.967.2751 (cell) or
DKrupa@the-APS.org.
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