Most of us are familiar with the unpleasant changes to our mood, and our ability to think, even after a single sleepless night. An alarming fact is that up to 50% of adults worldwide are estimated to regularly skimp on sleep. Sleep ensures proper brain function,... click to read more

During pregnancy, a variety of complex processes are orchestrated to develop healthy tissues and organs of the developing fetus. Although there are buffering mechanisms that prevent development from being disturbed, some factors could lead to malformations. These factors are known as teratogens. Some pathogens causing... click to read more

When feeling stressed or nervous, you notice the pounding heart, pale face, and dry mouth – fundamental autonomic responses to psychological stress.  Stress responses are conserved in many mammalian species and thought to be beneficial for wild animals, such as when they encounter their enemies. ... click to read more

Macrophages are found in essentially all tissues. Kupffer cells are in the liver, alveolar macrophages are in the lungs, monocytes are in bone marrow and blood, and microglia are in the brain and spinal cord - and the list goes on. The brain and spinal cord,... click to read more

The function of sleep is still elusive despite the well-known effects of sleep loss or poor-quality sleep on cognitive function and long-term health. When and how long animals (including humans) sleep is determined by, on the one hand, their internal circadian clock, which aligns physiology... click to read more