Medical research

Understanding the role of octopamine in neurodegeneration

Northwestern Medicine scientists have discovered how octopamine, the major "fight-or-flight" neurotransmitter in invertebrates, communicates with other cells in mammalian brains to prevent cell death, according to a study ...

Oncology & Cancer

Cellular 'waste product' rejuvenates cancer-fighting immune cells

A new study by UT Southwestern's Simmons Cancer Center scientists suggests that lactate, a metabolic byproduct produced by cells during strenuous exercise, can rejuvenate immune cells that fight cancer. The finding, published ...

Biomedical technology

Sensor monitors disease severity by rapidly measuring lactate levels

Scientists have developed a prototype sensor that could help doctors rapidly measure adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and lactate levels in blood samples from patients, aiding in the rapid assessment of the severity of some diseases.

Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes

Fresh hope for improving treatments for deadly lung disease

Tuberculosis (TB) is still one of the biggest infectious killers in the world. Multiple drug resistant (MDR) TB has become a global health emergency, an emerging European crisis, and an important Irish public health concern. ...

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Lactation

Lactation describes the secretion of milk from the mammary glands and the period of time that a mother lactates to feed her young. The process occurs in all female mammals, however it predates mammals. In humans the process of feeding milk is called breastfeeding or nursing. In most species milk comes out of the mother's nipples; however, the platypus (a non-placental mammal) releases milk through ducts in its abdomen. In only one species of mammal, the Dayak fruit bat, is milk production a normal male function. In some other mammals, the male may produce milk as the result of a hormone imbalance. This phenomenon may also be observed in newborn infants as well (for instance witch's milk).

Galactopoiesis is the maintenance of milk production. This stage requires prolactin (PRL) and oxytocin.

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