Anatomy, Physiology and Neuroscience

I've always found that nearly-scalding hot water is brings the best and longest-lasting relief from itching, but I realized my explanation for it (that it "fries the nerves for a while") was unscientific, and I really have no idea how it works. Looking into it, I discovered that the whole phenomenon of itching seems to be very poorly understood. Can anyone give a decent account of the mechanism, and answer why heat (and for that matter, scratching) brings relief?

So, I realize that sounds kooky, but, I'm not sure how to describe my vision. When I was in 4th grade and the concept of atoms was first introduced, I drove my teacher crazy after I raised my hand and said I could see atoms. She asked where, and I pointed to her right, and she whirled to look, then I pointed to my left, and she whirled to look again, and then I realized everyone thought I was joking and I played it off as such. But, the thing is, I'm not joking....I don't actually think they are atoms, but I'm at a loss at how to describe them. It's akin to seeing the pixels on your computer screen- you see them, but mainly you just look past them to see what it is yo…

I know that there is a small amount of electricity is in the brain, but how much? And how much can the brain withstand?

The battle of theories in cell physiology: http://ru.youtube.com/watch?v=cuvoGbD5h3g http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5738571587308679039

How much of an affect can stress have on the brain? To what extent can it cause a decrease in intelligence? When we are at a time where we are feeling stressed or angry our adrenal glands release cortisol. Having cortisol released for long periods of time has been known to damage the hippocampus of the brain making it more difficult to form the type of memories associated with it, and therefore reduce IQ levels. So, my question is how much of an affect can be seen when cortisol is released for a specific period (you can choose how specific, generally the more specific the better)? Does the release of cortisol cause other damage to brain structures? Can this be fixed?

Hi all, apologies for this being my first post, and an uneducated one at that. I'm not entirely sure this is in the right part of the forum but I hope so! As far as I'm aware, the main role of insulin is it's part in control of glucose metabolism. But of course it has many other roles. What I'm curious about is these many other roles. Does anyone know what they are briefly? I'm particularly interested in any role insulin plays in the transport and uptake of 'nutrients' into cells (not counting glucose). Reason being, I've spoken with quite a few 'low carb weight lifting buffs' recently who are convinced that taking insulin in a sugar/insulin mixture to…

I understand that hyperventilation increases the rate of CO2 leaving the body causing the blood to become more basic. During anarobic exersize lactic acid is produced, so i was wondering if they have an affect each other if done at the same time? I have googled all sorts of things related and no luck.

Both of these symptoms result from damage to the auditory nerves. I have had these two since 2002. Recently I have stopped listening to music, stopped listening to the TV, and stopped using the telephone, in addition to avoiding loud noises, and the symptoms seem to be diminishing. Has anyone ever known of a case as mine? Is this gradual diminishing real or simply a temporary illusion?

what is the reason that the potassium leaky channels do not close?They remain open all the time,during resting membrane potential and even during action potential.

Hi, I do not really know where else to find out the answer to this question. A friend of mine told me that runway models have a particularly high incidents of being pseudohermaphrodites, and I do not know if there is any validity at all in this claim (she is trying to say that this is why they are so much less "curvy" than real women, and thus given women an unrealistic view of what is possible). Anyway, any links, sources to verify this claim would be greatly appriciated. Sorry for the unconventional question

Where would I go to research the types of molecules that can be delivered to the bloodstream via inhalation? I would welcome suggestions about commonly available textbooks or informational websites. Research papers are proving somewhat unhelpful, although if there is one dealing with this, I would appreciate links. Thanks.

From what I know, early humans were gatherers and their diet was mostly fruit. At what point fire got into the mixture and some foods were needed to be boiled/cooked/burned? What happens if not cooked? Take peanuts or potatoes as example; how nutritive/edible are they raw against cooked in comparison to other nuts/roots eaten raw ? Is it true yams are very poisonous raw?

i wanted to know if applying hair oil improves the growth of hair and if so how does it help in the growth of hair ?

I read recently that it is possible that if a person does not drink enough water over a long period of time (I'm not talking about "dying of thirst" dehydration, just much less than the recommended amount of water) it can lead to symptoms which mimic that of medical conditions involving an enlarged prostate, specifically urinary retention and difficulty urinating (i.e. having to strain.) I just can't figure out what not drinking enough could have to do with urinary retention, I mean if you don't drink a lot you obviously won't have to go to the bathroom as often, but I'm stymied as to how it would cause enlarged prostate symptoms, the only thing I could think of is t…

are human beings the only species that knowledgeably commit suicide?

Hi im new here, so please feel free to move this as needed. About me. I'm a use of force instructor by trade and I am currently re writing training manuals. I have a question relating to science vs fiction WRT muscle memory vs the amount of reps required to learn a new skill and it relationship to the central nervous systyem and the subconscious mind. Much as been written in the police world about how many reps it takes to learn a skill. Id like to get some actual science on this rather than just speculation. The current theroy is between 3000 to 5000 reps before the skill is in the "muscle" Any thoughts would be welcome, but please im looking for the …

Study the anatomy of the human body. It’s fun, interactive, and an ideal reference site for students or those who just want to know more about the medical descriptions used by doctors and nurses.

Well, my grandmother has Alzheimer's, and after reading about it I can't really figure out why there isn't a cure for it yet. I have a general idea of what Alzheimer's is, and you could say that I'm very familiar with the symptoms. I believe my grandmother is in the 'moderate dementia' stage (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alzheimers#Characteristics), so it's probably a little late for her but if there was a cure, how long would it take to have effect? This obviously isn't organized very well, so I'll just write out my questions. 1. Why isn't there a cure? From what I've read it doesn't sound as untreatable as, say, AIDS. 2. If there was a cure that was administer…

Something that i've been thinking alot about lately is why do we actually need sleep?! What is its purpose? I ask this question knowing that obviously sleep is when we conserve energy so to speak, but what I'm wondering is why do we need this? I mean surely we are still active when we sleep i.e. dreaming and still using energy in order to stay alive i.e. vital organs still functioning...I guess i'm just curious! Elle

...annoys me. About two years ago, a friend told me about her experiences with this. I attempted to make some deduction, and did some research, but no diagnosis seemed to fit the symptoms conclusively. I've had similar experiences recently, so I'll try to describe them and if anyone knows what it might be, that'd be neat-o. So, it happens... when I'm asleep, in the early stages of sleep, or sometimes when I'm just unconscious - or at least not aware of anything (a sort of spacing-out I do). I become conscious, aware of myself; but I still feel unreal..? I can't move my body, or speak. Every time it happens I believe I'm going to die, or am dying. I f…

Hi. I have questions regarding the procedure about this experiment. About the part where after placing a drop in each tube containg different concentration of salt solutions, the tubes were allowed to stand for 2 hours at room temp? My question is why was it allowed to stand for 2 hours? Is it because it takes 2 hours for water to enter or exit the cell? are there other answers? thank you very much.. And why is it at room temp?

Hi. Hair turns gray or grows grey? I have not seen dark hair at the older top end and grey at the newer bottom; or does it happen? If grey hair never has a dark top section; does it mean that it grows grey from the 'new' start ? Then, if it grows from the scalp as grey, it has to be from a follicle that previously lost its dark hair to the root, right ?

normally we study that there is 3 constrictions in the ureter that is at: 1) ureteropelvic junction 2) when ureter passes pelvic brim 3) when it opens into the urinary bladder but i heard from an unknown source that there is a 4th constriction when it crosses the external iliac artery ... is it true ??

I ask this question in reference to memory. Some things we forget we can remember. Many times in my life there were events that I'm sure I never would of thought of again and something will happen that unlocks the door to that thought. So my question is, does your brain keep everything tucked away somewhere? Is the information on every single thing relevant to you in all the days of your life since the first stored away until you die?

Is the world as a whole sleep deprived? http://www.berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2007/10/22_sleeploss.shtml More at the link above. What do you think?