APS Publications Podcast

In this episode, coauthors Eann Malabanan, Owen P. McGuinness, and Kendra H. Oliver dive into their recently published paper, "Leveraging Digital Assets: Lessons from a 14-Year-Old Isotope Tracer Course for Professional Scientists." They explore how the COVID-19 pandemic reshaped scientific training programs, forcing many to pivot to virtual formats due to social distancing and travel restrictions. With a focus on the Isotope Tracers in Metabolic Research course—a long-running training program for scientists—they discuss how the integration of digital assets not only helped maintain engagement during the pandemic but also enhanced post-pandemic in-person training. By reviewing survey data from both virtual and in-person formats, they reveal the surprising value of digital elements in fostering better understanding and engagement, even in well-established programs. Tune in to learn how digital strategies can support diverse learning needs and improve professional development for scientists across the globe.

Advances in Physiology Education 2024 48:3, 661-669

Join coauthors E.S. Louise Faber, Kay Colthorpe, Louise Ainscough, and Judit Kibedi in this APS Publications podcast as they delve into their recent paper, "Students’ Approaches to Developing Scientific Communication Skills." In this episode, they explore the strategies and resources that undergraduate science students employ to enhance their science communication abilities. Discover how different approaches can influence academic performance in written assessments and the critical role of explicit guidance and engagement with teaching staff in fostering these essential skills. Tune in for a deep dive into the intersection of education, communication, and scientific literacy, and learn how these findings can inform future teaching practices.

Advances in Physiology Education 2024 48:3, 639-647

In this episode of the APS Publications podcast, coauthor Ole J. Kemi dives into the recently published article "Graduate prospects explain undergraduate program standing in university league sports science tables." The discussion highlights how university rankings play a crucial role for applicants and stakeholders in evaluating undergraduate programs.

Kemi explains that these rankings assess various criteria affecting student life and future prospects, but the study reveals that graduate prospects—the professional benefits students gain post-graduation—are the most significant factor influencing ranking outcomes. This insight emphasizes the importance of career outcomes in shaping perceptions of program quality and helps guide prospective students in their decision-making process. Tune in to learn more about the implications of these findings for universities and students alike!

Advances in Physiology Education 2024 48:2, 330-337

In this episode of The APS Publications podcast, coauthor Emmanuel Bourdon highlights the illuminations article titled "Enhancing the understanding of abstract neurophysiology concepts by first-year students at the University of La Réunion." First-year physiology students can find the subject challenging, struggling to understand abstract concepts without any context. To address this, the authors introduced a pedagogical intervention for first-year medical and health physiology students that aimed to link abstract concepts and a pathological disorder, together with a discussion of a specific therapeutic intervention. This pedagogical intervention was well received by first-year physiology students who better understood how basic nerve physiology concepts can be applied within the clinical setting.

Advances in Physiology Education 2024 48:3, 655-660

In the latest APS Publications Podcast, coauthors Karyn Robichaud, and Brynne Duffy discuss their fascinating research on the altered mitochondrial microRNA profiles in thirteen-lined ground squirrels during hibernation. This study sheds light on the metabolic changes these squirrels undergo during torpor and IBE, revealing 38 liver mitomiRs that differ based on hibernation state.

Physiological Genomics 2024 56:8, 555-566

In this episode of The APS Publications podcast, coauthors Shea E. Carr, Thad E. Wilson, and Jennifer L. Osterhage highlight their education research titled "Assigned group work is associated with increased student motivation and perceptions of belonging in an asynchronous online physiology laboratory course." This study explores the effect of assigned group work in an asynchronous online physiology laboratory course on student motivation and belonging. Students’ perceptions of belonging and competence-related beliefs were higher, and effort and psychological costs were lower, when assigned to groups compared to students not assigned to groups. Students assigned to groups noted peer interactions as the most inclusive aspect of the course, whereas instructor interactions were noted as inclusive by those not assigned group work.

Advances in Physiology Education 2024 48:3, 593-602

In this episode of The APS Publications Podcast, Brian D. Ott highlights the recently published paper titled "Hypothalamic transcriptome response to simulated diel earthen pond hypoxia cycles in channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus)." Channel catfish are an economically important species that experience diel episodic periods of hypoxia that can reduce appetite. This is the first study to investigate their transcriptome from the hypothalamus in a simulated 24-h span in a commercial catfish pond, with 12 h of hypoxia and 12 h of normoxia. The research revealed functional groups of genes relating to hypoxia, angiogenesis, and glycolysis as well as individual target genes possibly involved in appetite regulation.

Physiological Genomics 2024 56:8, 519-530

Listen to the latest APS Publications Podcast as Seán Roe, Mary K. McGahon, Sharon Parkinson, Etain Tansey, and Paul Murphy discuss an innovative approach to medical education encouraging drama students to take on the role of simulated patients. A cross-disciplinary learning experience not to be missed! This podcast and paper detail how physiology tutorials for early years medical students are transformed by taking the clinical case off the two-dimensional page and instead having the case scenario acted by drama students. This adds context and authenticity. The benefits are twofold: emphasizing the importance of physiology to the budding clinician and embedding empathy and compassion from the earliest points in a clinician’s career.

A cross-disciplinary approach to learning medical physiology and behavioral skills involving drama students performing as simulated patients

Seán Roe, Mary K. McGahon, Sharon Parkinson, Etain Tansey, and Paul Murphy

Advances in Physiology Education, Published 1 June 2024

In this APS Publications Podcast, Lisa Carney Anderson discusses the findings from the paper "Alignment of learning objectives, assessments, and active learning to promote critical thinking in a first-year medical physiology course." This paper highlights the authors' introduction of formative assessments and study techniques to first-year medical students in a physiology course. Mastery of learning objectives was emphasized as the key to success. The students were asked how they studied physiology through an anonymous online survey and focus group interviews. The students enjoyed physiology but had difficulty with exam expectations. Helping students use learning objectives to guide their study may lead to improved exam scores. It may also help administrators meet their curriculum goals.

Alignment of learning objectives, assessments, and active learning to promote critical thinking in a first-year medical physiology course: lessons learned

In this APS Publications Podcast, Sarah Commodore delves into a study titled "Lung proinflammatory microRNA and cytokine expression in a mouse model of allergic inflammation: role of sex chromosome complement and gonadal hormones." This research explores how microRNAs (miRNAs), which are crucial in gene regulation and environmental interactions, might contribute to sex differences in allergic responses and lung diseases.

The study employed a targeted omics approach to examine how gonadal hormones and chromosomal components influence lung responses to allergen exposure. The findings suggest that sex hormones play a significant role in regulating miRNA expression and proinflammatory markers during allergic airway inflammation. This indicates a complex interplay between genetic (sex chromosome complement) and hormonal factors in shaping immune responses in the lungs.

Physiological Genomics 2024 56:2, 179-193