Muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus) are among the most common freshwater diving mammals in North America. They have a well-developed diving response that occurs upon either forced or voluntary diving (Jones et al. 1982). This response consists of a decline in heart rate and cardiac output and a redistribution of blood flow primarily to the brain, heart and adrenal gland, with other organs being hypoperfused. Muskrats have large oxygen stores which are in the lower range of those reported for marine mammals (Snyder and Binkley, 1985). In a previous study on the metabolism of isolated muskrat and guinea pig hearts, it was shown that muskrat hearts do not pump as well as guinea pig hearts (McKean et al. 1986). This was indicated by the failure of muskrat hearts to develop a cardiac output in excess of that supplying their own coronary blood flow...
Harnessing physiological research for smarter environmental policy
In their Perspective, Alexia Dubuc and colleagues discuss strategies to strengthen collaboration, communication and engagement between physiological researchers and environmental policy makers to ensure that conservation strategies address the threats posed by climate change.
JEB grants to support junior faculty
Learn about the grants that we launched in 2023 to support junior faculty from two of our awardees: Erin Leonard, Early-Career Researcher (ECR) Visiting Fellowship recipient, and Pauline Fleischmann, Research Partnership Kickstart Travel Grant recipient. The next deadline to apply is 28 November 2025.
Early testing could make risky falls a thing of the past for elderly people
Falls cost healthcare systems billions each year, but there may be a solution. Jiaen Wu and colleagues of Stanford University, USA, suggest that measuring the way someone walks before they get old might let doctors know who is at risk for a potentially life-threatening fall in the future.
Meet the JEB team at SEB in Antwerp
JEB is proud to be sponsoring the annual meeting of the Society for Experimental Biology, taking place on 8-11 July in Antwerp, Belgium. Come and introduce yourself at our exhibition stands, at booths 3 and 4 throughout the meeting. Editors Craig Franklin, Katie Gilmour and Sanjay Sane, and Features and Reviews Editor Jarren Kay will be also available for questions at our ‘Meet the Editors’ session from 13:00 – 14:00 in Marble Hall on 8 July, where you can find out about the journal and pick up our exclusive 2025 T-shirt.
Fast & Fair peer review
Our sister journal Biology Open has recently launched the next phase of their Fast & Fair peer review initiative: offering high-quality peer review within 7 working days. To learn more about BiO’s progress and future plans, read the Editorial by Daniel Gorelick, or visit the Fast & Fair peer review page.
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