Normal electrical activity in smooth muscle is dependent on the presence of calcium in the extracellular fluid (Bennett, 1967; Brading, Bülbring & Tomita, 1969; Mangel & Prosser, 1980; Weigel, Connor & Prosser, 1979). However, it has recently been demonstrated that calcium-free solutions containing EGTA induce two types of spontaneous electrical activity in visceral smooth muscle. Prolonged depolarizations of about 17 s were recorded under these conditions from segments of cat small intestine and the stomach of the skate, toad or frog (Prosser et al. 1977), while rat small intestine produced fast electrical potentials of approximately 0·85 s duration (Mangel & Nelson, 1978). Since both potential types were eliminated by removal of external sodium or by addition of calcium channel blockers, it was concluded that their mechanism of generation consisted of sodium ions traversing channels normally used by calcium. In this...
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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