Episode 17: Environmental Cardiology

Accumulating evidence indicates that an increase in particulate air pollution is associated with an increase in heart attacks and deaths. In this episode, we'll talk to Aruni Bhatnagar of the University of Louisville and Robert Brook of the University of Michigan about research in the relatively new field of environmental cardiology. This field examines the relationship between air pollution and heart disease. (Begins at 2:58) Research update: Dr. Brook published his study in the September, 2009 issue of the journal Hypertension, a publication of the American Heart Association.  Why was the man known in scientific literature only as "H.M." so important to neuroscience? David Linden of Johns Hopkins University explains why in the wake of H.M.'s recent death. (Begins at 14:54)The Buzz in Physiology: (Begins at 1:14) A new study with rats could help uncover how we get hooked on sugary food.  The heart's beat is not a simple in-and-out movement, but has a bit of a twist to it. Researchers have created images showing the connection between the configuration of the heart's muscular layer and how the heart contracts. The study is available here. Be sure to click on the supplemental video to see how it works.