https://doi.org/10.36866/pn.131.5

Dr Keith Siew
Scientific Editor, Physiology News

Alanna Orpen
Media and Communications Officer, The Physiological Society

As this issue goes to print, leading researchers in the field of cardiac arrhythmia and disease will be gathering in Liverpool to discuss cutting edge research at our Cross-Talk of Cells in the Heart: Novel Mechanisms of Disease and Arrhythmias meeting. Following tightly on its tail, will be Regenerating the Cardiovascular System: Mending Broken Hearts and Beyond meeting. What better way to kick off the new academic year than gathering with your community; the lecture theatres filled with the humming excitement of new ideas being formed, a time of sharing and discovering research, along with the promise of great ventures that could arise from new collaborations.

A new academic year is also a time of change, and we are delighted that Professor Kim E. Barrett has returned as Editor-in-Chief of The Journal of Physiology (p10). The Journal is a leader in the discipline, and as an important hub for authors to convey their research to the wider community Professor Barrett is committed to building on outgoing Editor-in-Chief, Professor Peter Kohl’s successful series of Special Issues to cater for specialised communities of physiologists.

This appointment coincides with the dedicated efforts of our three journals’ Editorial Boards who want to ensure that research submitted to one of The Society publications finds the right home. They have improved the referral and transfer process from both The Journal of Physiology and Experimental Physiology, so that the work is shared with the most interested audience (p11).

There is also exciting news at Physiological Reports, which has introduced a new article type to the journal’s repertoire. Professor Jo Adams, Editor-In-Chief of Physiological Reports, tells us about this new article type (p11) which will be for showcasing developed or improved physiological methods to benefit the physiological community (p11).

The dissemination of research, both to the academic community and the public, is fundamental to making progress and improving lives. The national press, including the BBC, recently reported the pioneering research about the long-term impact of multiple concussions on the brain health of rugby players. The study, published in Experimental Physiology, shed light on the effect of the persistent symptoms of concussions leading to cognitive impairment in rugby players later in life, which could increase their vulnerability to dementia even in their retirement. The findings could lead to targeted interventions to improve brain blood flow and cognitive function and to better protect players throughout their careers. We recommend reading the summary of this research in our Journal Insights on p13. Among this great collection of journal research highlights, you will also find out more about the influence of exercise on the human gut microbiome (p14).

Outreach is also instrumental in inspiring younger generations and raising awareness of physiology. We learn more about the fascinating project of our Fellowship Award winner, Dr Mark Dallas on p38. Dr Dallas shares how he engaged students with his outreach efforts to reset their perception of physiology as a career opportunity and explains the importance of this for maintaining excellence in physiological research.

Turning to our feature articles, Dr Tess Flood and Professor Kirsty Elliott-Sale have written a wonderful feature (p17) on the impact of ovarian hormones on athletic performance. It serves as a stark reminder of how little sport and exercise science research has been conducted on women, as Dr Flood and Professor Elliott-Sale emphasise how the lack of research limits our current knowledge and understanding about sportswomen and athletic performance.

Continuing on the theme of exercise, a fundamental principle in human physiology around cardiac output during exertion is questioned on p16. Professor Eric J. Stöhr discusses a new perspective on how the cardiovascular system could be controlled and if this alternative theory is true, could offer the potential for new concepts in cardiovascular physiology.

For our second feature, we encounter the world of wonder with Dr Svetlana Mastitskaya, who explains how insights from neuroscience provide deeper understanding of the connection between the brain and the heart, particularly the protective role of the vagus nerve in rescuing the heart.

For those curious of what is to come in The Society’s events diary, we hope you enjoy our sneak previews of our Neurophysiological Bases of Human Movement meeting on p30, and our celebratory Member Forum, Award Ceremony and President’s Lecture. We are very excited to share with you that Sir Jeremy Farrar, OBE FRCP FRS FMedSci will be giving the President’s Lecture this year. You can read more about this on p31.

On this celebratory note, we end this issue with a tale of adventures in physiology experienced by Professor Jim Parratt (p40). Professor Parratt shares the collaborations and opportunities taken through his 60 years of membership with The Society. Then on p42, we hope you are moved by the remarkable work of dedicated member Ann Silver, her character and impact shine through in the obituary written by Professor Tilli Tansey.

We hope that you enjoy this issue!