The findings point to the potential of developing accurate prognostic and therapeutic interventions. These organs have a complex and multidirectional communication system that touches everything from our gastrointestinal tract to our nervous system. Whether it's our brain that affects hunger or the liver that affects mental health, understanding the gut-liver-brain communication or "axis" is critical to protecting human health.

The study, using mouse models, is one of the first to fill the gap in knowledge about the effects of heat stress at the molecular level of this key biological conversation. (BRIANNA ALDRICH-UC IRVINE, more at future.org)