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Muscle nuclei: May the force be with you

Portuguese researchers have discovered how cellular nuclei reach their position within muscle cells, a process disrupted in most muscle disorders. This finding has important implications for developing novel therapeutic strategies to treat muscular diseases and sport-induced muscle injuries.

SourceInstituto de Medicina Molecular·JournalNature Cell Biology·DateSep 11, 2017
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UIowa study examines altered gene expression in heart failure

Researchers found that elevated levels of protein Cdk8 in heart muscle cells lead to declining heart function and heart failure. The study suggests modifying gene expression may provide a path to preventive treatments for heart failure.

SourceUniversity of Iowa Health Care·JournalJCI Insight·DateAug 4, 2017

Tiny cellular antennae key to fat formation in muscle

Scientists at UCSF discover primary cilia, found on fat-forming cells in muscle, regulate fat formation and tissue renewal. The study provides new insights into muscle aging and disease, potentially leading to improved muscle regeneration.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalCell·DateJul 13, 2017

New force measurement platform provides window to study cardiovascular disease

Researchers from Virginia Tech and University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have developed a new method to study the role of biomechanical forces in diseased pathologies. The technique, called nanonet force microscopy (NFM), measures single cell-fiber forces under both passive conditions and disease conditions.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalMolecular Biology of the Cell·DateJul 9, 2017
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Designed proteins to treat muscular dystrophy

Researchers have designed two proteins that stabilize the cell scaffolding, restoring muscle structure and function in animal models of congenital muscular dystrophy. The study demonstrates significant improvements in muscle force, body weight, and lifespan, providing a potential gene therapy treatment for this rare disease.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJun 28, 2017

Chimpanzee 'super strength' and what it might mean in human muscle evolution

A research team measured chimpanzee muscles and found a modest performance advantage, contrary to popular accounts of chimp 'super strength'. Chimpanzees have twice as many fast-twitch fibers, but this translates to only about 1.35 times more dynamic force and power output than humans.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 26, 2017
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Stem cells may be the key to staying strong in old age

A study published in eLife discovered that loss of muscle stem cells is the main driving force behind muscle decline in old age in mice. By depleting muscle stem cells, researchers found that muscle decline accelerated, while mice with preserved stem cells maintained healthier muscles at older ages.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·DateJun 6, 2017

One gene closer to regenerative therapy for muscular disorders

Scientists identify a new gene essential to the fusion of muscle stem cells and form functioning skeletal muscle tissues. The study's findings provide new avenues for cell therapy approaches in regenerative medicine.

SourceCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 1, 2017

Microscopic muscles: How non-muscle cells find the strength to move

Researchers discovered ordered arrangement of myosin-II filaments in actin cables of non-muscle cells, enabling slow contractility and movement through connective tissue. This organisation allows for dynamic assembly and disassembly of protein cables, providing the necessary strength to interact with the microenvironment.

SourceNational University of Singapore·JournalNature Cell Biology·DateMar 29, 2017

New stem cell method produces millions of human brain and muscle cells in days

Scientists have developed a new technique to produce human brain and muscle cells in just a few days, allowing for the creation of millions of functional cells. This breakthrough method, OPTi-OX, enables researchers to study diseases such as Alzheimer's and Multiple Sclerosis at unprecedented purities.

SourceWellcome Trust Sanger Institute·JournalStem Cell Reports·DateMar 23, 2017
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

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Researchers develop 'living diode' using cardiac muscle cells

Scientists at the University of Notre Dame developed a 'living diode' using cardiac muscle cells, enabling directional signal processing. This innovation opens doors to functional biological structures for controlling mechanical devices in the body.

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalAdvanced Biosystems·DateFeb 14, 2017

Ubiquitous but overlooked, fluid is a source of muscle tension

Researchers found that the fluid-filled nature of muscle fibers plays a role in creating tension when stretching. The study used a model and experiments with real bullfrog muscle to demonstrate the mechanical properties of fluid in muscle fibers. This discovery argues for accounting for fluid in models of muscle mechanics.

SourceBrown University·JournalBiology Letters·DateJan 24, 2017
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

New finding about a protein that enables our brains and muscles to talk

Researchers find that rapsyn helps ensure optimal positioning and functioning of acetylcholine receptors on muscle cells, enabling precise brain-muscle communication. This discovery provides new insight into diseases like muscular dystrophy and offers potential therapeutic targets.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·JournalNeuron·DateNov 28, 2016

It's how you splice it: Scientists discover possible origin of muscle, heart defects

Researchers found that four key muscle-cell proteins undergo a critical splicing transition in fetal forms, essential for adult muscle function. Disrupting this transition leads to major structural problems and muscle weakness in adult mice, highlighting the importance of alternative splicing in maintaining muscle health.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalCell Reports·DateNov 16, 2016

Scientists create heart cells better, faster, stronger

Gladstone scientists identified two chemicals that improved cardiac reprogramming, increasing cell production and quality. The discovery brings the technology closer to regenerating damaged hearts and treating heart failure.

SourceGladstone Institutes·JournalCirculation·DateNov 10, 2016

Can you smell through your lungs?

Researchers discovered two olfactory receptors in human lung tissue that regulate airway smooth muscle cell contraction. Activation of these receptors may help constrict or prevent airway constriction in diseases such as asthma and emphysema.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Physiology·DateNov 3, 2016
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

A stem cell gene found to command skeletal muscle regeneration

Researchers found that satellite cells differentiate into myofibres only when Prox1 is active. The study also revealed that Prox1 is expressed in adult slow muscle fibres, which have high metabolic activity and are linked to type 2 diabetes risk.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 12, 2016

Discovery and gene therapy treatment of a novel heart failure mechanism

Researchers discovered that inhibiting ANGPTL2 production can benefit both mice and human cardiac muscle cells with therapeutic effects in reducing heart failure progression. Moderate exercise previously found to reduce ANGPLT2 levels can now be replicated through gene therapy.

SourceKumamoto University·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 11, 2016
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Eating your greens could enhance sport performance

A recent study published in Frontiers in Physiology found that taking nitrate supplements alongside Sprint Interval Training can improve athletic performance in low-oxygen conditions. After just five weeks, the muscle fiber composition changed with enhanced nitrate intake during training in these conditions.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Physiology·DateOct 5, 2016

Scavenger cells repair muscle fibers

Researchers at KIT discovered that scavenger cells play a crucial role in repairing torn muscle fibers by removing repair patches and restoring normal cell membrane structure. This process requires the aid of macrophages roaming within the muscle, and a short amino acid sequence in the dysferlin repair protein.

SourceKarlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 5, 2016

Scientists speed up muscle repair -- could fight dystrophy

Researchers found that increasing satellite cell numbers can increase muscle regeneration and stifle degeneration. Muscles with genetically modified TEAD1-expressing fibers showed a six-fold increase in satellite cells, allowing for faster repair after injury.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·DateOct 5, 2016
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

A new key in fighting Kennedy's disease

Scientists at Michigan State University have discovered a new target for treating Kennedy's disease by focusing on the role of genes in muscles. Contrary to previous beliefs, researchers found that the affected gene does not cause muscle fibers to lose connections with neurons, but rather appears broken and disorganized.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalHuman Molecular Genetics·DateAug 31, 2016

Olfactory receptors discovered in bronchi

Scientists identified two types of olfactory receptors that dilate and contract bronchioles when activated by specific scents. The discovery could lead to new asthma treatments using compounds like amyl butyrate, which relaxes bronchi muscles.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalFrontiers in Physiology·DateAug 8, 2016

New microfluidic chip replicates muscle-nerve connection

A microfluidic device has been developed to replicate the neuromuscular junction, enabling precise stimulation of nerve cells and observation of muscle interactions. This innovation may help identify effective treatments for ALS and other neuromuscular disorders.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience Advances·DateAug 3, 2016
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Lab-grown nerve cells make heart cells throb

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have successfully grown lab-grown human nerve cells that can partner with heart muscle cells to stimulate contractions. The nerve cells, derived from pluripotent stem cells, were found to connect with and control heart muscle cells, similar to their natural counterparts.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateJun 16, 2016

Calcium channels team up to activate excitable cells

A team of researchers has found that voltage-gated calcium channels open in unison to allow calcium ions into and activate excitable cells like neurons and muscle cells. This cooperative behavior could lead to improved therapies targeting aberrant calcium channels in malfunctioning cells.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·DateMay 18, 2016
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Processed fat cells show potential as treatment for refractory ischemia patients

Patients treated with processed autologous adipose-derived regenerative cells (ADRCs) demonstrated symptomatic improvement and reduced heart failure hospitalizations. The ATHENA trial results showed a trend towards lower rates of angina, despite no improvement in left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) or ventricular volumes.

SourceSociety for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions·DateMay 5, 2016

Many ICU patients trade critical illness for new illness, ICU-acquired weakness

A study found that some ICU patients experience persistent muscle wasting even after recovery from critical illness, leading to debilitating disability. The loss of satellite cells is a key factor in this process, contributing to age-related muscle loss and potentially permanent changes in muscle biology.

SourceSt. Michael's Hospital·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateApr 8, 2016
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Tsukuba scientists solve Spallanzani's dilemma

Researchers found that larval newts use stem/progenitor cells for muscle regeneration, while metamorphosed newts recruit skeletal muscle fiber cells. The study also revealed that skin, bone, muscle, and nerve tissues can regenerate faithfully in both stages of development.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 30, 2016

Stem cell gene therapy could be key to treating Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Scientists at UCLA have developed a new approach using CRISPR/Cas9 to correct genetic mutations that cause Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The approach, which can be used in clinical trials within 10 years, has the potential to treat 60% of patients with the deadly disease.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateFeb 12, 2016

Towards the prevention of cardiac failure in the chronic phase

Researchers at Osaka University have developed a therapeutic method using periostin1-specific neutralizing antibodies to inhibit the onset of cardiac failure in the chronic phase, improving patients' quality of life and reducing medical costs. The study's findings suggest that periostin1 is the primary cause of cardiac failure after AMI.

SourceOsaka University·JournalHYPERTENSION·DateJan 24, 2016
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Broken UV light leads to key heart muscle cell discovery

Researchers have successfully generated human cardiac muscle cells from stem cells using a 'Matrigel mattress', addressing a problem with contractile properties. The new method allows for high-throughput screens to find novel therapies for heart diseases, including hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

SourceVanderbilt University Medical Center·JournalCirculation Research·DateJan 18, 2016

'Ghost Fibers' left by injured muscle cells guide stem cells to regenerate

Researchers use super-resolution technologies to observe muscle stem/progenitor cells migrating into place guided by 'ghost fibers,' remnants of the old extracellular matrix left by dying muscle fibers. This study reveals that these ghost fibers serve as architectural units guiding the regeneration of muscle tissue.

SourceAmerican Society for Cell Biology·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateDec 10, 2015
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

UofL scientists enhance understanding of muscle repair process

University of Louisville scientists enhance understanding of muscle repair process by revealing the vital role of protein TAK1 in regulating satellite stem cells. The protein is required for satellite cell proliferation and survival to regenerate adult skeletal muscles after injury or disease.

SourceUniversity of Louisville·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 9, 2015

UofL scientists identify critical pathway to improve muscle repair

Researchers at UofL discovered a mechanism involved in skeletal muscle repair that may enable clinicians to boost the effectiveness of adult stem cell therapies. TRAF6 ensures the vitality of stem cells, which regenerate muscle tissue, and its removal depletes Pax7, resulting in reduced muscle regeneration.

SourceUniversity of Louisville·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateNov 30, 2015

Manipulating cell signaling for better muscle function in muscular dystrophy

Researchers have identified a new way to trigger the instructions given by the muscle protein dystrophin, which is found in muscles used for movement and in cardiac muscle cells. The study suggests using drugs that activate AMPK signaling to bypass defective steps in the protein complex pathway.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 28, 2015
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Researchers isolate human muscle stem cells

Researchers have successfully isolated human muscle stem cells that can robustly replicate and repair damaged muscles when grafted onto an injured site. The findings hold promise for patients with severe muscle injury, paralysis, or genetic diseases like muscular dystrophy.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalStem Cell Reports·DateSep 22, 2015

Periodontitis and heart disease: Researchers connect the molecular dots

Periodontitis has been shown to increase the expression of pro-inflammatory angiopoietin 2, while decreasing anti-inflammatory angiopoietin 1 in aortic smooth muscle cells, leading to increased inflammation and atherosclerosis. This study provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms linking periodontitis to heart disease.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·JournalInfection and Immunity·DateSep 11, 2015

iPS cells discover drug target for muscle disease

Researchers have designed a model that reprograms fibroblasts to study Duchenne muscular dystrophy development using induced pluripotent stem cells. The study reveals that calcium ion channels may cause muscle degeneration in DMD patients, providing a clear drug target for treatment.

SourceCenter for iPS Cell Research and Application - Kyoto University·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 20, 2015
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Penn study details 'rotten egg' gas' role in autoimmune disease

A new Penn study found that hydrogen sulfide regulates Treg cells by modifying a transcription factor called NFYB, leading to improved function and development of these regulatory cells. The study suggests potential therapeutic interventions for autoimmune diseases, cancer, and hypertension.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalImmunity·DateAug 11, 2015

Muscle fibers grown in the lab offer new model for studying muscular dystrophy

Researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital have developed a technique to grow large numbers of muscle cells in the lab, offering a better model for studying muscle diseases like muscular dystrophy. The new method involves mimicking early developmental cues to drive cells to grow into functional muscle fibers.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateAug 3, 2015