Researchers at Sanford Burnham Prebys discovered that blocking an energy transfer enzyme shifts mammalian hearts into a regenerative state, promoting regeneration and improving recovery after a heart attack. By modulating heart cell metabolism, scientists can potentially awaken the heart's dormant regenerative abilities.
The Marcus Foundation has awarded $28.7 million to advance a clinical trial testing a stem cell-based therapy designed to regenerate damaged heart tissue after a heart attack. Researchers aim to develop approaches that could reduce or eliminate the need for immunosuppressive drugs.
Researchers discovered PRDM16 acts as a developmental 'rheostat' guiding cardiomyocytes toward functional competence. The study reveals moderate PRDM16 overexpression promotes maturation while suppressing proliferation, offering opportunities for regenerative responses.
A study led by Dr. Michael Harrison found that regional dips in oxygen levels serve as a signal for the coordinated growth of heart muscle and coronary vessels. The system operates as a self-limiting feedback loop, with epicardial cells detecting hypoxia to activate genes that orchestrate expansion.
Dr. Tim Allerton's research focuses on heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), a condition affecting millions of Americans. His team aims to determine how declining hydrogen sulfide levels contribute to muscle function and exercise capacity in patients with HFpEF.
Two studies from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have identified a key signaling pathway, ERK, that regulates heart cell growth and restructuring. Stabilized microtubules promote lateral growth, increasing cell width, while destabilized microtubules favor longitudinal growth, lengthening cells.
Scientists at Linköping University have developed artificial heart muscle cells using organic electronics, opening up new possibilities for prosthetics, heart implants, and sensors. The technology aims to harness the principles of effective electrical signaling in biological cardiac muscle cells.
Researchers from The University of Osaka found that treatment with five mRNAs effectively promoted cardiac repair and extended survival in mice with heart failure. The study showed that simultaneous administration of five therapeutic mRNAs reduced heart tissue damage and improved heart function.
A new study found that a simple angiogram scoring system can identify patients whose heart muscle is still alive even when a major artery has been completely blocked. This breakthrough could change how cardiac patients are treated and help doctors make faster, more informed decisions.
Researchers identified a key protein called PERM1 that is restored in patients whose hearts recover after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support. PERM1 regulates energy production and contractile function in heart cells, and its normalization is associated with improved cardiac function.
Researchers at the University of Toronto have developed a new method to mature lab-grown heart cells, which exhibits greater structural organization and improved ability to contract. This advance could help create more reliable models for studying heart disease and testing new drugs.
Researchers at Keck School of Medicine have identified a new potential treatment target for AARS2-related cardiomyopathy, a rare and fatal heart muscle disease in infants. By targeting the PCBP1 gene, they aim to restore healthier AARS2 function in heart cells and prevent damage.
A new trial found that using a microaxial flow pump before and during cardiac stenting procedures for high-risk heart attack patients with severe heart attacks did not reduce heart damage. The study, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, also showed increased bleeding complications.
A new 4D digital heart model has been shown to improve patient outcomes in cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) for heart failure. The model, developed at the University of Calgary, enables personalized pacemaker placement, leading to a 10.8% increase in heart function compared to standard care.
A new study from CU Anschutz researchers found that regular physical activity can significantly lower post-ablation atrial fibrillation recurrence risk. Adults who engaged in moderate exercise for 30 minutes three times a week had markedly lower rates of AF recurrence compared to those who were less active.
Researchers have developed a non-invasive method to estimate blood oxygen levels in heart failure patients using standard cardiac MRI. This breakthrough could spare thousands from undergoing risky tube procedures, allowing for safer and more frequent monitoring.
Researchers identify circulating extracellular vesicles produced in diseased kidneys as the culprit behind toxicity in the heart. The discovery could lead to the development of a blood test to identify patients at high risk for serious heart problems and novel treatments to prevent and treat heart failure.
Researchers discovered that inhibiting a protein called RBM20 can improve heart filling and flexibility in mice with heart failure. The study also found positive impacts on energy metabolism, mitochondrial function, antioxidant balance, and blood flow.
A new study using advanced imaging found that abdominal obesity is associated with more harmful changes in heart structure than overall body weight alone. The research, presented at the Radiological Society of North America annual meeting, suggests that male patients may be more vulnerable to structural effects of obesity on the heart.
A naturally occurring gene called Cyclin A2, normally silenced in humans, can make new functioning heart cells and aid in the heart's repair. The breakthrough discovery could lead to new techniques for repairing damaged hearts as an alternative to transplants or implanted cardiac devices.
Researchers developed an algorithm to optimize pacemaker function usage, reducing battery power consumption and potentially extending battery life by years. By switching off unnecessary features, doctors can reduce the number of surgeries needed and lower associated costs for the NHS.
A new study has uncovered 42 genetic locations associated with hypertrophy of the left ventricle, a major risk factor for sudden death. The research, conducted using three-dimensional MRI images and genome-wide analysis, could lead to earlier identification of individuals at greater risk.
A new report from Emory University reveals that certain mental health conditions can raise the risk of developing heart disease by 50-100% and adverse outcomes from existing heart conditions by 60-170%. The study emphasizes a bidirectional relationship between cardiovascular disease and mental health, highlighting the need for an integ...
Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute discovered that early heartbeats trigger biological signals guiding the formation of a functional beating heart in zebrafish. The study highlights the heart's ability to remodel and adapt, shedding light on congenital heart conditions.
Researchers identified a new strategy to repair damaged heart tissue by reactivating the PSAT1 gene through synthetic modified messenger RNA. The study found that mice treated with PSAT1-modRNA showed robust increases in cardiomyocyte proliferation, reduced tissue scarring, and improved heart function.
A new study reveals that myosin binding protein-C (cMyBP-C) is essential for regulating cardiac muscle contraction, particularly under increased stress. The protein's absence or mutation can lead to diseases such as heart failure and hypertropic cardiomyopathy.
Scientists have identified a set of genes in zebrafish that reactivate after damage to the heart and patch it up like new. The researchers hope to use CRISPR tools to reactivate similar genes in humans and jump-start repair of the heart and other tissues after injury.
A team of researchers from the University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson has identified a potential drug candidate for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). The study, published in Cell Metabolism, found that a key ingredient triggering HFpEF is an enzyme that converts glucose into harmful byproducts, ultimat...
A new analysis of health records from 2016 to 2020 found that takotsubo cardiomyopathy, also known as broken heart syndrome, is associated with a high risk of death and complications. Researchers highlight the importance of careful monitoring and prompt treatment for patients with this condition.
Researchers at University of East Anglia developed 4D flow MRI scan to diagnose aortic stenosis more accurately and reliably than current ultrasound techniques. The technology offers more accurate measurements of blood flow through heart valves, leading to better prediction of when patients need surgery.
A new study from Karolinska Institutet found that people with a certain heart valve abnormality are at increased risk of severe heart rhythm disorders even after successful valve surgery. The condition is more common in women and younger patients, and can lead to sudden cardiac arrest.
A large-scale epidemiological study found that higher muscle strength is associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes, even in individuals with high genetic susceptibility. The study highlights the importance of maintaining or improving muscle strength as a key strategy for preventing T2D.
A recent study published in the Journal of Ageing and Physical Activity found that older adults exhibit similar or even less muscle damage than young adults after exercise. Muscle soreness was consistently lower in older adults, with reductions of around 34% at 48 hours and 62% at 72 hours compared to younger individuals.
Researchers from Emory University are using the International Space Station to study cardiac cells and accelerate the development of cell-based regenerative therapies. The team's findings have led to multiple peer-reviewed publications and could significantly advance methods to produce cardiac cells for heart disease treatment.
Researchers at the University of Virginia Health System have developed a computational tool called LogiRx that can predict how drugs will affect biological processes in the body. The tool has demonstrated its potential by identifying a promising candidate to prevent heart failure, a leading cause of death worldwide.
Researchers have discovered that quantum materials can be used to sense the biological electrical activity of living cells with high speed and resolution. The technology uses light to track changes in the material's photoluminescence, mapping the electrical activity of heart muscle cells in real time.
This retrospective cohort study found that opioid-sparing anesthesia significantly improved Quality of Recovery (QoR-15) scores 24 hours after cardiac surgery. The study also showed reduced postoperative mechanical ventilation time and lower opioid-related adverse events in patients who received opioid-sparing anesthesia.
Researchers have discovered a novel gene therapy that can reverse conduction slowing and prevent cardiac arrhythmias by introducing the SCN10a-short gene into heart muscle cells. The treatment has shown promise in animal models and human cell studies, offering a potential solution for millions affected by arrhythmias worldwide.
Researchers developed mini biohybrid rays using cardiomyocytes and rubber, demonstrating improved swimming efficiencies approximately two times greater than previous biomimetic designs. The application of machine-learning directed optimization enabled an efficient search for high-performance design configurations.
A new mechanical heart pump, BrioVAD, is being tested against the current standard, HeartMate 3, in a national study. The trial aims to enroll 780 participants with advanced heart failure and will compare the two devices head-to-head.
A new Northwestern Medicine study reveals that macrophages in newborns use a process called efferocytosis to produce thromboxane, which triggers the production of a bioactive lipid that signals heart muscle cells to divide and regenerate. This process is less effective in adults, leading to scar-tissue buildup and often heart failure.
A recent study introduces an innovative method for analyzing body composition, providing accurate assessments of body fat and muscle distribution. The approach utilizes deep, nonlinear methods to enhance estimation accuracy, surpassing previous linear models.
Researchers found that heart muscle cells can grow and survive in microgravity, suggesting a new approach to regenerating damaged hearts. The study uses cardiac spheroids to mimic the human heart structure and function, leading to increased survival rates and potential for improved cell therapy.
A new AI-driven approach allows for the reconstruction of heart muscle cell signals with high accuracy, providing insights into cellular communication and response to drugs. This noninvasive method could dramatically reduce drug development time and cost, enabling personalized medicine.
Researchers explore circadian nutrition as a potential solution for industrialized societies plagued by fatigue. Time-restricted feeding and night/active phase-restricted feeding have shown promise in improving muscle endurance and reducing cognitive dysfunctions.
A research team led by a physician-scientist found that artificial heart patients can regenerate heart muscle cells, which may lead to new ways to treat and potentially cure heart failure. The study showed that these patients' hearts regenerate muscle cells at more than six times the rate of healthy hearts.
Researchers from the University of Granada and the Public Health Agency of Canada identified the most important physical fitness tests for children and adolescents, with a degree of scientific agreement exceeding 85%. The top tests include the 20-meter shuttle run test, handgrip strength test, standing long jump test, and body mass index.
A new study found that gene therapy delandistrogene moxeparvovec significantly extended the median survival of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) rats to >25 months. Additionally, the treatment elicited statistically significant improvements in cardiac parameters and mobility.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet discovered that patients with heart pumps can regenerate heart muscle cells at a rate more than six times higher than in healthy hearts, offering new hope for therapies to stimulate the heart's ability to repair itself after damage.
Researchers found that ablation reduced ICD shocks for ventricular tachycardia and episodes of VT not detected by the ICD. This minimally invasive procedure destroys abnormal heart tissue causing VT, offering a better alternative to long-term medication side effects.
The SpaceX CRS-31 mission to the International Space Station includes studies on in-space manufacturing, cardiac health, and a method for repairing spacecraft damaged by debris. Multiple payloads sponsored by the ISS National Laboratory are bound for the orbiting outpost.
A study led by WVU epidemiologist Bethany Barone Gibbs found that alternating sitting and standing at work reduces sedentary behavior but has no effect on lowering blood pressure. Prolonged static standing may even have negative effects on cardiovascular health due to a physiological mechanism called the muscle pump.
A Brazilian study found that high blood pressure hardens the bronchi and increases airway resistance, reducing respiratory capacity. Regular physical activity may partially protect against this hardening.
Researchers have identified a protein called PERM1 that regulates both energy and heart muscle contraction, offering a new therapeutic approach to systolic heart failure. By addressing the underlying problem of weakened heart muscle, PERM1 may help restore cardiac function and improve patient outcomes.
A Canadian study finds that treatment for vulnerable people with endocarditis includes in-hospital addiction support and community care, with special attention to the needs of marginalized young women. Women who inject drugs are disproportionately affected by endocarditis and have higher long-term mortality rates than men.
A nationwide Swedish study found that full vaccination significantly reduced the risk of severe cardiovascular outcomes linked to COVID-19, such as heart attack and stroke. However, temporary increases in cardiovascular risk were observed after individual doses, particularly among elderly and males.
Researchers discovered a unique change in cardiac troponin I that enables shrews to achieve heart rates up to 17 beats per second. This evolutionary loss removes brakes on heart relaxation, allowing for faster heartbeats. The study provides insights into the evolution of high-heart-rate mammals and potential biomedicine applications.
Researchers found that low gravity conditions in space weaken and disrupt the normal rhythmic beats of human bioengineered heart tissue samples. The tissues on the International Space Station beat about half as strong as those on Earth, and developed irregular beating patterns that can cause a human heart to fail.
The new European Society of Cardiology Guidelines recommend regular screenings for Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) to prevent complications. The guidelines also emphasize personalized treatment plans, including lifestyle changes, medication, and efficient blockage treatments.
Researchers have elucidated how new arteries form in the heart using single-cell sequencing and 3D mapping. Pre-arterial cells play a major role in growing new arteries, contradicting current thinking about artery development. This discovery opens possibilities for developing treatments that stimulate regenerative pathways.