How to speed up muscle repair
Researchers at UC San Diego discover epigenetic mechanisms to accelerate muscle cell growth using pluripotent stem cells. Triggering specific factors can prime these cells for rapid regeneration.
Muscles
Articles tagged with Muscles
The fitter you are the better you burn fat - new research
New research from the University of Bath found that females who are physically fitter burn fat more efficiently when exercising compared to males. The study analyzed factors influencing body fat burning during endurance sports and explored molecular mechanisms behind sex differences in fuel use.
In women, higher body fat may protect against heart disease death, study shows
A new UCLA study finds that women with high muscle mass and high body fat have a greater degree of protection against heart disease-related death than those with low body fat. Meanwhile, men with high muscle mass and low body fat show a significant decrease in risk, but not as pronounced as seen in women.
Advantageous preparation of movement via independent control of muscle sensors
A new study from Umeå University identifies a novel function of preparatory neural activity, highlighting the nervous system's ability to adjust muscle stiffness independently. This mechanism enables more precise movement preparation, facilitating successful interaction with the environment.
The key to proper muscle growth
Researchers discovered that oscillation in muscle tissue is critical for transforming stem cells into muscle cells. The Delta-like1 protein plays a key role in this process, regulating the balance between self-renewal and differentiation.
Trial finds no overall effect of statins on muscle pain
A UK-based trial found that statins do not increase the frequency or severity of muscle symptoms in people who had previously reported severe muscle symptoms when taking statins. Most participants planned to restart treatment after completing the study.
Hormone helps prevent muscle loss in mice on high fat diets, USC study finds
A hormone called MOTS-c can help maintain healthy muscles in mice on high-fat diets by reducing myostatin levels. The study suggests that boosting mitochondrial function is also key to treating muscle-wasting conditions such as sarcopenia.
New drug molecules hold promise for treating fatal child disease
Researchers at University of Exeter identified a way to rescue mutated muscle cells using novel drugs, providing a possible new treatment for rare childhood illness. The study found that compounds targeting mitochondrial energy production improved muscle function in animal models with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
Bioengineered hybrid muscle fiber for regenerative medicine
Researchers developed a novel protocol for artificial muscle regeneration using direct cell reprogramming and natural-synthetic hybrid scaffold. The bioengineered muscle fiber constructs showed improved mechanical stiffness, enhanced muscle differentiation, and functional recovery in a mouse model with severe muscle loss.
Study reveals a new potential mechanism underlying loss of muscle mass during menopause
A new study found that estrogen deficiency during menopause leads to altered microRNA signalling in skeletal muscle, potentially activating cell death pathways and resulting in muscle wasting. The study suggests resistance training may be beneficial for maintaining muscle mass and power in middle-aged women.
People with this muscle protein gene variant tolerate the cold better
A study found that people with a loss-of-function variant of the ACTN3 gene, which lacks skeletal muscle protein α-actinin-3, have improved cold tolerance. This is due to increased muscle tone and a shift towards slow-twitch muscle fibers.
Fatty tissue accumulated in the neck linked to heart problems, study finds
A study from the University of Granada found that neck fatty tissue is a predictor of central and overall adiposity, cardiometabolic risk, and inflammation in sedentary young adults. The accumulation of fat in the neck follows specific patterns according to gender and is linked to a greater likelihood of heart problems.
Study shows how some neurons compensate for death of their neighbors
A study by University of Chicago researchers found that some neurons in the brain can compensate for the loss of their neighboring neuron, a process known as synaptic plasticity. However, not all neurons have this capacity, and the remaining neuron's ability to compensate depends on its functional properties.
Credit card-sized soft pumps power wearable artificial muscles
A new flexible and lightweight power system for soft robotics has been developed, paving the way for wearable assist devices. The electro-pneumatic pump is soft, bendable, low-cost, and easy to make, transforming lives of people with mobility issues.
Improving amputation surgery
Researchers developed an agonist-antagonist myoneural interface (AMI) that restored physiological feedback, enabling greater precision of movement and reducing pain in amputees. Studies showed improved muscle activity coordination and lower pain levels compared to traditional amputation procedures.
New surgery may enable better control of prosthetic limbs
Researchers at MIT have invented a new type of amputation surgery that reconnects muscle pairs, allowing patients to regain sensory feedback and control their residual muscles. This restored sense of proprioception translates to better control of prosthetic limbs and reduced limb pain.
Researchers identify muscle factor that controls fat metabolism
Skeletal muscle plays a key role in regulating body glucose levels and affects fat storage and metabolism. A new study found that Kruppel-like factor 15 (KLF15) is crucial for skeletal muscle fat uptake and utilization, leading to obesity and metabolic disease.
New research identifies biological causes of muscle weakness in later life
A large-scale genetic analysis found specific biological mechanisms contributing to muscle weakness in older adults, with diseases like osteoarthritis and diabetes playing a significant role. The study identified 15 areas of the genome associated with muscle weakness, highlighting potential therapeutic interventions for prevention.
Move quickly to relax
Researchers at Wayne State University aim to address impaired relaxation of heart muscles through novel biomechanical tests and imaging techniques. The project, funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, will investigate how mechanical properties of the heart relate to models of heart failure.
Novel protein could reverse severe muscle wasting in disease, aging and trauma
Researchers at Monash University have discovered a factor that triggers muscle stem cells to proliferate and heal, leading to the complete regeneration of muscle and normal movement. The protein, NAMPT, was found to stimulate muscle growth by 'cuddling' muscle stem cells, effectively replacing damaged tissue.
New clues to how muscle wasting occurs in people with cancer
Researchers have discovered that cancer progression leads to fewer skeletal muscle ribosomes, resulting in muscle wasting. The findings suggest a new mechanism for muscle loss that could be relevant not just for people with cancer but also other conditions such as aging and malnutrition.
Researchers create powerful unipolar carbon nanotube muscles
Electrochemically driven carbon nanotube muscles contract more when driven faster, solving limitations that restricted their applications. The polymer coating used in the study converts bipolar actuation to unipolar, making the muscles faster and more powerful.
Modeling study of ancient thumbs traces the history of hominin thumb dexterity
A recent study reveals that increased manual dexterity in hominins emerged around 2 million years ago, significantly impacting the development of complex human culture. This finding suggests a crucial element underlying biocultural evolution.
Alcohol causes immediate effects linked to heart malady
A UCSF clinical study found that alcohol has an immediate effect on the heart in patients with atrial fibrillation (AFib), reducing the time needed for certain heart muscle cells to recover. The study suggests that moderate drinking may help prevent AFib, a condition affecting 12 million Americans and leading to 158,000 deaths annually.
Identification of Oligo-DNA that promotes skeletal muscle differentiation
Researchers identified a novel oligo-DNA molecule that induces myoblast differentiation, potentially treating muscle atrophy and related diseases. The 'myogenetic oligo-DNA' (myoDN) acts as an aptamer, binding to protein nucleolin and activating the p53 signaling pathway.
From fins to limbs
Researchers discovered three functional stages in the transition from fins to limbs, with early tetrapods exhibiting a unique pattern of muscle leverage. Their limbs were more adapted for propulsion than weight bearing, reflecting their aquatic origins and need to adapt to life on land.
Exercising muscle combats chronic inflammation on its own
Researchers at Duke University have discovered that exercising lab-grown human muscle can directly counteract the damaging effects of chronic inflammation, particularly from interferon gamma. The study shows that muscle cells take anti-inflammatory actions independently of other cell types or tissues.
Mechanism that produces rapid acceleration in clicking beetles identified
A study by Virginia Tech researchers reveals that clicking beetles use a unique hinge-like tool in their thorax to generate extreme accelerations, reaching 300 times the Earth's gravitational acceleration. The snap-through unbending motion enables the beetle to launch itself into the air and move quickly between locations.
NAD+ can restore age-related muscle deterioration
Scientists discovered protein aggregates in skeletal muscles during natural aging, impairing mitochondrial function. However, boosting NAD+ levels with nicotinamide riboside and Olaparib restored mitochondrial homeostasis and reduced age-related proteotoxic aggregates in both worms and human muscle tissue.
Well-built muscles underlie athletic performance in birds
Researchers studied seabirds' flight performance and found that birds with larger muscle fibers flew faster despite beating their wings less frequently. They also discovered that birds with a higher number of nuclei in their muscle cells could activate more muscle fibers to power flight.
How insects activate muscles to adapt to limbs removed
Researchers discovered an intrinsic contralateral connection in insect nervous systems that enables synchronized muscle activation after limb loss. This finding may aid design principles for flexible and adaptive walking in insect-like robots.
Research breaks new ground in understanding how a molecular motor generates force
A team of scientists has discovered that the mechanical events of a molecular motor precede biochemical events in force generation. This finding challenges the long-held view that biochemical events gate the force-generating event, and could lead to new treatments for conditions like heart failure and cancer.
Stretching more effective than walking to lower high blood pressure: USask study
A new University of Saskatchewan study found that stretching is superior to brisk walking for reducing blood pressure in people with high blood pressure or at risk of developing elevated levels. Stretching resulted in bigger reductions in blood pressure across all three types of measurement.
Researchers identify promising model for studying human aging
A study published in Frontiers in Physiology: Striated Muscle has identified the Dunkin Hartley guinea pig as a promising animal model for understanding human musculoskeletal aging. The researchers found similarities between muscle changes in guinea pigs and humans, including decreases in muscle density and shifts toward slower-twitch ...
New technology reveals fast and slow twitch muscle fibers respond differently to exercise
Scientists at the University of Copenhagen have developed a new technology that allows researchers to study muscle biology on a detailed level. The study found that fast and slow twitch muscle fibers respond differently to exercise training, with hundreds of proteins expressed uniquely in each type. This discovery has implications for ...
Not just a guys' club: Resistance training benefits older women just as much as older men
A new study published in Sports Medicine finds that resistance training has similar benefits for older women and men, with women achieving greater relative increases in lower body strength. The research suggests that trainers should program differently for each sex to maximize training benefits.
Digging deep for differences in Duchenne muscular dystrophy
A recent study published in PNAS catalogues gene activity in skeletal muscle of mice with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) compared to healthy animals. The researchers found marked differences in gene expression, including increased activation of genes involved in cell death and degradation of muscle tissue.
Connections determine everything
The study investigated factors affecting upper limb motor recovery after a stroke and found that structural integrity of the corticospinal tract is a key predictor. The researchers used transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to assess the condition of the corticospinal tract in 35 patients.
Resistance training paired with peanut protein affects muscle health in older adults
A six- to ten-week resistance training program significantly improved knee flexion peak torque and vastus lateralis thickness in older adults who received peanut protein supplementation, compared to those without. The study found that PP supplementation increased muscle strength and growth in untrained older individuals.
Muscle cell secrets
A team of scientists has discovered that muscle fibers contain a surprising variety of nuclei with distinct gene expression patterns. This finding could help better understand muscle diseases such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy and shed light on the underlying mechanisms of cellular function.
Blocking protein restores strength, endurance in old mice, Stanford study finds
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine discovered that blocking a single protein restores mass and strength to withered muscles in old mice. The protein, 15-PGDH, is elevated in old muscle and its inhibition leads to improved prostaglandin E2 levels, resulting in muscle fiber growth and increased mitochondrial density.
Study details how aerobic exercise reverses degenerative process that leads to metabolic diseases
Regular aerobic exercise increases DICER expression, combating the harmful effects of aging and obesity on metabolism. This leads to improved energy consumption efficiency, enhanced muscle performance, and reduced body weight and visceral fat.
Grasping an object - model describes complete movement planning in the brain
Researchers developed an artificial neural network model that can simulate brain processes involved in grasping movements. The model was trained with data from rhesus monkeys and accurately reproduced their grasping movements, providing insights into neuronal dynamics.
Healthy muscles are a carrot on a string for healthy lungs
Researchers found that Ninjin'yoeito enhanced PGC-1α expression in skeletal muscle, improving muscle mass loss in aging mice. This study suggests a potential treatment for COPD patients with severe sarcopenia frailty.
Getting a grip on better health
A study of over 600 men found that grip strength was associated with hypoxemia-induced reductions in peripheral neural innervation. Sleep apnea was also linked to fat infiltration of muscle and endothelial dysfunction, highlighting the importance of addressing this common sleep problem.
Minimal waste production is a fundamental law for animal locomotion
A thermodynamic analysis by Skoltech professor Henni Ouerdane and his collaborators shows that waste minimization prevails over efficiency or power maximization in animal locomotion. The study recovered trends with experimental data for walk, trot, and gallop gaits.
Age not just a number: Causes of joint stiffness differ between older and younger adults
A study by Shibaura Institute of Technology found that non-muscle tissues, specifically nerves, contribute more to joint flexibility as individuals age. Researchers measured ankle ROM and tissue stiffness in young and old adults, revealing a correlation between nerve stiffness and increased ROM in older participants.
Simple measurement could transform injury rehabilitation
Researchers from Edith Cowan University have developed a simple method to analyze the effectiveness of exercise training using vertical jumps. By measuring forces produced on the ground during jumps, they can predict detailed information about technique and muscle activation patterns.
Study reveals physical demands of two-hour marathon
Elite marathon runners require a perfect balance of VO2 max, efficiency, and lactate turn point to maintain two-hour pace. A study on athletes from Nike's Breaking2 project found that these runners must take in oxygen twice as fast as normal individuals at marathon pace.
New 'robotic snake' device grips, picks up objects
Engineers at the University of New South Wales have developed a robotic gripper that behaves like an elephant's trunk to grasp, pick up, and release objects without breaking them. The versatile technology can be applied in various industries, including agriculture, food, and scientific exploration.
Scientist studies the role of a muscle protein in skeletal muscle disorders
The University of Cincinnati researcher is studying the role of a muscle protein in the development of distal arthrogryposis, a rare skeletal muscle disorder. The protein in question, myosin binding protein-C, has been found to be essential for muscle formation, function, and regulation in both heart and skeletal muscles.
Artificial intelligence can help to improve prognosis and treatment for glioblastoma
Researchers used AI to analyze MRI brain scans of patients with glioblastoma, identifying a significant predictor of overall and progression-free survival: the amount of muscle in the temporalis muscle. Patients with higher muscle mass had improved survival rates, highlighting a potential tool for personalized treatment planning.
Brazilian researchers discover how muscle regenerates after exercise
Aerobic exercise promotes muscle regeneration by altering the metabolism of satellite cells, allowing them to recover from injury. The study found that satellite cells consume less oxygen, enabling them to regenerate tissue more efficiently.
Low quantity and quality of muscle predicts poor outcomes in colon cancer surgery
A recent study published in JAMA Surgery found that low muscle mass and quality are linked to greater post-operative complications, hospitalization, and mortality in patients with colon cancer following colon resection surgery. The researchers followed 1,630 patients and used preoperative CT scans to analyze body composition.
Identified a subgroup of stem cells that resists ageing and maintains muscle regeneration
Scientists have identified a subgroup of stem cells that retains regenerative capacity well beyond geriatric age, suggesting new avenues for improving muscle health in elderly individuals. The discovery provides insight into the FoxO signalling pathway and its role in maintaining youthful gene expression.
Innovative surgery restores movement in patients with Parsonage-Turner syndrome
A multidisciplinary team of specialists at Hospital for Special Surgery successfully performed microsurgery to repair damaged nerves and restore muscle strength and movement to patients with Parsonage-Turner Syndrome. The surgery allowed 11 out of 24 patients to regain function of their arm.
Findings shed light on the ancient origins of speed control during movement
A Northwestern University research team discovered a highly ordered relationship between inhibitory neurons and motor neuron activity in zebrafish, revealing a compartmental scheme to regulate different speeds of movement. This finding provides insight into human movement disorders such as Parkinson's disease and epilepsy.
Exercising one arm has twice the benefits
Researchers found that eccentric exercise on the opposing arm can prevent muscle damage and build strength in the unaffected limb. The study involved 30 participants with one arm immobilised for four weeks, showing significant improvements in strength and minimal muscle loss.
These two bird-sized dinosaurs evolved the ability to glide, but weren't great at it
Researchers discovered that Yi and Ambopteryx, two small dinosaur species from Late Jurassic China, evolved the ability to glide but were poorly capable of powered flight. They relied on gliding as an escape mechanism to stay out of danger while struggling to compete with other tree-dwelling dinosaurs and early birds.
A wearable sensor to help ALS patients communicate
A team of MIT researchers has designed a skin-like device that can measure small facial movements in patients with ALS, allowing them to communicate through a variety of sentiments. The wearable sensor is thin, camouflaged, and easy to use, achieving an accuracy rate of about 75% in distinguishing between different movements.