Research on muscle biology and repair. Covers tissue maintenance, Parkinson's protection, repair-cell preservation, and muscle strength with age.
Researchers created mini-chambers on a microfluidic device where human motor neurons and skeletal muscle cells grew, forming neuromuscular junctions. The study found that ALS motor neurons formed fewer connections and regenerated axons less efficiently than healthy ones.
A comprehensive study in mice reveals a roadmap of muscle decline with age, identifying key molecular mechanisms and potential new treatments. Klotho supplementation improved muscle strength in old but not oldest-old mice, suggesting earlier intervention may prevent declines.
A recent study by Kanazawa University researchers found that leg muscle action can improve blood flow independently of age. The study used MRI imaging to measure changes in blood flow and pump action in the legs of healthy volunteers aged 24, 47, and 72 years.
A mouse study found that vitamin D deficiency impairs skeletal muscle mitochondrial function, leading to reduced energy production and potentially poor muscle strength. The study suggests that preventing vitamin D deficiency in older adults could help maintain better muscle function and reduce age-related muscle deterioration.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati have developed a new treatment for Pompe disease, a genetic condition that affects 1 in 40,000 people in the US. The treatment has been shown to be safer and more effective than current therapy, improving respiratory muscle function, endurance, and overall quality of life.
A revised handgrip cutoff value of 32 kg for men and 21 kg for women can accurately identify mobility impairment, increasing the likelihood of early diagnosis by 88% for men and 89% for women. This revised metric promotes preventive treatment to avoid muscle weakness and mobility loss.
Researchers at UC Irvine discover the interaction between stromal progenitors and ILC2s that promotes muscle eosinophilia and fibrosis-associated gene expression. This finding could lead to the development of new treatments for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a fatal muscle disease.
Researchers developed a neural control technology that enables amputees to regain control over their ankle movements, including standing on challenging surfaces and squatting. The study demonstrates improved postural control, stability, and overall quality of life for individuals with prosthetic ankles.
Researchers aim to characterize sIBM disease progression and explore biomarkers associated with the disease to design more effective clinical trials. The study will enroll 150 subjects and investigate differences in disease phenotype and disease progression, including muscle pathology.
A new biomaterial, a boron-loaded alginate hydrogel, has been designed to accelerate muscle regeneration after injury. The hydrogel stimulates integrins, which promotes tissue formation and reduces recovery time by half.
Researchers studied stress signals in skeletal muscle and found they prevent misfolded protein aggregates in the brain and retina. Tailoring this signaling may help combat neurodegenerative conditions like age-related dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
A 10-week study found no significant difference in strength gains between middle-aged adults consuming moderate- and high-protein diets during resistance training. However, high-protein groups showed changes in gut microbes that were reversed by the intervention.
A new study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that consuming nitrate-rich vegetables, such as lettuce and spinach, can significantly improve muscle function. The research revealed that people with higher nitrate intake had 11% stronger lower limb strength than those with the lowest intake.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute used electron cryo-tomography to obtain detailed images of frozen muscle tissue, revealing the three-dimensional organisation of sarcomeres and their interacting filaments. The study provides new insights into muscle contraction and relaxation mechanisms.
Researchers have found that using a small molecule called givinostat can coax induced pluripotent stem cells to become muscle progenitor cells, increasing muscle stem cells and decreasing destructive inflammation. The strategy also restores levels of dystrophin, a key protein for the muscle, in animal models of muscular dystrophy.
Scientists have solved a fundamental mystery about how the heart works, revealing a new avenue for heart disease research. The discovery could lead to the development of new treatments for heart diseases, which are the leading cause of death worldwide.
Researchers at Oregon State University found that even one session of moderate aerobic exercise increases the cells' ability to burn off fuels. Post-exercise, mitochondria burned 12-13% more fat-based fuel and 14-17% more sugar-based fuel.
Researchers at Pennington Biomedical Research Center found that maintaining a stable body weight does not guarantee muscle mass and increases the risk of premature death among colorectal cancer survivors. Women are particularly vulnerable to losing muscle mass, with one in five women experiencing significant changes.
A new center at the University of Delaware will focus on musculoskeletal research, including tendonitis and osteoarthritis. The center aims to accelerate fundamental research and establish a comprehensive basic-to-clinical research pipeline.
A study published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition found that drinking electrolyte-enhanced water during and after exercise reduced muscle cramp susceptibility compared to plain water. The researchers suggest that pure water dilutes electrolyte concentration, making muscles more prone to cramps.
Researchers found that multiple genes and genetic variants are linked to flight performance in flies, with a central gene called pickpocket 23 regulating interactions. This study highlights the importance of genome-wide association studies in understanding complex traits like flight, which involve numerous genes.
Researchers have identified a way to reverse high blood sugar and muscle loss by targeting liver metabolism, which is disrupted in people with obesity-related type 2 diabetes. The study found that selectively silencing enzymes breaks down alanine can restore skeletal muscle protein synthesis, leading to improved muscle size and strength.
A UCLA-led research team identified a chemical cocktail that enables large numbers of muscle stem cells to be produced within 10 days. The approach shows promise for improving muscle regeneration and could lead to the development of stem cell-based therapies for muscle loss or damage due to injury, age, or disease.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 ...
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 ...
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.
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.