Articles tagged with Muscles
Long-term use of muscle relaxants has increased dramatically since 2005, particularly among older adults, who are prescribed these drugs at a rate nearly three times that of their proportion in the US population. This trend is concerning, as it can lead to dangerous interactions with opioids and other serious side effects.
Researchers at the University of Bonn identified a receptor that regulates two side effects of aging: increased abdominal girth and shrinking muscles. The A2B receptor is found in mice and human cell cultures, and its activation increases heat generation and muscle growth.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a family of soft materials that imitates living creatures, bending, rotating and even crawling on surfaces when hit with light. The materials move without complex hardware or electricity, and have potential applications in energy, environmental remediation and advanced medicine.
Scientists at Max Delbrück Center develop mouse model to study sarcomere structure and function, identifying key proteins involved in muscle contraction and relaxation. They discover that myosin enters the Z-disc, challenging current models of sarcomere mechanics.
A study finds that distal femoral cortical irregularities (DFCI) occur in over half of young competitive alpine skiers, primarily due to repetitive stress on tendon attachment sites. DFCI should not be mistaken for cancer or infection and are associated with increased bone remodeling and fibrous proliferation.
Researchers found that skeletal muscles release interleukin-15, which helps to settle and activate T-cell precursors. This enables the immune system to fight chronic infections over long periods. Regular training may strengthen the immune system by increasing muscle mass.
Research shows that just one 60-minute bout of exercise can shift the muscle clocks of mice by around an hour, influencing circadian rhythms. This discovery highlights the potential of exercise as a treatment for conditions like heart disease, where disrupted body clocks are a contributing factor.
Low physical function and muscle mass after hip fracture increase the risk of accelerated bone deterioration in older patients. Substantial decrements in physical function, muscle strength occur after hip fracture, markedly increasing the risk for subsequent fractures.
A new study from Aarhus University and Aarhus University Hospital found that three hours of weekly strength training combined with protein supplements can break the vicious circle of muscle loss in patients with cirrhosis. This leads to improved muscle strength, size, functional capacity, and quality of life.
Researchers at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology discovered a key mechanism controlling muscle stem cell dormancy, involving the release of conserved introns upon activation. This discovery sheds light on the importance of Intron Retention (IR) in regulating gene expression and stem cell quiescence.
Researchers from SUTD and NTU developed insightful analyses of in vitro skeletal muscle tissue models, reviewing state-of-the-art bioengineering approaches for mimicking skeletal muscle tissues. Despite progress, challenges remain in replicating native muscle functionality, including proper innervation and vascularization.
Cystatin C provides a more accurate estimate of kidney function than traditional methods, reducing errors in diagnosis and treatment planning. The new cystatin-based eGFR estimation method has the potential to improve patient outcomes for those with cardiovascular disease.
A large study of middle-aged women found that physical activity helps slow the decline in muscle mass during menopausal transition. The research, conducted by the University of Jyväskylä, measured muscle size in perimenopausal and postmenopausal states.
A world-first therapeutic for treating sleep apnea and weak muscle conditions will be showcased at Bio Digital. Developed by RMIT University, the patented technology uses modified tetanus toxin molecules to effectively tone muscles, offering a promising alternative to cumbersome airway pressure machines.
Scientists have discovered that a mutant protein associated with familial ALS disrupts neurotransmission at the squid giant synapse. Intermittent high-frequency stimulation restores synaptic function, suggesting a new approach to therapeutic intervention for ALS. This study provides insights into fundamental synaptic physiology and off...
Researchers found that a single intense bike ride increases Ubiquitin tagging on worn-out proteins, leading to their degradation and removal. This process helps maintain muscle health and function by replacing damaged proteins with new ones.
A study found that replenishing the SV2 protein can restore synaptic function and prevent cells from dying in a genetic form of ALS. This suggests that SV2 is a promising therapeutic target for slowing disease progression and prolonging muscle strength.
A new study published in The American Journal of Sports Medicine finds that human growth hormone (HGH) treatment after ACL reconstructive surgery may prevent the loss of muscle strength in the knee. Researchers found a 29% higher knee extension strength in patients who received HGH injections compared to those in the placebo group.
Researchers found that gesturing while speaking affects the sound of a person's voice, adding acoustic emphasis. The study suggests that gestures carry additional information about bodily tension and motion, contradicting traditional views on language.
Researchers report that vitamin B3 niacin boosts energy metabolism and slows disease progression in mitochondrial myopathy patients by increasing NAD+ levels in blood and muscle tissue. The study reveals niacin's therapeutic effect in delaying disease progression, offering a promising treatment option for this progressive muscle disease.
People with ACL injuries can lose up to 40% of muscle strength due to muscle atrophy. A new University of Michigan study found that adding eccentric exercises to physical therapy can increase muscle volume and improve outcomes.
Researchers mapped out how gene networks change as muscle cells mature from embryonic development to adulthood. The roadmap could lead to better methods for creating muscle stem cells from stem cells, potentially treating muscular dystrophies and sarcopenia.
A study in mice suggests gene therapy can build significant muscle mass quickly and reduce the severity of osteoarthritis, even without exercise. The therapy also prevented obesity and improved cardiovascular health.
Researchers found that consuming potato protein isolate increased the rate at which muscles made new protein in young women, highlighting its potential as a plant-based alternative for supporting muscle maintenance. The study suggests that current dietary recommendations may be inadequate to support muscle growth and development.
A recent UBC Okanagan study shows that progressive-resistance exercises can be effective in altering the path to frailty. Seniors who participated in a 12-week free weight exercise program improved their muscle performance and became less frail, without injury.
Northumbria University researchers received funding to advance our understanding of the Sun's impact on planets. They developed nanostimulators that enhance stem cells' regenerative powers, showing improved muscle recovery in mice with ischemia.
Researchers at the University of Illinois used nanostimulators to boost stem cells' regenerative powers, increasing blood flow and oxygen levels in ischemic limbs. The treatment showed improvements in mobility and strength, offering a promising approach for muscle repair.
Research highlights age-related muscle loss as a contributing factor to diabetes in the elderly. Men with lower lean body mass are more prone to developing diabetes, but not women.
Researchers at the University of Nottingham have discovered a potential treatment for myotonic dystrophy by inhibiting the CDK12 molecule. The study found that inhibiting this molecule reduces the symptoms of the condition, suggesting a possible route to therapy.
Researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign developed spinobots that can walk using a rat muscle and spinal cord tissue. The integration of the spinal cord gives them a natural walking rhythm, which could have implications for neurocomputing and restorative medicine.
Researchers found that FDA-approved drugs Betaxolol and Pravastatin can increase muscle strength in mouse models of DMD by stimulating utrophin production. This approach could lead to novel therapies for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, potentially offering advantages over traditional gene replacement methods.
A team of doctors and engineers created biocompatible electrodes for compression stockings to stimulate muscles while bedridden. The technology aims to retain muscle mass in intensive-care patients, potentially reducing recovery time.
A recent study from Tampere University found that direct gaze during video calls elicits similar psychophysiological responses as in-person eye contact. The researchers measured skin conductance and facial muscle activation to investigate the effects of eye contact in various situations.
A recent University of Montana study found that a diverse diet rich in carbohydrates is just as effective for muscle recovery as sports supplements for female athletes. The study showed that muscles in both men and women replenish carbohydrate stores similarly, regardless of whether they used potato products or sports supplements.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have uncovered the detailed shape of a key protein involved in muscle contraction using cryo-EM technology. The discovery may lead to improved understanding of muscle-weakening genetic conditions.
A new study found that sugammadex significantly reduced rates of pulmonary complications and respiratory failure in patients undergoing surgery compared to neostigmine. The drug works by removing the molecule of rocuronium from muscle receptors, resulting in fewer side effects and a more complete reversal of muscle relaxation.
Researchers at the University of Warwick have developed a new microscopy technique that allows them to visualize the dynamics of protein assemblies in cells, providing insights into cellular muscle movements. The study reveals that myosin proteins exhibit different regimes of fluctuations, enabling the cell to exert forces and propagate.
A new study suggests that the brain uses multiple sources of sensory information, including vision and posture, to control movement. When visual cues are distorted or removed, the intensity of muscle stretch reflexes is reduced.
Researchers found that exercise only improves muscle strength when specific muscle cells age, report Hokkaido University scientists. A cell-aging drug combined with exercise restored FAP aging and improved muscle function and regeneration in mice with chronic inflammatory myopathy.
Researchers have found a way to halt and reverse muscle fibrosis caused by overuse injuries in animal studies. The discovery uses the drug FG-3019 to block protein CCN2, which promotes connective tissue growth, leading to significant improvements in muscle strength.
A new experimental model of severe Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) reveals that high TGFβ activity suppresses muscle regeneration and promotes fibroadipogenic progenitors, leading to muscle degeneration. The study identifies correcting the muscle micro-environment caused by high TGFβ as a therapeutic target.
Researchers at Kaunas University of Technology designed a set of stabilisation exercises aimed at strengthening muscles supporting the spine. The program was tested on 70 volunteers and found to eliminate lower back pain for 12 weeks, 3 times longer than usual muscle strengthening exercise programs.
Researchers at the University of Birmingham have identified a key mechanism to clear damaged mitochondria, which contributes to age-related decline in muscle function. The study suggests that activating AMPK with drugs or exercise may stimulate mitochondrial clearance, keeping muscles healthy and prolonging physical capabilities.
A team of researchers led by the University of Pittsburgh is developing a smart device that uses AI, bioelectronics, and regenerative medicine to regrow muscle tissue. The device aims to prevent stiff scars from forming in wounds over 20% damaged, which often leads to significant disability.
A team of Cornell researchers compiled a 'cell atlas' of muscle regeneration, cataloging the activity of almost every type of cell involved in muscle repair. The dataset provides a comprehensive picture of cellular interactions and may lead to improved rehabilitation strategies for patients recovering from muscle injuries.
Researchers developed a platform to coculture neurons and muscle cells, capturing the emergence of neuromuscular junctions and synchronized bursting patterns. The study provides new insights into biohybrid machines and their potential applications in fields like intelligent drug delivery and environment sensing.
A new study suggests that squatting and kneeling may be important resting positions in human evolution, as they involve higher levels of muscle activity. This could reduce the health risks associated with sedentary behavior, particularly cardiovascular disease.
Researchers examined Hadza adults' activity patterns, finding they spent nearly 10 hours a day in nonambulatory postures similar to industrialized populations. However, Hadza adults spent more time in squatting and kneeling postures, which produce muscle activity, suggesting humans need daily muscle activity from both movement and resting
University of Michigan researchers create a way to tame temperamental nerve endings, separate thick nerve bundles into smaller fibers, and amplify signals to enable precise control. The approach involves tiny muscle grafts and machine learning algorithms, allowing for intuitive prosthetic control with no learning required.
Assistant Professor Fabrizio Sergi at the University of Delaware received a NSF CAREER Award for his work on motor control and brain-body interaction using MRI-compatible robots. His research aims to improve neurorehabilitation practices for individuals with motor impairment, such as stroke survivors.
Researchers developed a handheld 3D bioprinter to treat volumetric muscle loss, allowing for direct scaffold deposition into defect sites. The bioprinter prints gelatin-based hydrogels that mimic native tissue properties and adhere precisely to surrounding tissues.
Researchers at Kessler Foundation are studying a potential application of a trunk-strengthening program to improve posture, balance, and mobility in individuals recovering from stroke. The pilot study uses the AllCore360º device to examine the effects on posture, balance, and walking ability.
A team of scientists studied the jumping mechanism in flea beetles and discovered a highly efficient 'catapult' that can propel the beetle hundreds of times its body length. The research revealed two processes that amplify power output and reduce energy waste, enabling the beetles to perform over 30 consecutive jumps.
Duchenne muscular dystrophy researchers have identified a potential new method for therapies, using small molecules to increase utrophin protein production. This approach bypasses the immune system's challenges and may provide functional characteristics similar to dystrophin.
Researchers at Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine have developed a way to accelerate functional muscle regeneration by integrating neural cells into 3D bioprinted skeletal muscle constructs. The study, published in Nature Communications, demonstrates the potential for these constructs to restore normal muscle weight and fu...
Researchers found that a mere four glial cells in the worm's brain control the stress response in cells throughout its body, increasing lifespan by 75%. This discovery suggests that brain cells may play a crucial role in protecting muscles from wasting away, and potentially lead to new treatments for muscle atrophy and obesity.
Noninvasive magnetographic imaging of muscle activity allows spatial and temporal mapping of physiological electric currents, enabling studies of the cardiac cycle and lower back pain. This breakthrough method offers diverse applications in medical research and could provide new insights into muscle function and pain mechanisms.
The researchers aim to develop a compact sonomyographic prosthetic system that can provide robust control signals proportional to muscle activity. They plan to evaluate the system's performance compared to existing methods, including clinical outcome measures and user satisfaction questionnaires.
A small study found that consuming flavanol-rich cocoa improved walking distance and blood flow in patients with peripheral artery disease. The study suggests that cocoa may be a new way to treat PAD, which affects over 8.5 million people nationwide.
Researchers developed an elastic kirigami patch to capture electromyographic signals from palm muscles of baseball players, revealing differences between curveballs and fastballs. This innovation enables better understanding of muscular activity in various sports and could aid medical research for motor disorders.