Articles tagged with Muscles
Researchers at the University of Illinois developed soft robotic devices driven by neuromuscular tissue stimulated by light, enabling biobots to swim and walk autonomously. The new generation of two-tailed bots uses skeletal muscle tissue and optogenetic neurons for propulsion.
A new study reveals that bat wing muscles are uniquely adapted to operate at low temperatures during flight, a phenomenon with implications for human exercise in extreme conditions. By understanding this adaptation, scientists hope to develop strategies to improve human performance and safety in cold weather.
Researchers discovered a sensorimotor function integration mechanism in expert pianists that enables skillful fingering. This neuroplastic adaptation enhances speed and precision of finger movements, revealing new insights into the brain's role in motor control.
Research found that mice with gut microbes had stronger skeletal muscles and improved energy production compared to germ-free mice. Transplanting gut microbes partially restored muscle function in germline mice, opening new avenues for interventions targeting age-related skeletal muscle loss.
A study by the University of Granada recommends spending more time standing to increase energy expenditure and reduce negative health effects of a sedentary lifestyle. Standing burns approximately 45 kilocalories more per six-hour period than sitting or lying down, making it an effective way to combat excess weight and obesity.
Researchers found that European whitefish muscle omega-3 fatty acid concentration declined by 60% from growing to spawning seasons. Local people traditionally fish for winter supplies during the main growing season when nutritional quality is optimal, reflecting an understanding of the fish's energy-demanding spawning process.
Researchers found that older men who never exercised before could build muscle at a similar rate as master athletes, highlighting the benefits of starting exercise later in life. The study suggests that regular physical activity can help delay age-related decline and improve overall health.
Biofeedback has shown promise as a treatment for various conditions, including headache pain reduction, improved urinary and fecal incontinence, and aid in stroke recovery. The review highlights the benefits of biofeedback for several conditions, while also identifying areas where further research is needed.
Research suggests that statins cause spontaneous calcium leaks in muscle cells, leading to pain and weakness in susceptible individuals. Moderate exercise may prevent this leak and mitigate symptoms, according to the study.
Researchers from KAIST have created an ultrathin artificial muscle that expands, contracts, and rotates using electricity, opening doors for applications in wearable electronics and advanced prosthetics. The actuator is flexible, durable, and highly responsive, with a durability of over five hours.
A novel robotic neck brace has been developed to assist ALS patients in holding their heads and supporting range of motion. The device incorporates sensors and actuators to restore approximately 70% of the active range of motion, allowing for improved eye contact and computer control.
A new study suggests that oral appliances can be an effective alternative to CPAP for treating moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea. Patients with mild collapsibility and weaker reflex responses tend to benefit more from oral appliances, which move the lower jaw forward to prevent airflow obstruction.
Focusing on movement during weightlifting may improve performance by reducing mechanical inefficiency and increasing automatic control processes. This contradicts the traditional mind-muscle connection theory, which suggests focusing on individual muscles enhances activation and development.
Scientists discovered a protein called LIN-53 that controls muscle integrity, lifespan and levels of an essential sugar. The protein is an epigenetic factor that affects gene expression and heritable traits.
A study of individuals over 65 years old found that low appendicular muscle mass significantly increased all-cause mortality risk nearly 63-fold in women and 11.4-fold in men. The researchers used DXA body composition analysis to determine the correlation between body composition factors and mortality risk.
Research found that strength training reduces endurance muscle fiber number by producing brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which remodels neuromuscular synapses. This results in a decline in endurance muscles and an increase in strength muscles.
A new position statement suggests resistance training is crucial for improving the health and longevity of older adults. It provides evidence-based recommendations for successful resistance training programs, highlighting practical applications and functional benefits.
In a study published in Scientific Reports, researchers found that changing gravity levels altered the bone mass of mice's forefoot and boosted their leg muscles. The findings suggest new avenues for developing treatments for skeletal diseases like osteoporosis and sarcopenia.
A study published in Nature Communications reveals that the activation of mTORC1 must be tightly balanced to maintain the neuromuscular junction after nerve injury. This balance is crucial for proper muscle response and preventing age-related muscle atrophy.
The University of Alabama at Birmingham will organize and implement an international, multi-site study to learn more about AFM incidence and progression. The study aims to better understand how the disease develops in children and identify potential risk factors.
Researchers at UMN Medical School found that estrogen deficiency leads to a 30-60% drop in muscle stem cells and severe difficulty reproducing new muscle after injury. Estrogen replacement therapy may help maintain muscle health, but risks cancer due to its effects on tissues.
Researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center found that resveratrol supplementation preserved muscle function and mitigated muscle atrophy under Martian gravity. The study suggests that resveratrol could be a key dietary supplement to maintain musculoskeletal health on long-term Mars missions.
A Harvard study suggests that resveratrol can preserve muscle mass and strength in rats exposed to simulated Mars gravity, with almost complete rescue of front and rear paw grip. The compound's anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects may help conserve muscle and bone in astronauts on long missions to Mars.
Researchers have discovered how a fungus controls zombie ants by invading their mandibular muscles, breaking open membrane covering muscle fibres and causing the muscle to contract forcefully, resulting in the ant's death grip.
Researchers have developed a new type of artificial muscle called sheath-run artificial muscles (SRAMs), which use a polymer coating to twist yarns and create powerful contraction. SRAMs outperform human muscle power density, with some yarns producing contractile powers up to 40 times that of human muscle.
Researchers developed new fiber-based designs for artificial muscles that can be activated by heat, electricity, and chemistry, offering potential uses in miniaturized medical devices and smart textiles. The resulting materials show impressive contractile powers, including 40 times that of human muscle.
A small study suggests that treating pelvic floor muscle spasm with botulinum toxin may relieve pain and improve quality of life in women with endometriosis. The treatment showed long-lasting benefits, with many patients reporting pain relief lasting at least six months.
The team of researchers from RIKEN BDR and Tokyo Denki University have developed a bio-MEMS that is driven by real muscle, which could be useful in surgical implants. The new study successfully demonstrates an on-chip muscle-driven valve that can open and close without any external power source.
Researchers suggest that strengthening muscles, rather than losing fat, may be a better way to protect against weight-related health risks like diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Muscle health is linked to metabolic function, insulin sensitivity, and glucose uptake, making it a potential indicator of overall health.
A novel surgical technique connects functioning nerves with injured nerves to restore power in paralyzed muscles, enabling participants to perform everyday tasks independently. The study suggests that nerve transfers can achieve similar functional improvements to traditional tendon transfers, with the benefit of smaller incisions and s...
A study by the University of Exeter found that mycoprotein stimulates post-exercise muscle growth more effectively than milk protein. This breakthrough could have significant implications for those seeking to reduce their meat intake while maintaining optimal muscle mass.
Researchers found that combining aerobic exercise and resistance training preserves muscle mass in obese older adults. The study showed increased muscle protein synthesis and improved muscle quality compared to control groups.
Researchers found a significant jump in medically unnecessary ambulance rides for minor injuries like abrasions and muscle sprains after the ACA expansion. In New York City, these dispatches increased by 37%, equivalent to 2,868 additional rides per year.
A recent study published in the Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle found that vitamin D signaling is crucial for maintaining normal muscle size and strength. Researchers discovered that mice lacking vitamin D receptors in their muscle cells had smaller muscles and reduced physical performance.
A KIST research team has successfully taught a robot to trap a dropped ball like a soccer player using surface electromyograms (sEMG) of muscles. The technology enables robots with flexible joints to mimic human movements, advancing the study of interactions between humans and robots.
Scientists at Linköping University have created artificial muscles that harness energy from glucose and oxygen, mimicking biological muscle movement. The innovation uses enzymes to convert chemical energy into electrical energy, enabling the creation of implantable and autonomous microrobots.
Researchers found that dogs have developed a muscle above the eyes to intensively raise their inner eyebrow, making them appear larger and more infant-like. This movement, known as AU101, triggers a caregiving response in humans, potentially leading to enhanced social interaction.
A new study from UTMB has identified biomarkers that predict individual susceptibility to muscle function decline and found effective exercise and hormone treatments to combat atrophy. The findings may allow scientists to personalize space medicine by designing specific programs for each astronaut before long-term missions.
A recent study published in the FASEB Journal has found that inhibiting various stages of mitochondrial dysfunction can suppress muscle atrophy. Researchers used Caenorhabditis elegans worms to model human muscle diseases and showed that experimental drugs could prevent muscle decline caused by dysfunctional mitochondria.
Researchers investigated mirror activity in healthy humans and found that amplitude grows with repetition, while latency decreases. This inverse relation may be linked to fatigue-induced inhibitory mechanisms failure.
Research found that supplements for weight loss, muscle building, and energy were associated with nearly three times the risk of severe medical outcomes compared to vitamins. Reputable physicians do not recommend these products due to adulteration with prescription pharmaceuticals and other dangerous chemicals.
Muscle gradually increases Annexin A2 expression in the absence of dysferlin, driving fatty deposits and promoting adipocyte formation from fibro/adipogenic precursors. Shutting down Annexin A2 or blocking FAP differentiation arrests disease progression.
Researchers have identified a potential therapy for limb girdle muscular dystrophy using lithium to improve muscle size and strength in mice. The findings suggest that inhibiting the protein GSK3beta with lithium chloride can lead to significant improvements in mouse strength and muscle mass.
Researchers at WashU Medicine have discovered a previously unknown autoimmune muscle disease causing sudden onset of debilitating muscle pain and weakness. The syndrome can be effectively treated with anti-inflammatory drugs, but accurate diagnosis is crucial to manage related symptoms.
Researchers discovered that V1 neurons in fish spinal cords inhibit slow muscle activity during high-speed swimming. This mechanism enables fast swimming by preventing disturbance from slow muscle activity.
York University researchers have identified novel genes that play a crucial role in regulating muscle cell differentiation and growth. The study found that Smad7 and β-catenin proteins work together to control the pathway for normal gene expression, resulting in normal skeletal muscle cells.
Researchers found that coffee suppresses bacteria growth in the gut and increases muscle motility, regardless of caffeine content. This could lead to potential treatments for post-operative constipation and ileus.
A new anatomic study highlights critical technical issues to ensure safe performance of the Brazilian butt lift, a procedure using patient's own fat to augment and improve buttock appearance. Researchers recommend injecting only under skin, never into muscle, to prevent serious complications.
Researchers studied embryonic development to understand how neurons regulate digestive movement. They discovered that intestinal nervous system coordinates muscular contractions and reflexes.
A study by James Cook University found that pelvic floor exercises can effectively manage erectile dysfunction (ED) and premature ejaculation (PE) in men, with cure rates as high as 47% for ED and 83% for PE. Physiotherapists recommend non-invasive exercises to build strength and control.
Two patients with paraplegia regained the ability to walk with minimal assistance through a fully non-invasive brain-machine interface, producing over 4,500 steps. The technology combines EEG-based brain control with functional electrical stimulation to produce a smoother gait pattern.
A team of researchers found that a protein called leucine tRNA-synthetase influences muscle regeneration and regrowth in an unexpected way. Lower levels of this protein enable mice to recover from muscle injury more quickly than those with normal levels, leading to stronger regenerated muscles.
Research by Jena University's sport psychology team reveals that loud grunting noises in tennis can lead to a biased perception of the ball's trajectory, causing players to overestimate its distance. Despite this, the sound of grunting does not hinder opponents' ability to predict the ball's flight.
A new study has created a three-dimensional model of skeletal muscles responsible for bird flight, providing the most comprehensive picture of anatomy to date. The technique, developed by researchers at the University of Missouri, can be displayed virtually or through a printed 3D model.
A new study suggests that consuming a variety of protein sources, rather than relying on a single type, can have numerous health benefits. The research found that excessive consumption of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) from popular protein powders may reduce lifespan and negatively impact mood and weight gain.
Regular exercise increases antioxidant protein expression in skeletal muscle, driven by the cooperative action of p62 and Nrf2. Enhanced muscle contractility activates p62, leading to increased Nrf2 nuclear translocation and DNA binding activity.
Researchers have discovered that injecting cells called pericytes into muscles depleted by inactivity can help restore lost muscle mass. The treatment showed significant improvement in muscle recovery compared to those who regained mobility without injections, particularly in older adults and disabled individuals.
Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory have developed a catalyst that efficiently decomposes nerve agents like sarin, eliminating their harmful effects. The multimodal approach used in the study identifies the active site of the catalyst and validates its effectiveness in real-life conditions.
Researchers created hydrogels that mimic muscle properties through mechanical training, producing strong, soft, and fatigue-resistant materials for medical implants and engineering applications. The trained hydrogels demonstrate improved tensile strength, soft flexibility, and high water content.
Researchers at Sanford Burnham Prebys have identified a molecular signaling pathway involving Stat3 and Fam3a proteins that regulates muscle stem cell fate. Boosting these cells could lead to muscle-boosting therapeutics for muscular dystrophies or age-related muscle decline, potentially helping people live an active and independent life.