Articles tagged with Muscles
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have made a significant breakthrough in understanding FSHD by determining the three-dimensional structure of the DUX4 protein. This protein is responsible for the disease, which affects approximately 1 million people globally and currently has no treatment. The study's findings provide valuabl...
Scientists at the University of Texas Health Science Center have engineered a novel human stem cell line for skeletal muscle, enabling faster and more efficient generation of muscle stem cells. The breakthrough could lead to disease modeling, gene correction, and potential cell therapy for patients with muscle disorders.
Researchers highlight advancements in electrospinning for use in rotator cuff tissue engineering, focusing on improving nano-topographical properties and mechanical strengths. Human tissue is used to determine cyto-compatibility, but outcome measures vary across studies.
A study published in Clinical Endocrinology found that DHEA therapy increased bone mineral density in older women, particularly in the lumbar spine, total hip, and trochanter. However, the increases were not as large as seen with other treatments like bisphosphonates.
Acute flaccid myelitis is a rare but serious condition in children that can progress rapidly and result in persistent health deficits. The disease is usually caused by enteroviruses and requires urgent testing and medical attention.
Three JAMA Pediatrics articles focus on acute flaccid myelitis (AFM), a poorly understood condition causing muscle weakness and spinal cord lesions in children. The studies aim to better understand the cause, progression, biomarkers, prognosis, and treatment of AFM.
Myasthenia gravis is a chronic autoimmune disorder that causes weakening of skeletal muscles. Researchers at Kanazawa University found that the immune system regulatory molecule programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-1) is abundant in muscle tissue of patients, which may help reduce disease symptoms.
Researchers have developed a prosthetic arm that can detect and replicate phantom limb movements, revolutionizing amputee rehabilitation. The device uses muscle activity generated by mobilization of the phantom limb to achieve precise control, allowing patients to interact with their prostheses without extensive training or surgery.
A new study found that left gastric artery embolization, a weight loss procedure, not only reduces body fat but also leads to significant muscle mass loss. The researchers emphasized the need for proper nutritional counseling after the procedure to mitigate this risk.
Research from the University of Pittsburgh suggests that Klotho protein can rejuvenate muscle healing in old mice. By raising Klotho levels or mitigating its deficiency, researchers were able to restore functional levels of muscle regeneration in aged skeletal muscle.
Researchers found a bright appearance on deltoid muscle ultrasounds is associated with type 2 diabetes, indicating earlier treatment may be warranted. The study suggests using shoulder ultrasound as a supplemental screening option to detect undiagnosed patients.
Research reveals that women who undergo reconstructive surgeries using a large back muscle after radiation therapy experience significant losses in shoulder stability and function. Conversely, other methods such as pectoral muscle rebuild and abdominal tissue transfer produce equally good results for future shoulder function.
Researchers found a link between shoulder muscle brightness on ultrasound and type 2 diabetes, with low glycogen levels suspected as the cause. The study's findings suggest that radiologists can use ultrasound images to predict diabetic status in nearly nine out of ten patients.
Harvard researchers create highly-detailed musculoskeletal model of an echidna forelimb to gain insight into its biomechanics and optimize limb leverage for certain movements. The study also reveals the importance of muscle configuration in supporting limb rotation, a key feature of the echidna's sprawling gait.
A newly published mouse model of Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) has been developed to test potential therapeutics. The TIC-DUX4 mice express DUX4 only when exposed to the drug Tamoxifen, allowing researchers to control gene expression and study its effects on muscle weakness.
Researchers have made a breakthrough in treating Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS), identifying the nerve cells responsible for involuntary leg movements. By targeting these nerve cells, new drug treatments may be effective in preventing RLS symptoms.
A new study from Iowa State University found that weightlifting for less than an hour a week can reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke by 40 to 70 percent. The research suggests that strength training alone is enough to lower this risk, independent of running, walking, or other aerobic activity.
Researchers at the University of Montreal have discovered two proteins essential to the development of skeletal muscle. The study, published in Nature Communications, sheds light on the 'dance' of muscle cell movement and how cells fuse together to form a single large cell, leading to improved understanding of rare muscular diseases.
A new study from NTNU and Harvard University reveals that young men who strive for an unattainable muscular body are at risk of depression, weekend binge drinking, and disordered eating. The study also shows that over one-third of young men have been on a diet in the past year, unrelated to obesity.
Researchers found that postmenopausal Hispanic/Latina women had the highest risk of falls related to sarcopenic obesity. Postmenopausal women younger than 65 were also at a higher risk for falls connected to sarcopenic obesity, highlighting the need for targeted solutions to address this growing health concern.
Researchers analyzed data from 28 papers involving over 1,300 participants and found no evidence linking high protein diets to kidney disease in healthy individuals or those at risk of kidney disease. A high-protein diet can actually increase kidney function, making it a safe and important tool for muscle health across the lifespan.
A national poll found that nearly half of women over 50 experience urinary incontinence, but many don't discuss it with their doctors. The poll also revealed common triggers and coping strategies, emphasizing the need for physicians to ask about incontinence issues in older female patients.
A new rehabilitation protocol combining targeted electrical stimulation and weight-assisted therapy enables paraplegics to walk again, even without stimulation. All three study participants regained voluntary control of leg muscles after just one week and maintained improvements for five months.
Researchers at University of Colorado Boulder found that amyloid-like structures play a beneficial role in the development of healthy muscle tissue during regeneration. The discovery sheds new light on potential origins of diseases such as ALS, inclusion body myopathy, and muscular dystrophy.
Researchers found that consuming 30 grams of protein about 30 minutes before bed supports muscle quality, metabolism, and overall health. The study, published in the British Journal of Nutrition, provides evidence that whole foods can be as effective as protein supplements for presleep nutrition.
A new study by Northwestern University found that facial exercise after Botox injections can make wrinkle reduction occur one day sooner. The exercises included raised motions of the forehead and scowls, which improved forehead wrinkles by two to three days after treatment when followed by facial exercise.
SIRVA is an uncommon phenomenon where vaccines are administered too high in the arm, causing pain that doesn't improve with over-the-counter medications. Proper vaccination landmarking techniques can help avoid SIRVA by targeting the deltoid muscle instead of the shoulder capsule.
A study found that home-based biofeedback therapy is about 70 percent effective in helping patients learn to coordinate and relax bowel muscles to relieve dyssynergic defecation. The therapy involves using a reusable sensor probe connected to a handheld pressure monitor to provide visual feedback on muscle contractions.
A new study finds that pelvic floor muscle exercises can significantly improve overactive bladder symptoms in patients with neurogenic and non-neurogenic conditions. The study suggests that PFM training activates the frontal cortex of the brain, leading to improved conscious control of bladder function.
A comprehensive review confirms low muscle mass is linked to increased risk of serious health complications and decreased survival. Muscle mass should be considered a key factor in evaluating a person's health status, especially if living with a chronic disease.
Researchers have discovered that a specific gene mutation, R403Q, affects the force and velocity of myosin molecule contractions in individuals with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This finding has implications for developing targeted drugs to improve heart function in affected patients.
A team of MIT engineers created a microfluidic chip with 3-D tissue model of the interface between motor neurons and muscle fibers, replicating the effects of ALS. The researchers tested two drugs in clinical trials and found that giving both restored most of the lost muscle strength.
Researchers used muscle-on-a-chip technology to model ALS, revealing a promising treatment combination that may improve symptoms. The study found that combining two neuroprotective molecules can efficiently cross the blood-brain barrier and recover muscle contraction and neuronal survival.
A new study from McMaster University reveals that whey protein is the most effective protein source for seniors to rebuild lost muscle, with minimal impact on lean muscle loss. In contrast, collagen peptides showed no benefits in mitigating muscle loss.
Researchers developed an implantable device that delivers electrical pulses to damaged peripheral nerves in rats, promoting nerve regeneration and recovery. The device lasts about two weeks before being absorbed into the body, providing a continuous boost to the healing process.
Scientists at Northwestern University have created a bioelectronic medicine that uses electrical stimulation to accelerate nerve regeneration and improve muscle strength in rats. The device, made of biodegradable materials, is powered wirelessly and operates for up to two weeks before naturally absorbing into the body.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota Medical School have discovered a subset of muscle stem cells that are located close to blood vessels and are likely to be the more potent stem cell population in maintaining muscle health. This groundbreaking study uses 3D technology to study the interaction between stem cells and blood vessel...
UMass Amherst researchers are developing a synthetic compound to power skeletal and cardiac muscle contractions during stress. This alternative energy source aims to improve heart function during a heart attack and maintain skeletal muscle function during fatigue, which is a debilitating symptom of many common diseases.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have discovered a new way in which nerve cells control movement by dynamically adjusting neurotransmitter production. This finding opens up new avenues for treating diseases such as myasthenia gravis and spinal muscular atrophy.
Researchers develop a system using IL-4 nanoparticles to target macrophages, reducing inflammation and promoting muscle fiber regeneration. Mice with injured muscles treated with IL-4 nanoparticles showed improved muscle structure and strength.
Biomedical engineers at Duke University discovered that immune cells, specifically macrophages, play a critical role in regenerating lab-grown adult muscle tissue. The discovery could lead to new treatments for degenerative muscle diseases and enhance the survival of engineered tissue grafts.
Researchers found that exercise stimulates autophagy, a cellular process responsible for removing damaged proteins and toxins from muscles. The study shows that regular physical activity can reduce the buildup of toxic proteins in muscles, leading to improved muscle function and reduced wasting.
Researchers will explore how smooth muscles control feathers and aid birds in flight, a novel approach that could reveal the role of smooth muscle in limb control for the first time. By studying body contour feathers and wing movement, they aim to transform our understanding of bird flight.
Researchers discovered Sherpa muscles can resist fatigue up to twice as much as lowlanders' in a low-oxygen environment. The study found that Sherpa fatigued 33% less and recovered nearly twice as fast compared to lowlanders.
Massachusetts General Hospital researchers discovered that extracellular RNA in urine can serve as a source of biomarkers for muscular dystrophy. This non-invasive assay allows for the monitoring of systemic diseases and may reduce or eliminate the need for muscle biopsies, enabling early identification of therapeutic response.
Encouraging strength-based exercises like squats and lunges could play a key role in tackling child obesity by reducing body fat percentage. The findings also suggest an increase in muscle mass gained from strength training can help boost children's metabolism and energy levels.
The MoreGrasp project developed a sensoric grasp neuroprosthesis controlled by thought, enabling users to perform daily activities with ease. The technique uses 'attempted movement' signals, allowing for more precise control and improved learning through brain-computer interface training.
The POPULAR study confirms a significant association between neuromuscular blocking agents and respiratory complications after surgery. Established techniques to avoid residual paralysis did not lower the patients' risk of pulmonary complications.
Fibro-adipogenic progenitors (FAPs) have multiple identities during muscle regeneration, driving symptoms of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Targeting FAPs with defined markers may prevent fibrosis and promote regeneration.
Researchers at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute found sarcolipin increases muscle energy expenditure and fat oxidization by uncoupling calcium ion transporter SERCA activity. This leads to increased mitochondrial biogenesis and fat burning, potentially helping people with obesity and type 2 diabetes
Research by UPNA finds that muscle strength training can reverse age-related muscle loss and improve cardiovascular health. The study emphasizes the importance of considering physical exercise as a treatment for cardiovascular diseases.
Researchers have successfully boosted expression of the dystrophin gene to therapeutic levels in large animal models, a crucial step towards developing a treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The study demonstrates that CRISPR/Cas9 approaches can improve muscle function and integrity in DMD patients.
Researchers found that brain stimulation may be a viable treatment for RLS, which affects 10% of adults in the US. The study suggests that hyperarousal and excitability in the motor cortex are key factors contributing to the condition.
A study published in Neurology suggests that spinal muscular atrophy drug nusinersen may be effective for muscle control even when treatment is started in children seven months and older. The research found significant muscle control improvements in participants, including an 8-year-old child, with some able to sit up without support.
A new study found that obesity blunts post-workout muscle building and repair in young adults. The research showed that obese individuals had reduced rates of myofibrillar protein synthesis after a weightlifting session compared to normal-weight peers.
Researchers aim to address muscle power deficits in children with cerebral palsy, using a combined impairment and task-specific approach. The study will investigate the effects of PT3 on functional walking capacity, muscle performance, and architecture.
Researchers found that vamorolone improved muscle repair and strength in experimental models of LGMD2B, while prednisolone worsened muscle weakness and degeneration. The study suggests modified steroids like vamorolone may be an option for some patients with the disease.
Researchers at Stanford University found that head positioning is a more important factor in determining concussion risk than neck tension. Small variations in position can affect the subsequent rotation of the head and increase or decrease concussion risk.
Scientists at Helmholtz Zentrum München discovered a metabolic network controlled by muscle cell circadian clocks, regulating fat storage and glucose metabolism. The study found that without this internal clock, mice became leaner and had more muscle mass.
Researchers discovered that nematodes undergo complete degeneration of muscles and neurons, only to rebuild them in adulthood. This process may hold clues for understanding human neurodegenerative diseases and developing new pest control strategies for soybeans.