Research on muscle biology and repair. Covers tissue maintenance, Parkinson's protection, repair-cell preservation, and muscle strength with age.
Hokkaido University researchers have developed a strategy to fabricate materials that become stronger in response to mechanical stress. By employing 'double-network hydrogels,' they were able to create soft, yet tough materials that can adapt and strengthen based on surrounding conditions.
Researchers have restored muscle stem cell function in animal models of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, leading to efficient muscle regeneration and preventing progressive loss of muscle strength. The study's findings suggest a new treatment approach may be effective in addressing this complex disease.
A six-week high-intensity resistance training program improved insulin sensitivity by 16% and increased muscle size and strength in overweight men. The study suggests that short sessions of exercise to exhaustion are equally effective as longer sessions, making it a time-efficient way to improve health outcomes.
A national study is comparing three FDA-approved treatments for fecal incontinence: biofeedback therapy, inert injectable compounds, and pacemaker stimulation. The five-year study aims to determine which treatment is most effective and safe for patients with moderate to severe fecal incontinence.
A new study from the European Society of Cardiology found that loss of muscle mass is a significant risk factor for disability after stroke. Muscle wasting was observed in patients who lost at least 5% of their body weight, and those with cachexia had lower functional capacity and handgrip strength.
Researchers have found that nuclei gained during training persist even when muscle cells shrink due to disuse or disease, allowing for rapid growth when retrained. This discovery has important implications for public health policy and suggests that exercise in early life can help prevent frailty in old age.
A UTA research team is developing a method to treat vaginal prolapse by reattaching pelvic floor muscles using a strong, bioactive adhesive. This approach aims to prevent complications and improve quality of life for thousands of women affected by the condition.
A study from the University of Virginia Health System found that pre-injury exercise can substantially preserve both muscle and nerve. The research used a 'reporter gene' to measure oxidative stress on muscle and nerves after blood flow restoration, revealing clearer protection through exercise.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a method to engineer muscle tissue that integrates with neurons, enabling functional and responsive muscle. The approach uses grooved platforms to promote ordered muscle fiber growth and neuronal integration.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University found that wearable sensors measure the wrong thing, focusing on foot impact rather than muscle contraction forces. They discovered a strong correlation between ground reaction forces and tibial bone loading was false, and only combined data from multiple sensors can estimate bone stress accurately.
A study published by The Endocrine Society found that gastric bypass surgery improves relative muscle strength and physical performance in people with obesity. Despite dramatic weight loss causing a decline in absolute strength, patients experience meaningful improvements in walking speed and other measures of physical function.
Researchers at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute have found that muscle stem cells can give rise to cancer in DMD patients. The study identified two genes linked to the tumor's growth and suggests that treatments targeting muscle stem cells should consider potential cancer risk.
Acute flaccid myelitis, a devastating illness affecting mostly children, has seen breakthroughs in treatment through nerve transfer surgery. Dr. Scott Wolfe's pioneering work has restored arm movement and function in several young patients, providing new hope for those affected by this mysterious and debilitating condition.
A study by the University of Exeter and the University of Queensland reveals that plantar intrinsic muscles have a minimal impact on supporting the arch of the human foot during walking and running. However, these muscles are crucial for propelling forward motion.
A new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that vitamin D supplements have no significant impact on bone mineral density or falls among older adults. However, higher doses may improve bone metabolism and be safe for those over 70.
A new study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that childhood body composition plays a crucial role in determining future lung health. Boys and girls with higher muscle mass in childhood have higher lung function, while those with more fat mass have lower lung function.
A study found that omega-3 fatty acid supplements reduced muscle mass loss and enhanced recovery after immobilization. Young women who consumed fish oil for four weeks experienced significant muscle preservation compared to those consuming sunflower oil.
Researchers found that small limbs like insect legs can execute fast movements without central nervous system control, thanks to dynamic passive forces generated by the flexor muscle. These findings contradict previous notions of how small limbs move quickly and highlight the importance of active-muscle and opponent interactions.
A study of 17 astronauts found that long-duration spaceflight reduces paraspinal muscle size by 4.6-8.8% and increases fatty tissue content, with some changes persisting for up to four years after returning to Earth.
A research team has identified and overcome a barrier in CRISPR gene editing that may lay the foundation for sustained treatments using the technique. By increasing the quantity of 'flags' in CRISPR, they were able to extend the effectiveness of treatment from three months to 18 months in mice with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Researchers at San Francisco State University found that poor head and neck alignment while working on computers can cause fatigue, headaches, and neck pain. By adopting good posture, such as keeping the head aligned with the neck, individuals can reduce muscle tension and alleviate these symptoms.
A new neuroprosthetic device may provide a more natural approach to restoring facial movement in patients with hemifacial palsy. The device uses paired muscle contractions linked to electrical activity on the unaffected side to produce more natural, symmetrical movements.
Surgeons perform primary targeted muscle reinnervation (TMR) to reduce phantom limb and stump pain in amputees. The procedure, done at the time of initial amputation, greatly improves patient outcomes and quality of life.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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...