Articles tagged with Muscles
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.
Researchers at the University of Bath found that eating breakfast before exercise increases the body's ability to burn carbohydrates during exercise. This also leads to faster digestion and metabolism of food eaten after exercise.
Research published in The Journal of Physiology suggests that exercise can help people exposed to extreme temperatures protect themselves from muscle fatigue. Exercise builds-up muscle in the limbs, allowing it to shiver longer and maintain core temperature for longer.
Researchers at Queen Mary University of London and University of Cambridge developed auxetic materials with smooth curves, enabling repeated deformations without damage. These materials can be used in energy-efficient gripping tools, re-configurable shape-on-demand materials, and lattices with unique thermal expansion behaviour.
Researchers discovered a link between the protocadherin 17 gene and abnormal brain-eye muscle connections in zebrafish, which may contribute to strabismus. The study suggests that Pcdh17 protein plays a crucial role in positioning neurons correctly in the brain and extending axons to target muscles.
A study published in eNeuro found a common neural signature of balance maintenance in the healthy brain, which could be used to assess balance in patients with movement disorders. The researchers used EEG and EMG to record electrical activity from the brain and muscles while participants walked or stood on a narrow beam.
A new study by the University of Leicester found that larger muscles can compensate for poor muscle quality in Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) patients, improving physical function and strength. The research suggests that muscle size is a more important factor than muscle quality in maintaining good physical performance.
Researchers at BIDMC have shown that altering brown fat tissue can significantly impact skeletal muscle function, leading to reduced exercise performance. The findings suggest that myostatin, a hormone normally silenced in brown adipose tissue, plays a crucial role in regulating muscle function.
Researchers discovered a protein called JNK that drives response to exercise, stimulating skeletal muscle growth and endurance adaptation. Inhibition of this pathway may improve response to aerobic capacity training.
A new study found that long-term heat therapy increases mitochondrial function in the muscles by an average of 28 percent. Heat therapy may provide a new treatment option for people with chronic illness or disease who cannot exercise regularly.
Researchers developed a custom-made silicone implant technique using 3D CAD technology, yielding high-quality results in patients with chest deformities related to Poland syndrome. The implants provided good cosmetic outcomes and improved the patients' social and emotional aspects of quality of life.
As adults age, muscle loss in the throat impairs efficient constriction during swallowing, leading to increased food retention. This study explains why 15% of seniors experience dysphagia, a condition that can cause malnutrition, dehydration, and pneumonia.
A new Arizona State University study shows that animals may be able to use their own muscles to get water when it's not available. Researchers found that during reproduction, muscle metabolism is linked to the water requirements of developing offspring.
Researchers discovered fibro-adipogenic progenitor cells promote muscle wasting and scarring in spinal cord injury, ALS, and SMA models. By targeting IL-6-STAT3 signaling, they found a potential new avenue for treating or testing motor neuron diseases.
The OpenSim software has been expanded to improve its applications in medicine, paleontology, and animal locomotion by adding accurate models of muscle dynamics, joint kinematics, and assistive devices. The new improvements enable researchers to perform powerful simulations, visualize solutions, and communicate ideas more effectively.
Researchers have discovered a second-generation drug that can silence the gene responsible for inherited ALS by injecting it into rodents. The new version of the drug is more effective at reducing SOD1 protein production and delaying disease progression. It may be ready for early-stage clinical trials.
Researchers discovered that snipefish use an elastic-boosted head flick to capture prey at unprecedented speed, with the fastest recorded events occurring in just two milliseconds. This mechanism allows the fish to pivot their heads rapidly and bring their mouth up close to the prey.
Researchers developed a diagnostic test using needle biopsies to detect malignant hyperthermia, a fatal genetic condition caused by muscle protein mutations. The new test is less invasive and can be performed on children, providing potential early diagnosis.
A 60-year-old amateur weight-lifter developed non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy after taking high doses of testosterone and receiving illegal stem cell infusions. Doctors warn that AAS abuse can cause heart problems in people without usual risk factors, especially when taken at high doses.
Researchers studied identical 52-year-old twins with different fitness paths, revealing the importance of exercise in maintaining overall health. The athletic twin exhibited better cardiovascular and pulmonary health, as well as greater muscle strength and endurance, highlighting the benefits of regular physical activity.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic have identified a neurological cause for the yips in golfers, which can be measured using quantitative methods. The study found that five out of 27 golfers had a neurologic cause for their condition, with greater acceleration of wrist and arm movement and more variability in wrist acceleration and rotation.
A new study found that intensive care patients are unable to effectively use fats for energy, contributing to significant muscle loss. This inability is likely due to widespread muscle inflammation in the early days of intensive care, making nutrition and exercise programmes less effective.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine discovered that alternative splicing is essential for maintaining adult muscle mass. Knocking out genes Rbfox1 and Rbfox2 in skeletal muscles led to rapid loss of muscle mass within four weeks. The study highlights the critical role of alternative splicing in adult muscle maintenance.
Researchers identify myofibroblasts as key players in activating nucleus movement, potentially leading to new therapeutic strategies for muscle disorders. The discovery could improve understanding of muscle differentiation, functionality, and regeneration.
Scientists successfully regenerate skeletal muscle cells in mice with muscular dystrophy by using cells from animal teratomas. The study showed improved potential with 80% regeneration compared to the current 5-10%.
Researchers developed a deep-learning model to predict biological age of muscles and estimate the importance of genetic and epigenetic factors driving muscle aging. The study identified tissue-specific biomarkers of aging, which can be used to track the effectiveness of interventions.
A study by University of Huddersfield researchers suggests that carbohydrate gels and caffeine-infused chewing gum can help teams perform better in extra time. The five-minute window before extra time begins is crucial, but teams may also need to develop better nutritional strategies.
Researchers found that a dietary supplement derived from glucose increases muscle-force production in the Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) mouse model by 50% after ten days. The study suggests that N-acetylglucosamine may preserve muscular strength and is an inexpensive product with potential as a treatment for DMD patients.
A study published in Cell found that a specific region of the brain's frontal lobe controls vocal pitch, enabling humans to convey meaning through speech and language. By examining neural activity and using brain sensors, researchers identified increased activity in this region when participants altered their voice pitch.
A new study by UC San Francisco scientists reveals the brain area responsible for controlling vocal pitch in humans. The dorsal laryngeal motor cortex is found to govern the 'music' of speech, enabling flexible control over pitch fluctuations during speech.
A University of Guelph study discovered that muscle sympathetic nerve activity increases in over-trained athletes after overload training, hindering performance. In contrast, recreational triathletes and cyclists who followed a consistent training regime showed improved fitness and cardiovascular health.
A team of researchers has developed a mouse model of myotonic dystrophy type 1, revealing multiple mechanisms beyond alternative splicing. The study found a clear association between specific signaling pathways and muscle loss, as well as the upregulation of protein AMPK-alpha and the reduction of PDGFR-beta signaling activity.
Researchers have developed a dual-therapy approach that combines brain-computer interface and functional electrical stimulation to boost motor recovery in stroke victims. The study found significant improvements in arm mobility among patients who received the treatment, with some scores exceeding twice those of control group patients.
Researchers at MIT's CSAIL have developed a system that allows people to control robots using brainwaves and hand gestures. The system uses EEG and EMG feedback to detect errors and correct robot mistakes on multi-choice problems, enabling more natural human-robot interactions.
A woman's experience of chronic pain in her left knee, thigh, and hip after getting a tattoo has led doctors to warn patients with compromised immune systems about the potential risks. Inflammatory myopathy, a condition characterized by muscle weakness and pain, was diagnosed after a biopsy revealed inflammation in her thigh muscle.
Researchers discover a causal relationship between inflammatory responses in aging nerves and degenerative aging processes. The team found that reducing macrophage activity improves nerve structure and function, increasing mobility and quality of life for those affected by age-related muscle weakness.
Researchers found that gastric bypass surgery leads to rapid initial weight loss, but subsequent muscle mass is maintained over five years. The study dispels fears of long-term muscle insufficiency despite weight regain.
A new study has found that girls with high vitamin D levels have stronger muscles than those with low levels. The association was not found in boys, and researchers are unsure why girls benefit more from vitamin D. Vitamin D is an important source of muscle strength, but the exact mechanism is still unclear.
An interdisciplinary team investigates how individual building blocks arrange into regular patterns during embryonic development or healing processes. Researchers use high-resolution video microscopy and novel biomolecules to test findings on fruit flies and human stem cells.
A team from the University of Kansas investigated the Speech-to-Song Illusion, where a spoken phrase is repeated and begins to sound like it's being sung. The researchers found that word detectors initially activate, giving one the perception of speech, but fatigue as the phrase is repeated, shifting perception to a songlike state.
Researchers found that prolonged exposure to high altitude and underfeeding leads to an inability to build muscle mass, a phenomenon mainly observed in older adults. The study highlights the importance of maintaining caloric balance at high altitudes, particularly among unaccustomed lowlanders.
In-school football training has been shown to improve the physical fitness and health of schoolgirls aged 10-12, including those with no prior experience. The study found significant reductions in blood pressure, improvements in muscle strength and balance, and enhanced jumping performance.
A simulation test suggests that the halo system may affect driver head position and motion, potentially compromising steering accuracy. Training and ergonomic adjustments may be necessary to mitigate this effect, particularly for less experienced drivers.
A new study by UC San Francisco scientists reveals how complex articulatory movements are coordinated in the brain during fluent speech. The research found that brain regions responsible for producing speech are organized according to physical needs of the vocal tract, not just linguistic features like phonemes.
New research reveals that the brain can anticipate and adapt to painful movements following an injury, modifying muscle usage accordingly. This adaptation strategy may lead to quicker completion of painful movements but longer reaction times.
A study found that handgrip strength is linked to lung capacity in older Korean women. Testing handgrip strength could be a good way to identify potential impaired lung health.
Researchers at The University of Tokyo's Institute of Industrial Science have developed a method to integrate living muscle into robots, overcoming previous issues with force and function. The resulting biohybrid robots achieved remarkable movement and continued muscle function for over a week.
Researchers have developed a novel approach to limb amputation that preserves dynamic muscle relationships, enabling patients to feel the movement of their prosthetic limbs. This new paradigm, called the agonist-antagonist myoneural interface (AMI), has been successfully implemented in a human patient with below-knee amputation.
Researchers developed a new neural interface paradigm that preserves dynamic muscle relationships in amputated limbs, allowing for proprioceptive feedback and movement commands. The technique improved sensation and control of prosthetic limbs, enabling people with artificial limbs to move more efficiently and naturally.
A study published in JNeurosci reveals a new pattern of neuronal activity in the gastrointestinal tract that generates rhythmic electrical activity in smooth muscle. This finding identifies a previously unknown mechanism for colon movement, suggesting an early feature preserved through nervous system evolution.
A new study suggests that obese patients in intensive care may have a lower risk of muscle wasting and a higher chance of survival compared to non-obese patients. The 'obesity paradox' refers to improved survival rates among critically ill individuals with obesity, potentially due to the adaptive response of the muscle to excess weight.
A recent study has found that 'uniquely human' muscles, such as those associated with bipedalism and facial expressions, are present in various ape species. Researchers have discovered that these muscles are not exclusive to humans, but are also found in bonobos and other apes, suggesting a more complex origin of human soft tissues.
New research reveals that cigarette smoke directly damages muscles by reducing blood vessel numbers, impacting metabolism and activity levels. This muscle damage is a key risk factor for chronic diseases such as COPD and diabetes.
Researchers found that continued treatment of muscle wasting with a soluble growth factor receptor protein improved survival in a pre-clinical cancer model. The study suggests a possible causal link between preserving muscle mass and improved survival, but notes that other factors may also play a role.
A new study found that essential fats in the diet regulate protein secretion in muscles by changing gene expression. Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids were shown to improve glucose levels and insulin tolerance in obese rats after 12 weeks on a supplemented diet.
Researchers successfully convert mature skin cells into immature muscle cells using a simple approach, promoting muscle regeneration in injured mice. The induced myogenic progenitor cells (iMPCs) engrafted in damaged tissue and contributed to sustained muscle regeneration.
Researchers at the University of Bristol are developing a realistic model of human skin on artificial robotic muscles. This innovation could lead to more successful transplants for burns patients and revolutionize healthcare.
Researchers at San Francisco State University have discovered a breakthrough technique for testing AMPK protein levels in human muscle cells. This innovative approach allows for precise analysis of individual muscle fibers, enabling better understanding of how the body regulates blood sugar levels.
A new mathematical model explains how small organisms like mantis shrimp and trap-jaw ants generate their powerful strikes with spring-loaded parts. This knowledge could help design more efficient robots, but it's unclear how these mechanisms work together for optimal performance.
Researchers identified principles for efficient mechanical systems that generate and amplify kinetic energy. Shorter latch release times amplify power, while longer durations eliminate it, explaining why small spring-based systems are more effective.