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.
SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateMay 30, 2018
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.
SourceInstitute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo·JournalScience Robotics·DateMay 30, 2018
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.
SourceEuropean Association for the Study of Obesity·DateMay 24, 2018
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.
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.
SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Ecology and Evolution·DateMay 23, 2018
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.
SourceThe Physiological Society·JournalThe Journal of Physiology·DateMay 23, 2018
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.
SourceAmerican Physiological Society·JournalPhysiological Genomics·DateMay 15, 2018
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.
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.
SourceUniversity of Jyväskylä - Jyväskylän yliopisto·DateMay 15, 2018
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.
SourceCell Press·JournalStem Cell Reports·DateMay 8, 2018
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.
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.
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.
SourceSan Francisco State University·JournalJournal of Applied Physiology·DateMay 1, 2018
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.
SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateApr 26, 2018
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.
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.
A UK study found a link between long-term use of certain anticholinergic drugs and an increased risk of dementia in patients over 45. The study suggests that clinicians should avoid prescribing these drugs to older patients due to potential cognitive effects.
Researchers at UW-Madison have developed a new approach to noninvasively measure tendon tension while a person is engaging in activities like walking or running. The technology uses vibrational characteristics to assess tendon force, providing insights into motor control and mechanics of human movement.
SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 24, 2018
Researchers found that mid-back muscle decline is associated with increased kyphosis curvature, but not low-back muscle decline. Targeted resistance exercises may help prevent kyphosis progression
SourceHebrew SeniorLife Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research·DateApr 24, 2018
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.
Researchers found that children's muscles are more fatigue-resistant and recover faster than those of untrained adults and even well-trained endurance athletes. This discovery may lead to better understanding of how our bodies change from childhood to adulthood and inform the development of athletic potential in children.
SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Physiology·DateApr 24, 2018
Researchers found that Heriaeus melloteei spider venom can block leakage currents through mutated ion channels, potentially treating hypokalemic periodic paralysis. The toxin fixes the voltage-sensing domain of the channel, preventing ions from leaking out and restoring normal muscle function.
SourceLomonosov Moscow State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 23, 2018
A study highlights the importance of strength training for older women to maintain mobility and function. Researchers found that higher physical activity levels significantly improved muscle strength and endurance in both age groups, but particularly in younger women.
SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalPhysical & Occupational Therapy In Geriatrics·DateApr 23, 2018
A study found that wearing an exoskeleton increases stress on the back by up to 53% and stresses different muscles in the torso by anywhere from 56-120%. Despite relieving arm stress, users reported discomfort due to stiff metal rods in the harness.
SourceOhio State University·JournalApplied Ergonomics·DateApr 20, 2018
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.
A study published by the European Society of Cardiology found that central obesity, even in patients with normal BMI, significantly increases the risk of heart problems. Measuring central obesity can provide a more accurate picture of cardiovascular health than relying solely on BMI.
A recent study found that Tai Chi improves brain metabolism and muscle energetics in older adults. The exercise showed significant increases in neuronal health markers and improved energy production in leg muscles.
A new study from McMaster and York universities found structural and functional changes in the power generation parts of the cell, or mitochondria, of those with diabetes. These changes could result in reduced metabolism, greater difficulty controlling blood glucose and accelerated disability development.
SourceMcMaster University·JournalDiabetologia·DateApr 18, 2018
A study has found structural and functional changes in muscles of young adults with Type 1 diabetes, leading to reduced metabolism and increased risk of disability.
A new study found structural and functional changes in the muscles of young adults with Type 1 diabetes, leading to reduced metabolism and greater difficulty controlling blood glucose levels. The study suggests revising exercise guidelines for those with Type 1 diabetes to prevent muscle damage.
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.
The new muscles are made from carbon fiber-reinforced siloxane rubber and have a coiled geometry, lifting up to 12,600 times their own weight. They also support high mechanical stress and exhibit excellent performance when electrically actuated.
SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalSmart Materials and Structures·DateApr 17, 2018
A new study found that microgravity during spaceflights has a more significant negative impact on skeletal muscle than low oxygen environments. Researchers suggest that therapeutic and rehabilitative interventions should focus on correcting inactivity rather than hypoxia.
SourceThe Physiological Society·JournalThe Journal of Physiology·DateApr 17, 2018
A new study found that individuals with tetraplegia and sleep apnea have distinct responses to airway narrowing, leading to increased risk of sleep disruption. This knowledge can inform targeted therapies for those affected by the condition.
SourceThe Physiological Society·JournalThe Journal of Physiology·DateApr 15, 2018
Researchers create StimDust, the smallest deep-tissue stimulator capable of stimulating major therapeutic targets in the peripheral nervous system. The device is powered wirelessly by ultrasound, with an efficiency of 82 percent, and can be implanted in minimally invasive procedures to monitor and treat diseases.
Researchers at IRB Barcelona found that removing the single mitochondrial protein Opa1 from mouse muscle causes severe inflammation throughout the body, leading to premature death. This study supports the notion that mitochondrial defects underlie diseases of unknown origin involving chronic muscle inflammation.
SourceInstitute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona)·JournalThe EMBO Journal·DateApr 9, 2018
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.
Resistance training increases autophagosome content in young men's muscles, but this effect may be reduced by aging. The study found that UPR is activated by resistance exercise regardless of age, suggesting similar muscle adaptation between young and older individuals.
SourceUniversity of Jyväskylä - Jyväskylän yliopisto·JournalActa Physiologica·DateApr 9, 2018
New research shows that regular muscle stretching can improve blood flow to muscles of the lower leg in elderly people with reduced mobility. This non-invasive exercise technique may help alleviate lower leg problems, such as pain or weakness, and increase walking function in individuals with peripheral artery disease.
SourceThe Physiological Society·JournalThe Journal of Physiology·DateApr 4, 2018
A new study by Karolinska Institutet reveals that enzyme FIH determines how muscles consume oxygen, with implications for elite athletes and potential new forms of metabolism-affecting drugs.
SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalCell Metabolism·DateApr 3, 2018
A researcher at the University of Pittsburgh is using ultrasound imaging to develop a more precise interface between exoskeletons and individual muscles in people with incomplete spinal cord injuries. This technology aims to provide more efficient rehabilitation tools, reducing the risk of falls during robot-assisted walking.
A randomized clinical trial found that higher protein intake did not increase lean body mass, muscle performance, or physical function in older men. The results suggest that the recommended daily allowance for protein may be sufficient for promoting muscle growth and well-being in this population.
SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateApr 2, 2018
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.
Researchers at Wayne State University are investigating a potential new direction for treating Barth syndrome, a rare and life-threatening genetic disorder. The study aims to activate pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) and/or supplement deficient metabolites to reveal a new treatment approach.
SourceWayne State University - Office of the Vice President for Research·DateMar 28, 2018
Johns Hopkins surgeons develop a modified muscle transplant operation that restores wide and even smiles to selected patients with one-sided facial muscle paralysis. The procedure, published in JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery, shows improvements in smile function, gum exposure, and eye wrinkles.
SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalJAMA Facial Plastic Surgery·DateMar 27, 2018
Replacing naturally occurring molecules could reverse symptoms of aging, potentially influencing exercise capacity and physical endurance. The study found that restoring blood flow to tissues and organs with age could be reversed by replicating the benefits of exercise.
SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalCell·DateMar 22, 2018
Researchers discovered a glitch in muscle-blood vessel communication that causes vascular aging, which they reversed using NAD+ and SIRT1-boosting treatments. The findings have implications for therapies targeting humans with vascular aging disorders.
GoPro HERO13 Black
GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.
Researchers at MIT have found a compound that promotes new blood vessel growth, boosting endurance in elderly mice by up to 80 percent. The study suggests that this restoration of muscle mass could help combat age-related frailty and related conditions.
SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalCell·DateMar 22, 2018
A new study found that dogs with noise sensitivity and musculoskeletal pain exhibit increased avoidance behaviors and a later age of onset compared to those without pain. The researchers suggest that veterinarians should thoroughly examine dogs with behavior problems associated with noise for potential underlying pain.
SourceUniversity of Lincoln·JournalFrontiers in Veterinary Science·DateMar 20, 2018
A new study found that a Mediterranean diet is associated with higher bone mineral density and greater muscle mass in postmenopausal women. The research, conducted in Brazil, used a food questionnaire and bone scans to measure bone mineral density and appendicular lean mass.
A new study uses brain-computer interface to enhance prosthetic hand control with muscle vibrations, allowing amputees to better control the prosthetic and regain a sense of agency over their movements. The technology has the potential to improve quality of life for those with amputations.
SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateMar 14, 2018
Researchers found that aging muscle shows decreased sensitivity to ADP, resulting in higher levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and degenerative loss of muscle mass. Despite exercise resistance training, there were no improvements in age-associated cellular stress.
Meta Quest 3 512GB
Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.
Researchers identified new genetic clues for enhanced racing pigeon performance through whole genome sequencing and gene expression analysis. They found a polygenic basis for the birds' adaptations, with key genes involved in athletic performance such as CASK, SIK1, and PTPRD.
SourceSMBE Journals (Molecular Biology and Evolution and Genome Biology and Evolution)·JournalMolecular Biology and Evolution·DateMar 13, 2018
Researchers have discovered that muscle wasting in old age follows changes in the nervous system, which can be reversed with healthy muscles. The study found that surviving nerves can send out new branches to rescue detached muscle fibers, but this process is not successful in everyone.
SourceThe Physiological Society·JournalThe Journal of Physiology·DateMar 11, 2018
Researchers at Syracuse University are making progress in understanding the disease mechanism of ALS by studying ubiquitin and Ubiquilin-2 protein interactions. They found that ubiquitin eliminates droplets of UBQLN2, a protein-encoding gene linked to ALS and dementia.
SourceSyracuse University·JournalMolecular Cell·DateMar 8, 2018
Researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital found that zebrafish larvae with a mutation in DDX27 showed reduced muscle growth and impaired regeneration. The study provides specificity to the processes controlling protein synthesis in muscles, which will hopefully allow for targeted treatments for skeletal muscle diseases.
SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateMar 8, 2018
A recent study published in PNAS found that disrupted mRNA transport into axons leads to impaired nerve function and cell death, exacerbating conditions like ALS and spinal muscular atrophy. The researchers identified a noncoding RNA, 7SK, as playing a crucial role in these transport complexes.
SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 8, 2018
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.
A study using worms has discovered the mechanisms involved when multicellular organisms die, particularly as a result of old age. The research found that death spreads through the organism via cellular necrosis, triggered by calcium release, leading to muscle hypercontraction and rigor mortis.
SourceUniversity College London·JournalCell Reports·DateMar 6, 2018
Researchers at the Salk Institute have identified ERRγ as a key player in delivering benefits associated with endurance exercise. By increasing ERRγ, they found that skeletal muscle energy production and endurance were restored, making it a potential therapeutic target for conditions such as muscular dystrophy.
SourceSalk Institute·JournalCell Reports·DateMar 6, 2018
Two US programs, Sportsmetrics and PEP, have been shown to significantly decrease non-contact ACL injury rates and alter dangerous neuromuscular movement patterns in female athletes. These programs improve muscle strength, reduce muscular imbalances, and decrease landing forces.
SourceAmerican Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons·DateMar 6, 2018
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.
Patients with non-dialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD) who performed combined exercise showed greater increases in muscle mass and strength compared to those doing aerobic exercise alone. The study found that combining both modes of exercise led to significant health benefits, including increased cardiorespiratory fitness.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet discover high number of mutations in muscle stem cells impairing cell regeneration, which may result in new medication for building stronger muscles. The study found that physical exercise could clear out cells with many mutations.
SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 23, 2018
Researchers at UBC's Okanagan campus create ultra-stretchable sensor with high sensitivity and durability, suitable for monitoring muscle movement, heart rate, and other bio-signals. The device is capable of sensing and understanding complex human motion, including infinitesimal movements like a heartbeat or finger twitch.
SourceUniversity of British Columbia Okanagan campus·DateFeb 22, 2018
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.
Research reveals that high blood pressure impairs the body's response to hypoxia, limiting oxygen delivery to vital organs and tissues. Middle-aged men with high blood pressure were found to have reduced blood flow to the brain and leg muscles during low-oxygen conditions.
SourceThe Physiological Society·JournalThe Journal of Physiology·DateFeb 20, 2018
Researchers discovered that cuttlefish can maintain dynamic 3D skin shape for over an hour through a unique muscle tension mechanism. This physiology is thought to conserve energy while camouflaging from predators or waiting for prey.
A study by University of Cambridge biological anthropologists reveals that muscle mass is key to regulating heat loss from the hands in cold conditions. Volunteers with higher muscle mass experienced faster rewarming of their hands after exposure to ice-cold water.
SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalAmerican Journal of Physical Anthropology·DateFeb 14, 2018
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.
A study published in PLOS ONE has identified two new muscles in the horseshoe crab's pushing leg and male pedipalp using CT scans, expanding our understanding of this iconic creature's anatomy.
Engineers at Iowa State University created a new smart material that stiffens by up to 300% when mechanically stressed, supporting 50 times its own weight. The material is made from liquid-metal particles that break open under stress, allowing it to reconfigure and change stiffness.
SourceIowa State University·JournalMaterials Horizons·DateFeb 14, 2018