Research on muscle biology and repair. Covers tissue maintenance, Parkinson's protection, repair-cell preservation, and muscle strength with age.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Researchers discovered that certain species of fish, like the little skate, can walk using a neural and genetic developmental program identical to higher vertebrates. The study found conserved genes and neuronal subtypes essential for limb control in these fin-based movement systems.
Research finds TAK1 is essential for maintaining muscle mass and mitochondrial function in mature skeletal muscle. Removing or reducing TAK1 has negative effects on muscle health, contradicting previous assumptions.
New research reveals that larger hummingbirds can compensate for their greater body masses by adapting their physiology. The study found that acceleration is primarily driven by muscle capacity, while wing size plays a key role in maneuverability.
A new study found that hummingbirds' muscle capacity is associated with better deacceleration, accelerating on a dime, and upward rotations. Wing loading was also linked to rotational movement and turns in general, suggesting that evolved changes in muscle capacity may compensate for relatively small wing size.
A 3-day bed rest study is being conducted to investigate the effects of prolonged weightlessness on human metabolism, specifically insulin resistance. The study's findings could lead to the development of rehabilitation exercises to mitigate these effects and improve astronaut fitness for future Mars missions.
A new analysis of dozens of studies confirms protein supplements boost muscle mass and strength in weightlifters. However, their effectiveness decreases with age, highlighting the need for greater supplementation as people get older.
A new study published in Cell Reports reveals the lateral vestibular nucleus (LVN) is crucial for maintaining balance in mice. The LVN triggers a two-step response to keep the animal steady, widening its center of gravity and strengthening limb muscles and joints.
A study published in The Journal of Pediatrics reports the use of pyridostigmine to reverse complications from botulinum toxin therapy in pediatric patients. Early treatment with pyridostigmine can alleviate symptoms such as difficulty swallowing or breathing, and patients may regain normal function within days.
US women's perceptions of the perfect female figure have evolved to a thin and toned ideal, according to a recent study led by Frances Bozsik. The research found that recent Miss USA winners are no longer only exemplifying extreme thinness, but also becoming increasingly muscular over the past 15 years.
A UTA researcher has received a $441,000 NIH grant to build new imaging technology that can study blood vessel function in patients with heart failure. This device will use laser light to track oxygen delivery and utilization in muscles, potentially leading to quicker diagnosis and life-saving treatment for these patients.
Researchers provide foundational understanding of myostatin activation mechanism, shedding light on tolloid enzyme's role in generating active myostatin. The study's findings hold promise for developing novel therapies targeting specific structural states of myostatin.
A study published in HortTechnology has found that bad posture can increase loads by 50% on the lower back and double on the shoulders, leaving people susceptible to chronic injuries. The researchers used 3D optical tracking equipment to analyze the movement of gardeners undertaking routine tasks.
A team of researchers at the University of Cincinnati has discovered how myostatin, a signaling protein limiting muscle growth, is activated. This knowledge could lead to new treatments for diseases like muscular dystrophy, ALS, and cancer cachexia.
Researchers have developed a simplified musculoskeletal model that uses network science to predict how injuries in one area of the body can lead to increased strain on other areas. The model could help clinicians and physical therapists develop new treatments for injury prevention and management.
A study published in European Journal of Nutrition found that dietary isoflavone aglycone can reduce muscle atrophy by blocking the apoptosis-dependent pathway in muscle fibers. The researchers observed significantly thicker muscle fibers in mice fed with AglyMax supplement compared to those on a normal diet.
Research published in The Journal of Physiology found that elderly people walk at a slower speed and tire more quickly due to muscle loss. Building up leg muscles may be the only way to improve elderly walking, according to the study's findings.
Researchers discovered snakes use unique skin movement to propel themselves forward in a straight line. This rectilinear locomotion gives them an advantage in confined spaces and could inform robotics for search-and-rescue operations and underwater inspections.
A Penn-led team discovered that midshipman fish release small amounts of calcium to sustain their muscle contractions for an hour, allowing them to produce a sustained hum. This finding sheds light on the physiology behind this extraordinary ability and may apply to other animals moving at high speeds.
Duke researchers successfully grew functioning human skeletal muscle from induced pluripotent stem cells, offering a promising path for cellular therapies, drug discovery, and studying rare diseases. The technique allows for the growth of far more muscle cells and provides an easier route to genome editing and individualized models.
Researchers have developed soft, electrically activated devices that mimic the expansion and contraction of natural muscles. These devices can be constructed from low-cost materials, are able to self-sense their movements and self-heal from electrical damage.
A recent study found that complete inactivity has a greater impact on the muscle power of older people than young individuals. This loss of muscle mass is more pronounced and can lead to increased decline in metabolic health and functional capacity.
A new study from The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center suggests that weak deep core muscles increase the risk of low back pain in runners. By analyzing muscle movements and pressure on joints, researchers found that planks and stabilizing exercises are essential for preventing back pain.
Facial exercises improved middle-aged women's facial appearance by increasing muscle volume and reducing visible signs of aging. After 20 weeks, participants showed a significant decrease in age appearance, with average skin firmness and fuller upper and lower cheeks.
The study found that the Pacific midshipman's swimbladder muscles release and pump calcium ions at a much slower rate than those of other fish, allowing it to sustain an hour-long mating call. This low level of calcium release reduces metabolic demands and enables the muscle fibers to contract with sufficient force.
Researchers found that whole eggs stimulate greater post-workout muscle protein synthesis compared to egg whites. The study suggests that consuming protein in its natural matrix is more beneficial for muscles.
Researchers developed an algorithm to improve the control of series elastic actuators in robots, enabling better handling of unknown payload parameters and external disturbances. The new method allows for more flexible and precise robotic movements, improving human-robot interaction safety.
A new study by researchers at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute describes the biology behind why muscle stem cells respond differently to aging or injury. Adult muscle stem cells are essential for repairing and regenerating muscle throughout life, but their ability to cope with different stimuli varies depending on the...
Congenital myotonic dystrophy (CDM) is characterized by progressive muscle wasting and weakness. Researchers have identified an upregulation of the interleukin-6 (IL-6) myokine signaling pathway in CDM muscles, suggesting that enhanced RNA toxicity contributes to severe CDM phenotypes through aberrant IL-6 signaling.
Researchers at Saint Louis University report promising results slowing DMD progression using SR8278, a nuclear receptor regulator drug that increases lean mass and muscle function while decreasing fibrosis and protein degradation.
Scientists develop modified CRISPR-Cas9 technique that alters gene activity without cutting DNA, reversing diseases in mice models. The technique uses adeno-associated viruses to introduce genetic manipulation machinery to cells, promoting expression of target genes without introducing mutations.
Biomedical engineers at Duke University have successfully grown a fully functional artificial human heart muscle large enough to patch over damaged tissue. The breakthrough enables therapies to replace lost muscle after a heart attack, which currently leaves patients with scar tissue that cannot transmit electrical signals or contract.
A new study found that fat distribution patterns, not just overall weight, are linked to heart attack risk in women and men. Women had higher subcutaneous fat but lower lean mass compared to men, who had more visceral adipose tissue and ectopic fat.
Researchers created origami-inspired artificial muscles that add strength to soft robots, allowing them to lift objects up to 1,000 times their own weight. The muscles are programmable, compact, and can be made for less than $1, opening the door to numerous applications in robotics, medicine, and space exploration.
A team of researchers discovered that different subtypes of muscle cells play critical roles in orchestrating tissue regeneration in flatworms. Removing specific muscle groups was shown to disrupt the regeneration process, revealing essential functions for longitudinal and circular fibers.
Research at Kiel University has discovered that the bacterial colonization of the intestine controls peristaltic functions. The study found that only a balanced microbiome can regulate tissue contractions, with certain molecules secreted by bacteria intervening in the control mechanism.
A long-running study supports standard prescribing practices for glucocorticoid therapy in DMD patients, showing longer preservation of muscle strength and function and decreased risk of death. The study found that long-term use of these drugs delayed loss of mobility milestones and reduced mortality risk.
Researchers at UofL discovered the critical role of MyD88 in muscle development and regeneration, highlighting its potential to improve therapies for degenerative muscle disorders. The study also suggests that increasing MyD88 levels could inhibit growth of rhabdomyosarcomas and enhance engraftment of exogenous myoblasts.
African clawed frog Xenopus laevis study reveals that contrasting visual patterns affect the optokinetic reflex. The level of contrast determines motion perception efficiency, with brightly lit structures against a darker background allowing for better tracking.
A team of researchers has received a $1.8M grant to develop an implantable muscle stimulator that mimics regular weight-shifting to improve muscle health and prevent pressure ulcers and deep tissue injuries in patients with spinal cord injuries.
Researchers at George Mason University are developing a new ultrasound-based system to help people with upper-body extremity prostheses, including fine-tuned motor control of fingers and thumb. The technology differentiates between muscle groups better than electrodes on the skin surface.
A study of the TubeCrush website found that both straight women's and gay men's desired types of men featured white, muscular figures with emphasis on physical strength and wealth symbols like smart suits and watches. The researchers argue that this celebration of masculine capital reinforces societal gender roles.
A new study published in PLOS ONE suggests that endurance training can help alleviate muscle inflammation by targeting specific immune cells and promoting muscle repair. The research found that exercise alters microRNAs that downregulate immune processes and increase mitochondrial content, ultimately reducing muscle damage and inflamma...
A Saint Louis University researcher has identified two classes of drugs that could turn off the DUX4 protein responsible for facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD). The first class of drugs inhibits bromodomain and extra-terminal proteins, while the second class turns on beta-2 adrenergic signaling. These discoveries offer hope ...
Researchers found that stem cell injections improved circulation, induced gene expression changes, and reduced inflammation in diabetic mice with peripheral artery disease. The study suggests that stem cell treatment could help alleviate symptoms in severe PAD patients.
A new study by Wake Forest University researchers suggests that weight training with a low-calorie diet preserves lean muscle mass in older adults. Combining resistance training and calorie restriction resulted in less muscle loss and significant fat loss compared to cardio workouts or diet alone.
Researchers found that massage increased muscle growth after loss and improved protein manufacture in cells, leading to faster regeneration. Additionally, non-massaged muscles showed accelerated growth, suggesting massage could benefit both injured and healthy limbs.
A study of 20 patients under 60 found substantial long-term improvement after 'reverse' shoulder replacement for massive, irreparable rotator cuff tears. Despite a high complication rate, most patients reported excellent or good satisfaction levels with improved shoulder function and pain management.
Addressing poor nutrition in liver failure patients is vital, as it can lead to muscle wasting, weakness, and fatigue. A new review emphasizes the need for routine nutritional screening, especially in those with muscle wasting, and highlights the importance of adequate caloric and protein intake.
A new experimental drug has been found to block deadly muscle scarring that contributes to chronic heart failure and skeletal muscle disorders. The treatment targets alpha V integrins on scar-forming cells, reducing scarring even when the process has already started.
A new investigation reveals that human brains are less impaired than skeletal muscles when experiencing extreme physical and mental exertion. The 'selfish brain' hypothesis suggests that the brain prioritizes its own energy needs over peripheral organs, potentially contributing to human evolution's trade-offs.