Research on muscle biology and repair. Covers tissue maintenance, Parkinson's protection, repair-cell preservation, and muscle strength with age.
Eight people with spinal cord injuries regained partial sensation and muscle control in their lower limbs after training with brain-controlled robotics. The research, led by Miguel Nicolelis, offers promise for regaining strength, mobility, and independence for those with spinal cord injury, stroke, and other conditions.
Researchers developed a brain-machine interface to help paraplegic patients regain motor function and sensation in their paralyzed limbs. After a year of training, patients showed significant improvements in bladder and bowel control, cardiovascular function, and even reduced hypertension.
A recent study published in Cell Metabolism has discovered that a compound called NAD can reverse muscle degeneration in mice with tissue aging. The research, led by the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, found that NAD supplementation improved muscle function and reduced inflammation in aged mice.
Researchers at VIB-KU Leuven have unraveled the mechanism by which DYT1 dystonia causes cellular defects, linking it to dysregulation of lipids. The findings may lead to new medical approaches to overcome this poorly understood condition.
Researchers have found evidence that botulinum toxins can move beyond the injection site, entering nerve cells and causing symptoms consistent with botulism. The study uses a lab dish system to visualize toxin movement, shedding light on the potential for remote effects of this deadly substance.
A new study published in Nutrients found that Montmorency tart cherry juice concentrate improved recovery among semi-professional male soccer players after a simulated game. The study found greater functional performance, reduced inflammation, and decreased muscle soreness in the Montmorency group compared to the placebo group.
Competitive swimmers are at risk of shoulder injuries due to the high stress on their joints. Proper technique, training, stretching, and strengthening can help prevent these injuries. Swimmers may experience signs such as a dropped elbow or excessive body roll, which can be diagnosed with a thorough physical examination.
A microfluidic device has been developed to replicate the neuromuscular junction, enabling precise stimulation of nerve cells and observation of muscle interactions. This innovation may help identify effective treatments for ALS and other neuromuscular disorders.
Researchers at the National Institutes of Health have identified a novel genetic mutation that may lead to progressive loss of motor function in children. The study, published in Science Signaling, found that a gain-of-function mutation in the KCC3 protein causes extreme swelling of neurons, leading to nerve damage and muscle weakness.
Researchers at UC Berkeley have developed dust-sized wireless sensors that can be implanted in the body to monitor internal nerves, muscles, or organs in real-time. The technology also enables stimulation of nerves and muscles to treat disorders such as epilepsy or stimulate the immune system.
A new study by the University of Malta and CNRS/Université de Montpellier reveals a faulty cellular machine cutting and pasting genetic instructions for motor neuron disease. The research suggests that ALS and SMA are related disorders with a shared mechanism that could lead to common treatments.
A novel gene therapeutic approach has been developed by WSU researchers to combat muscle wasting disease, which affects millions worldwide. The treatment, targeting a specific hormone, aims to prevent muscle loss and improve cancer patient survival rates.
Australian researchers have developed a novel gene therapy that targets muscle cells to prevent cachexia, a condition of weight loss and frailty associated with severe muscle wasting. The approach has shown promise in pre-clinical mouse models, suggesting potential benefits for treating frailty in other chronic illnesses.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine showed significant improvement in strength and range of motion, as well as evidence for skeletal muscle regeneration in patients treated with bioscaffolds. The study demonstrated the effectiveness of regenerative medicine in i...
A key gene called AUF1 determines whether adult stem cells can regenerate muscle after injury and with age. The study found that mice engineered to lack the AUF1 gene showed reduced stem-cell-driven repair, leading to muscle breakdown.
A study published in The BMJ found that supervised exercise therapy is as effective as arthroscopic surgery in improving thigh muscle strength and knee function in middle-aged patients with degenerative meniscal tears. Researchers recommend considering structured exercise therapy as a treatment option for this type of knee damage.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have discovered a protein that boosts the growth of damaged muscle tissue, potentially contributing to treatments for age-related muscle degeneration and diseases like muscular dystrophy. The protein, β1-integrin, promotes stem cell growth and restoration after muscle injury, with results showing...
Researchers have created biohybrid robots that crawl like sea turtles on the beach, combining tissues from a sea slug with flexible 3-D printed components. The robots are designed to be compliant and interact with their environment, making them suitable for tasks such as searching for toxic leaks or lost flight data recorders.
A recent study by researchers at University of Alabama at Birmingham found that imposing a mild to moderate strain on muscles and nerves can provoke symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome. Participants with CFS reported significantly increased body pain and concentration difficulties during the procedure, as well as greater symptom inten...
Researchers discovered that a signaling molecule called TGF-beta inhibits genes important for glucose and fat burning, reducing insulin sensitivity. The study suggests that a tailored training program could help prevent type 2 diabetes by overcoming this molecular response.
A team of scientists from Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) and UNIST created an octopus-inspired smart adhesive pad to mimic the suction cups on octopuses' tentacles. The pad uses thermally responsive polymer to create suction, allowing for strong bonding and detachment in wet conditions.
A new study from McMaster University found that lifting lighter weights many times can be as efficient as lifting heavy weights for fewer repetitions in building muscle and strength. Researchers analyzed muscle and blood samples and found gains in muscle mass and fibre size were virtually identical between the two groups.
A new skin electrode can measure muscle and nerve cell activity for hours without irritating the skin. This technology has potential applications in mapping emotions, improving rehabilitation outcomes, and monitoring driver alertness.
Researchers at Amazentis SA and EPFL have discovered that urolithin A boosts mitochondrial function and reverses muscle aging. Oral administration of the compound enhances muscle strength and endurance in aged rodents.
A recent study in rats suggests that acoustic shock waves can accelerate muscle healing by increasing chemical signaling factors and waking up satellite progenitor cells. This technique, called Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT), has promising potential as a non-invasive therapy complementing existing recovery regimes.
Researchers developed a fluorescent protein method to accurately detect unconjugated bilirubin in newborns, minimizing blood sample interference. The UnaG method offers a highly sensitive and accurate detection method for preterm infants, potentially reducing neurological handicaps.
Researchers found that a protein called b1-integrin is crucial for muscle regeneration in aged muscles. The team's study provides a promising target for therapeutic intervention to combat muscle aging or disease. By restoring the function of b1-integrin, regenerative abilities were restored to youthful levels in mice with aged muscles.
Researchers at USC have developed a new method to grow stronger muscles using gelatin instead of traditional methods. The 'muscles-on-a-chip' technology has shown promising results in studying human muscle development and disease, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Researchers developed a new method to maintain the transplantation efficiency of satellite cells, which are found in skeletal muscles. The study used leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) to enhance muscle fiber formation after transplantation, resulting in two to three times more fibers formed compared to control cells.
Researchers discover 'reactive effort' in sign languages, where movements produce torque on the torso, and find that vocabulary avoids signs requiring extra reactive effort. This biological universal sheds light on language and physical activity.
A new study reveals that treadmill training releases a protein called cathepsin B, which improves memory recall in mice. The findings support the benefits of regular exercise on cognitive function and suggest that this protein may play a key role in maintaining brain health.
Researcher Erika Geisbrecht is studying the connection between a gene called clueless (clu) and genes that cause Parkinson's disease in fruit flies. She aims to understand how muscles develop and maintain themselves throughout a fruit fly's life to apply this knowledge to humans.
A woman with amnesia, Lonni Sue Johnson, surprisingly retains detailed knowledge of skills she once performed well in, such as art and flying, despite losing memories of facts about her life. Researchers at Johns Hopkins University find that skill-related memory can be spared even with severe losses in other kinds of knowledge.
A study at IRB Barcelona discovered that Mitofusin 2 is required to preserve healthy muscles in mice, with its loss associated with muscle wastage and sarcopenia. The protein could serve as a therapeutic target to ameliorate sarcopenia in the elderly.
Researchers at McMaster University found that physical activity can retain, repair, and regenerate damaged muscle in the elderly. After eight weeks of exercise, old mice were able to repair and rebuild muscle more quickly following injury compared to non-exercise groups.
A new study published in The FASEB Journal suggests that regular exercise can improve muscle repair in older adults, allowing them to regain lost muscle mass and recover from injury more quickly. After just eight weeks of exercise, old mice experienced faster muscle repair and regrowth compared to non-exercised controls.
A study published in Cell Metabolism found that osteocalcin, a bone-derived hormone, increases muscle performance during exercise. Osteocalcin levels naturally decline with age, affecting men and women differently, with the decline occurring about 15-20 years sooner in women.
A study published in Frontiers in Physiology found that accentuated eccentric loading training can lead to greater strength gains compared to traditional isoinertial loads. After five weeks, experienced strength-trainers showed improvements in force production, work capacity, and muscle activation.
A new treatment approach has shown promising results in improving symptoms of juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) in children, a rare chronic autoimmune disease. The study found significant reductions in muscle weakness and skin inflammation, as well as improved overall disease activity.
A team of researchers has pinpointed the genetics behind a select group of garter snakes' ability to eat poisonous newts, revealing an evolutionary 'building blocks' pattern. The study found that resistant muscle evolved after resistant nerves, with the ancestors of garter snakes gaining toxin-resistant nerves almost 40 million years ago.
A revolutionary new sports shot, HOTSHOT, has been scientifically proven to prevent and treat muscle cramps by stopping them at the nerve level. By synchronizing communication between nerves and muscles, HOTSHOT boosts Neuro Muscular Performance, reducing post-exercise muscle soreness.
A study published in Nature Communications reveals that replacing a protein complex involved in muscle development may alleviate symptoms of muscular dystrophy. The researchers identified a genetic switch that drives pericytes and PICs to become muscle cells, providing a potential target for drug development.
Researchers developed an actuator that mimics the movement of skeletal muscles using vacuum power, generating movements similar to those of real muscles. The actuators are soft, shock-absorbing, and pose no danger to their environment or humans working alongside them.
Scientists at the University of Liverpool have discovered a new potential treatment for muscular dystrophy by identifying an enzyme that impairs muscle repair. Elevated levels of elastase, which breaks down connective tissue, were found to impair muscle stem cell function and survival.
A surgically implanted neuroprosthesis has led to substantial improvement in walking speed and distance for a patient with limited mobility after a stroke. The device stimulates coordinated activity of hip, knee, and ankle muscles, resulting in a more symmetrical and dynamic gait.
A whole-person perspective is needed to accurately assess obesity severity, considering factors like muscle mass and ethnicity. The review article suggests staging obesity treatment from stage 0 to stage 4, with intensive lifestyle modification being crucial for preventing disease progression.
A simple screening test can accurately predict the severity of heart disease in patients with heart failure. The test calculates a patient's sarcopenia score based on their age, grip strength, and calf circumference, making it a useful evaluation method for daily clinical practice.
Researchers found resveratrol supplements can help counteract the negative effects of a high fat/high sugar diet on hind leg muscles. The study, published in Frontiers in Physiology, showed that resveratrol supplementation helped maintain muscle function and fatigue resistance.
A flexible exosuit developed by Harvard University researchers reduces the metabolic cost of loaded walking by 7.3% on average, allowing wearers to return to a natural walking profile. The device is composed of textiles and assists the hip and ankle joints, reducing work done without impacting movement freedom.
MSU scientists identified disrupted neuromuscular synaptic function as the underlying cause of motor dysfunction in spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA). This discovery offers new avenues for gene therapy targeting muscle tissue.
Researchers from the University of Birmingham found that extended rest intervals can improve muscle growth by increasing myofibrillar protein synthesis. They recommend at least 2-3 minutes of rest between sets for novice weight trainers, while experienced lifters may not experience the same blunted response.
Researchers found an inverse association between muscle fat and physical activity level, as well as a positive link with body mass index. Ultrasound technology proved advantageous for assessing muscle composition, particularly for individuals with disabilities or certain medical conditions.
A study published in Pediatric Obesity found that vitamin D supplementation during the first year of life is critical for muscle-mass development and less body fat in toddlers. Children who had sufficient vitamin D stores averaged around 450 grams less body fat at 3 years of age.
A new study from Wake Forest University found that testosterone influences the evolution of a waving display in male Bornean rock frogs. The research revealed that testosterone increases foot-flagging behavior and changes how hormones act on leg muscles, similar to the change seen in vocal croaks.
Researchers at UMass Medical School identified a molecular pathway critical for maintaining smooth muscle tone, which may lead to new treatments for digestive disorders. The study found that genetic deletion of a specific enzyme led to loss of basal tone and fecal incontinence in mice.
A new study by Binghamton University provides a unifying model for genetic disorders, revealing how subtle mutations of the LMNA gene disrupt cell commitment processes. This leads to confusion among cells, causing different organs to malfunction, resulting in various conditions like heart problems and premature aging.
A new machine learning algorithm can identify human facial expressions based on neural activity, with a 60% success rate. The area of the brain responsible for this task is the posterior superior temporal sulcus (pSTS), which activates when looking at images of different facial expressions.
The American Academy of Neurology has updated its guidelines for the use of botulinum toxin in treating spasticity, cervical dystonia, blepharospasm, and chronic migraine. The guideline recommends that botulinum toxin is generally safe and effective for these conditions.
Removing osteopontin from mice with muscular dystrophy reduces inflammation and fibrosis, boosting muscle repair and regeneration. Osteopontin inhibitors may be used to slow disease progression and improve muscle function in DMD patients.
Researchers discovered that high doses of antihistamines can blunt nearly 27% of the gene response after vigorous exercise, which could have implications for athletes and exercisers. The study identified 795 genes affected by histamine receptors, highlighting their role in post-exercise recovery.