Research on muscle biology and repair. Covers tissue maintenance, Parkinson's protection, repair-cell preservation, and muscle strength with age.
A device called NeuroLife has enabled a paralyzed man to perform complex movements such as swiping a credit card and playing a guitar video game with his fingers and hand. The technology, developed by Battelle and Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, interprets brain signals and bypasses the spinal cord to stimulate muscles.
Researchers discovered a superfast wing muscle in tropical birds, which can move at speeds of over 60 Hz, faster than any animal with a backbone. This adaptation allows birds to perform extravagant courtship displays without sacrificing flying ability.
A new study reveals that muscles controlling the eyes and eyelids are selectively spared in Duchenne muscular dystrophy due to higher utrophin levels. Researchers also found ECC machinery and calcium regulation similar to those of quadriceps muscles, challenging current understanding of muscle function.
A study found that some ICU patients experience persistent muscle wasting even after recovery from critical illness, leading to debilitating disability. The loss of satellite cells is a key factor in this process, contributing to age-related muscle loss and potentially permanent changes in muscle biology.
Researchers discovered that trap-jaw spiders can snap their chelicerae shut at incredible speeds, outperforming even the fastest muscles. This high-speed predatory behavior has evolved multiple times within the Mecysmaucheniid family of spiders.
Researchers discovered that trap-jaw spiders can strike prey at incredible speeds, with some species closing their mouth-parts shut over 100 times faster than the slowest. The high-speed predatory attacks were previously unknown and may have evolved independently in different spider families.
Researchers at the University of Leicester have identified a new biochemical process that controls lung function and contraction during asthma. Disrupting this process can prevent airway narrowing and maintain normal lung function.
In a clinical trial of 100 obese men, researchers found that adding testosterone treatment to calorie restriction resulted in increased fat loss and preserved muscle mass. The study suggests that testosterone treatment may be a useful adjunct to weight loss in obese men with low testosterone levels.
Researchers identified ezetimibe and evolocumab as effective alternatives for patients with muscle-related statin intolerance, demonstrating significant reductions in LDL-C levels. The study suggests that both drugs can be administered successfully in such patients, although with varying efficacy.
Researchers at Umea University discovered that motor learning relies on the independent control of sensory neurons in muscles. This adjustment allows for selectively informative sensory information to be extracted from spindles during learning.
Researchers will follow eight crew members over five years to measure changes in muscle strength and function, with a focus on the ankle and knee joints. The goal is to determine when muscle loss levels off and develop countermeasures to limit losses for future Mars missions.
Whole body electrical stimulation has emerged as a popular fitness trend, but several cases of muscle damage and rhabdomyolysis have been reported. Doctors argue that the technology needs to be regulated due to limited scientific evidence on its safety and effectiveness.
A University of Guelph professor found that elite athletes in their 80s and 90s have stronger legs and more muscle mass than non-athletes. The study, published in the Journal of Applied Physiology, compared world-class track and field athletes with individuals of the same age who are living independently.
Researchers at Kobe University have successfully decoded a sugar molecule linked to muscular dystrophy, revealing its role in causing the condition. By identifying the abnormal synthesis of ribitol 5-phosphate, the team uncovered a potential therapeutic target for treating muscular dystrophy.
A study published in Cognition reveals that a specific facial expression, known as the 'not face', is universally interpreted as a symbol of negative emotion across languages. The researchers found that this expression is identical across native speakers of English, Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, and American Sign Language.
A recent study found that ultrasound-estimated fat content in muscles is inversely associated with physical activity level and positively associated with body mass index. This non-invasive test could be especially useful for individuals with disabilities or certain medical conditions that make other imaging techniques ineffective.
A team of Stirling academics investigated the effects of fish oil supplements on muscle growth, revealing no significant difference in healthy, resistance-trained young men. Muscle biopsies showed no increased uptake of omega-3 fats by muscle cells.
Regular recreational football training significantly improves health profiles in 63-75 year old untrained men, reducing body weight and risk of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. The study also found that football preserves muscle mass, which is essential for maintaining a physically active lifestyle in older adults.
Researchers found that replacing saturated fat with polyunsaturated fat slows diabetes progression in people with prediabetes whose muscles do not take up glucose properly. In contrast, reducing saturated fat had no effect on progress for those with liver-produced excess glucose.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a new class of miniature biological robots powered by muscle cells genetically engineered to respond to light. The breakthrough allows for non-invasive control over the bots' motion, paving the way for applications in diagnostics, medicine and sensing.
The FDA has cleared Indego exoskeleton for clinical and personal use, allowing people with paralysis to stand up and walk. The device offers advanced features like adjustable robotic assistance and functional electrical stimulation to aid in rehabilitation.
Researchers found that practicing movements at different speeds improves certain nerve functions, particularly for patients with spasticity after a stroke or spine injury. The study suggests tailoring physical therapy routines to reflect the type of neural circuit controlling the movement for optimal rehabilitation outcomes.
A team of Penn researchers discovered a new mechanism linking amino acids to insulin resistance in type 2 diabetics. The study found that high levels of certain amino acids can cause fat accumulation in muscles, leading to insulin resistance.
Researchers found that self-guided exercise programs can be as effective as traditional physical therapy for patients undergoing total hip replacement. The study also suggests that activating the quadriceps muscles immediately after total knee replacement may improve rehabilitation progress.
A new pain management technique, called an adductor canal block, provides effective pain relief while preserving muscle strength in ACL knee surgery patients. The study found a significant reduction in muscle weakness and falls compared to the current standard method.
Researchers have identified a crucial protein complex, ASC-1, that guides the development of motor neurons and their target muscles. This breakthrough could lead to new insights into general disease mechanisms and potentially regenerative therapies for conditions like paraplegia.
Researchers present evidence that extended-release sialic acid supplement stabilizes muscle strength in patients with GNE myopathy, a rare progressive adult-onset muscle disease. Therapy with Ace-ER tablets led to dose-dependent increases in serum sialic acid levels and maintained muscle strength in upper extremities.
Researchers have discovered a specific enzyme, JNK3, that plays a critical role in spinal muscular atrophy and suppressing its activity could reduce disease severity. Mice with spinal muscular atrophy showed significant improvement when the JNK3 enzyme was genetically inhibited.
Scientists at Sanford Burnham Prebys have found that fetal muscle stem cells can remodel their microenvironment to encourage adult muscle regeneration. This discovery provides rationale for developing drugs to trigger this transition, offering new hope for treating muscular dystrophies and muscle-wasting disorders.
Researchers at Aarhus University are investigating the effects of increased incubation temperature on chicken growth and welfare. The study aims to improve animal welfare by reducing leg problems and increasing growth rates, ultimately leading to a more efficient production process.
A small peptide called TAxI has been shown to effectively deliver functional proteins into the spinal cord after a muscle injection. This breakthrough delivery method holds promise for carrying biologic drugs into the brain and spinal cord, potentially leading to new treatments for motor neuron disorders.
Researchers at Kansas State University confirm that freezing certain steak cuts, like strip loin and inside round, can improve their tenderness by up to 10%. Moisture loss plays a key role in this process. Higher quality cuts are more likely to benefit from freezing.
Researchers at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Research Institute have identified the protein complex controlling muscle gene expression, resolving a longstanding issue in muscle regeneration. The discovery sheds light on molecular targets for regenerative medicine-based interventions to treat muscle degenerative disorders.
Exercise scientists at BYU found that the immune system's T-cells infiltrate damaged muscle fibers, facilitating accelerated repair and reduced muscle soreness after repeated exercise bouts. This discovery challenges previous assumptions about inflammation and its role in exercise-induced muscle damage.
Researchers at Saarland University have developed a new cooling method using shape memory materials, which can reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. The system exploits the ability of nickel-titanium alloys to absorb and release heat when deformed or stretched.
Researchers create soft gripper that uses electroadhesion to pick up fragile objects of arbitrary shape and stiffness. The new technology mimics muscle function, gripping onto objects with electrostatic forces.
Researchers found that high-protein diets combined with intense exercise can lead to significant muscle gain while losing body fat. The study involved 40 young men who followed a low-calorie diet with varying levels of protein, resulting in impressive muscle gains and weight loss.
Researchers at the Wyss Institute have discovered that cyclic mechanical stimulation can improve muscle regeneration and reduce scarring, opening doors for new non-biologic therapies. The study used murine models of muscle injury and found a two-and-a-half-fold improvement in muscle regeneration with both magnetized gel and robotic cuf...
Young baleen whale calves have significantly lower myoglobin levels than adults, but these levels increase as they mature. Exercise has been shown to influence the rate of myoglobin accumulation in young baleen whales, potentially explaining their high activity levels during early development.
A new clinical trial found that a specialized oral nutrition supplement reduced the death rate of malnourished adults with heart or lung disease by 50% within 90 days of hospitalization. The study also showed improvements in body weight, nutritional status, and Vitamin D levels.
A recent study published in the Journal of Neuroscience found that songbirds' vocal muscles can change their function to produce different sound parameters, similar to a trained opera singer. The research, led by Samuel Sober, shows that the bird's brain directs complex changes in muscle combinations to create complex songs.
Research by Brown University biologist Christopher Anderson reveals the smallest species of chameleon produces the most powerful tongue acceleration, with peak values 264 times greater than gravitational acceleration.
Researchers have developed a CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing system to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a debilitating genetic disease. By deleting exon 23 and restoring dystrophin protein levels, the therapy improved muscle function in mice with DMD, including cardiac and pulmonary health.
Duke University researchers successfully treated an adult mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy using CRISPR gene editing. The treatment involved delivering the gene-editing system directly to the affected tissues through a non-pathogenic carrier called adeno-associated virus, overcoming several delivery challenges.
A study found that combining botulinum toxin with hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers reduces degradation and increases remaining volume, leading to longer-lasting cosmetic improvements. Chemodenervation using Botox results in a 42% decrease in degradation rate and a 50% increase in HA filler volume at three months.
Researchers studied eye structures in adults with varying vision prescriptions and age, finding significant differences. The study's results suggest that 'customized' intraocular lenses could improve accommodating IOLs' effectiveness in correcting presbyopia.
A 33-year-old professional goalkeeper suffered an extremely rare complete rupture of his teres major muscle while playing a football match. He recovered after conservative treatment and physiotherapy, eventually returning to competition level without pain or limitation.
A team of scientists has discovered the precise timing of myosin's power stroke, a process that generates movement in muscles. The findings reveal that the lever arm swing 'gates' phosphate release, enabling myosin to efficiently generate force and motion.
A new study reveals that musclin, a peptide released during exercise, improves muscle's capacity for energy production and increases exercise tolerance. The research shows that increased levels of circulating musclin trigger a signaling cascade that promotes muscle performance.
Researchers discovered that sepsis causes severe muscle damage, impairing muscle function and leading to debilitating long-term effects. Mesenchymal stem cell transplantation has shown promising results in restoring muscle capacity and repairing mitochondrial dysfunction.
A new study found that pomegranate extract supplementation reduced blood pressure in hemodialysis patients, who are at high risk for cardiovascular disease. The study also showed some atheroprotective benefits, but no effects on inflammation or muscle strength.
Researchers use super-resolution technologies to observe muscle stem/progenitor cells migrating into place guided by 'ghost fibers,' remnants of the old extracellular matrix left by dying muscle fibers. This study reveals that these ghost fibers serve as architectural units guiding the regeneration of muscle tissue.
University of Louisville scientists enhance understanding of muscle repair process by revealing the vital role of protein TAK1 in regulating satellite stem cells. The protein is required for satellite cell proliferation and survival to regenerate adult skeletal muscles after injury or disease.
Researchers at Umea University discovered unique muscle fibers in the soft palate of humans, found in greater numbers in snorers and sleep apnea patients. These fibers have a distinct molecular build-up and are absent or modified in some key proteins.
A new study published in the American Journal of Transplantation found that faces transplanted change their appearance due to changes in the bone structure of the recipient, and seem to age at an accelerated rate. The research suggests the need for effective countermeasures to prevent muscle and bone atrophy in face transplant recipients.
A new study uses MRI to diagnose childbirth injuries, revealing that up to a quarter of women suffer from fractures and muscle tears. Women may take eight months or longer to heal, and Kegel exercises often don't work as expected.
Researchers at UofL discovered a mechanism involved in skeletal muscle repair that may enable clinicians to boost the effectiveness of adult stem cell therapies. TRAF6 ensures the vitality of stem cells, which regenerate muscle tissue, and its removal depletes Pax7, resulting in reduced muscle regeneration.
Researchers identified a gene, KLF15, which activates to enhance muscle endurance and alleviate muscular dystrophy without the negative side effects of glucocorticoids. Boosting KLF15 in skeletal muscle improved exercise capacity and strength in DMD patients, suggesting new treatment possibilities.
Researchers have identified a new protein, NELL2, that acts as a 'Do Not Enter' sign to guide axons across the midline of the spinal cord. This finding contributes to solving the mystery of axon guidance and may advance therapeutic approaches for neuronal repair.
A fossilized muscle-worm, discovered by University of Bristol scientists, was named Rollinschaeta myoplena in honor of punk musician Henry Rollins. The discovery highlights exceptional preservation of soft tissues in fossils, providing details about extinct animals.