Articles tagged with Muscles
A new study found that a deep-water fish called the opah harnesses heat generated by flapping its pectoral fins to warm its body. This unique adaptation enables the opah to operate in cold and deep water with high-performance capabilities.
A large international study found that weak grip strength is linked with shorter survival and a greater risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Grip strength was also found to be a stronger predictor of death than systolic blood pressure.
A study published in The Lancet found that firmness of hand grip is a better indicator of health than blood pressure. Researchers analyzed data from over 140,000 adults and found that reduced muscular strength measured by grip strength was consistently linked to early death, disability, and illness.
A recent review of combined diet and exercise training trials found that the effects differ across studies, suggesting more research is needed to determine their benefits for older people. Exercise training and diet supplementation have been shown to be effective in preventing muscle loss, but little is known about their combined effects.
Researchers at UC Berkeley discover a small-molecule drug that perks up old stem cells in the brains and muscles of mice, potentially leading to multi-tissue rejuvenation. The drug inhibits TGF-beta1, a growth factor that depresses stem cell activity with age.
A new study suggests that exercise training to strengthen hip flexor muscles can increase walking distance and reduce calf pain in patients with clogged leg arteries. Researchers found that PAD patients use their ankle flexors more during walking due to weakness in hip muscles.
Artificial muscles made from gold-plated onion cells have been created by National Taiwan University researchers. The onions' cell structure allows them to bend and stretch in different directions depending on the applied voltage, enabling unique actuation modes.
Researchers discovered that birds with complex courtship displays have muscles sensitive to testosterone, enabling them to perform impressive acrobatics. This groundbreaking study sheds light on how hormones control social behavior in birds, paving the way for further research into the evolution of bird brawn.
Researchers at Empa use computer simulations and 3D X-ray imaging to study back pain caused by mechanical issues. They aim to identify misalignments in the spinal column and develop personalized therapy recommendations.
A new grant-funded project aims to create effective exercise programs for people with dysferlinopathies, or dysferlin-linked muscular dystrophies. The researchers will investigate the impact of mechanical loading on muscle damage and inflammation in dysferlin-deficient mice.
Researchers have developed a new method for muscle regeneration using autologous minced tissue grafts, which can restore functional muscle at the site of injury. The approach uses a collagen hydrogel-based expansion method and demonstrates similar functional recovery as donor muscle grafts with reduced tissue requirements.
A new study published in the journal Bone found a strong link between lean muscle mass and healthy bone development in children aged six and seven. The research, led by Dr Rebecca Moon, suggests that higher muscle mass is associated with larger, denser bones and reduced risk of osteoporosis.
A recent study by Virginia Tech researchers found that the body's muscle begins to process nutrients differently after just five days of a high-fat diet. This change can have dire consequences on the rest of the body and may lead to the development of diabetes and other diseases.
Scientists at TGen discovered the likely cause of severe muscle weakness in six previously undiagnosed children using state-of-the-art genetic technology. The researchers identified pathogenic variants in genes such as CACNA1S, RYR1, COL6A3, and COL6A6, providing new insights into rare myopathies.
A new computer simulation approach found that muscles play a bigger role in injury risk and prevention than previously thought. The study shows that individual pitchers can be at high or low risk of elbow injury depending on their muscle strength, highlighting the importance of targeted training and accurate assessments.
Researchers examined muscle physiology in deer mice from high and low-altitude habitats, revealing heritable differences in energy metabolism and muscle plasticity. Genetic changes associated with increased oxidative capacity and blood supply enabled improved fitness under hypoxic conditions.
Sarcopenia, age-related muscle mass and strength loss, lacks a widely accepted clinical definition. A new review aims to develop refined criteria, addressing the need for a consensus definition.
A single metabolic protein called estrogen-related receptor gamma (ERRγ) controls the flow of blood and nutrients throughout the body. It turns on fat-burning pathways in muscles and sugar-burning pathways in the brain.
Researchers at Northwestern University have identified a key indicator of chronic pain in whiplash injuries: large amounts of fat in the neck muscles. This discovery enables early treatment and may help prevent post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
A new unpowered ankle exoskeleton developed by Carnegie Mellon and North Carolina State researchers reduces the metabolic cost of walking by approximately 7%, equivalent to taking off a 10-pound backpack. The device uses a mechanical clutch to offload energy-consuming calf muscle forces, allowing individuals with mobility issues to wal...
Researchers at NC State University and Carnegie Mellon University developed a lightweight ankle exoskeleton that increases walking efficiency without using energy from batteries. The device reduces metabolic energy consumption by 7 percent, improving the 'gas mileage' of human walking.
Researchers at Saarland University have developed an artificial hand with muscles made from shape-memory wire, enabling precise movements and adaptability. The technology has potential applications in industrial production lines and prosthetic devices.
Researchers have found that people with cystic fibrosis have limited ability to uptake and use oxygen in their muscles, leading to exercise intolerance. The study uses Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) to evaluate skeletal muscle oxidative capacity in patients with CF, providing a non-invasive method for measuring muscle function.
A potential treatment for myotonic muscular dystrophy has been identified, using an experimental drug that improves muscle function and reduces symptoms in mice. The therapy targets excessive activity of a cellular protein called TWEAK and its receptor Fn14, which correlates with disease severity.
Researchers at McMaster University found that women's muscle appears more efficient in neutralizing the protein PTEN, which reduces insulin resistance and increases protection against type 2 diabetes. This discovery provides a potential therapeutic target for improving muscle responses to insulin and treating the disease.
Researchers have used cyborg insect technology to study the behavior of giant flower beetles in flight, revealing a key muscle used for steering. The findings demonstrate improved control over the beetles' free-flying movements, with potential applications in search-and-rescue operations.
Researchers found no correlation between hip width and efficient locomotion, debunking a long-held assumption that wider hips make women less efficient when walking and running. The study used biomechanical models to analyze the forces acting on the hips, revealing fundamental flaws in previous theories.
Researchers evaluate changes in gluteal muscle volume after silicone implant placement, finding significant muscle atrophy despite improved body shape. A new classification system is proposed to standardize labiaplasty techniques, ensuring better patient outcomes and satisfaction rates.
Researchers successfully generated mature, functional skeletal muscles in mice by growing cells in a dish and implanting the graft near a normal muscle. This breakthrough could lead to treatments for various muscle disorders, including Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
A study found that taking a pre-exercise supplement of omega-3 PCSO-524, derived from the New Zealand green-lipped mussel, has significant positive effects on post-exercise muscle damage. The subjects experienced less muscle soreness, pain, strength loss, fatigue, and inflammatory proteins in their bloodstreams.
Three Austrian men have undergone a new technique called 'bionic reconstruction', enabling them to use a robotic prosthetic hand controlled by their mind. The technique restored a high level of function, aiding in activities of daily living and improving quality of life.
Researchers at Hiroshima University developed a prototype called Sensorimotor Enhancing Suit (SEnS) to support human motion. SEnS reduces muscle load on the upper limbs, improving sensorimotor functions and enhancing the quality of life for both elderly individuals and healthy people working under extreme conditions.
A new injection approach shows promise as a potential weight-loss therapy by making muscles less energy efficient and increasing calorie burning. This could help people overcome their body's natural resistance to weight loss, especially for those with limited mobility.
A new treatment shows promise in reducing muscle cramp intensity by three times, taking effect within minutes and lasting up to six hours.
Researchers have developed implantable devices that can record muscle activity and provide more natural prosthesis control. The technologies aim to improve the reliability of prosthetic limbs and enable users to experience sensations in their residual limbs, enhancing overall prosthetic performance.
A new clinical trial led by Northwestern Medicine aims to evaluate the effectiveness of targeted muscle reinnervation (TMR) in treating chronic pain caused by limb amputation. The procedure involves transferring a damaged nerve into a functioning muscle, allowing it to grow and prevent neuroma formation.
Researchers have successfully improved muscle repair in mice with muscular dystrophy by increasing the BMI1 gene, leading to increased strength and longer treadmill runs. The study provides a proof of concept for harnessing this gene to enhance muscle regeneration and may lead to new treatments for patients.
Researchers at Duke University have successfully grown human skeletal muscle that contracts and responds like native tissue, enabling the testing of new drugs and study of diseases in functioning human muscle outside the body. The lab-grown tissue can also mimic clinical responses to various drugs.
Research at the University of Illinois at Chicago found that playing catch can improve balance and prevent falls in seniors by enhancing anticipatory postural control. The study also showed a transfer effect, where training improved performance on other tasks beyond the specific activity.
A study by King's College London found that amateur cyclists aged 55-79 had levels of physiological function similar to younger individuals. The study revealed that exercise can buy extra years of healthy function compared to sedentary people, and cycling is particularly beneficial for maintaining health and wellbeing.
Muscle spindle sensory feedback promotes repair of damaged neuronal networks after spinal cord injury. Basic locomotor functionality can be restored spontaneously, but fine motor task performance remains permanently lost. Activation of muscle spindles is essential for recovery, suggesting a key role in designing novel treatment strateg...
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine found that faulty stem cells surrounding muscle fibers are responsible for the progression of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. A drug called losartan has been shown to inhibit fibrosis and partially restore muscle function in laboratory mice, offering new hope for potential treatments.
A new study found that Montmorency tart cherry juice helped cyclists recover from intense exercise by maintaining muscle function and reducing inflammatory responses. The study showed a 4% reduction in oxygen consumption at 24 hours compared to the placebo group, indicating improved exercise efficiency.
Scientists have developed a new light-based tool to monitor and improve swimming technique and aid in muscle recovery. The technology uses near-infrared spectroscopy to measure muscle oxygenation underwater, providing valuable feedback for swimmers and helping track rehabilitation progress.
Scientists discovered ancient engravings from human ancestors on a 400,000 year old fossilised shell from Java. The discovery is the earliest known example of ancient humans deliberately creating pattern.
Researchers have discovered that electric eels use a Taser-like system to locate and incapacitate their prey. The eel emits high-frequency pulses that cause muscle contractions, temporarily paralyzing the prey within three to four milliseconds.
Scientists at Max F. Perutz Laboratories have elucidated the molecular structure and regulation of α-actinin, a crucial muscle protein. The findings provide unprecedented insights into the protein's mode of action and its role in muscle disorders, paving the way for improved treatments.
Researchers from Aarhus University developed a comprehensive overview of gene interactions in muscles, providing insights into the effects of exercise on metabolism. The study's results, published in Scientific Data, offer a platform for future research into diseases like diabetes and obesity.
Researchers found that blocking the ALS mutation in the brain slowed disease onset and progression, suggesting that early dysfunction of brain motor neurons may contribute to later disease development. The study used rats with ALS, showing delayed disease onset and extended survival when suppressing the mutation in the brain.
Researchers have discovered a single mutation in a gene that explains a significant proportion of unsolved cases of progressive myoclonus epilepsy. The mutation disrupts brain signal transmission, leading to epileptic seizures and muscle twitching starting in childhood.
A new gene therapy treatment has demonstrated effectiveness in a canine model of DMD, skipping exons to produce functional dystrophin protein. The treatment was well-tolerated and resulted in high levels of dystrophin expression, with muscle strength increasing at higher doses.
University of Michigan researchers demonstrate how chains of self-assembling particles can form and extend when exposed to an alternating electric field. This innovation could enable electronics that rewire on demand and pave the way for development of tiny, mobile robots with potential applications in medicine and manufacturing.
The Seattle Singing Accuracy Protocol (SSAP) measures how well people handle the translation from listening to singing. The program assesses individual singers' ability to match specific tones and melodies, providing a tool for early music education programs and researchers studying musical ability.
Research reveals a new mechanism for proper sarcomere organization, controlled by protein cofilin-2 that trims actin filaments to precise lengths. This finding explains mutations in the cofilin-2 gene resulting in nemaline myopathy and highlights its importance in muscle function.
Scientists have found that turtles breathe with the aid of a muscle sling attached to their shell, which contracts and relaxes to aerate the lungs. The origin of this unique ventilatory apparatus was discovered in the ancient fossil reptile Eunotosaurus africanus.
A recent study published in Neural Computation found that CoQ10 supplements improved physical function in 80% of treated veterans with Gulf War illness. The study suggests that CoQ10 may be beneficial for those suffering from this chronic condition, which is linked to chemical exposures and mitochondrial damage.
A study published in Nature reveals that a 'wimpy' mouse antibody may actually play a key role in protecting against kidney disease. The researchers found that the antibody, which is abundant in mice and thought to offer poor assistance in fighting infections, can prevent the development of kidney disease when injected into genetically...
Researchers developed a method to process ultrasound data in small, handheld instruments that can provide fast and convenient medical information. This technology could enable people with muscular dystrophy to monitor the effectiveness of their medication on a smartphone.
Paleontologists uncover fatal stab wound in allosaur's pubis bone, suggesting stegosaurs wielded their tails as deadly weapons. The discovery challenges conventional views of stegosaurs as lumbering plant-eaters, highlighting their impressive dexterity and fighting skills.
Researchers found a strong connection between the pelvic floor muscles and the glutes in the brain, highlighting the interconnected nature of the body. This discovery may help identify the causes of chronic pelvic floor pain and improve treatments for incontinence.