Articles tagged with Muscles
Researchers at Brown University discovered that tiny muscles called plagiopatagiales embedded in a bat's wing membrane can adjust stiffness and curvature during flight, fine-tuning aerodynamic performance. The muscles tense on the downstroke and relax on the upstroke, working in synchrony to stiffen the wing.
A study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that consuming protein at each meal can promote optimal muscle growth and maintenance. Researchers discovered that evenly distributing protein throughout the day is crucial for maximizing muscle synthesis rates, whereas a skewed distribution pattern may lead to suboptimal results.
A new minimally invasive method provides obstetricians with detailed information on the anal sphincter innervation before child delivery, enabling them to perform episiotomies safely and minimize damage. The technique has been tested on 250 women in 10 EU countries.
Researchers discovered that tadalafil improves blood flow in the muscles of boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, allowing for improved exercise performance. The study found that blood flow abnormalities were present even in boys taking corticosteroids, highlighting a potential new therapeutic strategy for treating the disease.
A study by Cedars-Sinai researchers found that a commonly prescribed drug can restore blood flow to oxygen-starved muscles of boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, shortening life expectancy. The results led to a phase III clinical trial for patients with the disease.
GDF11 protein improves the exercise capability of aging mice by making their brains and skeletal muscles more like those of young health mice. The protein also restores DNA damage associated with aging in muscle stem cells, leading to improved function in unmanipulated muscle.
Researchers used ECM from pig bladders to regenerate lost muscle tissue in human trials, improving strength and function in three out of five participants. Muscle growth was confirmed through biopsies and scans, offering hope for patients with severe leg injuries.
A recent study by University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers found that chronic marital stress can make people more vulnerable to depression. Participants who reported higher marital stress had shorter-lived responses to positive images than those reporting more satisfaction in their unions.
A new study published in Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery found that a specialized yoga program can improve urinary incontinence in women by up to 70%. The six-week program helped women strengthen their pelvic floor muscles and reduce stress-related urine leakage.
A study found that dialysis patients with higher muscle mass had better scores on a 6-minute walking test and improved physical and mental health. Higher body fat measures, such as waist circumference and intra-abdominal fat, were linked to poorer outcomes.
A study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology found that a soy-dairy protein blend prolongs amino acid delivery to muscles for an hour longer than whey alone. The blend also sustained a greater positive net amino acid balance, suggesting less muscle protein breakdown.
Researchers found that mitochondria unable to self-repair are responsible for muscle weakness in both long-time alcoholics and patients with mitochondrial disease. The study identified a key protein, Mfn1, involved in skeletal muscle cell fusion.
A study by researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago found that massage therapy improves systemic circulation and alleviates muscle soreness after exercise. The study also showed that massage has benefits for people regardless of their level of physical activity, improving vascular function in healthy sedentary adults.
A multi-site study will test strategies to improve bone and muscle strength after spinal cord injury, with the goal of minimizing secondary complications. The study aims to develop safe and effective interventions to address rapid wasting of muscles and bones in individuals with SCI.
Researchers at the University of Iowa have identified the mutated protein responsible for a common eye mobility disorder. In a study published in Neuron, they found that a unique swelling in one of the nerves to the eye muscle causes the defect, and that breeding mice with this mutation can enhance the effect.
Researchers at University of California, San Diego School of Medicine discover mutant protein levels in muscle cells are involved in SBMA, suggesting an alternative treatment avenue. Antisense oligonucleotides suppress mutant protein toxicity in mice, improving symptoms and survival.
Researchers have identified a new syndrome called osteosarcopenic obesity, which combines the deterioration of bone density and muscle mass with obesity. This can lead to a higher risk of falls and breaking bones, particularly in older women.
A team of scientists has published a study revealing novel cellular and molecular elements of muscle repair. Researchers found that HDACis drugs create an environment conducive for FAPs to direct muscle regeneration in early stages of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, but fail to work later.
Researchers at the University of Iowa have discovered a natural compound in green tomatoes that stimulates muscle growth and protects against muscle wasting. Tomatidine, found in green tomatoes, generates changes in gene expression opposite to those that occur in muscle cells affected by muscle atrophy.
Scientists have identified DOR protein as a plausible target against muscle deterioration in certain diseases. The researchers found that inhibition of DOR would only partially reduce autophagy, maintaining beneficial levels for cells.
Researchers tracked bar-headed geese's remarkable tolerance to low oxygen while exercising at top speed in simulated high altitude conditions. The study found that the birds' hearts can supply more oxygen to their muscles, suggesting adaptations for humans could prevent or treat heart attacks and stroke.
Researchers at the University of Basel discovered that endurance sport improves both muscle condition and neuronal connections. By increasing PGC1α levels in muscles, athletes can enhance their nervous system's performance.
A recent Johns Hopkins study found that even a single day of bed rest in the ICU can lead to lasting physical impairments. Muscle strength was significantly lower over time, especially among older patients, highlighting the need for rethinking care approaches in ICUs.
Researchers at Duke University have successfully grown lab-grown muscle that demonstrates self-healing properties, integrating into mice quickly and contracting powerfully. The breakthrough, led by Nenad Bursac, uses well-developed contractile muscle fibers and satellite cells to create a microenvironment for regeneration.
A recent study published in Pediatrics found that stronger adolescents and teens have significantly lower risks of heart disease and diabetes. The research suggests that muscle strength may play an equally important role in cardiometabolic health in children, particularly in those with higher strength-to-body-mass ratios.
Male stag beetles have enlarged heads and muscles to compensate for their oversized mandibles, allowing them to generate powerful bites. Their male bites are six times stronger than females', with a recorded strength of 7N.
The Sunday Driver gene is implicated in regulating muscle tissue formation and maintenance, with mutations leading to inherited muscle diseases such as Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy. Researchers found that the gene's product interacts with cortical factors to enable the motor protein Dynein to transport muscle nuclei into place.
A new method for assessing individual thermal comfort has been developed by VTT, considering factors such as gender, age, body mass index, and muscularity. The method finds that women feel the cold more than men due to their lower muscle tissue, which produces heat at a lower rate.
Researchers created 3D X-ray movies of a blowfly's flight muscles, showcasing their complex movements and control. The study provides new insights into how flies manage to perform aerobatic maneuvers with precision, opening up possibilities for innovation in micro air vehicles.
Researchers use CT scanning to capture high-speed 3D X-ray visuals of fly flight muscles, showing structural deformations as key to wing control. The study's findings offer insights into the intricate mechanics of a fly's wingbeat, which beats up to 50 times per second.
Researchers have developed a new technique to generate large concentrations of skeletal muscle cells and muscle progenitors directly from human pluripotent stem cells. This method, described in Stem Cells Translational Medicine, uses growth factors to guide the stem cells towards a muscle fate, avoiding genetic modification.
Critical illness polyneuropathy and myopathy involve sensorimotor axons and skeletal muscles, respectively, differing from Guillain-Barré syndrome in clinical manifestations. The study highlights the importance of differentiating critical illness polyneuropathy/myopathy from Guillain-Barré syndrome.
A new study from researchers at the University of Pennsylvania found that dialysis for acute kidney injury (AKI) is potentially hazardous for frail patients with lower creatinine concentration levels. In contrast, more robust patients experience increased survival and reduced mortality when receiving dialysis. These findings highlight ...
Researchers found that mechanical tension is established shortly after muscle-tendon contact, providing positional information for sarcomere formation. Without tension, muscles fail to build regular myofibrils, resulting in chaotic protein distribution.
Researchers investigated whether the order of cardio- and resistance training affects biological adaptations. Despite differences in recovery time, long-term adaptations were similar between groups. The amount and frequency of training may play a key role in fitness outcomes.
A study found that pre-operative EMG evaluation of donor nerves improves nerve transfer surgery outcomes for patients with brachial plexus injuries. The use of normal donor nerves resulted in greater post-operative improvement in muscle strength and function compared to less robust donor nerves.
Columbia researchers uncover a chemical reaction that increases muscle protein elasticity in response to stretching forces. This finding could lead to new treatments for muscle disorders like dilated cardiomyopathy.
A study on wild green anole lizards reveals that the link between muscle function and movement is more complicated than previously thought. The researchers found that changes in motion do not always correspond to changes in muscle activity, leading to new questions about animal ecology, evolution, and adaptation.
A new study from the University of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences found that older Americans with more muscle mass are less likely to die prematurely. The research suggests that clinicians should focus on improving body composition rather than relying solely on body mass index (BMI) when counseling older adults.
Researchers compared two common surgery procedures for vaginal prolapse and stress urinary incontinence. The study found no significant difference in functional or adverse event outcomes between sacrospinous ligament fixation and uterosacral ligament vaginal vault suspension surgeries.
Two common procedures to treat pelvic organ prolapse without vaginal mesh are found to be comparable in safety and efficacy. Researchers also discovered that behavioral therapy did not improve urinary incontinence or prolapse symptoms in affected women.
A study of two surgical procedures for pelvic organ prolapse found that they were similarly effective in treating the condition, with success rates of 59.2% and 60.5% after two years. The exercise program did not offer additional benefits to participants.
Researchers found that moderate exercise can stimulate stem cell regeneration in mice, but losing the antioxidant protein Nrf2 hinders muscle recovery. Sarcopenia, age-related muscle loss, occurs naturally and is linked to reduced antioxidant production.
A new study suggests that a high-calorie diet rich in carbohydrates and fat may help slow the progression of motor neuron disease (ALS). Patients who were mildly obese lived longer than those who lost weight as ALS progressed. The diets improved survival rates, with fewer adverse events and deaths from respiratory failure.
Researchers at IRCM identified a critical receptor in muscle cell fusion, which could lead to new therapies for muscular diseases like myopathies and muscular dystrophies. The discovery sheds light on the complex process of muscle development and regeneration.
A study of 39 young adults found that consuming polyunsaturated fat resulted in less body fat and more muscle mass than consuming saturated fat. This is significant for preventing obesity-related disorders like type-2 diabetes, as it suggests that a diet rich in unsaturated fats may help regulate fat distribution.
Researchers have discovered a method for restoring strength to damaged skeletal muscles in the elderly using stem cell therapy. The treatment involves treating cells outside the body with a drug that prevents protein modification and culturing them on soft biomaterials, allowing aged cells to grow and self-renew.
Researchers at UT Dallas have developed artificial muscles that can lift 100 times more weight and generate 7.1 horsepower per kilogram than human muscle, powered by temperature changes. These powerful muscles have vast application opportunities in robots, exoskeletons, and wearable technology.
Researchers at CU-Boulder have identified two key pathways affecting skeletal muscle renewal, which could lead to the development of therapeutic treatments for age-related muscle wasting. The study found that altering these pathways enhances muscle stem cell renewal and improves muscle regeneration in aged mice.
Researchers have found that aging muscle stem cells become less able to regenerate new fibers and self-renew. However, they discovered a process to rejuvenate old muscle stem cells using a drug and soft hydrogel substrate, enabling them to repair muscle damage in mice.
A new study suggests that shivering and bouts of moderate exercise can convert energy-storing 'white fat' into energy-burning 'brown fat'. This process could protect against diabetes, obesity, and fatty liver. The conversion is triggered by the hormones irisin and FGF21, which are stimulated by cold exposure and muscle activity.
A new study suggests that high doses of vitamin C and E supplements can blunt the improvement of muscular endurance through cellular adaptions. The study found that markers for muscle mitochondria production increased only in the group without supplements.
Stanford researchers have solved a riddle about the inner workings of the brain, revealing a previously unknown process that helps two brain regions cooperate when joint action is required. The study used a new approach to analyze large numbers of neurons and discovered that different regions of the brain keep results localized or broa...
A team of scientists at the University of Basel has elucidated a second information pathway taken by motor commands, revealing a complex network of communication between the spinal cord and brain. This dual information stream enables precise control of fine motor behavior, such as arm and hand movements.
Core stabilization exercises can improve postural stability and independent walking in chronic hemiparetic stroke patients. Real-time video feedback significantly improves gait velocity and stride length, as well as TUG test performance.
Researchers found that plyometric exercises can improve explosive and aerobic performance in sportspeople without extensive rest periods. Young football players showed significant improvement after consecutive days of training sessions.
A University of Arizona researcher has shown that genetic mutations in the titin gene can cause skeletal muscle myopathy, a disease characterized by muscle weakness. The study, published in the Journal of General Physiology, could be an important step in developing treatments for this condition.
Researchers have developed a gene therapy that improves muscle strength, corrects muscle structure, and prolongs life in animal models of X-linked myotubular myopathy. This devastating disease affects approximately 1 in 50,000 male births, causing severe respiratory difficulties and requiring intensive support.
Researchers have discovered a novel mechanism in salamanders that allows them to jump with minimal push-off force. This 'hip-twist jump' creates a high amount of elastic energy, enabling the animals to propel themselves upwards.
The system eliminates vibrations caused by human muscle co-contraction, allowing the robot to move safely and efficiently. By modeling human operators in this way, robots can actively adjust to changes in movement, improving performance and safety in manufacturing plants.