Dolphin-power sufficient for propulsion without tricks
Researchers measured dolphin force using bubble DPIV, proving Gray's paradox was incorrect. Dolphins produce impressive power, even accelerating rapidly at 5400 W.
Muscles
Articles tagged with Muscles
Discovery of an early predictor of increased diabetes risk
A study discovered that PGC-1α, a protein regulating energy production in cells, may contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes. Chronically low levels of this protein in muscle tissue were linked to increased risk and detrimental effects on other tissues, including inflammation in the liver and adipose tissue.
Dance and virtual reality: A promising treatment for urinary incontinence in elderly women
Researchers found that adding dance exercises to a physiotherapy program improved urine leakage, increased participation rates, and provided more functional pelvic floor muscle exercises. The study opens the door to a randomized clinical trial for treating urinary incontinence with virtual reality and dance.
Spinal cord findings could help explain origins of limb control
Researchers have discovered intricate neural networks in zebrafish that could help explain how humans developed limb control. The study found separate circuits for controlling the left and right sides of the body, which may be a precursor to human arm and leg movements.
New device can reduce sleep apnea episodes by 70 percent, Pitt-UPMC study shows
A new device called Inspire Upper Airway Stimulation (UAS) therapy has been shown to significantly reduce obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) episodes by approximately 70 percent in patients. The device targets the muscle tone of the throat, leading to improved control of breathing and reduced daytime fatigue.
SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJan 8, 2014
Ants shape their thoraces to match the tasks they perform
Researchers found that ants modify their thoracic segments to match the tasks they perform as adults, with worker ants having enlarged neck muscles for strength and maneuverability. Queens have distinct thorax shapes associated with strategies used to found new colonies.
Higher vitamin D levels in pregnancy could help babies become stronger
Research found that mothers with higher vitamin D levels during pregnancy had children with stronger muscles, which could lead to better health outcomes in adulthood. The study measured grip strength and muscle mass in children born to these mothers at age four.
SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateJan 3, 2014
Beatboxing poses little risk of injury to voice
Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago have found that beatboxers use the whole vocal tract to produce a range of sounds, spreading the energy among several structures and minimizing wear on any single part. This technique may be protective of the vocal folds and could help singers relieve stress on their vocal cords.
Researchers find a cause of aging that can be reversed
Scientists have found a molecular mechanism behind aging that can be reversed using a compound that restores communication between mitochondria and the nucleus. This breakthrough may lead to new treatments for age-related diseases such as cancer, type 2 diabetes, and inflammatory disorders.
New compound could reverse loss of muscle mass in cancer and other diseases
Researchers developed a new antibody that reverses muscle wasting in cancer, COPD, and other diseases by blocking a receptor that puts brakes on muscle development. The compound, BYM338, boosted muscle mass 25-50% and increased strength in animal models, with clinical trials underway.
A micro-muscular breakthrough
Researchers at Berkeley Lab have created a micro-sized robotic torsional muscle/motor made from vanadium dioxide, achieving unprecedented power density and speed. The device can catapult objects over 50 times its own weight with remarkable efficiency.
Tweaking energy consumption to combat muscle wasting and obesity
Researchers discovered that ATP-sensitive potassium channels in skeletal muscle play a crucial role in regulating energy consumption even during mundane activities. By modulating KATP channel activity, new strategies may be developed to combat metabolic disorders such as muscle wasting and obesity.
Nuclei in wrong place may be cause, not result, of inherited muscle diseases
The study found that the Sunday Driver gene regulates myonuclear positioning and muscle function. Mutations in this gene lead to unevenly spaced nuclei and defective muscle contraction, indicating that mispositioned nuclei may be a possible cause, not consequence, of human congenital myopathies.
Regular exercise in middle age protects against muscle weakness later in life
A cross-sectional study by Tokyo University found exercising in middle age is a protective factor against sarcopenia and effective in maintaining muscle strength and physical performance. The prevalence of sarcopenia was higher with increasing age, but exercise habits in middle age were significantly associated with lower risk.
Medical mystery solved
A new disease related to NKH has been discovered through genetic research led by University of Colorado professor Johan Van Hove. The variant, also known as non-ketotic hyperglycinaemia, shares similar symptoms with NKH and was found in eight patients from around the world.
Keep on exercising, researchers advise older breast cancer survivors
A year of resistance and impact training can help older breast cancer survivors preserve bone density, even with less exercise. Muscle strength declines more quickly than bone density and may require continued participation in a supervised exercise program.
A step closer to muscle regeneration
Researchers at Monash University have isolated muscle precursor cells from pluripotent stem cells using a purification technique, allowing them to differentiate into muscle cells. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new treatments for degenerative diseases such as Muscular Dystrophy and Parkinson's disease.
Scientists discover that short-term energy deficits increase factors related to muscle degradation
A new study reveals that a high-protein diet can help preserve muscle mass during weight loss by slowing the ubiquitin proteasome system, which is primarily responsible for degrading skeletal muscle. Researchers found that adequate protein intake can minimize muscle loss during weight loss efforts.
SourceFederation of American Societies for Experimental Biology·JournalThe FASEB Journal·DateDec 2, 2013
Hysterectomized women may benefit from testosterone
Researchers found that higher doses of testosterone improved sexual function, muscle mass, and physical performance in postmenopausal women who had undergone hysterectomy. However, side effects such as unwanted hair growth and acne were rare in the study.
Playing computer games makes brains feel and think alike
Researchers found that playing computer games enhances facial muscle reactions and brainwave synchronization between players, particularly in competitive situations. This effect can aid in anticipating opponents' actions and compensate for a faltering social bond while competing.
Different cellular mechanisms behind regenerated body parts
Researchers found that two salamander species have distinct ways of regrowing muscles, with one relying on dedifferentiation and the other on stem cells. This discovery may lead to a better understanding of human muscle regeneration and potentially treat muscular dystrophy.
The big male nose
A University of Iowa study found that men's noses are about 10 percent larger than female noses, on average, in populations of European descent. The size difference is attributed to the sexes' different builds and energy demands.
Protein quality: It matters
Research presented at SupplySide West highlights the superiority of whey protein in building and maintaining lean muscle, maintaining weight and aging healthy. Whey protein is a complete protein containing all essential amino acids, with benefits including reducing hunger, improving exercise recovery and reducing muscle loss with aging.
Protein interplay in muscle tied to life span
A study at Brown University found a connection between protein quality control in muscle tissue and lifespan in fruit flies. Suppressing the activity of activin, a protein complex involved in muscle performance, increased life span by up to 20%. The researchers also discovered a potential link between this protein interplay and human a...
FDA approved immune-modulating drug unexpectedly benefits mice with fatal mitochondrial defect
Researchers found that rapamycin treatment increases survival and prevents disease progression in a mouse model of Leigh syndrome. The drug delays neurological symptoms, reduces brain inflammation, and extends lifespans by more than triple.
New cause found for muscle-weakening disease myasthenia gravis
Scientists have discovered an antibody to the protein LRP4, which plays a critical role in enabling the brain to communicate with muscles. This finding explains why some patients with myasthenia gravis may not have any obvious signs of the disease despite having low levels of antibodies.
SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateNov 11, 2013
Protein illustrates muscle damage: McMaster researchers
Researchers at McMaster University have identified a protein called Xin that serves as a biomarker for muscle damage. Xin is only detectable after muscle injury and shows a strong correlation with the degree of damage, regardless of the cause.
Human muscle stem cell therapy gets help from zebrafish
Researchers have discovered that zebrafish chemicals can differentiate human stem cells into muscle cells in the laboratory, making muscle cell therapy a more realistic clinical possibility. The discovery has the potential to revolutionize treatments for muscular dystrophy and diabetes.
Researchers build muscle in diseased mice; create human muscle cells in a dish
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital successfully grew human muscle cells in a dish using a combination of compounds identified through a rapid culture system. They also boosted muscle mass and reversed disease in a mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, paving the way for potential clinical trials.
ASU researchers discover new path to address genetic muscular diseases
Researchers from Arizona State University and Stanford Universities have discovered that the key gene Numb plays a role in promoting muscle growth and suppressing Myostatin, which limits muscle growth. The findings provide a new avenue for developing treatments for muscle diseases such as muscular dystrophy and ALS.
SourceArizona State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 1, 2013
Brief exposure to performance-enhancing drugs may be permanently 'remembered' by muscles
A new study suggests that brief exposure to anabolic steroids can lead to long-lasting performance-enhancing effects in muscle tissue. After a period of inactivity, the muscles of steroid users recover faster and gain more mass than those of non-users, potentially altering the exclusion time for doping offenders.
Oregon researchers say supplement cuts muscle loss in knee replacements
Researchers found that taking eight essential amino acids twice daily before and after knee-replacement surgeries can reduce muscle atrophy by 6.2% and speed recovery. This approach shows promise for a growing population of aging adults who face total knee replacements due to loss of mobility and pain problems.
'Anklebot' helps determine ankle stiffness
Researchers used the Anklebot robot to characterize the normal mechanics of the joint in healthy volunteers, finding that the ankle is strongest when moving up and down and weakest when turning inward. The findings may help clinicians better understand physical limitations caused by strokes and other motor disorders.
SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalIEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering·DateOct 24, 2013
Cancer wasting due in part to tumor factors that block muscle repair, study shows
Researchers found that tumors release factors into the bloodstream that inhibit muscle fiber repair, leading to muscle loss in cancer patients. The study identifies new strategies and drug targets for treating cancer cachexia, a condition that causes life-threatening weight loss and lean muscle mass loss.
SourceOhio State University Wexner Medical Center·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateOct 23, 2013
How liver 'talks' to muscle: A well-timed, coordinated conversation
Scientists at Brigham and Women's Hospital uncover a joint effort between the liver and muscle to maintain balanced fat production and burning. A phospholipid molecule acts as a signal molecule controlling this process. The study highlights the importance of coordinated changes in organs like the liver and muscle in metabolic responses.
For celebrated frog hops, scientists look to Calaveras pros
Researchers from Brown University traveled to Calaveras County to study the Guinness Book of World Records' top frog jumper, Rosie the Ribeter. They found that bullfrogs at the Jubilee surpassed the old research-grade mark of 1.3 meters a striking 58 percent of the time, with jumps reaching up to 2.2 meters.
Working to the beat
Researchers found that producing music decreases perceived physical strain and increases muscle effectiveness during exercise. This breakthrough insight sheds light on the therapeutic power of music and its role in human society.
SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 16, 2013
Grant helps researchers study 'turbocharger effect' in skeletal muscle
Researchers have been studying the impact of an isoform on human resistance to fatigue, which occurs when muscles can't continue contracting. The study found that this isoform provides a 'turbocharger effect,' speeding up muscle function during exercise.
Scientists shed light on the brain mechanisms behind a debilitating sleep disorder
Researchers at the University of Toronto discovered that a dysfunctional relationship between the noradrenaline and hypocretin systems is responsible for cataplexy in narcolepsy. By activating noradrenaline receptors, they reduced cataplexy incidence by 90% and found that restoring noradrenaline levels prevented paralysis during episodes.
Among critically ill patients, muscle wasting occurs rapidly
Muscle wasting occurs rapidly in critically ill patients, with significant skeletal muscle weakness and physical disability persisting for at least 5 years. Early interventions to enhance anabolism may be required to limit or prevent muscle loss.
Exceptional fossil fish reveals new evolutionary mechanism for body elongation
A team of paleontologists discovered a new evolutionary mechanism for body elongation in early ray-finned fishes, characterized by the doubling of vertebral arches. The exceptionally preserved form, Saurichthys curionii, had a unique two-vertebral arch per myomeric segment, resulting in an overall elongate appearance and flexibility.
Seniors in long-term care residences: high risk of head injuries
Falls account for more than 60% of hospital stays for traumatic brain injury in seniors over age 65. Researchers found that hand impact occurred in 74% of falls, highlighting the need for exercises to strengthen upper limbs and design safer environments.
SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateOct 7, 2013
Research reveals the benefits of strength training as physical exercise for 90-year-olds
Researchers found that seniors over 90 improved their walking speed, balance, and reduced falls with strength training. The 12-week program boosted muscle power and mass in the lower limbs.
How the gut got its villi
Researchers at Harvard University investigated the process of villification, which shapes gut villi, and found similarities in its principles across different animal species. They discovered that mechanical forces from muscle layer differentiation drive early villus growth.
Sensory illusion study provides new insight for body representation brain disorders
Researchers create sensory illusion where subjects believe an artificial finger is their own, finding that brain uses muscle signals alone to build body representation. The discovery provides insight into clinical conditions like stroke, schizophrenia, and phantom limb syndrome.
SLU researcher finds a turtle eye muscle adapts to deal with obstructed vision
A Saint Louis University researcher found that a specific eye muscle in pond turtles adapts to compensate for obstructed vision when their head is retracted into their shell. The study revealed unique characteristics of the turtle's eye movements, which differ from other animals with lateral eyes.
X-ray science taps bug biology to design better materials and reduce pollution
Scientists tap into bug biology to design new materials, such as artificial ligaments and chemical-free pest control methods. The study of caddisfly silk reveals its unique properties, including water resistance and collagen-like behavior. Additionally, researchers use X-ray technology to better understand human muscle mechanics and po...
Studies: Motor control development continues longer than previously believed
Research finds that fine motor control skills continue to develop until adolescence, contradicting previous beliefs. The study uses a new tool to measure fine motor control and demonstrates its applicability in children as old as 16 years.
New muscular dystrophy treatment shows promise in early study led by Children's National
Researchers at Children's National Medical Center have found that the new oral drug VBP15 decreases inflammation and protects muscles, potentially preventing or delaying the onset of symptoms in Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients. Initial clinical trials are planned pending FDA review and approval.
Osteoarthritis and the (not so) painful step toward a cure
A novel technique using ultrasound waves could reveal how abnormal forces lead to osteoarthritis development, enabling targeted intervention programs.
SourceThe Journal of Visualized Experiments·JournalJournal of Visualized Experiments·DateSep 17, 2013
JCI early table of contents for Sept. 16, 2013
Researchers have identified a metabolite as a biomarker of diabetes risk, revealing that individuals with increased levels are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes. Additionally, the study found that a specific genetic mutation affects muscle performance in elite endurance athletes by altering calcineurin signaling.
Genotype influences muscle performance
Research reveals how genetic mutations in α-actinin-3 affect fast-twitch muscles, leading to increased endurance capacity and enhanced response to training. The study provides insight into the skeletal muscle adaptations advantageous to elite endurance athletes.
New muscular dystrophy treatment shows promise in early study
A preclinical study found that VBP15 decreases inflammation in mice with symptoms similar to those found in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The drug protects and strengthens muscle without the side effects linked to current treatments.
Lessons from the worm: How the elderly can live an active life
A team of researchers from the University of Michigan discovered that the loss of motor ability associated with aging begins in neurons and spreads to muscles. By stimulating neurons, they were able to reverse the decline in motor ability in roundworms and potentially develop a new treatment for human muscle decline.
Doubling the daily allowance of protein intake with diet and exercise protects muscle loss
A new study published in The FASEB Journal found that consuming twice the recommended daily allowance of protein helps prevent muscle loss and promotes fat loss. Tripling protein had no additional benefits.
SourceFederation of American Societies for Experimental Biology·JournalThe FASEB Journal·DateAug 29, 2013
Oxygen-generating compound shows promise for saving tissue after severe injury
Researchers found that injecting sodium percarbonate into oxygen-deprived muscles can produce enough oxygen to preserve function and homeostasis. The treatment has the potential to extend the 'golden hour' when treatment has the highest chance of preventing death after traumatic injury.
Study aims to help patients with peripheral artery disease become more active
Researchers are developing a sophisticated light sensor to monitor oxygen levels in leg muscles and signal when patients have pushed far enough before pain hits. The goal is to improve exercise tolerance and reduce symptoms for millions of Americans with peripheral artery disease.
Knockout mouse grows larger, but weaker, muscles
Researchers found that muscle cells in knockout mice grew larger, but lost strength due to oxidative stress. The study suggests that limiting oxidative stress could help prevent age-related muscle loss and improve overall health.
SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio·JournalThe FASEB Journal·DateAug 15, 2013
2 left feet? Study looks to demystify why we lose our balance
Researchers at the University of Michigan used an electroencephalogram to study how the brain responds to a fall. They found that many areas of the brain sense and respond to a fall, but this happens well before the muscles react. The study aims to improve understanding of falls in the elderly and potentially prevent them.
Watermelon juice relieves post-exercise muscle soreness
A new study found that watermelon juice enriched in L-citrulline relieves post-exercise muscle soreness. The natural juice also showed potential benefits, although L-citrulline was more bioavailable.