Research on muscle biology and repair. Covers tissue maintenance, Parkinson's protection, repair-cell preservation, and muscle strength with age.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
San Diego State University researcher Sandy Bernstein receives $3.5m NIH grant to model human muscle diseases in fruit flies. His team uses genetically altered flies with engineered myosin protein mutations to better understand the effects on human health.
UCSB researchers found that tree chopping increases testosterone levels more than soccer, improving muscle energy and performance. The study suggests that Tsimane men maintain high testosterone levels due to their physically demanding lifestyle, contrary to industrialized populations.
Researchers found that piano players' hand muscle contractions differ depending on the sequence of notes played, indicating coarticulation. This phenomenon is similar to coarticulation in speech and American Sign Language, suggesting a complex neural connection between finger movements and keystrokes.
A clinical trial of eteplirsen, an exon-skipping drug, shows promising results in improving walking performance for DMD patients by increasing dystrophin production and muscle growth. The study demonstrated a 52% increase in dystrophin-positive muscle fibers and significant improvements on the six-minute walk test.
Researchers discover that a burnt sugar derivative, THI, improves muscle regeneration in mice with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The substance protects the body's supply of sphingosine 1-phosphate, essential for turning stem cells into specific types of cells and regenerating damaged tissue.
A team of researchers led by Dr. Miaozong Wu will investigate the effects of space travel on muscles and bones, identifying possible causes and developing potential treatments. The three-year project aims to address the significant health risks faced by astronauts and people experiencing muscle and bone loss due to various conditions.
Researchers from the University of Leicester show that insect limbs can move without muscles, using a close interplay of neuronal control and passive joint forces. This finding may provide engineers with new ways to improve robotic and prosthetic limb control.
Researchers have discovered a unique structure that takes unusual material properties to new heights, expanding more than 10% under compression. Zinc dicyanoaurate's giant negative linear compressibility makes it promising for optical pressure sensor applications and artificial muscle design.
Monitoring nutrient intake is crucial for vegetarian athletes to stay competitive. They must find ways to reach the acceptable macronutrient distribution by consuming a variety of plant-based foods daily.
Biologists discovered that female túngara frogs can be tricked into perceiving an unattractive call as attractive when a robotic frog adds a delayed visual cue. This study demonstrates how evolution may create complex traits by combining simpler ones, similar to how adding white noise improves human perception of sounds.
Researchers have redefined the understanding of how muscles generate power, expanding the scope of disease treatments. High-energy X-rays and cloud computing facilitated this breakthrough, revealing that muscle force comes from both filament overlap and lattice work.
New research reveals that muscle power comes from multiple directions, including radial forces, which were previously overlooked. The study's findings have significant implications for understanding normal and pathological aspects of muscle function, including cardiac diseases.
The Kessler Foundation received significant funding for research on spinal cord injuries, including studies on assisted walking with Ekso and the impact of aging on cardiovascular health. The grants will help advance therapies that improve function and quality of life for individuals with SCI.
Researchers have discovered four biomarkers that characterize the non-genetic form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a devastating motor neuron disease. These biomarkers could lead to earlier and more accurate diagnostics, as well as new directions for therapeutic research.
Researchers discovered that fruitbats can store energy in their triceps tendons, enabling a power boost during take-off and flight. This unique ability allows bats to control joint movement with precision.
Researchers used computer models to study the predatory behavior of Thylacosmilus atrox, a 3.5 million-year-old sabre-toothed super-predator. The results show that the animal relied on powerful forearms and precise neck muscles to kill its prey efficiently.
Researchers have identified unique patterns of chemical marks on histones that distinguish quiescent from active stem cells in muscles of young mice. These findings suggest that stem cells may be more versatile than previously thought, with the potential to become different types of tissue entirely.
Runners in a 200-mile Alpine ultramarathon experienced less muscle damage and fatigue compared to those who ran 103 miles. Protective pacing strategies, combined with sleep deprivation effects, may induce relative muscle preservation.
Researchers found that a protein controlling Alzheimer's disease also affects muscle development and coordination in mice. The study suggests that inhibitors of this protein, currently being tested for Alzheimer's treatment, might disrupt muscle spindle formation and impair movement.
A long-term study of patients with hereditary dystonia found symptom severity dropped to less than 20% within two years after device implantation. Sixty-one percent were able to discontinue all medications and 91% could discontinue at least one class of drugs.
A new study found that participants who received the dietary supplement Juven experienced significant increases in lean body mass, while those who received a placebo did not. Blood concentrations of IGF-1 also increased among Juven recipients, but the correlation with improved muscle mass was not statistically significant.
A new clinical trial shows that whole body vibration therapy increases bone-mineral density and muscle mass in adolescents with cerebral palsy, allowing for improved walking ability and overall health. The therapy significantly enhances leg and spine bone-mineral density, while also increasing muscle mass in the legs.
Researchers at the University of Liverpool identified a distinctive molecular signature in myoglobin that allows diving mammals to store oxygen. This adaptation enables elite divers like sperm whales to hold their breath for over an hour, while land mammals can only hold theirs for a few minutes.
Scientists have reconstructed the soft tissue of a 380 million-year-old armored fish using synchrotron X-rays. The study reveals well-developed neck musculature and powerful abdominal muscles in early vertebrates, challenging previous assumptions about fossil interpretation.
A new study by the University of Michigan Health System has identified a potential therapy to prevent muscle atrophy after ACL tears. By blocking the hormone myostatin, researchers aim to restore athletic and functional abilities in the short term and prevent osteoarthritis in the long term.
Scientists have discovered miraculously preserved musculature in 380 million-year-old fossil fishes from north-west Australia. This finding helps understand the evolution of neck and abdominal muscles in ancient vertebrates.
A study presented at EULAR 2013 found that a progressive muscle strengthening programme using a Swiss ball significantly improves functional capacity, muscle strength, and mobility in patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis. The programme also showed no harmful effects on disease activity, leading to improved treatment satisfaction.
A new study found that similar timing patterns govern the motion of swimmers like trout and sandfish lizards. The researchers developed a simple model to explain how these animals produce undulating swimming motions, which could also be used to design efficient swimming robots.
Scientists have identified a mutant gene responsible for Native American myopathy, a rare hereditary muscle disease. The discovery of the Stac3 gene may lead to the development of drugs to treat the condition and other related muscle diseases.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have made an engineered stem cell advance that points toward a treatment for ALS. The study, published in Molecular Therapy, found that using adult stem cells to deliver growth factors improved survival and delayed disease progression in rat models with symptoms resembling ALS.
A new study reveals that Allosaurus was a more dexterous hunter than previously thought, using its unique neck structure to strip flesh from prey. Unlike T. rex, which used brute force power, Allosaurus employed a falcon-like technique that relied on agility and control.
A study published in The Journal of Clinical Investigation found that microRNAs play a crucial role in determining muscle fitness by regulating the switch between slow- and fast-twitch muscle fibers. The researchers identified specific microRNAs that are elevated in active people, suggesting a potential new target for interventions to ...
A study reports that flexible endoscopic treatment of Zenker's diverticulum using a soft diverticuloscope achieves clinical remission in the majority of cases. The technique demonstrates long-term efficacy and has a lower risk of adverse events compared to open surgery or other endoscopic stapling techniques.
Scientists at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center identified two sub-types of pericytes, Type 1 forming only fat cells and Type 2 forming only muscle cells. The study suggests that Type 2 pericytes play a critical role in successful muscle regeneration.
A new study published in The Journal of Physiology found that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) significantly improves muscle function down to the muscle fibre level in postmenopausal women. HRT has been shown to reduce age-related decline in muscle mass and strength, particularly at cellular and molecular levels.
Scientists at Stanford University School of Medicine have created a mouse model where degenerating muscle tissue gives off visible light, enabling precise monitoring of disease progression. This technique paves the way for quicker and more accurate assessment of therapeutic drugs.
Researchers found that resistance training promotes the growth of white muscle, which helps regulate blood glucose levels. The study also identified potential drug targets for obesity and metabolic disease.
A study from Newcastle University found that vitamin D supplements improve muscle efficiency in patients with severe deficiency, leading to reduced fatigue and improved mitochondrial oxidative function. The research suggests a link between vitamin D and mitochondrial function, potentially offering a new way to boost energy levels.
Researchers at UMass Chan Medical School reveal the molecular mechanism behind the roundworm's escape response, linking two separate actions coordinated by tyramine and its interaction with fast- and slow-acting receptors.
Researchers at Yale University have identified a protein MKP-5 as a negative regulator of muscle stem cell function, enhancing muscle regeneration in a mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Additionally, studies suggest that lactate supports neuronal function and may protect the brain during hypoglycemia.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation found that loss of MKP-5 enhances muscle regeneration and prevents degeneration in a mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The results suggest that inhibiting MKP-5 could be a useful therapeutic approach for treating degenerative muscle diseases.
Research suggests that men with muscle dysmorphia prefer traditional masculine roles, while those with anorexia nervosa display greater adherence to traditional feminine roles. The study highlights the increasing pressures men face to define their masculinity in the modern world.
A study led by University of Washington researchers shows that genetic engineering can increase dATP levels in heart cells, leading to improved heart muscle function and greater force of contraction. The findings suggest a potential therapeutic treatment for heart failure conditions.
A small study involving 42 patients found that mechanomyography (MMG) technology effectively measures nerve function and determines whether nerves are compressed. After decompression, 70% of nerves had normal threshold values, while 98% showed a drop in threshold greater than 1mA.
A study by Hospital for Special Surgery found that long nerve grafts comparable to modern nerve transfers restored function in patients with axillary nerve injuries. The outcomes were measured by patient recovery and electromyography tests.
Researchers have made significant discoveries in musculoskeletal health, including bio-enhanced ACL repair and the diagnosis of posterolateral knee injuries. The new approaches aim to stimulate healing and regeneration, reduce future injury-related osteoarthritis, and improve patient outcomes.
Dr. Eric Olson, a UTSW molecular biologist, has won the March of Dimes Prize in Developmental Biology for his research on heart development and regeneration. His work has led to new insights into congenital heart disease and muscle dysfunction, with several drugs under study.
U of M researchers have successfully generated stem cells capable of muscle regeneration using induced pluripotent stem cell technology and genetic correction. The approach has shown promise in treating muscular dystrophy, paving the way for testing in reprogrammed human pluripotent cells.
A Tel Aviv University researcher finds that a simple home aerobic program is as effective as clinical therapy in treating lower back pain. The program involves walking two to three times a week for 20-40 minutes and has the added advantage of encouraging patients to follow a healthier lifestyle.
A new study published in PNAS reveals that excessive serotonin release triggers central fatigue, a condition where the brain and nervous system become exhausted during exercise. The findings may help develop better drugs for conditions like spasticity and cerebral palsy, as well as improve understanding of antidepressant side effects.