Research on muscle biology and repair. Covers tissue maintenance, Parkinson's protection, repair-cell preservation, and muscle strength with age.
Tel Aviv University researchers discovered that endurance exercises increase muscle stem cells and enhance their ability to rejuvenate old muscles. This finding could lead to a new drug to help the elderly and immobilized heal their muscles faster.
A new study reveals that a key muscle protein is necessary for exercise but not normal muscle development. PGC-1-deficient mice exhibit mitochondrial problems but remain insulin-sensitive and do not develop diabetes.
A recent study followed 44 ultra-marathon runners for two months to investigate the physical effects of long-distance running. The research found that runners experienced significant muscle loss in their legs, as well as substantial fat reduction, particularly in visceral fat, which is linked to cardiovascular disease.
A study using fat yet muscular mice aims to understand how more muscle can reduce cardiovascular risk in obese individuals. The research suggests that increased muscle mass improves blood vessel function, glucose disposal, and heart health.
Experts in motor neuron diseases challenge a recent study's claim that repetitive head trauma causes ALS, citing lack of clinical and pathological evidence. The editorial aims to dispel doubts on Lou Gehrig's ALS diagnosis.
A new study reveals that adenosine tri-phosphate (ATP) works in synergy with lactic acid to sense muscle pain. The researchers found that ATP increases the sensitivity of acid sensing channel #3 (ASIC3) on sensory neurons, helping to explain why acid alone is unable to trigger ischemic pain.
Research by University of Alberta graduate student Scott Persons reveals T.rex's long tail was a key factor in its exceptional speed. The dinosaur's caudofemoralis muscles, attached to upper leg bones, provided the power stroke for fast forward movement.
A University of Colorado at Boulder-led study found that specific stem cells can prevent the loss of muscle function and mass with aging. The transplanted stem cells doubled in mass and sustained themselves for two years, suggesting a potential treatment for humans with chronic degenerative muscle diseases.
Kent State University geology professors Rodney Feldmann and Carrie Schweitzer report on the discovery of a 360-million-year-old fossil shrimp in Oklahoma. The ancient crustacean's muscles are remarkably well-preserved, providing valuable insights into its evolution.
Researchers used X-rays to pinpoint locations of more than 50 mutations in the ryanodine receptor, a protein associated with calcium-related diseases. The study provides insights into how these mutations contribute to disease and could lead to new therapeutic targets for heart disease.
Recent studies report no significant difference in function or patient satisfaction between biceps tenotomy and tenodesis for long head biceps tendinopathy. Nonsurgical treatment options, such as rest, anti-inflammatory drugs, and physical therapy, are considered the first line of treatment for this condition.
Researchers found that the DUX4 gene is normally expressed only in early development but its suppression is inefficient in FSHD patients. This leads to toxic bursts of protein causing muscle cell death and muscular dystrophy.
A new model, described in PLoS Computational Biology, allows runners to calculate personalized targets using their aerobic capacity to avoid hitting the wall. The model takes into account a runner's aerobic capacity and leg muscle mass to determine a safe pace for the race.
A new study found that clenching muscles can increase willpower by activating the mind-body connection. Participants who tightened their muscles demonstrated greater ability to withstand pain and make healthy choices.
A computational model of a swimming fish has been developed to simulate the interaction of both internal and external forces on locomotion. The study reveals that body stiffness is crucial in determining how well a fish swims, with stiffer bodies accelerating faster but expending more energy.
A fluorescent image of the mosquito heart, taken by Vanderbilt graduate student Jonas King, has won first place in Nikon's 'Small World' 2010 photomicrography competition. The image showcases the unique structure and function of the mosquito's circulatory system.
Patients with higher muscle mass tend to live longer if they have kidney disease, according to a recent study. Researchers found that increased mid-arm muscle circumference was associated with improved mental health scores and longer survival rates.
Researchers studying gene therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy discovered a natural immunity to dystrophin, complicating experimental therapies. The immune response triggered by T cells may target muscle cells, resembling autoimmunity.
A new study published in The FASEB Journal suggests that muscle inflammation after acute muscle injury is essential to muscle repair by means of insulin-like growth factor-1. Inflammation, once thought to be detrimental to healing, plays a crucial role in repairing damaged muscle tissue.
A study published in Experimental Brain Research reveals that chronic impingement syndrome, a common cause of shoulder pain, is triggered by excessive activation of specific neck and shoulder muscles during daily life or sports. The research opens the door to future tests of physiotherapy as a non-invasive treatment for shoulder injury.
Researchers at Stanford University successfully induced normal patterns of muscle contraction using light, reproducing the natural firing order of motor-nerve fibers. This technique could lead to practical applications for restoring movement in people with physical disabilities, such as stroke or spinal-cord injuries.
A new Northwestern University study found that rapid weight gain in the first six months of life predicts earlier puberty for boys and has long-term effects on their physical characteristics and reproductive strategy. The researchers suggest that testosterone plays a key role in shaping these differences.
Researchers found that brain stimulation therapy improved motor function in 95% of patients with mild to moderate muscle weakness after an ischemic stroke. The treatment, using repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), rebalances brain activity between the affected and unaffected hemispheres.
A new study found that cancer-related cachexia can cause significant damage to the heart in mice with colon cancer. Researchers observed reduced heart function and changes in heart muscle structure, as well as signs of damage in the mitochondria and increased fibrous tissue.
The study aims to determine the best balance between effective treatment and side effects for children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The researchers will assess the breathing capacity, satisfaction levels, and muscle function of patients, using three steroid treatments: prednisone, deflazacort, and a combination of both.
A study published in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery found significant differences in knee alignment and muscle activation between male and female soccer players. Male players activate specific hip and leg muscles more than females during kicking motions, which may contribute to the higher risk of ACL injuries among women.
A study of triathletes found that their hearts become larger and stronger as a result of endurance and resistance training. This adaptation reflects the nature of triathlon training, which combines both forms of exercise.
Researchers discover that deleted versions of the DUX4 gene trigger its overexpression in FSHD patients, leading to disease progression. The finding provides a crucial step in understanding the disease and offers a potential therapeutic target for treatment.
Patients with necrotizing myopathies who test positive for novel autoantibodies against 200-kd and 100-kd proteins may benefit from immunosuppressive therapy due to their autoimmune nature. Researchers also found a unique association between statin use and muscle symptoms in this patient group.
Researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston have discovered a way to use widely available blood pressure drugs to combat age-related muscle loss. By dilating blood vessels, these medications can increase amino acid delivery to muscles, restoring normal growth and potentially reducing frailty.
Research published in the Journal of Physiology found that astronaut muscles deteriorate to that of an 80-year-old after just 180 days in space. The study highlights the need for effective exercise countermeasures to protect muscle and bone on long-duration space missions.
A new study at McMaster University shows that using lighter weights can build muscle just as effectively as heavier ones. The key is to lift until fatigue sets in, pumping iron for a specific duration.
Harvard researchers have found that exercise and caloric restriction can reverse the deterioration of nerve connections in older mice, a potential explanation for their age-related benefits. The study reveals that these lifestyle factors can attenuate or even reverse the decline in synapses, which are crucial for brain function.
A University of Alberta study discovered that muscular heart failure patients with more muscle mass tend to have better nutritional status and reduced severity of the disease. Higher body fat is associated with increased inflammation and reduced exercise capacity, suggesting a potential benefit from having lower body fat.
A recent study found that walking flat-footed after wearing high heels causes discomfort due to shortened muscle fibers and stiffened tendons. High heel wearers' calf muscles remained the same size as those of flat shoe wearers, but their tendons became thicker and stiffer to compensate for the shortened fibers.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine developed a technique to grow muscle stem cells on a synthetic matrix that mimics the elasticity of real muscle, allowing them to maintain their self-renewing properties. This breakthrough may revolutionize the production of adult stem cells for therapies.
New research reveals the TRPML1 channel plays a crucial role in lysosome function, offering new avenues for treating conditions like ALS and CMT. The findings suggest that activating this channel could help overcome membrane traffic defects caused by disease-causing mutations.
Researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine identified a new way diseases develop through understanding how cells control gene expression. They found that protein DPF3b plays a critical role in the transcription process for muscle growth and heart development.
Researchers found that saber-toothed cat forelimbs were stronger than those of modern felines, with thicker cortical bone and larger diameters, suggesting they used their arms to pin prey before delivering a fatal bite.
Research published in Science reveals that muscle weakness and coordination problems in children with neonatal diabetes are caused by neurological issues rather than muscle problems. The study provides implications for developing improved treatments for the disease, which affects one in 100,000 infants in the UK.
A clinical study by Heidelberg cardiologists found that acupuncture increases skeletal muscle strength, allowing heart patients to cover greater distances during exercise. The treatment also reduced inflammation messengers in the blood, which contribute to muscle fatigue.
The study found that male zebra finches use their stronger vocal muscles to control the pitch of their songs, while females rely on lung pressure. This discovery sheds light on how birds learn to sing and the complex mechanisms behind birdsong.
New research reveals that high doses of caffeine increase muscle power and endurance during sub-maximal activities, such as everyday tasks or running a marathon. The study's findings have implications for the use of caffeine in sports to enhance performance, although caffeine remains unlisted by the World Anti-Doping Agency.
Researchers gathered to discuss novel muscle processes and clinical implications of complex macromolecular machines controlling muscle contraction. Key findings include insights into the DHPR–RYR1, actin–myosin interactions, and the multifunctional role of the dystrophin–glycoprotein complex in skeletal muscle.
Researchers found Botox significantly reduced short-term pain in TOS patients after a single low-dose injection. The treatment avoids surgery's drawbacks and offers a non-invasive alternative.
A study by Indiana University found that inspiratory muscle training can reduce the oxygen required by breathing muscles during exercise, making more oxygen available for other muscles. This improvement in whole-body endurance performance was previously reported following IMT.
Research suggests that drinking fat-free chocolate milk after exercise can help retain, replenish, and rebuild muscle. It also helps reduce markers of muscle breakdown and improves subsequent exercise performance.
A McMaster University study found that women who drank two large glasses of milk a day after weightlifting gained more muscle and lost more fat compared to those who consumed sugar-based energy drinks. The researchers attributed the gains to the combination of calcium, high-quality protein, and vitamin D in milk.
Researchers found that excessive HSP10 production can preserve muscle strength and halt the aging process. The study, funded by BBSRC, suggests that artificially increasing HSP10 levels could be used as a therapeutic measure to prevent age-related muscle loss.
Researchers at the University of Georgia found that daily ginger supplementation reduces exercise-induced muscle pain by 25 percent. The studies also showed that heat-treating ginger does not enhance its pain-relieving effects.
Research at the University of Texas Medical Branch found that elderly people's muscles don't respond to insulin by expanding their blood vessels like younger people do. This response is necessary for muscle protein synthesis and growth, with implications for improving strength and health in older adults.
A study published by Greek researchers found that electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) can prevent critical illness polyneuromyopathy (CIPNM), a common complication of ICU stay. EMS reduced the risk of CIPNM and improved muscle strength in patients, shortening weaning periods and ICU stays.
Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) may reduce muscle atrophy in patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). NMES improved quadriceps and calf muscle mass, increasing the anabolism to catabolism ratio in muscle proteins.
Researchers at UTMB found that restricting blood flow during low-intensity resistance exercise increases protein synthesis and stimulates muscle growth in older men. The study offers hope for patients who need to regain muscle mass after surgery or due to conditions like arthritis.
A new study by University of Illinois labor expert John Dencker found that restructuring shifts workplace power towards firms, leading to performance-based bonuses that slow payroll growth. The shift creates fears of termination for managers, affecting their wages and career stability.
Researchers will assess MRI technology to measure muscle tissue in children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, aiming to facilitate therapy testing and improve disease management. The study may provide valuable guidelines for MRI use in clinical trials and drug tests targeting DMD treatments.
University of Missouri researchers have documented satellite cell movements and behaviors using time-lapse photography. Understanding the interactions between these cells and their 'host' myofiber may help overcome obstacles to gene therapies for muscular dystrophy.
A study found that ultrasound can effectively diagnose muscle tears in soccer players during games, allowing for immediate play cessation. This non-invasive imaging modality helps prevent further injuries by detecting partial or complete muscle tears on-site.
UBC researchers have developed a new biomaterial that closely mimics the elasticity of muscle, showcasing high resilience at low strain and toughness at high strain. The material's mechanical properties can be fine-tuned to develop biomaterials with diverse useful properties.
Engineered proteins mimic titin, a key muscle protein, to create a tough yet extensible scaffold for muscle regeneration. The biodegradable biomaterial could aid in the healing process by allowing new tissue to grow across injuries.