A team of American researchers has developed a genetic switch that allows mutations or light signals to be turned on in muscle stem cells, enabling monitoring of muscle regeneration in living mammals. This breakthrough could lead to the creation of a genetic switch or drug for humans to grow new muscle cells and treat muscular dystrophy.
Researchers studying the genetics of exercise have identified about 200 genes that play a role in adapting to physical activity. These genes may hold the key to understanding muscle diseases such as muscular dystrophy, and could lead to new treatments for individuals with limited genetic ability to adapt.
The find pushes back the origins of modern octopus by tens of millions of years, revealing a more primitive ancestor with fleshy fins. The fossils are remarkably well-preserved, showing similar characteristics to living species, providing valuable evolutionary information.
Scientists have developed a successful treatment for dogs with Duchenne muscular dystrophy using 'exon skipping' technology, which covers up genetic errors. The treatment involves injecting tailor-made DNA patches into the bloodstream, improving muscle functioning and reducing deterioration in skeletal muscles.
A new technique for staging bladder cancer has shown encouraging results, accurately identifying tumors in 95.2% of specimens and avoiding unnecessary bladder removals in some cases. The technique uses an antibody to distinguish between deep muscle layers, reducing the risk of mistaken diagnoses.
A CU-Boulder research team has identified a type of skeletal muscle stem cell that contributes to the repair of damaged muscles in mice. The newly identified stem cells, dubbed satellite-SP cells, renew the satellite cell population after injection into injured muscle cells, contributing to recovery of muscle tissue.
Researchers have developed a world-first procedure to regrow muscles in a mouse model, which could be applied to human tissue-based illnesses such as liver or brain diseases. The technique strengthens adult stem cells' ability to regenerate damaged tissue by making them resistant to chemotherapy.
A University of Illinois study found that a moderately high protein diet outperforms low-carb diets for weight loss and maintenance. Participants on the protein-rich diet lost more body fat and preserved muscle mass, reducing triglyceride levels and improving overall health.
Researchers discovered that male Australian crayfish use deceptive signals to advertise their strength, cheating rivals with weaker but larger claws. This behavior comes at a cost, as large claws may hinder the males' ability to escape danger.
Researchers identified the location of genetic material responsible for producing nNOS, a critical component for muscle health. The discovery could lead to more effective gene therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients.
A new study suggests that high levels of myostatin produced by muscle tissue in extremely obese individuals may contribute to the development of insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes. Muscle loss is a key indicator of this transition, and understanding its role in metabolism is crucial for finding effective treatments.
A study by U of T psychologists reveals a connection between moral disgust and primitive emotions related to poison and disease. The research found that people display similar facial movements in response to both moral and primitive forms of disgust.
The high-quality protein in eggs contributes to muscle strength by building and preserving muscle mass. Additionally, it provides sustained energy due to its steady release of amino acids without causing a surge in blood sugar levels.
Researchers found no increased risk of Guillain-Barré syndrome after HPV vaccination, but cases still warrant careful monitoring. The study analyzed data from the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System and reported 36 cases within six weeks of vaccination.
Targeted muscle reinnervation (TMR) appears to enable improved control of prosthetic arms for patients with arm amputations. The study, published in JAMA, found that TMR patients achieved high motion selection and completion rates, similar to those of control participants.
Researchers mapped every neuron in a small muscle of mice, finding unique neural circuitry even within mirror-image tissues on the same animal. The study suggests that the mammalian nervous system may be more primitive and flexible than previously thought.
A new study found that teenage girls with higher vitamin D levels had improved muscle function, specifically jump speed and power. The research suggests that vitamin D may be a super nutrient beyond its role in keeping bones strong.
A new study found a positive relationship between vitamin D levels and muscle power, force, velocity, and jump height in adolescent girls. The researchers measured serum vitamin D levels in 99 adolescent girls and used jumping mechanography to assess muscle power.
A systematic review found motor control exercises can significantly reduce pain and disability in patients with persistent low back pain. These exercises help regain control of trunk muscles, leading to improved physical activity and positive effects over time.
Researchers found that fat molecules clog up muscle cells' cytosol but not mitochondrion. By increasing mitochondrial ability to burn fat, muscles become more responsive to insulin. The discovery opens doors to developing new therapies for Type 2 diabetes.
A new study reveals that spitting cobras create complex geometric patterns of venom when striking, which are actively produced by the snake's muscles. This allows them to hit their targets with remarkable precision, making contact with an attacker's eyes where it causes severe pain and possibly blindness.
Researchers are sending worms to the International Space Station to study muscle atrophy in zero gravity. The goal is to understand why astronauts experience dramatic muscle loss and potentially develop new treatments for muscle wasting diseases.
The multifidus muscle's unique packing design allows it to serve as a critical stabilizer of the lumbar spine, providing strong support for the lower back. This discovery could lead to improved therapeutic interventions, such as physical therapy targeting specific muscles, to treat spinal disorders and reduce lower back pain.
Researchers have discovered a new therapeutic target that improves deteriorating skeletal muscle tissue caused by SMA. The therapy enhances muscle strength, improves gross motor skills, and increases the lifespan in a SMA model. By inhibiting myostatin, a protein that limits muscle growth, the treatment reduces symptoms of SMA.
A study by Ohio State University researchers found that the molecule miR-29 is essential for muscle repair and maturation, but its absence is linked to rhabdomyosarcoma cancer. Raising miR-29 levels in cancer cells slowed tumor growth and induced maturity.
Researchers found that laminin-111 restored regenerative capacity in a mouse model for alpha 7 integrin congenital myopathy. The protein promotes muscle cell health and survival by interacting with the extracellular matrix.
Researchers discovered that nerves connecting to flexor muscles are guided by a protein family called ephrin-B, which is closely related to the previously identified ephrin-A protein. This finding provides insights into how nerves form and could lead to new strategies for treating disorders such as epilepsy and mental retardation.
Research suggests FHL1 enhances transcription factor NFATc1 activity to promote muscle hypertrophy. Overexpressing FHL1 in mice and myoblasts resulted in increased strength and endurance.
Scientists have successfully transplanted a single adult stem cell into a live mammal and shown that it can self-renew and repair damaged tissue. The study used genetically engineered cells to track their dynamics, demonstrating the ability of these cells to proliferate and engraft into injured muscle tissue.
Research suggests Vitamin E's antioxidant properties may reduce pro-inflammatory cytokine expression in skeletal and cardiac muscle. The study found significant reductions in oxidized proteins and two cytokines with Vitamin E treatment compared to placebo, potentially correlating with increased muscle strength.
The 'Jollbot' can jump over obstacles and roll on smoother terrain, solving the problem of robots being able to move over rough terrain. It uses electrical motors to store energy in its springy skeleton, allowing it to leap up to half a metre high.
Researchers at Caltech have created images of the heart's muscular layer showing a connection between muscle configuration and contraction. The findings provide evidence that the helical shape is crucial to the heart's effective beating, settling a 50-year debate.
Vasovagal syncope is a common emergency situation in dental offices, characterized by loss of consciousness and muscle tone. Patients experiencing symptoms such as dizziness, lightheadedness, or pain may have an underlying cause that can lead to a life-threatening situation.
A new study published in Neurology found that growth hormone insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) does not slow the progression of weakness in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The two-year study involved 330 people with ALS and found no difference in muscle strength between those taking IGF-1 and placebo, as well as no differences ...
Scientists have discovered that prostacyclin stimulates the activation of uterine muscles, leading to strong contractions during labor. This finding may help develop therapies for preventing preterm labor, a serious complication of pregnancy.
Researchers have identified a molecule, Wnt3, that plays a crucial role in creating connections between nerves and muscles. This finding offers a new possibility for developing drugs to treat MND and other neurodegenerative diseases.
A study by Michigan State University researcher Jill Slade examines the ties between statin medications and muscle weakness, fatigue, and deterioration. The research aims to better understand the side effects of statins and identify potential risks in susceptible individuals.
A double-blind study found that beta-alanine supplementation increases physical working capacity in elderly individuals, improving fitness levels by 67% compared to placebo. This increase is clinically significant, as decreased functional capacity is associated with increased mortality.
Combining aerobic and high-force eccentric resistance exercise improved glucose control, physical performance, and body fat composition in people with type 2 diabetes. Patients who participated in a 16-week supervised exercise training program showed significant advantages over those in an aerobic-only exercise program.
Researchers have found an effective way to deliver gene therapy, targeting both skeletal and cardiac muscle, with the potential to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The therapy could be beneficial for patients by correcting electrocardiogram abnormalities in their hearts.
A University of Iowa study identifies a faulty signaling pathway that causes exercise-induced fatigue in mouse models of muscular dystrophy. The research suggests that targeting this pathway may lead to therapies for this type of fatigue. Viagra was shown to overcome the signaling defect and relieve the fatigue.
A recent study published in PLoS Computational Biology reveals that the human brain plans movements by integrating biological and environmental constraints. The researchers discovered a mathematical principle that predicts short periods of muscle inactivation during arm movements, which is a novelty in motor control studies.
A new study from the University of New Hampshire found that elderly women can increase muscle strength similar to young women after an eight-week training regime. However, the older group showed a reduced capacity to increase power, which is more closely related to preventing falls.
Researchers successfully linked a person's brain to individual muscles in a paralyzed limb using neuroprosthetic devices, allowing natural control and movements. The study demonstrates a novel approach to restoring movement through direct artificial connections between the brain and muscles.
Researchers found that SREBP-2 induces expression of type 2 taste receptors in cultured mouse intestinal cells and enhances T2R-induced secretion of cholecystokinin. This mechanism may inform the gut about food-borne toxins and initiate a response to limit their absorption.
A new hand transplant has shown emerging sense of touch in a 54-year-old man's former 'hand area' of the brain 35 years after amputation. The brain's map of the individual fingers is still evolving with increasing sensation, but researchers are optimistic about the potential for future recovery.
Facial reanimation surgery uses microsurgical procedures to connect nerves and muscles, allowing people to smile again. Plastic surgeons also discuss rejuvenating aging smiles and enhancing the mouth region using various techniques and devices.
A Johns Hopkins researcher found that early mobilization can help prevent muscle weakness and improve physical function in ICU patients, leading to shorter hospital stays and better quality of life. The study suggests that getting patients up and moving shortly after admission can help mitigate the negative effects of prolonged bed rest.
Researchers at the Salk Institute have discovered a two-stage fasting-response mechanism that ensures glucose production in the brain is tightly regulated. CRTC2 and FOXO1 proteins play key roles in this process, with SIRT1 serving as a nutrient sensor that switches between them.
A team of researchers has developed a pacemaker to stimulate the muscles that control breathing in horses. This technology may also benefit humans with laryngeal paralysis or those who undergo laryngeal transplants. The study's findings provide insights into the coordination of movement and breathing in equines.
For obese patients, a single session of exercise boosts fat-burning oxidation and reduces accumulated fat by-products inside the muscle, improving metabolic health. The study found that exercising increased fat storage in muscles, suggesting a potential therapeutic benefit for individuals at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Researchers found that women's muscle strength was 30% lower when compared to before casting, while men regained 99% of their strength within a week. The study suggests that hormonal differences may contribute to slower recovery times in women.
Researchers found that high-dose statins can decrease satellite cell proliferation, potentially affecting muscle healing and repair. The study's findings suggest a need for further research on the effects of statins on muscle progenitor cells in older adults.
A recent study by Ohio University researchers found that women's muscles require longer and more intensive rehabilitation after bed rest and cast immobilization. Women lose around 30% less muscle strength within one week of cast removal compared to men, suggesting different rates of muscular strength-building may be the cause.
Researchers found that even after years of steroid use, muscle fibers still gave lifters an advantage. The study suggests that anabolic steroids can enhance muscle fiber size and endurance even after withdrawal.
A four-month exercise program improved fitness, reduced fat, and prevented lean muscle loss in older sedentary individuals. In contrast, dieting alone led to greater lean muscle loss, highlighting the importance of exercise for maintaining muscle mass and overall health.
A study published in PLoS One found that a restricted-calorie diet can reduce iron accumulation in muscle cell mitochondria, which can contribute to muscle loss in aging adults. The research suggests that reducing caloric intake early on may help limit muscle wasting in later years.
A new study reveals that laminin influences post-synaptic patterning by corraling cell surface receptors on the muscle side of the synapse. Maturation of the muscle side was slowed in mice lacking specific laminin chains, highlighting the protein's role in coordinating nerve and muscle fiber development.
The NIH has awarded $9 million to launch the first Senator Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Cooperative Research Center (MD CRC) focusing on facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD). The center will collaborate with patients, researchers, and pharmaceutical companies to study causes and potential treatments.
Researchers at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center found a correlation between non-subcutaneous fat and calcified plaque in the arteries, increasing cardiovascular event risk. The study suggests targeting non-subcutaneous fat may be key to preventing heart disease.