Research on muscle biology and repair. Covers tissue maintenance, Parkinson's protection, repair-cell preservation, and muscle strength with age.
Researchers identified an enzyme called SIK1 that regulates a pathway involving exercise-induced hormones and controls muscle-specific gene expression. Boosting SIK1 levels or inhibiting HDAC activity restored normal muscle function in genetically engineered mice with weak muscles. The discovery may provide clues for improving cellular...
A new study found that hibernating black bears lose about half as much skeletal muscle strength as humans confined to bed rest for similar periods. The researchers tested the bears' muscle strength and fatigue resistance after a 110-day period of anorexia and confinement.
A new study reveals that precise levels of the special protein UNC-45 are crucial for proper muscle formation. Having too much or too little UNC-45 can disrupt myosin assembly, leading to muscle paralysis and other health issues.
A new class of treatment, PTC124, has been shown to restore muscle function in a mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy by targeting a specific genetic defect. The drug allows the ribosome to read through a mutation and produce full-length dystrophin protein, enabling enough protein to be made to correct defects in the muscles.
A study of 4,000 pregnant women found that almost 1 in 5 overweight women required emergency Caesarean sections due to poor uterine contraction. Obese women experienced excessive bleeding following delivery, which was attributed to poor uterine activity.
A new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that milk protein significantly outperforms soy protein in building muscle mass after weightlifting. Young men who consumed skim milk post-workout gained almost twice as much muscle mass in 10 weeks compared to those who drank a soy drink.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins have identified a protein required for neighboring cells to fuse and become one super cell. The Solitary protein coordinates the movement of molecular delivery trucks and marks where the cell barrier needs to be broken, directing the building of a delivery road.
SPOC Inc. has developed a proprietary point-of-care medical diagnostic system that pinpoints specific myofascial trigger points causing pain, revolutionizing neck and back pain diagnosis and treatment practices. The investment from Stevens Institute of Technology and Connecticut Innovations will help commercialize the product.
Researchers at the University of Iowa found that biofeedback treatment can correct bowel function in nearly 80% of patients with dyssynergic defecation. The study compared biofeedback to standard treatment of laxatives, diet, and exercise, and found that biofeedback was significantly more effective in improving muscle function.
Researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute found that boosting a key muscle gene improved Duchenne muscular dystrophy symptoms in mice. The study suggests increasing PGC-1alpha levels could slow or reduce disease progression.
A study found that leisure-time physical activity is associated with a lower risk of work-related repetitive strain injury. The researchers analyzed data from the Canadian Community Health Survey and discovered that being physically active during free time can protect against this type of injury.
A study shows that a wearable robotic therapy device improved arm function by an average of 23% in severely impaired stroke patients. The device, developed by MIT engineers, uses electrical muscle activity to provide power assistance and facilitate movement.
A study published in Psychological Science found that heart rate variability (HRV) is associated with self-regulation and can predict vulnerability to tempting situations. Researchers measured HRV in participants who resisted or gave in to temptation, revealing a link between HRV and perseverance.
As people age, their neurons must speak more loudly to muscles to achieve precise control, leading to poorer physical responses and increased falls. Exercise, such as weight training, can increase firing rates and preserve motor capacity in older adults.
The Natural Fat-Loss Pharmacy highlights safe and effective supplements like HCA, MCT, green tea extract, and chromium that can aid in weight loss. Dr. Preuss separates the good from the bad and lists natural weight-loss aids available on the market.
The ankle exoskeleton helps patients regain limb function, and users can learn to walk with it in about 30 minutes. After three days, their nervous system retained control over the device.
A new study from Ohio State University found that workers who lift for a living need to take longer or more frequent breaks than they now do to avoid back injury. Taking regular breaks helps muscles recover and reduces the risk of fatigue-related back injuries.
Aging animals show reduced AMPK activity in skeletal muscle, leading to decreased mitochondrial function and increased intracellular fat content. This decline contributes to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.
Researchers found that losartan improves muscle regeneration and repair in a mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a devastating disease characterized by rapid progression of muscle degeneration. The study also showed that losartan can attenuate the entire disease when treated over time.
Researchers developed targeted muscle reinnervation to improve control of a motorized prosthetic arm, allowing for better functional movement and sensory feedback. The technique enables the re-routed nerves to grow into muscles, giving users improved control and potentially 'feeling' sensations with an artificial hand.
Researchers found evidence of leech-borne transmission of a fungus-like organism infecting newts' muscles, which may affect their ability to reproduce. The infection is not fatal but can impact newt populations. Human activities, such as fertilizer use in wetlands, could lead to increased leech abundance and disease spread.
A study found a strong connection between muscle damage during vaginal deliveries and pelvic organ prolapse, which causes the uterus, bladder, or bowel to fall down. The research suggests that preventing these injuries can help reduce the rate of pelvic organ prolapse.
Researchers have made new discoveries about cerebellar functioning in rats, shedding light on how the brain controls movements. The study found that specific modules of the cerebellum regulate reflex functions during walking and adapt to situations.
Researchers found that blocking TGF-beta activity with losartan restores normal muscle structure and function in genetically engineered mice with Marfan syndrome and Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The treatment improved strength, reduced fatigue, and restored muscle architecture.
Researchers found that resistance-breathing training and endurance respiratory muscle training improved swimming endurance by 33-38% and breathing capacity. The study also showed significant improvements in underwater scuba swimming time by 66%.
A genetic 'switch' drives the formation of a poorly understood type of muscle in mice. These mice exhibit increased endurance and can sustain longer periods of physical activity.
A protein called DLGH1 has been found to guide the orientation of smooth muscle cells surrounding the ureter, which pumps urine from the kidney to the bladder. The study suggests that dysfunction of this protein may increase the risk of kidney failure in humans.
A new backpack design reduces force on the wearer's body by 86%, allowing for more comfortable running with heavy loads. The suspended-load ergonomic backpack is designed to benefit soldiers, emergency workers, and schoolchildren who often carry heavy items.
Researchers discovered that the chemical language of nerve cells is determined by electrical activity in the developing nervous system. This finding suggests modifying nerve activity could be a treatment for various brain disorders.
New research reveals how botulinum toxin attaches to nerve cells, using a similar strategy as locating an airport. The study identifies the exact spot where the toxin binds, allowing for potential anti-toxins and new treatments for paralysis and dystonias.
Scientists from Stanford University have discovered how botulinum neurotoxin binds to individual nerve cells, which could lead to the development of preventive vaccines against botulism. The study may also pave the way for novel remedies for several neuromuscular conditions, including cerebral palsy.
A study published in Arthritis Care & Research found that muscle strength and functional performance were lower in the leg operated on compared to the other leg four years after meniscectomy. Patients reported symptoms and functional limitations, scoring lower in all areas compared to healthy control patients.
Scientists have discovered that the giant danio, unlike its cousin the zebrafish, exhibits indeterminate growth due to hyperplasia, allowing it to continuously grow into adulthood. This study provides a model for understanding muscle growth and has potential applications in investigating muscle wasting diseases such as muscular dystrophy.
Research on parasitic-infected dragonflies reveals metabolic disorders similar to human obesity and type-2 diabetes, with parasites triggering an inflammatory response and changes in metabolism. The study suggests that microbial communities found in human intestines may also contribute to these diseases.
A new study found that exercising regularly can lead to more effective weight loss than following a calorie-restricted diet, as exercise helps preserve muscle mass and improve aerobic capacity. Those who exercised lost between 9-10% of their body weight, while dieters lost 9-10%, but also experienced reduced muscle mass.
Researchers have identified a gene called AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) that optimizes muscle activity. Genetic modification of mice expressing this activated state shows increased exercise capacity and accumulation of muscle glycogen, potentially leading to new treatments for muscle diseases and improved athletic performance.
Mayo researchers found that stronger quadriceps muscles can help reduce cartilage loss in the knee joint. Participants with greater quadriceps strength had less cartilage loss in the patellofemoral joint, which is frequently affected by osteoarthritis.
During intense exercise, muscles rely on anaerobic metabolism for force production, leading to muscle fatigue and impaired performance. The study found that the mechanisms of muscular fatigue are similar to those discovered in laboratory research on cell and tissue samples.
Researchers have found a way to protect muscle from degenerating after injury and improve muscle healing in mice by blocking the central signal molecule NF-kB. The study suggests two molecules with potential as promising drug targets for new therapies against muscle wasting.
Researchers discovered that GBA2 is necessary for normal sperm function and male fertility in mice. A lack of GBA2 results in abnormal sperm morphology and decreased fertility, similar to a treatment for Gaucher's disease.
Researchers have discovered a key molecular mechanism allowing tiny flies to whirl their wings at high speeds, revealing new insights into heart disease and the evolution of flight. The findings provide a better understanding of how chemical energy is converted into muscle movements, including human heart muscle pumping blood.
A Mayo Clinic study of 144 participants found that dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) supplements had no effect on age-related changes in body composition, physical performance, or quality of life. The study's findings contradict previous reports and suggest that DHEA should be treated as a regulated drug.
A study found that pre-operative inspiratory muscle training significantly improves lung function and decreases the incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications, including pneumonia. Patients at high risk of developing PPCs who underwent CABG surgery showed a 48% reduction in PPCs and 60% decrease in pneumonia after receiving IMT.
Researchers at USC have made significant discoveries in the fight against Alzheimer's disease. A study found that hormone replacement therapy may lower Alzheimer's risk by as much as 50 percent in younger women. Additionally, a new treatment approach for ALS and Parkinson's disease has shown promising results, with exercise interventio...
Researchers discovered that caveolin-3 inhibits myostatin signaling, preventing muscle wasting. Additionally, elevated PTTG1 levels triggered mitotic mischief, causing aneuploidy in thyroid cancer cells. Understanding these mechanisms can lead to potential therapies for muscular dystrophy and thyroid cancer.
A study reveals that caveolin-3 helps prevent muscle wasting in muscular dystrophy by blocking myostatin signaling. Inhibiting myostatin rescued the muscle wasting in mice, suggesting a promising therapy for certain types of muscular dystrophy.
Researchers demonstrate that trichostatin A can counteract muscular dystrophy in mice by promoting muscle regeneration and upregulating follistatin, a key protein involved in muscle development. Further studies are needed to determine the effectiveness of the drug in larger animals before it can be tested in humans.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine report a significant increase in MRSA muscle infections in children, highlighting the need for awareness and proper treatment. The study found that more than 75% of community-acquired staphylococcal infections are now resistant to commonly used antibiotics.
A new study published in The Journal of Physiology shows that short bursts of intense exercise can produce similar results to traditional endurance training. This type of high-intensity interval training may be a viable option for individuals with limited time, improving muscle health and performance despite lower overall training volume.
Researchers have found that a class of cancer drugs can restore skeletal muscle mass and prevent decline in muscular dystrophy. Treatment with histone deacetylase inhibitors like Trichostatin A improved muscle function and resistance to degeneration in dystrophic mice.
A study published by Infectious Diseases Society of America found that antibiotic-resistant bacteria are causing an increase in muscle infections, particularly among children. The researchers discovered a specific strain of Staphylococcus aureus associated with more severe disease, and emphasized the need for physicians to consider ini...
Researchers found that muscle cells degenerate when BAG3 is absent, highlighting its importance in maintaining mature skeletal muscle. This discovery may lead to prevention of muscle atrophy associated with diseases like muscular dystrophy and myofibril myopathy.
Asian vulture populations are critically endangered due to diclofenac poisoning; diclofenac residues can cause lethal kidney failure if birds feed on treated carcasses. Recent government measures restrict veterinary use of diclofenac, promoting meloxicam as a safe alternative.
A recent study by Ohio State University researcher Tracy Tylka found that men are under immense pressure to have muscular bodies, which can lead to symptoms of eating disorders and unhealthy behaviors. The study of 285 college men showed that those who felt more pressure to be muscular were more likely to engage in unhealthy habits.
A specific signal in cells in the nervous system aggravates MS symptoms, which could be alleviated by blocking related proteins. Blocking these proteins is promising as a strategy for new therapies against MS.
Researchers from the University of British Columbia successfully produced proteins with new mechanical properties through DNA shuffling of two titin domains. The study reveals that different arrangements of protein segments can significantly impact mechanical stability, challenging previous assumptions.
Researchers developed a genetic test for CMT2, a leading cause of the condition, which is characterized by muscle weakness and nerve damage. The new test offers hope for early diagnosis and potential treatment of CMT2, a complex disorder with no effective therapies yet.
Researchers used gene therapy to eliminate disabling muscle contractions in a mouse model of the most common form of adult-onset muscular dystrophy. The approach corrected myotonia, or muscle hyperexcitability, and eliminated muscle contractions as early as four weeks after injection.
The JRRD tipsheet focuses on the latest research and best practices for managing spinal cord injury, gait disorders, stroke recovery, and power mobility. Studies investigate functional electrical stimulation for controlling seated posture, terrain's impact on gait characteristics, and the effect of restricted spinal motion on gait.
The study found that therapies boosting adiponectin might be beneficial for treating insulin resistance and diabetes. Adiponectin increases mitochondrial number and function in skeletal muscle, exerting antidiabetic effects.