Articles tagged with Muscles
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A recent study published in The Journal of Physiology reveals that the brain relies on outflow signals to predict limb movement, even when sensory inputs from receptors are blocked. This finding sheds light on how our brains learn to move accurately and provides insight into phantom limb sensations.
Researchers from UT Dallas' NanoTech Institute have developed two types of artificial muscles that convert chemical energy into mechanical energy, addressing limitations of traditional battery-powered robots. The breakthroughs could lead to advancements in autonomous humanoid robots, prosthetic limbs and exoskeletons.
A study in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology found that physical activity, even minor exercises like turning a page or shoveling snow, can impact PET scan results and lead to false positives. To minimize this effect, patients should avoid excessive muscle activity 48 hours before scanning and inform their technologist.
Scientists found that African and South American fish independently developed electric organs by altering sodium channel proteins, allowing them to generate and sense electric fields. This convergent evolution of molecules provides valuable insights into the role of genes in human health and disease.
A Californian judge has ruled that the state must ensure a qualified individual confirms unconsciousness before the injection of pancuronium and potassium chloride in executions. This decision follows concerns raised by anaesthetists and a drop in public support for capital punishment from 80% to 64% over the past decade.
After two months of tweaking, FUSE's control system resumed operations at an efficiency comparable to earlier in the mission. The satellite has obtained significant science data on various celestial objects, including discovering a hot gas halo around the Milky Way galaxy.
A recent study found that using anabolic steroids for performance can lead to serious health risks, including a significant increase in heart attack risk and liver damage. The research suggests that even healthy individuals may experience these adverse effects due to the toxic nature of the drugs.
Case scientists demonstrate that motor neurons' behavioral roles change depending on body positioning, with implications for developing robots and prosthetic devices. Their research provides the first demonstration of Bernstein's hypothesis in a behaving animal.
Satellite and side population cells, a major source of muscle repair cells, arise from somites in the embryo. These cells are better at forming muscle than those not produced by somites, offering new hope for treating Duchenne's muscular dystrophy.
Scientists at EMBL and King's College discovered a unique connection between titin proteins that may help assemble muscle tissue. The study used advanced microscope techniques to watch molecules link together in live cells, revealing a new mechanism for sarcomere formation.
A new study published in the Journal of Athletic Training found that traditional neck muscle resistance training does not reduce a player's head acceleration during impact, contrary to popular thinking in athletics. The eight-week program did improve neck muscle strength but failed to enhance head stabilization.
Scientists have identified two microRNAs, miR-1 and miR-133, that play opposing roles in determining whether myoblasts proliferate or differentiate into mature muscle cells. Increasing miR-1 promotes differentiation, while increasing miR-133 enhances proliferation.
A study of 71 smokers found that guided imagery techniques increased smoking abstinence rates by 14 percentage points. The results suggest that clinicians can use these techniques to aid patients in quitting smoking, contributing to the country's goal of reducing smoking prevalence to 12% by 2010.
Researchers introduce a modified form of ChR2 in C. elegans neurons and muscle cells, allowing blue-light activation to trigger strong contraction and backing behavior. Electrophysiological experiments confirm the effects are due to ion flow caused by light exposure.
Researchers at University of Toronto have developed a new therapy using functional electrical stimulation to improve walking skills in patients with spinal cord injuries. After 12-18 weeks of treatment, the patients showed significant improvement and some were even able to stop using leg braces.
Researchers have discovered a new muscle-building agent that increases muscle size by 60% in mice after just two weekly injections. The agent targets the myostatin protein and has shown promising results in mice with muscular dystrophy, suggesting potential for treating muscle-wasting diseases.
Research found that adding leucine to the diet restored a balanced metabolism in old rats, which had excessive protein breakdown. The study suggests that age-related muscle loss results from defective inhibition of proteasome machinery, and leucine supplementation can fully restore correct function.
Research by Victoria O. Chan reveals that 68% of intramuscular injections do not reach the muscle due to excessive fat tissue. The study suggests a longer needle length may improve success rates for patients with obesity.
Researchers at Ohio State University discover cancer wasting is caused by loss of muscle protein dystrophin and damage to the dystrophin glycoprotein complex. This finding may lead to new ways to diagnose and treat the condition.
Researchers have identified a key role for dendritic cells in the development of childhood autoimmune disease, offering a new strategy for designing more effective treatments. The study found that dendritic cells mature and migrate to muscle tissue in response to an unknown trigger, highlighting a potential target for intervention.
Research reveals that offspring of type 2 diabetic parents have reduced mitochondrial content and impaired muscle glucose uptake, increasing their risk of developing insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Reduced mitochondrial function can lead to lipid accumulation in muscle cells, further exacerbating the condition.
Researchers at MIT have proposed a new theory that could eliminate the obstacle of limited speed and control in artificial muscles. By applying specific light frequencies, engineers can activate devices more quickly without added energy demands or extra weight.
Two new research centers will explore new treatment strategies and biochemical pathways contributing to muscular dystrophy. Clinical trials and laboratory studies will focus on increasing muscle growth, inhibiting enzyme breakdown, and identifying genetic modifiers.
A study found that Botox injections significantly improved muscle tone and functional disability in stroke patients, with at least 50% achieving a 1-point or greater improvement. The treatment was safe and well-tolerated, with only 7% reporting adverse events.
A genetic study found that the enzyme stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 (SCD-1) is three times more abundant in muscle of obese individuals than in lean individuals. This elevation in enzyme activity corresponds with diminished fat burning and changes in fat composition.
A study by Duke University Medical Center discovered a gene that is more active in obese individuals, causing skeletal muscle tissue and cells to store excess fat. Exercise can potentially change this gene's activity, improving energy balance and enhancing fat burning.
This study recommends wheelchair setup and propulsion techniques to reduce upper limb injuries, including using smooth strokes and a light-weight wheelchair. Rehabilitation also improves wheelchair propulsion ability, with greater gains in men, younger persons, and those with paraplegia.
The study found that walking is most energy-efficient at low speeds, while running is best for higher speeds. A third walk-run gait is also optimal for intermediate speeds, but humans do not currently use this gait.
Researchers are testing the Space Cycle, a human-powered centrifuge that generates artificial gravity, to prevent muscle loss and atrophy in astronauts. The device simulates various levels of gravity, from Earth to five times Earth's gravity, to assess its effectiveness in maintaining muscle mass and strength.
Researchers have designed a prototype prosthetic hand called the 'Southampton Remedi-Hand' that mimics human movement and grip, weighing only 400g. The hand features independent finger movement, a functional thumb with opposable motion, and integrated sensors to detect pressure and object slipping.
A UCSF study has identified a signaling system composed of several genes as crucial for maintaining the stability of the nervous system. The research, led by Graeme Davis and Benjamin Eaton, found that a cytoplasmic enzyme called LIM Kinase1 is essential for stabilizing synaptic connections in fruit flies.
Researchers have successfully used human muscle-derived stem cells to restore leak-point pressure in animal models of stress urinary incontinence. The therapy involves injecting the cells into the periurethral muscle, which differentiates into new muscle fibers to prevent atrophy. Clinical trials are underway in Toronto.
A newly discovered muscle gene, Srpk3, has been linked to centronuclear myopathy, a rare genetic disorder affecting skeletal muscles. Researchers found that mice lacking the gene exhibit symptoms similar to those seen in humans with centronuclear myopathy, suggesting potential human mutations exist.
Research by Yale University found that insulin-resistant individuals' mitochondria produce less ATP, a key energy molecule. This defect may explain the link between inherited type 2 diabetes risk and reduced insulin signaling.
Researchers discovered the structure of miniature motors in muscles and found out how they are switched off. By studying tarantula striated muscle, scientists created a detailed model of the myosin heads and their interactions with actin filaments.
A study published in PLoS Medicine found that insulin resistance, a key factor in type 2 diabetes, develops early in life and is linked to weight gain. The researchers studied children of diabetic parents and found that insulin-resistant individuals have impaired energy production in muscle cells, leading to weight maintenance problems.
A recent study at the University of Bonn found that bone marrow-derived adult stem cells do not take on tissue-specific functions, meaning they cannot replace defective muscle cells. The researchers discovered that the cells migrate into muscle fibers but are unable to produce functioning dystrophin, a key muscle protein.
Researchers discovered that calcium fills a small structure in cells, forcing muscles to relax when full. This understanding can help doctors treat patients more accurately with the body's natural mechanisms.
Researchers have identified a crucial nicotinic receptor in nematode worms that plays a significant role in muscle contraction. The discovery may have direct relevance to humans due to the similarity between the nematode receptor and the alpha-7 nicotinic receptor found in the human brain.
Researchers at University College London have discovered that mesenchymal stem cells create both muscles and bones in vertebrates, with blurred boundaries between cell groups. This sheds new light on human diseases like Klippel-Feil syndrome, where these regions are often malformed.
Scientists at MIMR have identified adult stem cells in the uterus, which could lead to new treatments for conditions like pelvic floor prolapse. The discovery may also aid in understanding how diseases of the uterus develop and further general studies into adult stem cells.
A study by University of Illinois-Chicago researchers found that a plasminogen system component called PAI-1 actually enhances muscle regeneration when deficient. This suggests the plasminogen system may have multiple roles in muscle repair and offers potential therapeutic targets for aging and degenerative diseases.
The new center will explore basic biological mechanisms and translational research on muscular dystrophies, while providing advanced diagnostic services to patients. Researchers will investigate new treatments for Duchenne muscular dystrophy and develop mouse models to test potential therapies.
Researchers found that Tai Chi significantly improved the physical fitness of fall-prone older adults, reducing the risk of falls and fractures. The exercise program showed a 25% reduction in walking time for those who practiced Tai Chi compared to the control group.
Researchers at MIT have developed a novel approach to creating vascularized muscle tissue using a tri-culture scaffold composed of myoblasts, endothelial cells, and fibroblasts. The resulting implants showed improved integration with the host tissues and functioned in living mice and rats.
A recent study published in the Journal of Physiology reveals that muscle fatigue can significantly impact limb control, particularly when visual cues are absent. This finding has significant implications for athletes involved in high-speed, precision-based sports like serving a tennis ball or shooting a bow and arrow.
A study by Edward F. Coyle found that Lance Armstrong's long-term training increased muscular efficiency, leading to an 8% improvement in power production. Combining this with a planned weight loss, his steady-state power output improved by 18%. This increase in muscle efficiency may be due to an increase in type I muscle fibers.
A study found that a chemical hibernation trigger may help protect skeletal muscles from damage caused by lack of oxygen. The researchers discovered that the plasma from hibernating woodchucks improved muscle activity after a period of hypoxia and reoxygenation.
Researchers at the Salk Institute found that opposing chemical signals from neurotransmitters sculpt the developing nervous system by preserving synapses between motor neurons and muscle cells. This process helps eliminate unnecessary sites, allowing for more efficient neural connections.
A new study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology found that short bursts of high-intensity exercise can improve muscle health and endurance capacity similar to traditional endurance training. The study showed a significant increase in citrate synthase, an enzyme indicating tissue oxygen utilization, in trained subjects.
Researchers found that verbal cues and internal targets affect the muscles used to produce sound and the speed of speech. In noisy conditions, speakers slowed their speech to improve intelligibility, highlighting the complexity of speech production goals.
Researchers found trospium, an anti-muscarinic drug, has a topical effect on the bladder muscle that controls contractions. This effect reduces muscle contractions and increases bladder capacity, offering new hope for patients with overactive bladder.
This article discusses various low back pain relief strategies, including prosthetic fit and production, for individuals with amputations. It also explores the impact of head and body movement on gait in patients with inner ear balance organ abnormalities.
A new kidney test using protein cystatin is more accurate than the standard test for serum creatinine in predicting risk of death from all causes and cardiovascular disease, especially among elderly people. The test measures kidney function independently of muscle mass, age, gender, and race.
Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a robotic arm called RUPERT to help stroke survivors regain basic tasks like reaching and feeding themselves. The device uses pneumatic muscles and can be programmed for repetitive exercises to improve arm and hand flexibility and strength.
A six-week cycling study found that regular exercise activates hundreds of genes in young, healthy men, some linked to diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The study also showed that individuals who improved their performance most activated more genes in the muscles, a phenomenon not previously seen.
This May 2005 Ophthalmology journal issue presents multiple research findings on various ophthalmic conditions, including temporal arteritis, isolated optic atrophy, diabetic retinopathy, and uveitis. Key studies explore the management of neurological disorders and treatment outcomes for patients with these conditions.
A study suggests non-surgical alternatives to facelifts can improve the neck and chin area, reducing the appearance of a 'wattle'. These procedures use liposuction and muscle tightening techniques, with moderate to marked improvement seen in over two-thirds of treated patients.
A new robotic arm, RUPERT I, can help stroke survivors recover motor function through repetitive exercises. The device is powered by four pneumatic muscles and adjustable to fit different body sizes.
Researchers found that subjects who watched a video of someone learning to navigate a robotic device improved their own performance when faced with similar challenges. However, the benefits of observation were diminished when performing unrelated arm movements during observation.